Top browsers: features, comparison and stats (2023)

Which are the top browsers in 2023? Google Chrome, Safari and Microsoft Edge currently lead the ranking, but there are many other browsers among which users can choose. In this article we have collected the current top browsers, together with a comparison of their main features and tools. Besides, we go over some key statistics about the usage of web browsers worldwide and by region.

List of the most popular browsers in 2023

Google Chrome

Google Chrome is the web and mobile browser developed by Google. It was released in 2008 and it surpassed Internet Explorer as the most popular browser about 4 years after its release.

Chrome has been the most popular browser for over a decade already.

Most of its source code comes from Chromium, Google’s free and open source software project.

Google Chrome features and tools

This popular browser includes numerous features and tools for browsing, such as:

• Add-ons and web extensions.
• Dark mode.
• Data breaches warning.
• Forms autofill.
• Multiple profiles.
• Password management.
• Picture-in-picture.
• Private mode.
• Reader mode.
• Spell checking.
• Strong password generation.
• Sync across multiple devices.
• Tab browsing.
• Tab groups.
• Text to speech.

Developer: Google LLC.

Supported operating systems: Android, Chrome OS, iOS, Linux, MacOS and Windows.

License: proprietary freeware.

Safari

Safari is a web browser specifically designed and optimized for running on Apple devices, released in 2003 by Apple. Between 2007 and 2012, there was also a version of the browser available for Windows. Safari 5.1.7 was the last version made for Windows.

Safari features and tools

This popular browser includes numerous features and tools for browsing, such as:

• Add-ons and web extensions.
• Dark mode.
• Data breaches warning.
• Forms autofill.
• Password management.
• Picture-in-picture.
• Private mode.
• Quick notes.
• Reader mode.
• Spell checking.
• Strong password generation.
• Sync across multiple devices.
• Tab browsing.
• Tab groups.
• Text to speech.
• Third-party cookies and social trackers blocked.
• 4K video streaming.

Developer: Apple Inc.

Supported operating systems: iOS, iPadOS and MacOS.

License: freeware and GNU LGPL for some components.

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge is the browser developed by Microsoft to replace Internet Explorer (IE). It was released in 2015 and it definitely replaced IE in June 2022. Although Internet Explorer 11 will still have support until January 13, 2032.

Microsoft Edge features and tools

This popular browser includes numerous features and tools for browsing, such as:

• Add-ons and web extensions.
• Dark mode.
• Data breaches warning.
• Forms autofill.
• Kids browsing mode.
• Multiple profiles.
• Password management.
• Picture-in-picture.
• Private mode.
• Reader mode.
• Spell checking.
• Strong password generation.
• Sync across multiple devices.
• Tab browsing.
• Tab groups.
• Text to speech.
• Third-party cookies and social trackers blocked.

Developer: Microsoft.

Supported operating systems: Android, iOS, Linux, MacOS and Windows.

License: proprietary software.

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox is an open-source browser, released in 2002 by the Mozilla Foundation and its contributors.

Mozilla Firefox features and tools

This popular browser includes numerous features and tools for browsing, such as:

• Add-ons and web extensions.
• Cryptominers blocked.
• Dark mode.
• Data breaches warning.
• Forms autofill.
• Password management.
• Picture-in-picture.
• Private mode.
• Reader mode.
• Spell checking.
• Strong password generation.
• Sync across multiple devices.
• Tab browsing.
• Text to speech.
• Third-party cookies and social trackers blocked.

Developer: Mozilla Foundation and its contributors, and Mozilla Corporation.

Supported operating systems: Android, iOS, Linux, MacOS and Windows.

License: MPL 2.0.

Opera

Opera is one of the oldest web browsers which is still actively developed, released in 1995 by Opera. This browser is also based on Chromium, Google’s free and open source software project.

Opera features and tools

This popular browser includes numerous features and tools for browsing, such as:

• Add-ons and web extensions.
• Built-in ad blocker.
• Built-in VPN.
• Dark mode.
• Forms autofill.
• Password management.
• Picture-in-picture.
• Private mode.
• Spell checking.
• Sync across multiple devices.
• Tab browsing.
• Tab groups.
• Third-party cookies blocked.

Developer: Opera.

Supported operating systems: Linux, MacOS and Windows.

License: freeware.

Vivaldi

Vivaldi is a web browser, targeted to technical profiles, released in 2016 by Vivaldi Technologies. It is also based on Google’s free and open source software project, Chromium, but it includes proprietary modifications for further features. As of May 2023, the Vivaldi browser has more than 2.4 million active users.

Vivaldi features and tools

This popular browser includes numerous features and tools for browsing, such as:

• Add-ons and web extensions.
• Built-in ad blocker.
• Dark mode.
• Forms autofill.
• High customization.
• Multiple profiles.
• Password management.
• Picture-in-picture.
• Private mode.
• Reader mode.
• Spell checking.
• Sync across multiple devices.
• Tab browsing.
• Tab groups.
• Tabs view in split-screen
• Third-party cookies and social trackers blocked.

Developer: Vivaldi Technologies.

Supported operating systems: Android, Linux, MacOS and Windows.

License: proprietary freeware.

Brave

Brave is a free, open source web browser, released in 2019 by Brave Software, Inc. It is specially designed for providing a high level of privacy and security. As of April 2023, the Brave browser has more than 57 million active monthly users.

Brave features and tools

This popular browser includes numerous features and tools for browsing, such as:

• Add-ons and web extensions.
• Anonymized network routing (Tor mode).
• Built-in ad blocker.
• Crypto wallet.
• Dark mode.
• Forms autofill.
• Password management.
• Private mode.
• Reader mode.
• Spell checking.
• Sync across multiple devices.
• Tab browsing.
• Tab groups.
• Third-party cookies and social trackers blocked.

Developer: Brave Software, Inc.

Supported operating systems: Android, iOS, Linux, MacOS and Windows.

License: MPL 2.0.

Samsung Internet

Samsung Internet is a mobile web browser, released in 2012 by Samsung Electronics. It is also based on Chromium, Google’s free and open source software project. Samsung Internet is preinstalled on Samsung Galaxy devices and it is compatible with devices running Android 5.0 and later.

Samsung Internet features and tools

This popular browser includes numerous features and tools for browsing, such as:

• Add-ons and web extensions.
• Biometric web login.
• Dark mode.
• Read mode.
• Secret mode.
• Sync across multiple devices.

Developer: Samsung Electronics.

Supported operating systems: Android.

License: MPL 2.0.

Comparing web browsers’ features

When considering changing browsers, many questions come to the user’s mind, such as “What is the safest browser?”, “Which is the fastest browser?”, or simply “Which is the best browser to use?”.

There is no easy answer to these questions. But there is a list of functionalities we can check.

The best choice depends significantly on each user’s needs. That is why we have created the following tables comparing some of the most relevant features and tools included in the most popular web browsers nowadays.

Security and privacy features comparison

	Google Chrome	Safari	Microsoft Edge	Mozilla Firefox	Opera	Vivaldi	Brave
Anonymized network routing (Tor mode)							✔
Built-in ad blocker					✔	✔	✔
Built-in VPN					✔
Data breaches warning	✔	✔	✔	✔
Private mode	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Social trackers blocked		✔	✔	✔		✔	✔
Strong password generation	✔	✔	✔	✔
Third-party cookies blocked		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔

Utilities and tools comparison

	Google Chrome	Safari	Microsoft Edge	Mozilla Firefox	Opera	Vivaldi	Brave
Add-ons and web extensions	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Dark mode	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Forms autofill	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Multiple profiles	✔		✔			✔
Password management	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Picture-in-picture	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Quick notes		✔
Reader mode	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔	✔
Spell checking	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Sync across multiple devices	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Tab browsing	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Tab groups	✔	✔	✔		✔	✔	✔
Tabs view in split-screen						✔
Text to speech	✔	✔	✔	✔

What is the most popular web browser in 2023?

Google Chrome is the world’s most popular web browser nowadays. According to W3Counter, as of April 2023, it holds 72.5% of the web browser market share worldwide.

What are the 5 top browsers?

According to W3Counter, as of April 2023, the top 5 most used browsers in the market are:

1. Google Chrome: 72.5% of the market share.
2. Safari: 13.1% of the market share.
3. Microsoft Edge: 2.5% of the market share.
4. Mozilla Firefox: 3.4% of the market share.
5. Opera: 1% of the market share.

These percentages slightly differ from those of Statcounter GlobalStats: Google Chrome (63.45%), Safari (20.48%), Microsoft Edge (4.97%), Mozilla Firefox (2.76%) and Opera (2.41%). Moreover, Samsung Internet holds the fifth position instead of Opera, with 2.59% of the market share.

Evolution of web browser market share from 2007 to 2023

The following graph by W3Counter shows the evolution of web browser usage from May 2007 to April 2023.

What are the top browsers by region?

According to Statcounter GlobalStats, these are the top browsers by region as of April 2023.

Top browsers in Africa

The top 5 most used browsers in Africa are:

1. Google Chrome: 70.63% of the market share.
2. Safari: 10.38% of the market share.
3. Opera: 9.24% of the market share.
4. Samsung Internet: 3.94% of the market share.
5. Microsoft Edge: 2.58% of the market share.

Top browsers in Asia

The top 5 most used browsers in Asia are:

1. Google Chrome: 72.17% of the market share.
2. Safari: 13.45% of the market share.
3. Samsung Internet: 2.83% of the market share.
4. Microsoft Edge: 2.73% of the market share.
5. UC Browser: 2.01% of the market share.

Top browsers in Europe

The top 5 most used browsers in Europe are:

1. Google Chrome: 60.03% of the market share.
2. Safari: 20.97% of the market share.
3. Microsoft Edge: 6.02% of the market share.
4. Mozilla Firefox: 4.91% of the market share.
5. Samsung Internet: 3.33% of the market share.

Top browsers in North America

The top 5 most used browsers in North America are:

1. Google Chrome: 50.42% of the market share.
2. Safari: 33.27% of the market share.
3. Microsoft Edge: 8.12% of the market share.
4. Mozilla Firefox: 3.36% of the market share.
5. Opera: 1.85% of the market share.

Top browsers in Oceania

The top 5 most used browsers in Oceania are:

1. Google Chrome: 51.20% of the market share.
2. Safari: 33.52% of the market share.
3. Microsoft Edge: 6.57% of the market share.
4. Mozilla Firefox: 3.36% of the market share.
5. Samsung Internet: 3.16% of the market share.

Top browsers in South America

The top 5 most used browsers in South America are:

1. Google Chrome: 79.60% of the market share.
2. Safari: 8.19% of the market share.
3. Opera: 3.50% of the market share.
4. Microsoft Edge: 3.20% of the market share.
5. Samsung Internet: 2.49% of the market share.