Which are the top browsers in 2022? Nowadays, there are many browsers among which Internet users can choose to navigate. 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 main browsers in 2022
Google Chrome
Google Chrome is the most popular web and mobile browser; it currently holds 64.9% of the web browser market share. It was released in 2008 by Google. 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 the second most popular web browser; it currently holds 15.4% of the web browser market share. It was released in 2003 by Apple. Safari is specifically designed and optimized for running on Apple devices. Until 2010, 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.
Internet Explorer
Together with Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer is the third most popular web browser; they currently hold 6.3% of the web browser market share. Internet Explorer was released in 1995 by Microsoft. Its current and last version, Internet Explorer 11, will be retired in June, 2022. So, Internet Explorer will be definitively replaced by Microsoft Edge.
Developer: Microsoft.
Supported operating systems: Windows.
License: proprietary software.
Microsoft Edge
Together with Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge is the third most popular web browser; they currently hold 6.3% of the web browser market share. Microsoft Edge was released in 2015 by Microsoft. It will definitely replace Internet Explorer from June 2022.
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 the fourth most popular web browser; it currently holds 4.1% of the web browser market share. It was 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 the fifth most popular web browser; it currently holds 2.4% of the web browser market share. It was released in 1995 by Opera. So, it is one of the oldest web browsers which is still actively developed. The Opera web browser is 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 March 2022, the Vivaldi browser has more than 2.3 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 March 2022, the Brave browser has more than 52 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 2022?
Google Chrome is the world’s most popular web browser nowadays. According to W3Counter, as of March 2022, it holds 64.9% of the web browser market share.
What are the 5 top browsers?
According to W3Counter, as of March 2022, the top 5 most used browsers in the market are:
- Google Chrome: 64.9% of the market share.
- Safari: 15.4% of the market share.
- Internet Explorer & Microsoft Edge: 6.3% of the market share.
- Mozilla Firefox: 4.1% of the market share.
- Opera: 2.4% of the market share.
Although, according to Statcounter Global Stats, the fifth position is for Samsung Internet, with 2.82% of the market share.
The following graph shows the evolution of web browser usage from 2007 to 2021.
What are the top browsers by region?
Top 5 browsers in Africa
According to Statcounter Global Stats, as of March 2022, the top 5 most used browsers in Africa are:
- Google Chrome: 71.76% of the market share.
- Safari: 8.62% of the market share.
- Opera: 8.62% of the market share.
- Mozilla Firefox: 3.87% of the market share.
- Samsung Internet: 3.19% of the market share.
Top 5 browsers in Asia
According to Statcounter Global Stats, as of March 2022, the top 5 most used browsers in Asia are:
- Google Chrome: 72.91% of the market share.
- Safari: 12.55% of the market share.
- Samsung Internet: 2.99% of the market share.
- Microsoft Edge: 2.56% of the market share.
- Mozilla Firefox: 1.94% of the market share.
Top 5 browsers in Europe
According to Statcounter Global Stats, as of March 2022, the top 5 most used browsers in Europe are:
- Google Chrome: 59.06% of the market share.
- Safari: 19.38% of the market share.
- Mozilla Firefox: 5.82% of the market share.
- Microsoft Edge: 5.43% of the market share.
- Samsung Internet: 3.34% of the market share.
Top 5 browsers in North America
According to Statcounter Global Stats, as of March 2022, the top 5 most used browsers in North America are:
- Google Chrome: 52.07% of the market share.
- Safari: 33.33% of the market share.
- Microsoft Edge: 5.91% of the market share.
- Mozilla Firefox: 2.02% of the market share.
- Samsung Internet: 2.02% of the market share.
Top 5 browsers in Oceania
According to Statcounter Global Stats, as of March 2022, the top 5 most used browsers in Oceania are:
- Google Chrome: 55.51% of the market share.
- Safari: 28.48% of the market share.
- Microsoft Edge: 7.29% of the market share.
- Mozilla Firefox: 3.53% of the market share.
- Samsung Internet: 3.21% of the market share.
Top 5 browsers in South America
According to Statcounter Global Stats, as of March 2022, the top 5 most used browsers in South America are:
- Google Chrome: 76.7% of the market share.
- Instabridge: 6.8% of the market share.
- Safari: 6.01% of the market share.
- Opera: 2.58% of the market share.
- Microsoft Edge: 2.52% of the market share.
