Web Browsers

Web BrowsersAll web browsers today fulfil the same primary purpose, to provide their users with access to information on the Internet. What differentiates one browser from another is its speed and reliability, any additional features that it provides and the platform that it is available on.

Worldwide Browser Market Share

May 2022 to May 2023

Here is a graph, provided by StatCounter Global Stats, showing the market share of different browsers.

Browser Market Share Worldwide from May 2022 to May 2023

Below is a selection of these browsers, together with more information for each.

ChromeChrome Web Browser

Chrome is a web browser that is provided by Google, which was first released back in 2008 and is based on the open-source Chromium web browser. It is available on a number of different platforms including, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS and Android.

There are numerous extensions available for Chrome that provide additional functionality, which are provided both by Google and the user community.

Chrome How Tos and Useful Stuff

EdgeEdge Web Browser

Edge is provided by Microsoft and was initially based on their own browser engine. It was release in July 2015 to coincide with the release of Windows 10. In 2020, a completely rebuilt version of Edge was made available, based on the open-source Chromium web browser. As well as being available on Windows 10 and 11, there are also versions for Windows Server, macOS, Android and iOS, as well as some Linux distributions and the Xbox games console.

The initial version of Edge lacked extensions compared with other browsers, however, more are now available with the Chromium based version.

Edge How Tos and Useful Stuff

FirefoxFirefox Web Browser

Firefox is a browser that is developed by Mozilla, a non-profit organisation and was first released back in 2002. It is available on various different platforms including, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.

Like Chrome, Firefox has a well established library of extensions available, developed by Mozilla and the wider user community.

Firefox How Tos and Useful Stuff

OperaOpera Web Browser

Opera started out life back in 1994 as a research project for Telenor, a Norwegian telecommunications company. The following year its development was separated out into a separate company, Opera Software ASA. It wasn't until 1996 that the first publicly available version was released. Initially Opera was only available for the Microsoft Windows operating system, however, today there are also versions for macOS, Linux and Android.

Since 2010 Opera has included the ability to add extensions to provide additional functionality, which are developed by Opera and its community of users.

Opera How Tos and Useful Stuff

SafariSafari Web Browser

Safari is a web browser that has been developed by Apple since 2003 for use on its own macOS platform as well as its mobile devices that run the iOS operating system. There was also a Microsoft Windows version released in 2007, however, this was discontinued in 2012.

With Safari being developed by Apple it integrates well with other services that they provide, such as Apple Pay and Apple TV. Since version 5, which was released in 2010, extensions can also be developed, which provide additional functionality to the browsing experience.

Safari How Tos and Useful Stuff

More Web Browsers

General How Tos and Useful Stuff