Best Reviewed
Web Browsers
- Best browser overall Firefox 5 *Est. $0
- Fast, secure browsing and search Google Chrome 12 *Est. $0
- Best browser for older, slower computers Opera 11 *Est. $0
- Social networking browser RockMelt *Est. $0
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- Fast
- Very customizable
- Uses fewer system resources than most
- So many options can be confusing
- Crash on one tab crashes all
- Private browsing requires add-in
- Many other features require add-ins
Firefox remains the top-ranked web browser for Windows, Mac OSX and Linux users. It's by far the most-customizable web browser, with thousands of add-ins available. Reviews say Firefox 3 and the even-faster 3.1 beta are the best, using less memory than Firefox 2 and incorporating other improvements as well. Both Firefox 3 and 3.1 rival the new Google Chrome for speed, are much faster and use fewer system resources than Internet Explorer 8.
We found the best comparison reviews of the latest version of Firefox (3.1 beta) at TechRadar.com and PC World magazine, both of which compare it with Google Chrome and Internet Explorer 8. Softpedia.com reviews and rates all three browsers, plus Flock 2 and Opera 9.6 in separate reviews. PC Magazine, CNet.com and The Wall Street Journal provide excellent comparison tests of Firefox 3, the next-to-latest version. Tests at Gadgets-Reviews.com are less helpful because the reviewer doesn't clarify which version of Firefox is covered.
Our Sources
This review tests three beta versions of major web browsers – Firefox 3.1, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer 8 – on both a new high-powered computer and an older machine. Firefox 3.1 is judged the best browser, using the least memory and providing the most options.
Review: Web Tested: Google Chrome vs. IE8 vs. Firefox 3.1, Editors of TechRadar.com, Sept. 4, 2008
This comparison review gives Firefox 3.1 a higher overall rating than Chrome – 93 vs. 88. Firefox earns praises for its customization and features, but it's judged more vulnerable to crashes and security attacks than Chrome and Internet Explorer 8.
Review: Browser Battle: Firefox 3.1 vs. Chrome vs. IE8, JR Raphael, Sept. 9, 2008
Firefox 3.1 earns a "Softpedia Pick" award and the highest possible rating at this download site, and the review provides a long list of improvements over earlier versions.
Review: Firefox 3.1, Sept. 26, 2008
Firefox 3 earns the "Editor's Choice" award here, based on detailed reviews of all the major browsers. Editors praise Firefox 3 for its new search features, improved password and download features, and many other small improvements.
Review: Firefox 3, Michael Muchmore, June 17, 2008
5. CNET
Editors give Firefox 3 an "excellent" rating and praise its improved speed and security, its low memory usage and many other improvements. Users give Firefox 3 a lower average rating than editors do, with some finding it uses too many resources.
Review: Firefox 3, Robert Vamosi, June 17, 2008
Personal technology columnist Mossberg considers Firefox 3 the best browser – finding it faster than Google Chrome and much faster than Internet Explorer 8 – after he tests all three on a laptop running Windows XP.
Review: Google Redefines Web Browser, Walter S. Mossberg, Sept. 2, 2008
Four web browsers are run through objective tests for speed and memory usage. Firefox ranks second to Google Chrome for speed and last for memory usage after 10 minutes of intensive browsing, but it's not clear which version of Firefox is tested.
Review: Browser Battle: Google Chrome vs. Opera, Firefox and IE Tests, Editors of Gadgets-Reviews.com, Sept. 3, 2008
Web Browsers Runners Up:
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
1 pick by top review sites.
1 pick by top review sites.
1 pick by top review sites.