As Wikipedia tells us, a browser is software for viewing websites, displaying their content and navigating from one page to another. Moreover, from the experience of working with computers it is already known that "surfing" the Internet can be quickly and conveniently, but it can be slow and sad. Without going into the details of the speed and quality of the connection to the global network (we can read about), otherwise it directly depends on a good browser. Therefore, it is about the variety of mobile browsers for different platforms that this article will be.
Mobile browsers for the platform
Google Chrome,.
- mobile browser from Google.
Pros:
- The ability to sync your bookmarks, mail, and other important data from your Google account;
- A single navigation window that allows you to search, supports automatic form filling and browsing history;
- Intuitive user-friendly interface;
- Support for many web technologies;
- Official support from Google produces Android OS.
Minuses:
- Poor Flash support;
- Not supported in earlier versions of Android;
- Lack of data compression system to speed up their loading;
- Extensions are not available in mobile versions.
Built-in browser- has sufficient functionality, but low page loading speed. It is a preinstalled browser in earlier versions of Android. Can work with Flash content (up to version 9), work with tabs and convenient scaling. High-quality work with Google services, with online Google Docs, work in mail, software installation and download - through the integrated downloader. Supports HTML5, plays video and audio content with built-in plugins.
Opera Mobile - the browser has a good speed of web browsing, it is possible to synchronize bookmarks with the desktop browser Opera. Allows you to flexibly control the viewing area on the page, smoothly scale, it is possible to conveniently manage browser tabs and bookmarks. Opera Turbo technology is available, with the help of which you can compress traffic up to 80%, which is very convenient for slow communication channels.
Pros:
- Opera Turbo helps you browse the web faster and increases loading speed;
- Flash support;
- Opera Link data synchronization between your browsers;
Minuses:
- Requires a lot of memory;
- The minimum number of settings;
- Little functionality.
Opera Mini- the little sister of Opera Mobile, a very popular browser on devices with weak computing capabilities, as it provides high speed content downloads and has low device power requirements. At the same time, it has a meager set of functionality, which is both a plus and a minus. The main advantage of the unique technology to compress web pages up to 90%, which is ideal for slow connections. Works poorly with Flash and JavaScript technologies.
Dolphin Browser- According to many reviews, it is the best mobile browser for devices with a powerful processor. It has all the features of a desktop browser and many other interesting features.
Pros:
- The ability to install a variety of plugins, themes, intuitive design;
- HTML5, Flash, JavaScript support;
- Great functionality and capabilities;
- Gesture is a highly customizable gesture control technology.
Minuses:
- Average level of processor power requirements;
- There is no way to sync data.
Mozilla Firefox- the browser has a good speed for browsing the Internet, but requires a lot of memory.
Pros:
- Support for third-party add-ons;
- Synchronization of bookmarks, history, passwords, tabs and add-ons.
Minuses:
- Available only for Android devices;
- Requires a lot of memory;
- Sometimes works unstable;
A young and rapidly developing mobile platform, programs for it are also constantly updated and improved. It is difficult to make a choice between the browsers presented, because quite recently Dolphin was the first in the Google Play popularity rating, then this initiative was taken over by Firefox, which is already overtaking Opera Mobile. So the choice is yours.
Mobile browsers for Apple operating system (iOS)
Apple produces excellent mobile devices and software tailored for them, which out of the box can do everything quickly and correctly. But some web technologies, for reasons of this company, do not really need support, among them Flash, which the standard Safari browser does not really like. In addition, for a long time Apple did not let alternative web browsers on iOS, justifying this by the fact that the functionality of its own applications should not be duplicated by third-party software. However, over time, the ban was lifted and alternatives to Safari appeared in the App Store. We will consider some of them.
Built-in browser for Apple devices.
Pros:
- Convenient flipping, approximation of pages with high-quality rendering of fonts;
- HTML5 technology support;
- High speed of work, low memory requirements.
Flaws:
- There is no traffic compression;
- No Flash support;
- There is no standard file upload system.
Opera Mini- has all the advantages described for Android in terms of saving traffic and all the disadvantages.
- the leading browser for viewing Flash. This application opens up new opportunities for users of Apple mobile devices in watching online movies. The work with flash content is perfectly implemented here. You can install the program only through Cydia. In general, it is worth installing, but it is not suitable as a main browser.
- Paid browser ($ 1.99) considered by most to be the best Safari replacement .
Pros:
- Full screen mode;
- Private mode (without saving cookies, history, etc.);
- Compression of the page (via Google Mobilizer);
- Advertising filters;
- Auto substitution from saved forms;
- A backup copy of data that can be stored on a computer;
- Downloading any files with the ability to view on the phone;
- Plugin support;
- And many other useful things that Safari doesn't have.
The standard iOS browser is good in many ways, but in order for us to be really convenient, we will have to pay a little or pick up the free analogue that will satisfy your needs.
Browsers for mobile phones without OS
Not only with the help of a smartphone, you can visit the global network and select different browsers, it is also possible on ordinary phones without an OS, using the built-in java emulator.
Opera Mini- the most popular of mobile browsers, convenient and intuitive interface, fast loading, zooming and panning of pages, built-in password manager, as well as a convenient bookmarking system. For fast loading of pages, it uses a client-server mechanism, which significantly expands the capabilities of the program and allows you to save money due to data compression. This application is as close as possible to the desktop version of browsers.
BOLT Browser 2.X- Declared functions for viewing streaming video, cursor support, full output of the web page is possible. Uses an intermediate proxy server that compresses traffic to increase page loading speed and reduce costs. There is a browser version with stripped down Bolt Lite functionality for phones with low memory.
UCWEB- Chinese Internet browser for viewing WEB pages on a mobile phone. When working, it uses an intermediate server that compresses traffic (but less efficiently than the Opera Mini server), but it also causes problems with the language on some sites. Has an RSS reader, file downloader, built-in MSN client (in version 4), support for Cookies and JavaScript, as well as many settings.
In addition to these major browsers, there are many other small browsers, but it is very difficult for them to compete with such a giant as Opera Mini, which has already received many awards in the mobile application market.
Almost all users of portable gadgets now use mobile Internet, and every second apartment or office has its own Wi-Fi access point. Therefore, today we will talk about using your gadgets to access the Internet and take a closer look at the TOP 5 best mobile browsers on Android.
Google chrome
Built by Google, Chrome is one of the best and most popular browsers on the PC. Therefore, it is not surprising that on the Android operating system, the creator of which is also the Corporation for Good, Chrome is one of the most advanced. The popularity of this browser is also brought by the Nexus line with the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Edition, in which Chrome is installed initially.
Now let's talk about its advantages, and there are plenty of them here. It is very fast, has a beautiful interface with the ability to perform swipes, with which you can move between open tabs and close them, as you do with running applications.
But the main feature of this browser is the ability to very conveniently synchronize the entire history of web surfing. You just need to enter your Google account information and you can view the same bookmarks that are stored on your PC or iOS device.
Mozilla Firefox
Firefox has always been the second most popular PC browser in the world, second only to Internet Explorer. Statistics for the last month say Firefox has lost ground and is now ranked third, right behind Google Chrome. But this in no way diminishes the cool tricks and capabilities of this browser, and 50 million downloads of the mobile version from Google Play only confirms my words.
Mozilla Firefox boasts a user-friendly interface with the ability to sync bookmarks and user data. In addition, as in the desktop version, there are a huge number of add-ons and add-ons. For example, the popular ad blocker Adblock Plus. Among other benefits, Mozilla Firefox has improved HTML 5 support and great optimization when watching movies and videos online.
A very popular browser in Ukraine and Russia is no less popular on Android. The main advantage of Opera Mini is its incredible speed, which has been achieved thanks to its excellent traffic compression methods. The fact is that most of it falls on the developer's servers, so Opera Mini loads pages several times faster than its competitors.
In addition, Opera Mini saves you money, so this browser is best for those with expensive mobile internet and for those who are in roaming.
UC Browser
UC Browser is an excellent browser for Android smartphones and tablets. Among the distinctive features are:
- Ability to watch videos offline
- Wonderful built-in download manager with the ability to resume files
- Support for multitouch gestures and flexible customization to fit your needs and commands
- Night mode and the ability to install additional themes
- Separate utility for reading PR-codes
Perhaps, UC Browser is the most functional and feature-rich browser in today's review.
The most popular browser for mobile devices, Dolphin Browser, ends our hit parade. Just like Firefox, it has many add-ons and add-ons, in addition, Dolphin Browser can sync data with your Google, Twitter, Facebook and Evernote accounts. In addition, there is its own cloud service Box.
Dolphin Browser looks very nice, works very smart and it has the ability to set quick gestures to your favorite web pages, as well as use the Sonar voice function. Another feature is that Dolphin Browser can back up your settings to a memory stick.
The first option is Opera. For now, this is for smartphones and tablets. There are two versions available - Opera Mini and Opera Mobile. Mini is designed for devices with weak hardware, and the second is designed for more powerful devices, it is closer to the PC version. Opera is considered by many to be the best Android browser.
Let's move on to the pluses of this development:
Even before downloading the browser, you may notice that its size is only 1 megabyte.
It doesn't take a lot of traffic to load pages.
Opera Mini and Mobile have a data compression feature. It can turn on and off automatically in both 2G and 3G. The internet compression feature is automatically disabled when your device is connected to a fast Wi-Fi connection.
Opera browser for Android has a user-friendly interface. Easy switching between tabs.
Opera scales pages well.
Perhaps the disadvantage of Opera Mini and Mobile is that you will not be able to fully use all the functions of the sites.
The search bar is shared with the address bar - this made the browser more minimalistic. Chrome has given up using Flash, Google is striving to use HTML 5. Also, the browser works quickly with links, has good scaling. There is an "Incognito" mode.
Chrome is a good competitor to Opera. Very often you can hear that this is the most for Android.
Unfortunately, it is not very popular with users. Such a browser is in demand among young people, for whom it is not the main option. I can't find any features in Firefox. Outwardly, it resembles the Dolphin and Chrome browser. Of course, there are pluses in it:
Good JavaScript engine.
The presence of Firefox Sync, the function allows you to synchronize links, bookmarks from different devices.
With this browser, you can fully use all the functionality of the sites.
The browser works at an average speed on weak Android devices. Compared to the two previous programs for Internet surfing, Mozila is the golden mean. Chrome is a full-fledged browser for mobile devices that supports all the features of the desktop version. This makes it quite heavy for budget and mid-range devices. Opera is distinguished by its speed, but not all the functionality of sites containing many scripts is available with it. While Firefox isn't the best browser for Android, it still ranks well in this roundup.
The pros and cons of different browsers for Android have been described above. But everyone decides for himself, for Android. This should be done depending on your needs and preferences.
Browsers are an integral part of the Internet. They allow you to use services that do not have their own clients, provide access to mobile versions of well-known resources. Many browsers have been created on the basis of Android, sometimes users are faced with the question of which one to choose. We decided to compile a rating of browsers 2016, selecting the most popular, based on the number of downloads, the data is taken from Google Play. When compiling the rating, in addition to popularity, performance, functionality, convenience, flash availability, compression function, plug-in support and some other criteria were taken into account. Introducing our version of the best ten of 2016 to help you determine the best browser for Android.
In terms of the number of downloads, it is several times ahead of its competitors. This popularity is due to the competent marketing of the developers who, in fact, created Google Chrome and the Android OS. On most devices, Google Chrome is now by default, through which access to various services is given.
The browser interface for Android resembles a usual one for a PC: at the top is a bar of tabs that can be closed by clicking on the cross. Below is the address field, buttons for scrolling forward / backward, an update button. The welcome page can be opened with a search bar or from the menu of visited sites. The bottom panel provides a transition to the bookmarks menu, to the browsing history. The main menu is located under the button with 3 vertical dots at the top right. It contains settings items. The interface is convenient, the speed is good, the transitions are smooth. The browser functions well, coping with the assigned tasks.
Supports traffic compression, private mode. Thanks to the HTML5 format, video files are viewed. A nice feature is tab sync for anyone using Chrome on other devices.
Flaws:
- Adobe Flash is missing, which is why many games based on it are unavailable.
- There is no manual configuration of a connection via vpn, proxy.
Despite the shortcomings, in terms of basic characteristics, Google Chrome demonstrates excellent capabilities, which brought it to the first line of the top of the best browsers in 2016.
2. Firefox
This browser is cross-platform, working on many operating systems. In the beginning it was an open source PC-only project. Then the developers turned their attention to functionality. Now, in 2016, Firefox has a lot of add-ons, add-ons that change the interface, providing support for scripts that block ads. There are fewer plugins and add-ons in the mobile version, but still more than in competing browsers.
Firefox for Android interface is similar to the full version. Above is the address bar, the tab bar, buttons for updating, going forward, backward. The main menu button has an icon in the form of three vertically placed dots. The tab menu contains thumbnails of open pages.
The interface is practical, convenient, but with multiple simultaneously open tabs, the browser can slow down, especially when a page with high-resolution media is open.
Firefox is syncronized with the desktop version. Here you will find funds for proxy installation, ad blocking.
Flaws:
- there are no traffic compression mechanisms;
- some plugins do not work on the mobile version, only on stationary PCs;
- you need to install Flash.
Despite the drawbacks, the browser became a worthy competitor for Chrome in 2016 and continues to be popular for Android users.
3. UC Browser
UC Browser is designed to work with web pages specifically on mobile devices. Many platforms are supported, including Android. The highlight of UC Browser is its focus specifically on mobile devices, which is reflected in the interface. No version was developed for the PC.
The main menu has a set of standard functions: address bar, search field, buttons for updating, moving backward, forward. The main menu, the tab bar is also located at the top.
The operating speed is optimal, the interface is practical. There is a night mode. The developers focused on usability for devices with low resolution and low speed of Internet access. Therefore, there are different add-ons: you can reduce the quality of the image, activate the fast mode if desired, it is possible to turn off everything except the text information when viewing. A special item "Traffic" helps to track the amount of data.
The settings are standard, there is a notification function. Many additional functions can be connected. Flash, traffic compression is supported.
4. Opera
The settings are general, special. In the general standard set, including language selection, history, cleaning. In the special ones there is privacy control, javascript blocking.
The interface is of high quality, the performance is good. Tab management and navigation are excellent. The functionality is decent. Reducing traffic is performed by a function that disables the download of images.
A pleasant advantage of the browser is the availability of alternative themes, Flash support without installation requirements. Minuses:
- no advertising disabling;
- no traffic compression;
- no installation of add-ons,
- no night mode.
Convenient, simple, the browser does its job well.
6.CM Browser
CM Browser (Clean Master) - Cheetah Mobile development for Android, minimalistic browser. Small weight of the installation package, excellent optimization - the advantages of the product in 2016. The developers claim that the main feature of CM Browser is its high performance. The interface is not quite convenient for some users due to the navigation buttons located on the bottom panel, while the address bar is located separately at the top. The main menu, when opened, obscures most of the application. In the main menu you will find "History", "Options", "Downloads", "Bookmarks" and other standard functions.
The tab manager is made in the form of a rotating wheel: navigation is done via swipe. There is Flash support, download protection, page translator.
Flaws:
- there is no support even for standard add-ons for other devices;
- traffic compression is not provided;
- ad blocking is not included;
- few settings.
Due to its simplicity and low functionality, the browser may seem inconvenient. This is offset by high speed, light weight.
7. Maxthron
Maxthron is supported by different OS. A big advantage to make it into the top 10 of 2016 is syncing across all devices.
Buttons "Back", "Forward" are at the bottom of the screen, in the same place "Favorites", the button of the main menu with a picture of three horizontal stripes. The "+" button opens a new tab. A slight discomfort is caused by the main menu that opens in the half-screen.
The functionality of Maxthron is at the level. Supports Flash, no need to install additional software. There is a secret mode that does not save the history of visits. The orientation of the display changes without opening the settings menu, with a couple of clicks. Synchronization enabled, interaction with the cloud service.
Flaws:
- there is no installation of extensions;
- no ad blocker;
- traffic compression is not provided.
The developers are positioning Maxthron as a cloud browser. A small number of settings, functions are compensated by the possibility of cloud synchronization.
Maxthron is one of the few browsers that support Flash
8. Next Browser
Developed by Next Browser by a company known for its launcher, a program that replaces the operating system shell, extends it - GO LauncherDevTeam, which determined its popularity in 2016. The interface is of high quality, this is not surprising for a launcher creator. The performance is high, there are no problems when opening multiple tabs.
The functionality is wide. You can install extensions. There is a checkbox to enable Flash, which is carried out without installing software. Private mode is supported.
The disadvantages include the lack of traffic compression, ad blocker.
9. Puffin Web Browser
The popularity of the Puffin browser in 2016 was determined by the built-in Flash, optimization for mobile devices. The main menu contains 21 settings, including various standard functions.
The speed of work is sufficient. The settings menu allows you to clear your browsing history, turn off Flash. There is a private mode. There is a virtual mouse pad, game mode. There is a paid version, but the free one works quite well.
Flaws:
- there is no traffic compression;
- no ad blocker;
- installation of extensions is not provided.
The disadvantages are compensated for by the support for Adobe Flash, a built-in proxy that allows you to open sites blocked in Russia for viewing.
10. Boat Browser
A user-friendly browser aimed at smartphone owners supports Flash. If there are no open tabs in the center of the display, you will see miniature buttons for frequently visited resources.
The performance is good. The interface is quite user-friendly. There is a manually customizable panel where you can add any browser tool.
Flaws:
- there is no traffic compression;
- no plugin support;
- no ad blocker;
- non-colorful interface.
Summing up, we note that Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, UC Browser are the most functional browsers of 2016. It is difficult to single out which is the best browser for Android 2016, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Google Chrome has become the most popular today, but the lack of Flash forces users to look for an additional browser for video files, normal operation of games.
To access the Internet, you always need an application that will make it as convenient as possible. And devices with the Android operating system installed on them are no exception. This rating will list the TOP 5 fastest browsers for Android in 2018, as well as 5 more applications of this type that can be useful in various situations. When choosing the best browsers for smartphones with Android OS, you should always consider their pros and cons, the system characteristics of the device and the purpose of the download (for work or play, with simplified mode or maximum performance).
Google Chrome (version 68.0.3440.91)
At the moment, the Google Chrome browser is one of the best and most popular for devices not only with Windows, but also with the Android operating system. According to the statistics of downloads and visits to the site, it was determined that it was he who was the fastest of all browsers. Many phones have this program preinstalled.
He has such a reputation precisely because of the multifaceted functionality, the ability to synchronize tabs on different devices, and this significantly reduces the time and resources for finding, transferring and saving the necessary information. The simplicity and high speed of Google Chrome allow you to find sites, download large amounts of data or download large files without delay.
There are other very useful functions like creating bookmarks, splitting tabs into separate windows (this function is available only to those who have Android 5.0 or higher installed). It is also possible to search and visit sites, as well as download files in incognito mode, which makes it possible not to save any information in the history of site visits or downloads.
In general, many features are similar to those found in a browser on a PC. Of course, this is a big plus, since Google Chrome has established itself as the best browser for Android, which is liked by tens of millions of users.
Opera Mini
The Opera browser is the most popular competitor to Google Chrome on Android devices. For a long time it was believed that this particular application deserves the title of "The best browser". However, we will consider a version of this browser called Opera Mini. Most of the functions of the main browser are available in it, but the main differences still made it so necessary for millions of people.
Most users love it for being frugal. If in Chrome you have to spend a lot of data on loading sites, then in Opera Mini the traffic costs are reduced to a minimum. And this is a huge plus if mobile communications are used, in which the data limit is usually small.
In order to understand how profitable this browser is in terms of economy, you can just take a look at its functionality. Compression of data can reach more than 90%, while even the quality of images during search will not suffer as much as it would in other programs with the inclusion of a similar mode. Of course, if it is important for the user to search and download information in the form of text and at minimal traffic costs (and in complex and even urgent situations in terms of urgency, this can be very necessary), then this browser is ideal. However, if the quality of the picture is important, the presence of full functionality of the pages of sites and social networks like Vkontakte or Facebook, then the basic version of the Opera browser is worth downloading.
Mozilla Firefox (version 61.0)
While Google Chrome and Opera are the most popular browsers for Android devices, the mobile version of Mozilla Firefox is more focused on a separate category of devices: tablets with Android or iOS operating systems. Of course, it is good for smartphones of any type, but the maximum manifestation of its benefits can be observed using a tablet.
Among the positive qualities of the browser, it should be noted:
- Fast web browsing.
- Great functionality when working with separate tabs.
- The ability to adapt the browser when connecting a removable keyboard, as well as when using a virtual keyboard (in this case, the user is given the opportunity to save individual key combinations).
- The ability to add extensions.
- Synchronization of tabs, browsing history on different devices.
Of the minuses, one can single out too much use of mobile traffic, so this application is best used with Wi-Fi connected. In general, if a user needs high functionality and a variety of possibilities for working and analyzing data, then Mozilla Firefox may well suit him.
UC Browser (version 11.5.0.1015)
UC Browser logo
UC Browser was developed by a Chinese manufacturer. Its main features - simplicity, combined with good functionality and speed, make it one of the most downloaded browsers for Android.
An interesting move by the developers was to enable the user to radically change the design of the browser:
- Wallpaper (instead of them, you can insert author's photos).
- Themes (A lot of themes have been added. Someone, yes it will be to your taste).
- Fonts (type, font size).
Features include anonymous mode as well as ad blocking mode that doesn't need to be installed as a separate extension. The cherry on top are widgets that the user can delete and change himself. News of politics, economics, sports, weather forecast, exchange rate and currency converter - all this can fit in just one window.
Interesting fact: thanks to its logo, the program received the nickname "squirrel". If you are attracted by the simplicity of the design and the ability to change it, as well as the acceptable download speed, then you can take a closer look at UC Browser, which is suitable for any type of smartphone.
Dolphin Browser
Dolphin Browser closes the top 5 best browsers for Android. Its main advantage is its high download speed. The browser is not devoid of tools that have already become standard, such as voice search (“Sonar”), installing extensions or supporting Flash technology. The user is offered 16 basic extensions of various topics, while he can also download and install any others.
The most interesting feature is Gesture Control. By recording a separate gesture, you can link it to the performance of a separate task, for example, opening a site, settings, or the history of views / downloads. You can even use gestures for normal navigation on an open page, switching tabs. This application will suit both lovers of simplicity and innovative elements.
Puffin browser
Puffin Browser is among those browsers that have excellent support for Flash technology. It may not be the fastest browser, but its processing speed and information is quite acceptable.
Using this program, the user can easily play various games, watch movies, TV series, visit the pages of the most "loaded" sites and social networks. However, all this has a price: the browser is very dependent on resources, Internet speed, energy-intensive, and also consumes a lot of Internet traffic. Of course, all this has to do with the activity for which this browser is intended, which, in turn, creates such a heavy load on the connection, the processor and the system as a whole. Watching videos or playing games in other applications is no less power and bandwidth wasted. This application is suitable for both avid gamers and ordinary fans of watching movies and TV series.
Yandex Browser (version 18.6.0.683)
Yandex browser
Developed by the company of the same name, Yandex Browser is a combination of speed and quality, although it is inferior to the existing leaders in this area.
A quality element is the login panel, where you can pin the desired pages and resources. Also, when searching for sites, the browser can immediately provide links to sites that the user has visited before. Some queries or questions are answered immediately in the Table, which can really save time. For example, the distance to the desired hotel or restaurant, the desired videos.
Turbo mode requires special attention, since in this case the technology is almost as good as Opera Mini, and the quality of images and sites is quite good, given how much Internet traffic is saved and the necessary pages are loaded.
We did not cheat the program and the synchronization tool: the data is displayed both on a smartphone / tablet and on a PC. Thus, the “Quick Call” function stands out a lot - thanks to the synchronization between the PC and the device, you can call the desired number by simply typing it into the address bar of the browser on your personal computer.
Mercury Browser
