If you’re looking to pick up a notebook these days, things have gotten a little more complicated now that you have Chromebooks vs laptops to consider, rather than just Windows and Mac. Chromebooks have become very popular over the last few years, with attractive pricing and some eye-catching designs that can also work as tablets.

You may be wondering just what the difference is. After all, can it really be that different from the best laptops if it’s got a trackpad, a keyboard, and a screen. Here’s the main differences between Chromebooks and laptops, and what it means to you.

Chromebooks vs laptops

At the most basic level, you can consider the differences to be down to the operating system, or OS. Chromebooks run on Chrome OS, a lightweight operating system that’s not quite as fully featured as Windows or macOS but has its own benefits.

Chrome OS is ideal for, well, anything you do with Google Chrome on any device. It runs Google Docs, stores files in Google Drive, and is ideal for Gmail users. In fact, anyone that uses a Google Account for anything is likely to find a lot of Chrome OS functions feel familiar.

That said, if you use any specialist software, or really, any software, then your mileage will vary. That’s because unlike Windows or macOS, you can’t install anything on a Chromebook that’s not found within Google’s own web store, save for compatible Android apps.

So if you need to use Photoshop, play games, or even just install a to-do list app of your choosing, you may come unstuck.

Can I use Microsoft Office on a Chromebook?

Yes, but there are caveats. While you wouldn’t be able to install the full suite of Microsoft Office apps on a Chromebook, you can use Office 365 (Microsoft’s online subscription) and run web-based versions of the apps included.

These can still be used offline, but the experience will take some adjusting to if you’re used to opening up native versions of Word, Excel, Outlook, and co.

For many, though, Google’s own suite of apps like Docs and Sheets will fill the void quite nicely.Can I use a Chromebook offline?

Can I use a Chromebook offline?

Chrome OS no longer relies so heavily on having an online connection, but it definitely remains much more powerful with one (as you can imagine from Google). It’s all on a per-app basis.

Take Drive, for example. Google’s cloud file-sharing platform will let you plonk files inside and access them offline if they’re stored locally, while you can create a fresh Google Doc without being online.

It’s worth noting, though, that Chromebooks tend to ship with lower storage than laptop users might be used to. As a result, you shouldn’t expect to store huge files on it, and can expect to put more files in Google Drive.

Chromebook vs laptops: Which is right for you?

Because Windows and macOS are more demanding operating systems (and, compared to Chrome OS, offer a lot more flexibility), they tend to require more storage and higher-spec processors. That can mean they cost more, but does also allow you to install software of your choosing and be even less dependent on an internet connection.

Chromebooks, on the other hand, are somewhere between a laptop and a tablet in terms of what they can offer; snappy performance, but with the caveat of a limited set of applications and, therefore, utility.

If your day-to-day workload involves anything creative, things can be a little tricky on a Chromebook. Its limited power and app stores combine to impose plenty of restrictions on users. On the other hand, if you spend all day in Google Docs, Sheets, Drive or anything else, then a laptop may be overkill.

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Web browsers have come a long way from just offering a way to read email or, you know, browse the web – and the Firefox vs Chrome debate has rumbled on for years now.

Both offer something more akin to a traditional operating system in many ways, full of plugins/extensions and customizable features that mean your browser window can work differently from someone else’s. As with any product competing for your time, though, the question will always remain: which is best? We’re here to answer that very question.

While both Firefox vs Chrome are both some of the best web browsers, which one beats out the other in this head-to-head? We find out below…

Firefox vs Chrome

As two of the most popular web browsers available today, both Firefox and Chrome are free downloads with plenty of features. However, which browser reigns supreme?

Firefox vs Chrome: Features

Both Firefox and Chrome offer an integrated library of additional functions that can be installed. Firefox calls these “add-ons”, while Chrome calls them “extensions”. Essentially additional tools to help customize and empower your browsing experience, both have huge libraries – but Chrome’s is by far the largest.

Firefox and Chrome are also tailored per user, so you can switch users on each and see different bookmarks, extensions, and more. Browsing history and passwords can be synced across devices, too, which is handy since both have apps for the likes of mobile and tablet devices.

Perhaps Chrome’s “ace in the hole” is that it's tied closely to Google’s suite of web apps. If you’re an avid Gmail user or rely on Google Docs, Sheets, or Drive for work, you can still use Firefox – but everything is just a little smoother within Chrome.

Firefox vs Chrome: Security & Privacy

With so much of our lives spent online in some capacity, security at the web browser level is crucial, as is the privacy of our data.

Firefox and Chrome both offer built-in password managers (although we’d still recommend something like 1Password or LastPass as a first option) but both differ in execution. Firefox keeps your passwords locally, so malware that hits your device could recover that information.

Google, on the other hand, ties your passwords to your Google account. That makes them accessible anywhere you log in, but does bring its own issues if you’re logged in on multiple devices.

While neither browser blocks ads without an add-on or extension (which are easily installed), Firefox runs a stringent anti-tracking layer of protection that does its best to filter out anything that could log data about what you’re doing online. You can crank it up to higher levels, too.

When it comes to potentially malicious websites, both will offer users a buffer of sorts before landing on the webpage in question. This “are you sure you want to do that?” style of approach helps users retreat to safety, but also makes it easy enough to push through – particularly helpful if a site hasn’t been whitelisted as yet, but you need to work on it.

Privacy concerns are just as important as security ones, and Chrome is still lagging behind in that regard. Part of that is Google’s history of being built on customer data, and while you can opt-out of some of its methods, you’ll always be under a watchful eye for how you interact with adverts and other content.

That makes Firefox the clear winner on this, and while it does collect some data to help with maintaining its services, it’s not shipping it by the terabyte to advertising companies.

Firefox vs Chrome: Performance

It’s perhaps tricky to draw any definitive conclusions regarding the performance of each browser because both run on a variety of operating systems and with various add-ons and extensions installed, but for the most part, we can say this is a close-run race.

While Chrome can be a bit of a resource hog, particularly on macOS (where it has a history of draining the battery pretty rapidly), Google has been improving its reputation. In fact, Chrome is now the fastest browser around, with Microsoft’s Edge browser (built on a similar “Chromium” framework) not far behind.

Firefox isn’t as fast and does tend to take up a little too much RAM when you’re using it for multiple tasks, but it’s no slouch – still running faster than stock Chromium. Still, Chrome is significantly faster.

Firefox vs Chrome: Verdict

It’s a tough decision to make, but for sheer speed and compatibility, Chrome is the best browser you can use right now. Its library of extensions is huge, and it’s lightning-fast.

Still, many will balk at handing over such sizeable chunks of data to Google, and that’s understandable. With that in mind, Firefox should be considered an excellent choice, too, if you don’t mind it being a little slower.

Still, there are plenty of options out there. Microsoft Edge has come on leaps and bounds from the old Internet Explorer days, while Opera is another attractive option.

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Avast has launched a premium version of its privacy-conscious browser - Avast Secure Browser Pro - aiming to make browsing even safer than before.

Avast Secure Browser Pro is a Chromium-based browsers much like many of the other best web browsers out there including Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. Where things get more interesting is that it includes an integrated VPN that could potentially save you the need from subscribing to one of the best VPN services already out there. 

The built-in VPN offers access to 30 locations worldwide so it's not as comprehensive as a dedicated VPN but it does cover every continent except for Antarctica. And, of course, it encrypts all inbound and outbound connections as you would expect from a VPN. Avast also promises that there will be no buffering, throttling or encrypted bandwidth limits through the service.

Avast Secure Browser Pro keeps giving

Alongside that, Avast Secure Browser Pro also uses advanced Adblock technology to keep pesky adverts at bay while you're browsing. 

Advanced Adblock is set to Strict Mode as the default option so that all ads and trackers are blocked automatically. It's possible to tweak things to Essential Mode or Balanced Mode which blocks all ads that violate the Acceptable Ads Standard including pop-ups and auto-playing videos. Balanced Mode also blocks other non-intrusive ads to improve the speed of your browsing experience. 

Previously, Avast added a built-in VPN to the premium version of its mobile browser for Android and iOS so this is the next step in the company's plan to make things safer and easier for most users. 

Avast Secure Browser Pro is available for Windows 10, iOS and Android, with a Mac version coming soon. To use it, you'll need to subscribe with a seven day free trial starting you off. Three tiers are available. The monthly subscription is priced at $5.99 per month with a year-long subscription working out at $4.17 per month or two years costing just $2.92 per month. Users are able to have connections for up to five devices through the plans. 

As a way of simplifying your internet security software needs, this could be a good route to go down, saving you time and effort. We've been fans of Avast Antivirus in recent times despite some slowdown issues that should not be a problem here. 

Avast Secure Browser Pro is available now. Install the free version of the browser from https://avast.com/secure-browser and follow the upgrade steps. 

Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox are worth keeping an eye on right now. Significant changes to the best web browsers have been a little thin on the ground lately with the likes of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox all focusing on more incremental tweaks than anything hefty of late. However, a new update for Microsoft Edge that's currently in testing may well change that, and Mozilla Firefox is keen to liberate your browsing options too.

First spotted by Techdows, it looks like it's going to be a lot easier to save web pages as PDFs with Microsoft Edge in future. Originally spotted in a testing build of Edge Canary, the browser's context menu now offers the ability to save directly as a PDF rather than needing to dip into the Print menu to find the Save PDF option. 

Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox changes keep coming

Knowing to look in the Print menu for the option to save as a PDF is far from intuitive and is likely to be something that many less tech-savvy users didn't even know was an option. However, simply being able to right-click anywhere on a webpage and click Save As PDF is sure to be a game-changer for many users. 

Don't expect to see it on your build of Microsoft Edge just yet though. It's only currently in limited testing in Edge Canary. That testing browser is currently based on version 95 of Chromium while the latest public version of Edge is only on version 93 so there's a bit of a way to go. 

Alternatively, if your home computer or laptop uses Mozilla Firefox instead, you'll now have less of a fight on your hands with making it the default browser in Windows 10.

Firefox has bypassed Microsoft's anti-hijacking measures so it's now possible to set it as your default browser from directly within the app instead of needing to dive into the Windows 10 Settings app. 

In a statement to The Verge, a Mozilla spokesperson explained "people should have the ability to simply and easily set defaults, but they don’t," continuing that "all operating systems should offer official developer support for default status so people can easily set their apps as default. Since that hasn’t happened on Windows 10 and 11, Firefox relies on other aspects of the Windows environment to give people an experience similar to what Windows provides to Edge when users choose Firefox to be their default browser."

At this time, it's uncertain how Microsoft will respond to the change by Mozilla and whether other browsers will also implement similar changes. 

Another week has rolled by which means plenty of changes when it comes to some of the biggest and best web browsers out there. There are some small yet significant changes afoot when it comes to Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and the iOS 15 version of Safari, with the respective companies keen to grab your attention and browser time. 

Google is initiating a relatively subtle change to its Chrome browser, updating the wording of the introductory text that appears on new Incognito tabs. By doing so, it makes it clear that you're not entirely invisible online. With a clear layout including a pair of bulleted lists that break down exactly what Incognito mode means for the user, Google is hopeful it's more transparent about the mode's capabilities. Effectively, it's a reminder that Incognito mode doesn't save your search history locally but it's not a VPN. Your browsing history can still be traced and your ISP can still monitor traffic. If that's an issue for you, you'll need one of the best VPN services to keep you truly anonymous online but many users will be fine to use Incognito for basic private browsing. 

Elsewhere, Microsoft Edge is offering a longer 8-week release cycle specifically aimed at making life a bit easier for IT admins or those who simply don't want to keep having to update. Basically, this is the risk-adverse option with the release of version 94 of Microsoft Edge commencing the Extended Stable release cycle for those users keen to be a bit more cautious and wait for more stable releases. It's not the most exciting of changes and we suspect many power users will still embrace the four week option but it could be useful if you're cautious about updating too frequently. 

Heading out on Safari?

Finally, it's all change for Safari if you're using the iOS 15 beta. There's been a lot of complaints and general muttering about how iOS 15's Safari has placed the URL bar on the bottom of the screen, smashing all the tools in there awkwardly. The latest iOS 15 beta release has changed that slightly, allowing you to reset the web address bar to the top if you so choose. 

If you haven't participated in the developer beta (and we don't expect you to have), you won't see this on any of the best smartphones just yet but it's good to see Apple respond to criticism surrounding the placement of the URL bar. We've tried it ourselves and it works but it takes some getting used to. The ability to switch between the top or bottom seems like the best of both worlds when iOS 15 comes to fruition. 

Expect plenty more changes in the web browser world in the near future. 

In Google's continuing bid to maintain its hold as one of the best web browsers out there, there are plans to make Google Chrome even more secure by offering an HTTPS-first option. 

That might not sound like much to you or me but it means a substantial security boost. Switch the option on and the web browser shows a full-page warning when you try to load up a site that doesn't support HTTPS - the most secure form of browsing right now. Conveniently named HTTPS because it adds an extra S to HTTP (it stands for 'secure', of course), HTTPS encrypts your traffic making it an extra safe bet when you're using public Wi-Fi or you simply want to keep your ISP unaware of what you're doing.

Right now, that might not sound like such a big deal but it's something that Google is keen to encourage its users to embrace in future. It's doing so by marking insecure sites with a 'Not secure' label in the URL bar and by using https:// in the address bar by default. 

HTTPS-First Mode is an option currently starting with Chrome 94 but it's likely we'll see it become more widespread. The release of Chrome 94 is expected for September 21 so there's a bit of time yet to see what it all means. Google has written a comprehensive blog post covering the matter but all you need to know is that Google has the right idea here.

For your average daily use, HTTPS-First Mode should help keep you secure when you're using the best home computers as well as the best laptops. Ultimately, isn't that what we all want? Combined with the best internet security software, it should mean your system is that bit more secure and privacy-conscious in the long term. Keep an eye out for the update in September. 

One-half of our life (or even more now) is happening inside the browser. With the expansion of web and cloud-based services - be it for fun and leisure, or for business - using the right browser has become extremely important. Have you ever wondered how much personal data your browser collects? The fastest answer is - a lot. 

Modern browsers can collect all kinds of information about you - from your local physical address, your Internet Service Provider (ISP), even your place of work or employer's company name when you access the internet from your workplace. They are capable of knowing your default language, your cookie ID, your internet speed, plugins and even fonts that you installed on your PC. Quite a lot of information, isn't it? 

To combat this overreach into your digital privacy, the team behind Avast Secure Browser built a free browser privacy test tool to help you determine what data your browser leaves behind as you navigate the internet. Available on Safer.com, this comprehensive web app tests your browser against several privacy threats  providing easy-to-understand explanations and solutions to help you safeguard your digital identity.

Just how private is private browsing?

When most people talk about “private browsing,” they’re usually referring to the “private” or “incognito” function on one of the major browsers. Despite the name, “private” browsing isn’t really all that private. It’s not completely misleading, however - there’s some degree of privacy. When you use private browsing on one of the big browsers, it’s not recording your history as you browse. It’s also not tracking you for ad purposes.

That's great for simple situations like trying to keep your info private on a computer you share with your family, or if you're just sick of social media sites like Facebook tracking you for advertising purposes. But that’s really the only form of privacy “private” browsing gives you. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can and does still track what you’re doing. Any cyber criminals who have gained access to your device or network can, too. And, of course, there’s always government and corporate spies to think about.

Fortunately, with Avast Secure Browser you have additional privacy and security tools such as Anti-Tracking, Anti-Phishing, and Adblock which are turned on automatically in Private Mode. Making sure you stay protected while browsing online.

Avast Secure Browser: Getting smart about internet browsing

Avast - the international cybersecurity software company behind the incredibly popular Avast Antivirus software - has the solution for all of your secure browsing needs. Avast Secure Browser incorporates the company’s three decades of experience into a single seamless browsing experience. By combining all the browsing features you want and all the privacy and security tools you need, you can start browsing securely whether on your computer or mobile device.

Avast Secure Browser offers a variety of different security and privacy features all found in one place, the Security & Privacy Center, which you can open by clicking on the green shield icon:

• Adblock: Although ads are necessary to fund most websites, no one enjoys a flood of giant, flashing ads that cover up content and hurt the eyes. In addition to being unpleasant to look at, ads can consume your mobile data, slow down your browser, and even lead to pages crashing. Avast’s Adblock is built directly into the browser, specifically designed to prevent pages from breaking, and works like a charm.
• Anti-Fingerprinting: While cookies and an IP address can be used to identify you, many companies have come up with new ways to track users directly through their browsers called fingerprinting. This digital fingerprinting can provide all sorts of information, like your timezone, the language settings on your device, and even what sort of device you’re using. If you’ve ever seen a warning pop up on a website that included your device type or browser, it was likely the result of digital fingerprinting. Avast Secure Browser employs a number of methods to help you blend in with the crowd and avoid fingerprinting.
• Anti-Phishing: Scripts, iframes, trackers, and more can all infect your computer with viruses, spyware, and ransomware. What’s worse, this all happens in the background while you think you’re enjoying a seemingly safe website. Backed by Avast’s threat intelligence network and powered by AI, Avast Secure Browser protects you from phishing and malware.
• Anti-Tracking: Since your digital data is incredibly valuable, most companies have a vested interest in tracking your online activity. But they’re not alone. This treasure trove of data also attracts cyber criminals looking to abuse and exploit such information. Avast Secure Browser protects you from both by blocking external requests from third-party platforms, as well as removing web bugs and tracking scripts.
• Bank Mode: We all want a little extra security when money is involved, especially with more banks and retailers suffering data breaches. With Bank Mode, Avast Secure Browser creates an isolated desktop session, protecting your financial information from keyloggers and prying eyes.
• Extension Guard: While browser extensions can be helpful and powerful tools, they can also be a major security weakness when created by untrustworthy or malicious sources. Avast Secure Browser’s Extension Guard protects you by allowing only safe and trusted extensions to be installed.
• Hack Check: You’re probably already monitoring your credit report for identity theft and fraud, but with Avast you’re protected from digital identity theft. If your information is involved in a data breach, Avast Secure Browser will let you know exactly which login credentials have been compromised.
• Password Manager: Nearly every website wants you to create an account and you’re supposed to use a strong, unique password each time. Keeping track of all those passwords challenges even the best of memories. Avast Secure Browser allows you to install any password extension from Avast Addons and Chrome Web Store, including popular extensions like Bitwarden, LastPass and 1Password.
• Private Mode: If you’re on public wifi, you’re going to want an extra layer of security. Using Avast Private Mode enables Anti-track, Adblock, and Anti-phishing. Once you close the window, it also deletes your entire Private Mode session history.
• Webcam Guard: Whether you’re going into a video conference or just taking a picture for your profile, there are plenty of times when you’ll want to grant a website access to your webcam, but it should always be your choice. Webcam Guard lets you decide which websites are allowed to use your camera and when. You can even grant temporary permissions. So when you let Facebook take your picture for your profile image, you won’t need to dig through the settings to remove that permission afterwards.
• Integration with Avast Antivirus*: Although Avast is at the top of the game in protecting against cyberthreats, new methods of hacking and compromising security pop up all the time. Fortunately, the Security & Privacy Center can scan your computer for new viruses, ransomware, and other malware with Avast’s incredibly popular antivirus programs. Avast Free Antivirus or the paid options, Avast Premium and Ultimate work hand-in-hand with Avast Secure Browser to give you all the protection you could possibly want.

* Avast Free Antivirus, or Avast Premium and Ultimate paid services are optional.

In addition to a wealth of privacy and security features, Avast Secure Browser comes with a number of productivity tools built right in. Its performance manager optimizes your RAM and CPU usage ensuring a smoother and faster experience. And encrypted synchronization allows all of your browser history and bookmarks to sync across multiple devices. Because Avast Secure Browser is available for PC, Mac, iOS and Android, you can enjoy the same, secure browsing experience on your computer, laptop, and mobile device.

Avast Secure Browser: give it a try, it does what it says

So much of our world is now contained in our computers and phones that changing browsers can feel like a really big and overwhelming decision, but you deserve online security. With that in mind, Avast has made switching a quick and painless process. You can import all of your browsing history, saved passwords, and bookmarks from your old browser with the push of a button. Best of all, it’s free!

If you value your online privacy, you owe it to yourself to switch to a browser that has your back. Download Avast Secure Browser today and take back control of your digital privacy and security.

The best extensions for Google Chrome work like little light-weight apps which zip along right inside your Chrome browser. That means you can have powerful tools working with you online and offline, on any device that can run the Chrome browser.

Of course if you have too many that can slow down the already resource-hungry Chrome browser. That's why it's important to know which are the best extensions for Google Chrome so you're just running what you need. From ad blocking and security to browser tab saving and note taking, there are literally thousands of options out there.

We've narrowed down a list of the very best extensions for Google Chrome, making sure to have one for each area of need. This will have you covered for an easier online life, without slowing down your browsing experience.

It's also worth noting that all of the following extensions will also work on Microsoft Edge, since it now uses the same Chromium architecture as Chrome does. You can see the differences between the two in our Chrome vs Edge showdown. So, whichever of the best web browsers you're using, these extensions will give you a helping hand.

Top 10 best extensions for Google Chrome 2021

1. Adblock Plus

Adblock Plus is quite simply the best way to keep annoying adverts from distracting you when online. This will intelligently spot and stop adverts from filling your pages. That means no pop-ups but it also means no ads in the body of your webpage, leaving blank spaces where they would have been.

This is like turning off the background noise online, leaving you a calmer and more focused browsing experience. This also blocks tracking and gives you more privacy. It's hard to imagine living without this once you've tried it. What's more, it's totally free.

2. Bitwarden password manager

Bitwarden password manager is a fantastic way to tighten up your online security while also making your life easier. This will save all your logins and passwords in an encrypted vault that syncs across all your devices. That means you can have a ridiculously difficult and complicated password, different on each site and generated by the extension, without having to remember it. You just log into Bitwarden and all the rest is taken care of for you.

3. Save to Pocket

Save to Pocket is a great way to save useful sites you visit on your device, kept ready to revisit later when you have time to give it your full attention. Save web pages, links, images, files and more all in one place with a simple tap of the Chrome extension icon. Since this works across devices you can save something on your computer as you're heading out the door and it'll be ready to pick up and read on your phone when you're out.

4. Session Buddy

Session Buddy is a super way to freeze whatever you're doing. We've all been there, with lots of tabs open across a few windows, when suddenly we need to close the laptop and do something else. This app lets you save everything as it is so you can return to the same setup at the click of an icon. This lets you name the session so you can pick it out and carry on at a later stage. This is invaluable, yet it is somehow also free.

5. Evernote Web Clipper

Evernote Web Clipper works by allowing you to clip web pages, chunks of text or bookmarks, all to read later. It's similar to Save To Pocket but offers a bit more functionality and integrates nicely into the Evernote ecosystem – so ideal if you already use that app. A click of the icon will let you save an entire article or a simplified image-free version of it, to read later. Also grab screenshots or bookmarks as needed and you can even choose which notebook these items are clipped to, making organization a big draw here.

6. Tab Wrangler

Tab Wrangler lets you automatically close inactive open tabs after a set time has passed. This is great for keeping your browser resources available so as to avoid lag or stalling. Don't fret though, even the closed tabs aren't lost as these get saved so you can re-open them whenever you need. Or if you want tabs to be exempt then you can pin them so they never get auto closed. 

7. Pushbullet

Pushbullet is there to meld your phone and your device into one seamless unit. That means you can get your texts and even call notifications, all on your computer screen. From WhatsApp and SMS to Facebook Messenger, all your chat can take place within a browser window. Pushbullet is only available on Android smartphones at the moment, but can make sending messages a quicker process thanks to keyboard typing. It can even save you battery on your smartphone by keeping that screen locked more.

8. Capture

Capture does as the name suggests and lets you capture screenshots. Unlike the system built-in capture mode, this allows you to capture the contents of your Chrome browser page easily. This also lets you record the desktop, a tab or a stream from a webcam – ideal for guided video creation. You can even add narration over the top.

9. Send to Kindle

Send to Kindle is one of the best ways to get reading content from your browser right there onto your Kindle. This system works across browser, desktop, email and Android device in all its forms. As a browser extension for Chrome you can easily send news articles, blog posts and more right to your Kindle to read later. You can even select a chunk of text from a page and have that sent to your Kindle with all the formatting done for you and the transfer happening over the internet. Easy and it's free.

10. Loom video capture

Loom video capture is built specifically for recording videos of your screen to share with others. It also integrates webcam video so that you can overlay the two for a guided video, making it ideal for work or school scenarios where a particular website, say, needs to be given the walkthrough treatment. The ideal is to let you record a message and send it quicker than it would take to send an email, making this a powerful communication tool.

Mozilla has launched a significant redesign for Firefox with a focus on providing a less distracting experience for users while also helping them avoid extra clicks and wasted time. It's a surprise redesign for the browser that - in recent times - has been slipping a little behind Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. 

Currently ranked at third in our look at the best web browsers thanks to its great privacy features, Mozilla's latest update could potentially change a lot about people's opinion of it. The new browser features simplified navigation along with streamlined and clutter-free menus, as well as a new tabs design and less frequent notifications. The thinking is that it allows users to focus more on their work and online activity than be distracted by everything else happening on screen. 

'Cohesive, calmer visuals' is one way that Mozilla has described things, right down to lighter iconography, a refined color palette, and a more modern aesthetic that will suit screens of all sizes. Tabs now feature a curved design that means they look like they're floating above the menu bar. Whichever one is active is ever so slightly brighter than the others helping your eyes focus on what's important. 

Mozilla formed many of its tweaks by taking a look at how people clicked in Firefox for a month discovering that many of the 17 billion clicks a month are fairly wasted. 43% are on the Tab Bar while 33% are on the Navigation Bar and about 5% are on the Bookmark bar. By analyzing where the clicks occurred, the company set to work with cutting back on the need to click for seemingly no reason. 

Other minor but important tweaks include the shield icon located inside the URL bar glowing any time Firefox's enhanced privacy protections are working and improved privacy. That comes from Mozilla's Total Cookie Protection which has been extended to Private Browsing mode meaning the browser creates a separate home for cookies for each website you visit, ensuring nothing is too excessively tracked.

With a mixture of time saving and practical features, Firefox is looking a far more tempting proposition than it has in a while. Up against stiff competition from Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, we can't see it being the top browser any time soon but it's certainly a worthy alternative, particularly if you're looking to avoid intrusive alerts and easy distractions while you try to work in a browser. The update is available now if you want to give it a try. 

Need more computing advice? Check out our guide to the best home computers, and consider the best laptops, if you prefer to be portable.

Another week has gone by which means another week of what feels like increasingly ultra competitive updates from both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Has there ever been a time where the best web browsers have been quite so keen to garner our attention on such a regular basis? We're not convinced. This time around, Microsoft Edge has focused on speed while Google Chrome has tackled some key tweaks. 

Google Chrome 91 to give it its full name has provided plenty of security updates but it's also a bit more interesting than that. For instance, you can now copy and paste files into a web page saving you the effort of copying and pasting via the conventional method. It's also possible to search for closed tabs in the Tab Search icon which is bound to be convenient if, like us, you're prone to closing a tab then regretting everything. 

As well as that and in an interesting retro move, Chrome 91 is also bringing back a feature similar to the Google Reader RSS platform of old. It now allows you to follow a website so that any new content will show in a Following section when a new tab is opened. We'll just take a moment here to say it sounds like a fantastic opportunity to keep up to date with all things TopTenReviews related but it's also sure to be handy for other websites too. 

The Google Chrome 91 updates are all suitably useful if not necessarily huge sweeping changes. For sweeping changes, you may want to take a look at Microsoft Edge. This week, the Microsoft Edge team has announced that the browser "will be the best performing browser on Windows 10" bar none. That's due to a significant startup boost and the introduction of sleeping tabs. 

A startup boost means that Microsoft reckons that its browser launches up to 41% faster than before which is sure to be useful for the impatient amongst us. As well as that, its new sleeping tabs feature is designed to improve browser performance. It works by automatically releasing system resources for inactive tabs so that new tabs can run better without resources being hogged by irrelevant tabs. It's all part of Microsoft's plans for a separate performance mode that's currently in the works.

Of course, we'll all need to see if that 41% improvement is actually noticeable. After all, it's Microsoft citing this statistic and the company is keen to entice people in, but it certainly sounds promising if rather bold. 

For now, it's probably worth trying both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge to see what works best for you. Both web browsers are progressing at such a fast rate, there's sure to be some features you'll end up loving on one or the other. If you're getting a new Windows home computer, it'll come with Edge installed, and we think it's the better browser right now. It's especially good for the best laptops, as it's a much smaller drain on system resources and battery life. If you're going Apple, we'd probably recommend Chrome instead of Safari.

Another week has passed which means the browser wars have continued with both Microsoft and Google announcing updates to their respective browsers - Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. It's probably for the best that we're seeing so many updates right now as this week has also brought the news that Microsoft is retiring Internet Explorer next year.

That's hardly surprising as the company has worked hard to make Edge the web browser of choice for Windows 10 users compared to the now creaky looking Internet Explorer of old. In a blog post, Microsoft explained that Internet Explorer will be retired as of June 15, 2022. The only reason why it's stuck around for so long is because some legacy websites could only be viewed through it but now Microsoft Edge has a built-in Internet Explorer mode, there's simply no need for it. Still, if you've been using Internet Explorer for the past 25 years, we won't blame you if you feel a little bit sad about its retirement. 

Alongside that, we have news that Microsoft Edge is going all in with improving its vertical tabs facility. That's because an Edge Dev update has brought with it new settings options including the ability to hide the title bar to make using vertical tabs even easier. It's those little things that are making Microsoft Edge look increasingly unlikely to shift from the top spot in our web browsers list.

What's new with Chrome?

Until, that is, you glance over at Google's plans. It's just updated Chrome to allow users to quickly fix any of their passwords that may have been compromised due to a data breach. Its built-in password manager will now check to see if your details have been exposed anywhere as well as highlights if you have any reused passwords too. Soon, it'll also allow you to change your password with a single tap on Android smartphones meaning there's simply no reason not to stay safe at all times. Apple's Safari browser already lets you know if you're reusing passwords or there's been a data breach but being able to rectify the problem feels like a potent weapon in the battle against hackers and other nefarious people. The convenience of being able to fix it quickly is sure to help you avoid the allure of 'Ohh, I'll do that later'. 

As we've said before, it's a bit of an exciting time for web browsers - a sentence few could utter honestly in the past. Thanks to competition being so ripe, it seems likely we're going to see some great features over the coming months in a bid to attract customer loyalty. 

If you want more we have guides to the best home computers and the best laptops, to really boost your browsing.

Google has rolled out an update for Google Chrome that just made sharing links and information with your friends and colleagues infinitely easier compared to before. It's an update that continues to demonstrate why Google Chrome tops our best web browsers list and we can't see that changing for a while to come.

Google Chrome 90 now includes the ability to link to specific pieces of text on a website so that the recipient opens the link and the page scrolls automatically to the highlighted section. All the user has to do is highlight a block of text then right-click it and select "Copy link to highlight" to create such a link. 

It's a small but remarkably powerful addition to what Google Chrome now offers. After all, how often have you wanted to share something with someone then found yourself having to tell them to scroll down to the relevant section? In particular, it should be extra useful for students and professionals who may need to deal with large online documents but, honestly, everyone should benefit from this little timesaver.

As we reported last month Google has recently changed to a four-weekly release schedule in a bid to provide new features and to keep on top of its dominance against growing rival, Microsoft Edge. Microsoft's browser comes as standard with all the best home computers right now so Google appreciates it needs to do something a little extra to entice users into downloading its browser.

Chrome update heading to mobile

Right now, the ability to link to specific lines of text is only available with the desktop version of Chrome, but it's expected to hit Android and iOS platforms soon. 

Granted, if you'd kept on top of all things Chrome, you could have utilized such a feature in the past via the Chrome extensions available out there but this new addition means there's no added friction involved. Simply update your browser and you're all set. 

Alongside that pivotal update, Google Chrome now works better with PDF documents than before. It's easier to negotiate such forms using Google Chrome, plus a new presentation mode makes it clearer to look at them, entirely distraction-free. While that may not be so vital to as many users, it's still an important part of Google's statement of intent when it comes to building the best web browser out there. 

Whatever your needs, Google Chrome 90 is out now so get updating to enjoy the new tweaks. Expect more to come in a few weeks if Google's release schedule is anything to go by. And if you need more buying advice, we have a guide to the best laptops right now too.

Microsoft has updated its Edge browser to include a Kids Mode in a bid to help keep children safer online. It's the latest in a string of significant updates for the browser that we regard as one of the best web browsers out there. Potentially, such moves could one day help Microsoft's offering overthrow the almighty Google Chrome. 

Aimed at children aged 12 and under, Kids Mode includes features such as custom browser themes, kid-friendly content, Bing SafeSearch being automatically set to strict, and the option to set up an allow list so you can control exactly what sites your children are allowed to view. Alongside that, it'll require a password if someone wants to exit the mode, meaning it shouldn't be simple for your child to circumvent the protection. 

In a statement from Microsoft, corporate vice president Liat Ben-Zur explained that internal research has found that "for U.S. parents with children aged 12 and younger, 58% are concerned with the issues their children face when using digital products and services, and while the majority are aware of parental control solutions, only about half are actually using one today."

The thinking here is that any friction is eradicated. Rather than needing to set up a separate app or sign up to a specific parental control service, you can use your regular browser the same way you always have, just with the option of switching over to Kids Mode at a moment’s notice. Of course, if you're still keen to use dedicated apps then the best parental control software is still out there to supplement your experience.

Getting started with Kids Mode

Microsoft Edge's Kids Mode is simple to get started with. All you need to do is open the profile switcher menu on Microsoft Edge and click Browse in Kids Mode. The first time you hit this option, you'll be presented with an explanation and a choice of age ranges to choose from, depending on how young your child is. To exit it, click Exit Kids Mode and enter your password so you can return to more adult browsing. It's a straightforward way that lends itself perfectly to shared family PCs as there's barely any setup required. Microsoft has added 70 popular kids sites on an automatic allow list and you can easily add more sites to that selection via the browser options. 

For your child, Kids Mode is more fun too, with the home screen displaying news stories from kid-friendly publications such as Animal Planet and Time for Kids, so they can learn more as well as enjoy themselves. There are also cute themes thanks to Microsoft teaming up with Disney and Pixar to offer a more personalized touch to the browser. 

Microsoft is keen to stress this is a game-changer for parents and it certainly has the potential to lighten the load for them. If you want to try it for yourself, update Microsoft Edge today and click Browse in Kids Mode. 

Google Chrome has announced some exciting new features in the form of a new way to manage multiple browser windows at once, along with some fantastically useful accessibility tools for anyone trying to watch or listen to content. 

Building upon the success of tabs in web browsers (because where would we be without them?), both Chrome and Microsoft Edge are planning on implementing new window management options that should make it easier for you to identify and navigate between multiple browser windows. It's a 'window naming' feature that's as simple as it sounds - simply rename your tabs and windows so you can keep a little more organized than trying to remember which tab was for which project of yours. That name will then be displayed as a popup when you hover your mouse over the Windows taskbar button or the macOS dock icon.

It's a feature that's already available in the beta version of both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, so it should be available more widespread soon. 

Alongside that innovation, Chrome is going one step further when it comes to practicality thanks to Google expanding its real-time caption feature, Live Captions. Previously only available on Pixel phones and some Samsung Galaxy devices, Live Captions uses machine learning to spontaneously create captions for videos or audio where none were previously available. It's sure to be a huge help for anyone who's deaf or hard of hearing as well as anyone who's not in a position to listen to an audio clip. 

Via Google Chrome, Live Captions automatically appears in a small, movable box on the bottom of your browser window, meaning you can read what's being said. It's not perfect but it's considered to be still very useful. For now though, it only works in English, but it's a significant start. 

It's been a busy time for all things web browsers with Google recently announcing it would be switching to a four-weekly release schedule for its popular browser, followed by Microsoft announcing a similar measure for Microsoft Edge, so we're expecting to see more innovations and additions soon. Are the browser wars heating up? It certainly feels that way and we have a sneaky feeling that more regular updates will mean that our best web browsers rankings could shift quite substantially and frequently. 

For now, revel in knowing that two different browsers are keen to keep you interested with some very useful features. 

Microsoft Edge has been on a roll since the browser was overhauled and rebuilt using the Chromium architecture that powers Google Chrome. Now Edge is following in Chrome’s footsteps once again by moving to a four week major release cycle, meaning you’ll be getting more regular updates to your favorite Microsoft browser. And we know it’s your favorite Microsoft browser, because absolutely nobody liked Internet Explorer.

This news comes off the back of Google announcing that it will be shifting Chrome into a four-weekly release schedule after more than a decade off six week updates for the browser. Microsoft Edge was previously on an eight-week release schedule, so it seems like Microsoft has taken the opportunity to close the gap. It makes sense too, since Microsoft is actively collaborating with Google on the Chromium open-source project.

So, what does this mean for Edge and Chrome users? Well, in short, you’ll be getting more regular updates to your browser with new features, security updates and improvements, and performance enhancements. The changes to the release schedule aren’t immediate, but they’re expected to come into effect from Edge version 94 onwards. Edge version 94 is expected to be landing at the start of September this year, though that is subject to change. You can see the full update schedule here.

If you’re concerned about the more regular release schedule adding more bugs and instability into your web browser, then you can also manually opt to stick with an eight-week update schedule, essentially skipping every other update. You won’t get features quite as quickly as other users, but you’ll probably have a more stable experience if that’s what you value the most.

We were blown away by just how far along Microsoft Edge has come since its first iteration when we reviewed it last year. The new Chromium version has all the features and familiarity of Google Chrome, but with a few added features and security measures on top. In fact, Google better watch out because we’d say Microsoft is dangerously close to stealing the top spot in our best web browsers rankings. If you have a new home computer, it’s well worth giving Edge a go. 

As Microsoft Edge celebrates its one year anniversary, the revitalized web browser is getting a load of new features including a built-in password monitoring system, a password generator, new themes, and more as part of the Edge 88 update, which is rolling out now.

Microsoft Edge has had one hell of a year since it was rebuilt from the ground up using the Chromium engine - the same platform that powers the world’s most popular web browser, Google Chrome. We never thought we’d be in a position to say that Microsoft Edge is one of the best web browsers out there, but it’s true… and it’s about to get even better with these new additions.

The headline of this update is the increased security features in the form of the password monitor and password generator. The password generator is simple enough - when you’re required to create an account and fill in a new password while browsing in Edge, it will automatically suggest a secure password for you, which it will automatically log in the password manager. Now every time you visit that website and are asked to login, Edge will automatically populate the password field for you if you’re logged into your Microsoft account. This works across all your devices, assuming you're signed in too.

The second part of this password pairing is the password monitor. Password Monitor will periodically run your list of saved login details and passwords against its constantly updated list of leaked passwords. If Edge thinks that your details have been compromised, it will immediately notify you. This is normally a feature reserved for the best internet security software, so to have it thrown in for free with a free web browser is fantastic. Microsoft has noted that password monitoring may take a few weeks to show up in your Edge browser.

There are some other safety and privacy changes coming to Edge with this update too. You will now have a greater degree of control over specific website permissions, so you can decide which sites have access to your location, webcam, and microphone. There is also a new option in the cookie clearing section that lets you just clear third party cookies, while keeping those essential to your experience on reputable websites.

The long awaited sleeping tabs feature is finally making its public appearance too. Sleeping tabs automatically pulls system resources away from inactive tabs, meaning that your computer won’t grind to a halt when you have too many tabs open at once. Hey, we’re all guilty of it. We have 14 tabs open as we write this piece, so this feature can’t come soon enough.

Finally, there is a nice visual treat for Edge users, as Microsoft has also added a bunch of new themes to the browser. You need to manually download these from the Edge add-ons webpage, but it's a quick and easy process. Xbox gamers will be particularly happy as they’re all based on Microsoft’s most iconic gaming franchises including Halo, Forza, Sea of Thieves, and Microsoft Flight Simulator. 

Well this has just been a roller coaster of emotions, but it turns out that Internet Explorer isn’t quite dead after all - it lives on as a special mode in Microsoft Edge. Earlier this month we reported that Internet Explorers goose was cooked, as Microsoft announced it would not be updating the program past August 2021. Now all of that is still true, but now Microsoft has enabled a feature on the latest version of Edge, its new browser, that lets it emulate Internet Explorer, allowing you to visit legacy websites that can’t run on newer browsers.

Internet Explorer wasn’t exactly the best web browser in the world, constantly lagging behind competition like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox when it came to speed, performance, and features but it was an important and widely used program nonetheless. Internet Explorer was the default browser that came with Windows home computers and laptops for years after all.

Some older websites are built with Internet Explorer in mind, and don’t display properly when you load them up in modern browsers like Chrome or Edge in its standard mode. 

How to activate Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge 

If you want to take a journey back in time and visit some of those amazing late 90s websites that still exist, then activating Internet Explorer mode is a piece of cake. First thing’s first, you’ll need the most up to date version of Microsoft Edge, which is Edge 85. Download Edge here if you don’t already have it installed. 

Assuming you have Edge installed, open up the browser window and click on the Settings and more button (the three little dots in the upper right hand corner). Click the settings option and a new tab will open on the settings page. Click the menu button in the top left corner (three horizontal lines symbol) and then click the default browser option. Now you should see a couple of options under the heading “Internet Explorer Compatibility!”. Activate the button next to the option that says “Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode” and then restart Edge.

Now whenever you come to an older website that you want to use Internet Explorer mode on, you simply click the menu button and then click the “reload page in Internet Explorer mode” option.

The new Chrome-based version of Microsoft’s Edge internet browser is finally ready for prime time after spending most of last year in preview testing. This updated version of Microsoft’s internet browser has been built in the Chromium open source engine, the same that Google Chrome is based on. If you want to upgrade to the new Edge browser, you can manually download it at Microsoft’s website. Alternatively, you can wait for the automatic rollout, which will be taking place over the next several months.

Companies upgrade their software all the time, so why the big song and dance from Microsoft on this one? This new Chromium version of Edge represents a level of acceptance from the tech giant, which has been trying to push its own browser platform for years with limited success. The old version of Edge was maligned by users due to its sluggish pace, lackluster features, and lacking privacy features. We rated Edge third in our best web browsers guide.

The new version of Edge promises to offer "better compatibility for everyone, less fragmentation for web developers, and a partnership with the Chromium community to improve the Chromium engine itself." This should result in a smoother user experience for everyone, though time will tell whether it can actually deliver on this promise... or whether anyone will even use the new browser.

What web browser do you use?

Microsoft has been careful to ensure that the upgrade process is as quick and painless as possible, so you can rest easy knowing that your default settings, passwords, and favorites will all be saved when upgrading to the new Edge browser. The update also promises not to overwrite your default browser settings, so if you use Chrome then you won’t suddenly find Edge popping up in your face post update.

Microsoft launched Edge back in 2015 as a replacement for Internet Explorer. The browser struggled to gain significant traction due to stiff competition from Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox and as of November 2019, Edge accounts for 4- 6 % of global usage of desktop browsers, depending on which tracking system you use. For comparison, Google Chrome accounts for 59 - 67% of usage, while second place Mozilla Firefox takes roughly 6 – 9% of the market share.

if you’re looking to secure your online browsing experience from threats, check out our best antivirus software guide. You can also check out our best VPN guide if you’re looking to stay safe and anonymous online.

Mozilla Firefox, which we currently rate as the best internet browser, is on the verge of launching a built-in VPN feature designed to enhance user privacy when surfing the web. 

The Firefox Private Network, as Mozilla calls it, is currently available to download and install in beta via the company's Test Pilot program.

Specifically, Mozilla is promoting its tool as a way to protect your data from hackers when browsing on public Wi-Fi, as well as a further tool to hide yourself from third-party ad trackers.

This initial focus means there are some limitations to what the Firefox Private Network can do – at least compared to more fully featured premium virtual private networks.

• Read our Mozilla Firefox review

What you need to know about the Firefox VPN

Want to check out the Firefox Private Network for yourself? You can get started here, provided you're US-based and signed into your Firefox account on a desktop device.

However, there are a few things you should know first, lest you come away confused or disappointed.

It's important to note that Firefox Private Network is a purely browser-based VPN, so anything you do online that falls outside of Firefox won't be protected from the prying eyes of hackers, advertisers, or even government bodies. 

For that, you'd need to look at installing one of the best VPNs to your computer at system-level. Only then will all of your online activity – whether it's in Firefox, Chrome, or an app like  Skype – be fully masked.

Moreover, while the Firefox Private Network effectively changes your IP address, you can't use it to relocate yourself to another country like with most dedicated VPN services. 

This means no bingeing on TV shows only available in other countries, which rightly or wrongly is what a lot of people use a VPN for.

However, Mozilla's CEO has previously hinted at offering a premium VPN service to its users from October – and the company's footnote that the Firefox Private Network is available "free for a limited time" suggests that is indeed the ultimate aim.

Such a product would presumably offer a number of the features missing in the Firefox Private Network beta, like the ability to change your IP address to another country and unlimited bandwidth.

For now, though, it's a promising start that could see a lot of people turned on to the many benefits of using a VPN.

Google Chrome, one of the best internet browsers around, has been updated with a handful of new features.

The headline grabber is that Chrome's Incognito Mode will no longer let websites see when you are browsing privately.

In a blog post announcing Chrome 76, Google writes: "We want you to be able to access the web privately, with the assurance that your choice to do so is private as well."

• Google Chrome review

Chrome 76's best new feature is actually an old trick

Chrome 76 looks set to bring back a much-loved Incognito Mode trick that made it easier to bypass paywalls on certain websites – specifically those using what's called a 'metered' paywall. 

This type of soft paywall gives you access to a certain amount of free content, and once you've reached your limit, prompts you to pay a subscription fee offering unlimited access.

Incognito Mode offered a generally effective workaround for metered paywalls, theoretically giving you an unlimited supply of free content by making it look like you hadn't visited the metered website before.

But publishers soon became aware of this ruse and started monitoring for Incognito Mode usage, blocking access to their sites for those browsing privately. 

Not quite killing the paywall

Chrome 76 will put an end to this practice, but will it restore Incognito Mode to its former, paywall-dodging glory?

To an extent, but it's worth noting that sites that require you to register for an account before accessing any content will still be able to keep tabs on how much of your free content allowance you've consumed – even if you're browsing Incognito.

Whatever the case, it certainly seems like Google is putting the privacy needs of the public before the financial concerns of big media.

"Our News teams support sites with meter strategies and recognise the goal of reducing meter circumvention, however any approach based on private browsing detection undermines the principles of Incognito Mode," the search giant said in its announcement.

• How to remove personal information from the internet
• Best VPN

What else is new in Chrome 76?

There are two other noteworthy things about Google's Chrome 76 update, starting with improved dark mode support.

The latest version of Google's browser will detect if the site you're visiting has a dark theme and automatically switch to it if the device you're using is in dark mode. 

If the site doesn't have a dark theme, Chrome won't force the issue by flipping the colours of the page to fit dark mode, which can look downright odd when done wrong.

Finally, Chrome 76 puts another nail in the coffin of Flash –  and despite all of the positive changes we've mentioned so far, this is something that could give many people a short-term headache.

That's because Chrome 76 will no longer remember your past Flash activation choices, so you'll have to click to allow it every time you visit a page with a Flash element.

It's a minor annoyance and part of a concerted effort by Google to remove Flash support from Chrome altogether by 2020.

The next Google Chrome update, Chrome 77, is expected to be out around September.

• Best internet service providers
• Best internet security software

Avast Secure doesn't make our pick of the best web browsers, but it is a reasonably fast and easy to use browser that includes Avast’s free antivirus program. We assumed this meant the antivirus programs is integrated into the browser itself to make it more secure. However, we discovered that while Avast Secure is very good at blocking phishing schemes on its own – it blocked 83 percent of our test samples – we needed to download the antivirus program separately to stop malicious downloads, including ransomware and Trojans. You can download the antivirus program by following the link provided in the Avast Secure browser.

Avast Secure has a straightforward installation process. It looks and feels similar to Google Chrome, though it is a slightly large program file. This web browser has many of the tools others include such as a password manager, an integrated search engine and tabbed browsing. You can also browse using a private window and set Avast Secure to automatically clear your cookies and browser history.

One of Avast’s drawbacks is it’s only compatible with computers running Windows. We verified this by attempting to download it on an iPhone and an Android cell phone as well as a Mac computer. If you have a smartphone or Mac, we recommend Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Because Avast is only compatible with Windows computers, it doesn’t sync browser settings, so you can’t access bookmarks and other saved information on other devices. Avast also doesn’t include parental controls.

Because this browser is made by Avast, you have access to the same customer service options as its antivirus program users. This includes telephone and email support, along with a good-size community that interacts through online forums.

Overall, Avast Secure is a good, dependable and easy-to-use web browser. It’s missing a few features found in other browsers, such as parental controls and syncing, and it is only compatible with Windows PCs. It comes with a link to Avast’s free antivirus program that helps stop malicious threats from downloading to your computer.

Need extra data protection and security whilst browsing? Check out our best antivirus software guide.  

Update: Microsoft is now longer supporting Internet Explorer and we've removed it from our guide to the best web browsers. Alternatively, you can read our Microsoft Edge review, the company's latest web browser.

Microsoft isn’t releasing new versions of Internet Explorer, opting instead to focus development efforts on Edge. However, since Edge is only compatible with Windows 10 and several websites and applications are not optimized for it yet, the company continues to maintain Internet Explorer for now. Patches and updates are continually available, but you won’t see any new tools, features or technology developed for Internet Explorer.

Both Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge have clean interfaces, and they aren’t too difficult to navigate. Microsoft Edge incorporates a lot of the features found in Internet Explorer, such as tabbed browsing and tab organizing. In both browsers, you can add icons to the toolbar that link to popular and frequently visited websites, or you can add them to the homepage. That way, you don’t have to click through your list of bookmarked sites or type in a URL. When typing a web address into the URL bar, both browsers auto fill based on the sites you’ve visited, and they also provide some search suggestions.

Microsoft Edge has improved its tabbed browsing, and you can now hover over an active tab that is not currently being viewed to see a thumbnail image of that page. With this improvement, you don’t have to click the tab to remember what is there.

Another tool Microsoft Edge has is Notes, which lets you highlight words or passages on websites and saves the pages so you can come back to them later to reread the highlighted sections. You can also add notes, which is helpful for research projects.

Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge have good security features that protect you against some phishing schemes and malware. You can enable tools that block cookies and erase your browser history so it can’t be swiped by spyware. In addition, you can use a privacy browser, which makes it harder to trace your online activity back to you and your device. Microsoft made it easier to find and enable these settings in Edge than in Internet Explorer.

Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge work on mobile devices, but Edge only works with cell phones that run the Windows 10 operating system. Even then, Microsoft suggests you use ActiveX controls to continue using Internet Explorer on your smartphone because not all apps have been optimized to work with Edge. While testing internet browsers on our desktop computers, we found that there were some sites that had features, such as video feeds, that didn’t work with Internet Explorer, and we were prompted to install and use Microsoft Edge to view them.

If you have the same Microsoft browser installed on both your mobile device and computer, your bookmarks, search history and browser settings sync across both devices so you can always access them.

While Internet Explorer has a good balance of standard features, it is slow. In our tests, it took 4.53 seconds to boot up and load websites, which is slower than average. Some sites only took about 2.72 seconds to load, but that is still double the time of the best browsers we reviewed, including Mozilla Firefox. Microsoft Edge is a little faster, but ultimately, it too was slower than average when navigating to websites and fully loading pages.

Microsoft has a good support options. In fact, it is one of the few browsers we tested that has telephone support. Its online knowledgebase is searchable and very thorough in answering questions. In addition, there are tutorials and user forums to also help answer your questions.

Internet Explorer is a good internet browser, and Microsoft’s newer product, Microsoft Edge, is also very reliable. Both are easy to use and have great security features, though they both take a bit more time to navigate the web compared to other browsers we reviewed. Both save your settings, favorite sites and browser history so you can access them on other devices. However, Microsoft Edge is only compatible with Windows 10, though Internet Explorer works on all versions of Windows. Microsoft suggests continuing using Internet Explorer on mobile devices that need ActiveX controls, even if they run Windows 10, because Internet Explorer is compatible with apps that haven’t been optimized for Microsoft Edge.

Need extra data protection and security whilst browsing? Check out our best antivirus software guide.