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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- Doesn't bog down older computers
- Excellent history of searching
- Synchronizes across computers
- No ad blocking
- Not the fastest
- No private browsing
Reviews and tests recommend Opera as fast and lean, especially for older or underpowered computers apt to bog down on the resource-hungry Firefox, Chrome or IE7 and IE8 browsers. Despite its small size, Opera beats the other browsers in compliance with web standards, and it builds in loads of convenient features. Opera runs on more operating systems than most browsers, and it excels in synchronization. Reviews also praise its mobile version. If you have a fairly new, powerful computer, however, Firefox 3 is faster and gets top ranking in nearly all comparison reviews.
Opera isn't reviewed as often as more popular browsers, but we found excellent tests of Opera 9.5 at TechRadar.com, PC Magazine and Cnet.com (Australia), where it's compared with other major browsers. Softpedia reviews the beta version of Opera 9.6, but comparison tests at Gadgets-Reviews.com don't specify the browser versions used. An older review at ExtremeTech.com compares Opera with Safari for Windows.
Our Sources
This review tests Opera 9.5 in comparison with Google Chrome and Safari for Windows. Chrome is slightly faster and offers private browsing, but Opera provides more options while using fewer system resources.
Review: Tested: Google Chrome vs. Opera vs. Safari, Editors of TechRadar.com, Sept. 4, 2008
PC Magazine recommends Opera 9.5, giving it the same rating as Firefox 3, and users actually rate it even higher. This full review notes many improvements over previous versions but finds a few sites not rendered correctly. It also notes some stability issues and misses the superior download and password managers found in Firefox 3.
Review: Opera 9.5, Michael Muchmore, June 12, 2008
Firefox gets top ranking here, but Opera 9.5 earns praise for its synchronization and history-searching features, which tests find work perfectly. The reviewer concludes that these features make Opera ideal for researchers.
Review: Browser battle: IE8 vs. Opera 9.5 vs. Safari vs. Firefox 3, Nate Lanxon, Mar. 28, 2008
Opera 9.6 (beta) earns a "Softpedia Pick" award at this download site. The review calls it "the most full-featured Internet power tool on the market," with advanced features – such as thumbnail previews of tabs and the ability to add notes about a site – that are easy to customize.
Review: Opera 9.6 (beta), Editors of Softpedia.com
Opera is tested for speed and memory usage in comparison with Google Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer, but the versions aren't specified. Google Chrome is judged fastest and uses the least memory over 10 minutes of intensive use, while Opera ranks third on both counts.
Review: Browser Battle: Google Chrome vs. Opera, Firefox and IE Tests, Editors of Gadgets-Reviews.com, Sept. 3, 2008
This older article is still useful. It tests Safari for Windows and recommends Opera instead.
Review: 10 Reasons Not to Use Safari on Windows, Michael Muchmore, July 2, 2007
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.