As a Mac user, you are going to spend a significant amount of time on a browser. Whether it is for surfing, shopping, watching videos, booking tickets, or just reading this article – you need a fast, reliable, and secure browser. The crowded market of browser options can confuse you. That’s where my list of the best web browsers for Mac can come in handy.
I have curated this list after considering a wide range of factors, all of which are mentioned below. Give it a read, and then pick a browser that meets your requirements!
How did I decide on the best web browsers for Mac?
My colleagues here at iGeeksBlog are tech experts who are passionate about all things Apple. Despite that, most of them don’t have Safari as their go-to browser.
That led me to ask Safari users about their reasons to stick with it and others about their reasons to pick alternatives such as Firefox, Brave, Chrome, Edge, and so on.
I gathered information from their experience, used about 10 browsers on my MacBook Air M1, and then compiled this list of the 8 best web browsers for Mac in 2024.
What you will see below is a result of countless hours of testing, in-depth research, and years of first-hand experience. Additionally, to prepare the order of the browsers, I took into account various factors such as speed, efficiency, features, privacy, ease of use, appearance, updates, security, and more.
Each browser recommendation caters to a particular type of user. So, you can not only trust this review but also be sure to find a browser that perfectly fits your day-to-day usage.
What are the best web browsers for Mac in 2024?
Enough talking. Let’s start browsing – through my list!
1. Edge – AI integration, low memory consumption, simplicity
This might come as a surprise, but Microsoft had been working silently to improve its browser – Edge. When they were ready, they launched it with a bang. Now, with the ChatGPT and Copilot integration, it is one of the most feature-rich and stable browsers on the market.
This browser has features you didn’t know you needed. For example, I use Edge to generate images using the Image Creator tool – something for which I used to heavily rely on graphic designers. The only caveat is you need to sign in. After that, you can enter your prompt and just watch the magic unfold.
Further, taking inspiration from Chrome, Edge now provides built-in access to other Microsoft tools such as One Drive, Skype, Calendar, Outlook, and more.
Another feature that blew my mind is the Split screen. Yes, you heard it. You can now browse two things simultaneously in the same tab, side by side! You don’t need to switch windows.
Apart from that, you can color code Tab groups and use an advanced reader mode to avoid ads without using any ad-blockers. You can even make the browser read the content aloud.
That’s not all; there is a built-in PDF editor as well. This small place won’t be enough to list down all the features of Edge, but you get the point. The excess of features might confuse some new users, but trust me, once you get used to Edge, it will become your default browser.
It’s safe to say that with an improved browser (Edge) and search engine (Bing), Microsoft is all set to take on the browser market dominated by Google Chrome.
Pros
- Based on Chromium
- Integrates ChatGPT features
- Feature-rich
Cons
- Might confuse first-time users
2. Safari – Fast, no-nonsense, secure browser for Mac
Earlier, many Mac users used Safari to only download another browser. However, that trend is changing. A lot more people prefer Safari. That’s because Apple has made some noticeable improvements to the browser with the recent macOS Sonoma update. In fact, Safari was the most improved app from the update.
You can now create separate Safari profiles for different users, use different search engines for regular and Private browsing, lock Private tabs, disallow websites from tracking you, and more.
All of the above were added to existing unique features such as Tab Groups, the ability to sync website settings, and the likes.
However, Safari’s limited support for extensions might be a huge dealbreaker for some. That being said, if you don’t use a browser for anything beyond normal surfing, shopping, and doing the basics, Safari is the ideal choice.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Fast performance
- Comes with many security and privacy features
Cons
- Limited support for extensions
This browser comes by default installed on your Mac
3. Chrome – Easy-to-use, access to Google services
I don’t think I need to write a lot about Chrome since it is the go-to option for many and has the largest market share among browsers for Mac and PC. I still remember the day I unboxed my Mac. After booting it up, I launched Safari, downloaded Chrome, and set the latter as my default browser.
Chrome has influenced me so much over the last many years that it is almost unimaginable to even consider a new Mac browser, and there are many reasons for that.
Chrome supports a wide range of extensions, Google services, and now has a dedicated Password Manager. The last one’s my favorite. I don’t use a password manager app anymore. All my login credentials are stored and easily accessible in Chrome. To view my saved passwords, all I need to do is provide my fingerprint.
There’s also a nice little Google feature called Passkeys. It allows me to access my saved history, preferences, and login credentials while using Chrome on any new device!
Unfortunately, Chrome is a hacker’s paradise and has often been the subject of leaked user data. If you are a privacy-conscious person, Chrome is not a good choice. But if you are ready to let Google know your browsing history, you can go ahead with it.
Pro Tip: To strengthen your surfing experience on Chrome, you can install the SurfShark VPN extension. It provides enhanced privacy with top-notch encryption and routes your data through a secure server in another location.
Pros
- Based on Chromium
- Sync across devices
- Support for a wide range of extensions
Cons
- Tracks user data
4. Firefox – Reduced loading time, no trackers
While Firefox’s glory days are history, it is still one of the best web browsers for Mac. Firefox has always been at the forefront of bringing new features, which competitors eventually adapt.
One such feature is the introduction of add-ons to the browser. Another is the new Pocket feature next to the address bar; it lets you save websites for later viewing with just one click.
Further, Firefox is one of the most secure web browsers for Mac if you are fed up with major tech giants trying to track your activities and sell your data. You might be happy to learn that Firefox is managed by an open-source organization with user data protection as a top priority.
Apart from protecting user data, there aren’t many stand-out features that can force users to switch to this browser. Also, some users have complained about the high RAM usage of Firefox.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Support for a wide range of ad-ons
- A lot of privacy-focused features
Cons
- High RAM usage
5. Vivaldi – Highly customizable, built-in ad blocker, abundant features
I liked Vivaldi mainly because of how beautiful it looks. Vivaldi has two primary areas of focus: privacy and customization. You will get granular levels of control over the browsing experience with Vivaldi. While it uses the Chromium engine at the core, it differs from the rest with data protection features.
With Chrome and other browsers, you need an extension to block ads. Vivaldi does it by default. Once you download and launch the browser, you get to choose what you want to block – trackers, ads, or both. You can also import bookmarks, search history, passwords and other preferences to Vivaldi – so that you can start from where you left your previous browser.
Like Opera, Vivaldi has a sidebar that provides various options such as downloads, bookmarks, history, and innovative features. Apart from that, Vivaldi also comes with a built-in Notes feature, which allows you to quickly jot down information and even add screenshots to it without leaving the browser.
There is also support for tab groups and stacking them on two levels in the menu bar. If that’s not enough, Vivaldi also offers further options at the bottom of the page, such as screenshots, a slider-based zoom adjuster, turning off images and videos on a page, and even a comprehensive list of page actions.
We’re not done yet. Vivaldi also comes with a built-in client for Mail, Calendar, Translate, and much more. Like some other feature-rich browsers on this list, the excessive inclusion of features might confuse new users.
Pros
- Looks beautiful
- Comes with lots of customization features
- Based on the Chromium platform
Cons
- The plethora of features can be confusing
6. Brave – No ads, positive word-of-mouth
Brave has gotten decent recognition from the tech community thanks to its similarity to Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers. It comes with inbuilt features such as an ad blocker, anti-tracker tools, and a password manager.
A large part of Brave’s popularity comes from securing the browsing experience for users by not collecting their data. Some might argue that you can get Brave’s features by installing extensions in other browsers. But that’s the whole point – Brave reduces the necessity to install extensions.
Content creators might not like Brave because it blocks ads and reduces their revenue. Also, for a regular user, there’s not much special about Brave apart from the ad-free and crypto experience. It’s a browser designed purely for tech nerds.
Pros
- Based on Chromium
- Built-in ad blocker
- Awards users with rewards for using the browser
Cons
- Doesn’t have any stand-out features
7. Opera – Fancy UI, free VPN and ad-blocker
Like Chrome and Microsoft Edge, Opera browser is built on the famous Chromium platform. As a result, it shares similar features and performance but has a different UI and offers valuable tools.
One of the most prominent features of Opera browser is its sidebar, where you can get shortcuts to various tools and popular apps such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, and Instagram. There’s also an option to send webpages directly to their iPhone using My Flow.
Additionally, Opera also provides users with privacy tools, such as ad blockers and even a free VPN, that make browsing more secure. Finally, since it is built on the same platform as Chrome, Opera is compatible with all those extensions and themes that are compatible with the former.
In fact, it also has a feature similar to Safari’s Tab groups, with many customization options. However, because of so many features, the browser is a bit cluttered, and not everyone might like it.
Also, most of its app integrations are provided by third-party developers, so chances are your data might get shared.
Pros
- Built-on Chromium platform
- Comes with an ad blocker
- Feature-rich
Cons
- Cluttered UI
8. DuckDuckGo for Mac – Privacy personified
Privacy has been at the center of this discussion. So, how can we not talk about DuckDuckGo? Apart from offering a search engine, DDG also has its own browser for Mac! As one might guess, the primary intention of this browser is also to prevent tracking and collection of user data.
It uses the same WebKit engine as Safari but offers a more streamlined experience where users can quickly find the content they want. Users also get additional features such as password management and bookmarks. And when it comes to features, that’s all you get.
You must pay the price of sacrificing features to get privacy and security in the virtual world.
Pros
- Minimal
- Based on the same WebKit used by Safari
- Protects users’ data from trackers
Cons
- Not many features compared to the competition.
Enjoy browsing on Mac!
In our list of the best web browsers for Mac, we have included only the best options available while considering various factors and user scenarios. However, if you still have any suggestions or queries, drop them in the comments below.
Browse more:
- Safari vs. Chrome: Which browser is better for iPhone and Mac?
- Best Web3 browsers for iPhone, iPad, and Mac
- How to install and use a web browser on Apple TV 4 and 4K
- Best Safari tips and tricks for iPhone
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I end up using the two most popular browser Safari on my Apple devices and Chrome on everything else. The rest seem to be trying to claim a smaller 15 or so percent to divide up between them. Edge was interesting at first but became over loaded with features and services. Besides Microsoft’s need to nag me about using it.
Thank you for sharing your experience with using Safari and Chrome as your primary web browsers. These two web browsers indeed dominate the browser market, each catering to specific user preferences. However, Microsoft has been actively developing Edge to compete with other browsers, which may feel overwhelming. I like to use Edge while working because of its advanced AI integrations specially Bing chatbot while saves my time and boost productivity. Other browsers also have something unique to offer. So, I encourage you to continue exploring the diverse range of web browsers available to find the perfect fit for your browsing experience.