Oh, you’ve found me bonding with my firefox
Web browsers, web browsers…
Who needs 'em, and who wants 'em?
Well, you need them, and if you're watching this video, then you probably want at least
one.
The most used program on pretty much any device is its web browser, which is no surprise since
none of us would know how to function without the internet.
But which browser is the best?
And which should you be using?
I'll answer these questions and more throughout this video.
But before we get into it, if you like this video be sure to smack dat like button and
hit subscribe for more content from us.
"Now my editor Ben has been asking me to wear a green shirt on screen for a while now and
we all know what that means.
He’s gonna edit some real weird stuff onto it.
I told him if this video gets to 5,000 likes I'll wear a green shirt.
So have at it my little weirdos!"
Now I'll be reviewing each browser based on the same criteria: its features, its availability,
whether it's free or not, and how much the company knows about you based on your weird
searches.
Without further ado, let's get right into the reviews.
Starting us off is Google Chrome
Google Chrome is, by far, the most popular web browser in the world.
You're probably watching this video from a Chrome tab right now, squished in between
the 16 other tabs you've had open for weeks.
The free-to-use browser's popularity is mainly due to its cross-platform compatibility, wide
range of extensions, and simple functionality.
It's not particularly hard to become 'good' at using Chrome.
Everything is nicely organized, and if you use a lot of Google's other services, like
Gmail, Google Docs, or Google Calendar, then you'll have easy access to those services
simply by having the browser installed.
Cross-platform Synchronization is the name of the game with Chrome, and is made even
easier with its concise bookmarks bar.
When it comes to your privacy, however, Chrome has a few shortcomings.
It has no tracking protection or ad-blocking for any compatible platforms (unless you download
a 3rd-party extension), no CNAME uncloaking to block 1st-party ads, and offers you very
little control over granting website permissions.
Basically, Google is going to do whatever they want with your private information, and
there’s not a lot you can do about it.
If you’re running Chrome on a low-end device, brace yourself for spontaneous combustion.
This browser is a nightmare when it comes to system impact, but you probably already
know that.
Overall, Chrome is great for the working man thanks to its full suite of apps and excellent
synchronization, but we just can’t overlook the glaring privacy issues.
For this reason, we’re putting it in the Decent tier.
Next up is Microsoft Edge
What we oldies call Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge has evolved into one of the best web
browsers in the world, and it's honestly a shame more people don't use it!
The browser has become a titan of privacy, with tracking protection across all platforms,
robust ad blocking, and allowing you to clear cookies on exit.
As for synchronization, Edge rivals Chrome with its password and bookmark syncing, history
and open tabs syncing, and end-to-end encryption of your synchronized data.
Edge ups its game further with its significantly lower resource drain, which means that your
computer isn't going to combust if you open too many tabs.
The browser features a wide range of robust privacy features that help keep those nosy
websites at bay, and Microsoft made sure to stay well away from FLOC - Google’s current
solution for ad-targeting in the absence of third-party cookies -, unlike Chrome.
It’s got a full range of convenience features, like autofill, website translation, dynamic
text reflow, and more.
If you’re sick of Chrome compromising your privacy, Microsoft Edge is a fantastic alternative,
and for this reason, we’re placing it in the Good tier.
Next, let’s take a look at Opera (Add this sound effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgEIA95_p9I
) Opera is not a very well-known browser, despite
being one of the top 5 browsers used around the world.
But, if you’re a gamer, then you should definitely consider switching to Opera, thanks
to its light performance impact on all devices.
In the privacy department, Opera provides tracking protection and integrated ad blocking,
but that’s about it.
Don’t expect any 1st-party ad blocking, cookie clearing on exit or JavaScript and
hyperlink auditing or ping disabling - even with extensions.
However, the browser redeems itself with its synchronization, and you’ll be able to sync
all of the important stuff across your devices, like your passwords and bookmarks.
What’s more, Opera offers full extension support, with support for uBlock Origin, extension
sideloading, and its own extension store for you to browse when you’re bored of regular
shopping.
Simplicity is where Opera shines, and while it doesn’t offer a lot of privacy options,
it’s not going to siphon your personal data and sell it off to the highest bidder.
For that reason, and the fact that its light memory load makes it great for gamers, we’re
putting Opera in the Good tier.
Mozilla Firefox is up next, I believe you’ve already been introduced
(Josh pretends to pick it back up off the floor and back into his arms.)
Mozilla Firefox has become a browser to be reckoned with, and while I'm not particularly
fond of the simplification of the icon, everything else about this browser is excellent.
The revitalized version of Firefox now has a much lighter impact on your computer, using
far less RAM than before.
It offers total tracking protection across all platforms, as well as the ability to clear
cookies on exit and partition third-party storage.
While it doesn’t offer its own ad blocking, downloading a simple extension is a piece
of cake, and should feel familiar if you’re transitioning from Chrome.
It’s got brilliant synchronization as well, with full bookmark, password, history, and
setting synchronization across all platforms.
As for convenience, when you’re on desktop, you’ll have access to autofill, dynamic
text reflow, and reader view, though Mozilla is also in the experimental stage with website
translation and dark mode.
Mozilla Firefox is the king of privacy, synchronization, and convenience, and for that reason, we’re
placing it in the Excellent tier.
Take that, Chrome.
We’ve got another obscure browser coming in, people! Vivaldi is here.
I hate to disappoint all of the classical musicians, but the Vivaldi browser has nothing
to do with the Baroque composer.What it does have, however, is a few great features.
It’s a spin-off of Opera, taking the best of its parent browser and pushing the limits
of customization.
This is a browser that is loaded with features that you would normally have to download in
an extension, and the best part?
It barely collects any data!
The Vivaldi browser is intended to be a fully-featured, customizable browser without the need for
any extensions, though if you did want to download some extensions, you’d be able
to thanks to its Chromium foundations.
Not only does Vivaldi feature an abundance of features right out of the box, but it also
has a low RAM consumption, so it’s not going to slow your machine down if you have more
than 3 tabs open.
By creating a Vivaldi account, you’ll be able to synchronize your settings and browser
data across your other devices, offering a seamless experience.
Another cool feature from Vivaldi is that the browser offers themes, which you can change
at your leisure, and even set to switch at certain times.
If you’re a power user who wants a lot of customization in their browser, and doesn’t
mind a little bit of ethical data collection, then Vivaldi is the browser for you.
We’re placing it in the Good category for this one.
And for all you die-hard capitalists - I mean Apple lovers - Safari is up next.
Safari is the native browser for all of Apple’s devices, and if you’ve got an iPhone, you’ve
probably used it at least once.
It’s not exactly the best browser in the world for a lot of reasons.
For one, it’s literally only usable on iOS devices, so even if you really like Safari
(which you might not after watching this video), you wouldn’t be able to use it without an
Apple device.
Safari isn’t all bad, though.
Apple is also on top of their synchronization game, with the ability to sync bookmarks,
passwords, history, and open tabs across their devices.
Just don’t expect your settings to sync across devices.
So, if you love the Apple suite and have been an iOS user for a few years, Safari is definitely
a safe bet.
It’s just a little lackluster in its convenience and tab handling, which is why we’re putting
it in the Not Terrible category.
And that brings us to the end of this video!
Thanks so much for watching, and I hope you were able to learn something new today.
If you enjoyed this video, be sure to give it a big fat like and hit the subscribe button,
so you never miss a video.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I actually have a date to get to.