Why does the browser load the system?
It is important to understand that if a person visits sites with only text information, then the browser will consume virtually no RAM. It reads text well in any encoding, without particularly straining, using a minimum amount of RAM. But when it comes to websites with multimedia content, then due to the use of additional processing tools and plugins, a large amount of RAM is consumed, but the amounts differ for each browser.
Therefore, it is important for the user to know which browser consumes the least RAM. You also need to understand how resource-intensive a particular plugin is, because a pure web browser in some cases may not work with certain elements of web pages.
Let's sum it up
From our research, it becomes clear that the most effective browser at all stages of testing was the Opera browser. At the same time, it is worth noting that Mozilla Firefox behaves well with a large number of open tabs, which cannot be said about Google Chrome and Yandex Browser, which greatly increase the amount of RAM consumed with each new tab.
At the same time, I would like to note that each of the presented candidates is a powerful and functional web browser that behaves well with a large number of open tabs. What browser do you use? Write your answers in the comments.
Browser performance parameters
One of the main parameters that determine performance is the speed at which the program starts and how quickly it loads pages. This is very important to learn in the process of determining how the browser loads the RAM.
It is also important to determine how much cache to allocate for the browser. This is due to the fact that cached data is designed to increase the speed of opening frequently visited pages, since some elements are saved directly to the hard drive, which is why they are loaded much faster. But if a lot of cache accumulates, then much more time is spent on analyzing and loading data.
Conclusion
To summarize, we can say that the main popular browsers - these include Google and Internet Explorer - are suitable for computers with 8 GB of RAM or higher. They save all tabs in RAM, and if there is not enough space, they move to the hard drive. Because of this, the computer may freeze. They differ in the speed of turning on and switching tabs.
Browsers like Opera or Mozilla Fireox don't have any significant pros or cons. They work stably and do not take up a lot of RAM.
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Which browsers consume the least RAM?
Users prefer popular web browsers because they are usually the best optimized, fastest, and least laggy. But other elements, such as plugins, also affect system performance and load. And how much RAM it ultimately takes up depends on how the browser copes with data processing in its pure form and under “additional load”.
Internet Explorer
Most users have a negative attitude towards this browser, since its early versions were too slow. Despite the fact that Microsoft tried to somehow cope with this problem, in the end, it was decided to abandon Internet Explorer. If we talk about tests, when opening one tab with multimedia content (YouTube was used for testing), the RAM was loaded at 45% with 25% in idle mode. When opening 4 tabs, the browser already consumed more than 48% of the RAM. When working with three extensions and one tab open – 50%.
Microsoft Edge
This is a new browser from Microsoft, in favor of which the company abandoned Internet Explorer. It appeared in Windows 10 and immediately became quite popular among users. It starts up quickly, opens pages quickly enough, takes up minimal space in its pure form, and has low RAM consumption, especially compared to its progenitor. Tests have shown that with one open tab it consumes 35% of RAM, with four - 39%, and with three extensions and one tab - 41%.
Opera
For a long time, the browser was developed on its own engine, but recently switched to a version developed by Google. In many ways, this is what is associated with the drop in the speed of the browser, which now consumes more RAM. But it is worth noting that in many other aspects it has become much more effective. Tests showed that one open tab loaded the system up to 35%, four - up to 41%, extensions - up to 42%.
Note: Opera is much more popular in Russia than in many other countries - it occupies 6% of the market, with 1.5% in the rest of the world.
Mozilla Firefox
A lightweight, fast and modern browser that many users like. However, its main feature is that it is suitable not only for ordinary users who only need a tool for browsing sites on the Internet, but also for web developers who use it as a platform for creating various web applications, websites, and so on. According to tests, Firefox with one open tab loaded the system up to 29%, with four - up to 37%, with three extensions and one tab - up to 40%.
Google Chrome
The browser that ranks first in popularity all over the world. This is explained by the fact that it is lightweight, easy to set up and manage, as well as the integration of Google services, making working with it even more comfortable. Another plus is that it is the most popular browser among extension developers, so you can find a suitable plugin for almost any need. Tests: one tab – 33%, four – 38%, extensions – 40%.
Yandex browser
A domestic development in which, like Chrome, a large number of different services are integrated, only from Yandex. Popular only in the CIS countries, no wonder why. In tests, the browser performed quite well: 34% with one tab, 37% with four and 41% with three extensions and one open tab.
Note: Yandex Browser is developed on the same engine as Chrome and Opera.
What to choose?
So, choose the lightest browser. Of course, preference (based on user reviews) could be given to Microsoft products, however, it is believed that the best option would be to install Chrome.
And here the choice is supported not only by technical characteristics or performance parameters with minimal load on the system. If you look more broadly, you will notice that the latest version of the application supports RDP (remote desktop) technologies and can be used as the main client for connecting to computers and laptops, even from mobile devices.
Thus, the balance in the question of which browser loads the system the least, is the easiest to manage and configure, clearly tips in favor of Chrome, although this assessment is based solely on ratings, nothing more.
A modern browser, for most users, is the main universal tool for obtaining information from the Internet, and ensures the user's interactive presence in the virtual world. The computer can be used to solve any computing or design problems, but the browser is always open in the background or in active mode.
Therefore, the question of which browser “eats” less RAM, how many machine resources it takes for its work, is important, especially for computers with a small amount of RAM.
How to reduce your browser's RAM consumption
To make the browser eat less RAM, you can resort to the following steps:
How to clear cache in Opera
- Clearing cache and history. This helps the browser analyze site content faster, thereby increasing page loading speed and reducing the load on RAM.
- Extension management. Unused plugins must be disabled, as they significantly slow down the browser, connecting every time you turn it on.
It is also advisable not to use too many applications at the same time. This also affects the performance of the browser, which is cut off from access to RAM by other programs that occupy up to 1 GB.
Processes and results
The obtained data are summarized in diagrams.
Diagram 1. Browser memory consumption with one tab open.
The blue bar is the tab in the process of reloading, the red bar is after the page is fully loaded and rendered. The leaders in economical use of RAM during low activity were IE and Flash Peak Slimjet , and the most wasteful were Mozilla and its clone Sea Monkey .
Diagram 2 . Five tabs are open and a video is playing in the active tab.
And again the leader in efficiency is Flash Peak Slimjet , and the most wasteful browser is Mozilla
Adviсe
Tip #1
If there are too many extensions, you can try using the extension manager. For example, SimpleExtManager.
Tip #2
In addition to the most common browsers, you can try installing less popular applications - Brave, 360 Safety Manager. They often perform well on tests.
Tip #3
To make the browser slow down less, it is advisable not to open too many tabs, since they are all loaded into RAM.
Choose from the Best
It’s great that at the moment the creators have developed a decent number of different browsers suitable for different computers. We will start looking at some of the most famous and popular browsers. Then, we will make a conclusion and try to choose the best of them!
Let's note that some browsers function more quickly and use less RAM and processor resources, without loading the CPU. Some reviewers reproduce the clips better and they have other advantages. So, let's begin?
Innovations
90% of the changes in Falkon 3.1.0 are hidden from the eyes of users - almost everything in its interface remains the same, except that the search bar has been modernized. The main innovation in the browser is improved compatibility with the QtWebEngine 5.12 development environment, the most current as of March 21, 2022. The developers also added support for writing plugins (add-ons) using QML, integrated initial support for client certificates and increased the stability of plugins written in Python.
The usability of the browser has also been modified: for example, thanks to the new MiddleClickLoader plugin, the user will be able to paste text from the clipboard no longer using the Ctrl+V command or through the context menu, but by pressing the middle mouse button or wheel. In addition, Falcon now has a whitelist of cookies that will not be cleared when personal data is deleted. This means that even after completely clearing the browser, the user will not have to re-authorize on sites that he previously added to this white list.
Tor Browser
One of my friends uses a portable version of this software on his Samsung netbook. In terms of functionality, the application is significantly inferior to the above-mentioned options, but its main advantage is the ability to view blocked resources (torrent sites, for example). There is a built-in anonymous browsing mode for maximum online privacy.
In terms of speed, I can’t say that Thor is too fast, since it uses the Firefox engine. Want to test it? Here is the download link:
Download
And now - attention!
K-Meleon
K-Meleon has been available for over ten years. Mozilla browser
, which includes the Firefox Gekco engine.
Browser UI design comparable to Firefox
, and the software is highly customizable for toolbars, menus, and hotkeys.
Even though you can't add Firefox extensions to K-Meleon, the software still has plenty of handy plugins.
Thus, it can run on a variety of legacy desktops or laptops. K-Meleon
Not updated as often, but Mozilla updated the software in 2015.
Download K-Meleon browser
Falcon Features
Falkon is distinguished not only by its almost zero consumption of system resources compared to competing designs, but also by a number of features available by default. For example, the browser comes with an integrated ad blocker AdBlock, which in this case can work with both standard blacklists and custom blocking rules. This is a very important advantage, especially over Chrome, where the work of ad blockers is seriously threatened.
From the classic Opera 12.x browser, support for which was discontinued after the transition to the Blink engine, Falkon inherited the “Express Panel”, a quick access page to the most frequently visited sites.
The browser interface is as simplified as possible, which also has an impact on reducing system requirements, and by default it adapts to the visual environment of the environment under which it is launched. In other words, under KDE or Windows the browser will have a different set of styles and icons. In addition, there is support for additional design themes with flexible customization.
Falkon can completely block Flash content or launch corresponding blocks on sites with a mouse click. However, this is no longer new - a similar function appeared in Firefox back in 2015.
Falcon also features the ability to privately surf the web – in this mode, the browser does not record your browsing history or save cookies. In one of the latest versions, the developers added the ability to import bookmarks from Firefox and Chrome.
Basic criteria when choosing a browser
In addition to requests for computer RAM, users need to consider a number of other criteria. Comfort during operation plays an important role, so you should take into account:
- Convenience and simplicity of the interface
- Functionality;
- Set of configuration tools;
- Decor;
- Internet surfing safety;
- Protection of personal information;
- Popularity.
In addition, it is important to pay attention to the possibilities of increasing the functional set with the help of extensions, add-ons and various kinds of plugins.
Edge
The same Internet Explorer became the progenitor of a new generation browser called Edge, which appeared only in Windows 10 (a version is not provided for systems of a lower rank).
This application rightfully occupies the top positions in all ratings. Most of the background processes when starting the program are automated, the start takes place within a couple of seconds, opening pages even without installing the accompanying plugins is very fast. By the way, you don’t need to install add-ons - everything comes included here.
Another thing is that this browser is somewhat inconvenient to configure, especially in terms of disabling extensions. And the default start page (news, weather, advertising, etc.) is a little annoying. But all this can be disabled if you set the dummy at startup, similar to how it is done in IE.
Google Chrome
Let's start with the utility, which for a long time held the palm among the most gluttonous programs. Apparently, memes about Google's insatiable brainchild are finally a thing of the past, because the program ate up a little more than a gigabyte. The sensors danced around the 4.3 GB mark.
Page preloading is now the default feature in almost every browser (that is, the page loads as soon as you open it, not when you click on it), so Chrome doesn't stand out from the rest. And although this technology requires more RAM, it makes using the browser much more comfortable.
Google Chrome
The easiest way to quiet your browser from Google is to launch the internal task manager and close the most gluttonous programs in it. This is done literally in two clicks of the mouse.
- Open the browser and press the key combination Shift + Esc;
- In the window that opens, we mark all the processes running in the background that you, of course, are not using at the moment;
- Click on “End process”.
Chrome's task manager lists not only the tabs that are currently consuming PC memory, but also all running extensions and add-ons for the browser. We close all unnecessary processes and thereby free up some RAM and speed up the program.
You can make Chrome work easier by using the section with experimental browser settings, to access which you need to enter in the address bar: chrome://flags/. After this, you can familiarize yourself with the entire list of settings, among which, for example, there is the “Override software rendering list” option, which allows the browser to render website pages faster. To enable it, enter ignore-gpu-blacklist in the search and select “Enabled”.
