Google Chrome and 10 more best browsers for Android

Google Chrome, the default browser installed on Android, is far from the only web surfing tool on mobile devices. There are other web browsers, many of which offer the user a much larger range of settings and services. Some alternative browsers are better than Chrome at solving specific problems - for example, providing faster loading of pages or providing access to blocked resources. We invite you to get to know them.

How to choose a browser for a smartphone and tablet

When choosing a program for viewing Internet sites, answer yourself the most important question - what tasks should it solve, in addition to the main one? For regular web surfing, any Android smartphone has enough built-in Google Chrome capabilities. But if you, for example, are deeply immersed in the Yandex environment and use many of its services and devices, then Yandex.Browser with the Alice voice assistant will be the best choice for you. Want maximum privacy? Mozilla Firefox, Vivaldi and Tor should be on your priority list.

When choosing a mobile browser, it is important to pay attention to the technical requirements:

1. Android version. You can find it out from the application description, for example: Android 5.0 and higher.
2. The amount of free space on the phone. If it is not enough, the Play Store will pause the download.
3. Amount of RAM. The requirements are not indicated in the description, but in practice it quickly becomes clear that using Chrome or Firefox on smartphones with 1-2 GB of RAM is extremely inconvenient. For comfortable surfing, it is better to immediately choose lightweight browsers for weak devices.

Some browsers have multiple versions. For example, Opera has a lightweight Mini build that saves traffic and Touch, an application optimized for one-handed operation. Yandex Browser has a Light version, which weighs less than 1 MB. The functionality of the versions differs, despite the same engine.

Why do you need to keep a lightweight browser on your phone?

First, you will never know exactly what you are discovering or where it all leads. All these links in messengers can take you anywhere. You will be greatly surprised when you open one, and the browser gives you 10 pop-ups with advertising that you have won or that your phone is infected. This will open 10 more tabs in the background. Many of you use Chrome for the Internet, but it does not yet have built-in ad protection. To avoid this, you can install another browser, for example Yandex Browser or Firefox, which already have protection against pop-ups and advertising, but keeping such combines for unknown links is like shooting sparrows from a cannon.

The rosette channel is provided as an example only

I described in more detail how to replace a standard browser with a lightweight one in the article “Replacing the built-in web browsing programs from Chrome with something normal in an Android phone.”

Secondly, opening unknown links in a light browser is stupidly several times faster than opening them in the main browser. The lightweight browser starts up several times faster and loads pages the same way.

I think the only downside of this method is that links opened in a light browser do not leave history in the main browser, and this is sometimes necessary. By the way, there is a way out.

So in my top:

1. Yandex Browser Light
2. Opera Mini
3. Mint Browser from Xiaomi
4. Firefox Focus
5. Monument Browser

Google Chrome

Google Chrome is the standard browser for Android devices.
Its key advantage is data synchronization by default. To work normally with Android, you need a Google account, which is automatically added to the browser. If you also use Google Chrome on your computer, you can set up full synchronization with mobile devices in a couple of minutes, which includes transferring passwords, bookmarks, history and other user information.

By the way, Google Chrome has a full version for Android TV, which can also be synchronized with your smartphone.

Main features of the browser:

• Convenient synchronization between different devices with the ability to connect multiple Google profiles.
• Data saving feature that shows which sites consume the most data.
• Voice input support.
• Tight integration with Google Assistant.
• Built-in PDF reader.

There are no ads in the Google Chrome interface. Moreover, in its settings it is possible to prohibit the display of intrusive or misleading ads on sites. However, it is difficult to call it a full-fledged ad blocker.

Unfortunately, Google Chrome does not play Flash animation on websites and does not allow you to manage it. However, this is a feature of almost all modern browsers, and it is connected with the fact that in recent years, web development has been actively abandoning Flash technology in favor of HTML5.

The main drawback of Google's browser is the inability to install extensions from the official store. In addition, the browser is demanding on resources, so it works slowly on weak devices.

Users' opinions

Users leave mostly positive reviews about the browser. Those who use older gadgets are happy with everything, but owners of more powerful smartphones lack the usual functionality for web browsers: bookmarks, folders, panels, and so on.

Browser Features:

• minimum requirements for system resources of a mobile device;
• high speed;
• ascetic and extremely simple interface;
• gesture control;
• no verification, authentication or other synchronization with phone data or accounts is required.

Yandex browser

Yandex.Browser is a web browser from a Russian company with a built-in voice assistant, Alice, and close integration with all Yandex services.
If you use other products of this IT giant, then it will become a universal hub through which the entire Yandex ecosystem is managed. The application is only available on mobile devices; unfortunately, there is no version for Android TV.

Main features of the Yandex browser:

• Full synchronization via Yandex account.
• Acceleration mode (network traffic compression), which turns on automatically when the Internet is slow.
• Encrypt passwords and personal data when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.
• Automatic activation of energy saving mode.
• Reader mode, which removes media elements from sites that support this technology.
• A storage of bonus cards that can be presented directly from the phone screen.
• Chats for communicating with contacts.

One of the most important features of Yandex.Browser is support for add-ons. In the catalog you will find password managers, widgets for downloading videos, notes, other Yandex services and other useful things.

The application supports Flash player, but does not have tools to control it. But in the settings there is a built-in ad blocker that hides obscene and shocking ads.

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox is an independent browser whose developers pay great attention to privacy issues, and an excellent solution for supporters of open technologies.
The functionality of this mobile application is as close as possible to the desktop version. It supports all extensions and plugins that run inside the browser. A special version of the browser is available on Android TV, called Firefox for TV. It cannot be downloaded from Google Play; installation requires an APK file or Aptoide TV program.

Key features of Firefox:

• Synchronization with the desktop version via a Firefox account.
• Advanced privacy settings: tracking protection, blocking cookie collection, automatic deletion of data when logging out.
• Built-in password manager, protected by a master key.
• Integration with other applications, for example, when opening a VKontakte page, the browser automatically launches the social network client.
• Smart search bar with support for voice input and suggestions for contextual options.
• Automatically restore tabs after closing the browser.
• Save traffic by disabling automatic display of images.

Firefox mobile doesn't support Flash elements by default, but you can add Flash Player as an add-on.

The Mozilla application, in my opinion, is the most convenient in terms of usability. Open tabs are displayed in a separate window, through which you can navigate to other pages, including in incognito mode.

Opera

Opera is a legendary browser from Norwegian developers that has successfully migrated from old feature phones to smartphones. It greets users with an overly informative home page, but few are bothered by this. What’s more important is that Opera remains one of the most productive browsers, which, even in the maximum version, does not place high demands on the phone’s hardware characteristics.

Main features of mobile Opera:

• Full data synchronization through your Opera account.
• Traffic saving mode.
• Built-in free VPN (cannot be used at the same time as saving traffic).
• Ad blocker and protection against phishing sites.
• Convenient night mode with screen brightness settings.
• The function of quickly saving pages for studying content without an Internet connection.

Unfortunately, Opera also doesn't support flash playback, so some older sites may not open correctly.

The browser has a Mini version, which is designed for devices with weak technical characteristics. It offers a data compression mode when downloading files, which allows you to reduce mobile traffic consumption. However, when choosing maximum compression, individual sites may not be displayed correctly, so it is best to use it only when the Internet connection is very poor.

There is a separate version for Android TV - it's called Opera TV.

4. Dolphin

Free program for iOS, Android platforms. For weak smartphones it is available in Dolphin Browser Mini format. Economical, with a minimal installation file size.

Web pages load quickly thanks to the use of hardware acceleration. The system blocks intrusive advertising and pop-ups.

Dolphin Browser allows you to create your own control gestures. There is also a standard set from the platform developers. Plugins protect personal data by preventing leakage. You can change the background, wallpaper, and theme to your liking.

Advantages:

1. Voice search capability.
2. Quick access to search engines.
3. Grouping tabs.
4. Compatible with third party extensions.
5. Home page personalization.
6. Regular updates from developers.

Flaws:

1. Unfinished incognito mode (browsing history remains).
2. Doesn't block all ads.
3. Does not support Flash

Microsoft Edge

The built-in browser WIndows 10 has moved to the Chromium engine and received an unexpectedly convenient version for mobile devices. What's more, Edge now runs on Android TV, offering the same functionality as the app.

Key features of Edge:

• Synchronize data through a Microsoft account with moving tabs between desktop, mobile device and TV.
• Advanced reading mode, which allows you to remove all unnecessary elements from sites and leave only the content (provided that the site supports reading mode).
• Built-in ad blocker Adblock Plus with the ability to configure exceptions.
• Barcode and QR code scanner.
• Voice search.
• InPrivate mode, when enabled, user activity is not saved in browser logs.
• Automatic launch of external applications - for example, social network clients when you go to their pages.

Microsoft Edge does not have a data saving feature or settings to control the Flash player. This is a little frustrating because you always expect a little more features from Microsoft products. But what’s nice is the complete absence of advertising, so you can use the browser without pop-up banners and strange news feeds.

Users' opinions

You may be interested in:How to recover a deleted application on an iPhone: 3 effective methods

Judging by user reviews, the lightest and fastest browser for Android is able to recognize not only text, but also voice requests, which significantly simplifies working with it while driving. There is also basic virus protection and end-to-end encryption for added security, which is also nice.

Browser Features:

• convenient one-handed interface;
• quick search mode;
• the ability to exchange data with friends (personal feed);
• voice search;
• own antivirus;
• ad blocker.

UC Browser

UC Browser is one of the most powerful web browsers that offers fast page loading speed, excellent performance and low resource consumption. For very weak devices, there is a special version of UC mini, in which the functionality is slightly reduced, but the main features, such as convenient tools for watching videos or controlling gestures, are retained. However, neither the full version nor the mini work on Android TV - only on mobile devices.

Main features of the UC browser:

• Synchronization between devices via a UC Browser account with transfer of history, passwords, bookmarks and open tabs.
• Built-in night mode.
• Pre-installed ad blocker.
• Traffic saving function.
• Lite mode support for fast display of web pages.
• Web accelerator feature that increases website loading speed.
• The “My Video” section for convenient management of videos viewed on the Internet and saved on the device.

UC Browser has the usual incognito mode. Plus, when you close the browser, a window appears to automatically clear your browsing history.

This browser also does not have settings for controlling the flash player, although the technology itself is supported. And there is also advertising: pop-up banners periodically appear that cannot be disabled forever.

Top 10 browsers for the Android platform

When compiling the list, the following indicators were taken into account:

• performance (web page loading speed, request response time);
• security of storing personal data (contact information, passwords);
• ease of control;
• multifunctionality;
• amount of RAM consumption;
• advanced capabilities (availability of specialized plugins).

Conclusions were also made based on reviews of thematic online platforms (4pda). The highlighted advantages and disadvantages will help you decide on a good search engine.

Puffin

Puffin is a cross-platform browser available on Android and Android TV. Its main feature is support for Flash Player. Thanks to this, you can run Flash elements on mobile versions of sites in the same way as on a desktop - for example, games from social networks.

Key features of Puffin:

• Automatically encrypts connections to Wi-Fi networks.
• Built-in traffic saving system.
• Accelerate the display of web pages by transferring the load to cloud servers.
• Full support for the latest version of Flash Player.
• Virtual touchpad with mouse and gamepad simulation.

In the free version of the browser, video advertisements periodically appear when you click on links. To disable it, there is a Pro version, which costs 389 rubles. It also added an ad blocker that removes banners on websites.

Puffin is a browser for entertainment. It does not provide synchronization with other devices, and passwords are stored in the phone's memory. This application is demanding on the gadget's resources: it consumes a lot of RAM and eats up the battery noticeably faster than other browsers. But Puffin uses the best traffic saving algorithm. Compression efficiency - 75%. For comparison, Google Chrome's figure is 60%, and Yandex.Browser's is 58%.

Maxthon

New browser with cloud engine. It reduces the load on the device using its own servers. The newly launched MxNitro allows you to quickly launch web pages.

It offers high speed and minimal design. It also doesn't put much strain on the CPU. Compared to Google Chrome, pages load 30% faster.

Vivaldi Beta

Vivaldi Beta is a new browser for Android, which is still in beta testing, but is already pleased with its stable operation and good functionality.
The developers called security and privacy the main mission of this product, since the browser does not track user actions. The result is “Mozilla Firefox” on the Google engine, which you can guess at one glance at the interface. Vivaldi Beta is available only on mobile devices; unfortunately, it cannot be installed on Android TV.

Key features of mobile Vivaldi:

• Synchronization of user data between different devices through a single account.
• Fast loading of sites and saving traffic in simplified browsing mode.
• Separate privacy settings: prohibit tracking, collect information for search suggestions, preload pages, etc.
• Automatic switch to dark theme when power saving mode is turned on.
• Supports a large number of search engines.

Like other mobile browsers running on the Chromium engine, Vivaldi Beta does not support playing Flash elements by default. It has an ad blocker in its settings, but it only disables particularly intrusive ads.

Tor

Tor is the only official browser supported by the Tor Project developers.
It is a powerful tool that provides the user with almost maximum privacy online. With Tor, you not only protect your personal data, but also get the opportunity to open sites that are blocked in regular browsers. Google Play doesn't have a dedicated version of Tor for Android TV, but you can install it on your TV from third-party sources. The browser for TV has the same functionality as for a smartphone.

Key features of the mobile Tor browser:

• Support for “onion” access technology, replacing the user’s real IP address.
• Advanced privacy settings.
• Traffic saving mode that allows you to disable automatic downloading of images.
• Constant monitoring of connection speed.
• HTTPS Everywhere feature to encrypt all sites.
• Prohibition on taking screenshots in the browser.

Tor is not suitable for constant web surfing. Rather, it is needed as a second browser that can be launched to visit blocked sites. Onion routing technology significantly reduces the connection speed, which greatly affects the ease of use, but for the sake of privacy you have to sacrifice comfort.

Kiwi

Kiwi is a powerful browser that, like many others, runs on the Chromium engine. Outwardly, it is very similar to Google Chrome, but, unlike its brother, it supports installing extensions from the official store.

Key features of the Kiwi browser:

• A large selection of search engines, there is even the confidential DuckDuckGo.
• Gesture control.
• Built-in ad blocker with the ability to add exceptions.
• Support for different design options.
• Night theme with separate settings for comfortable viewing.
• Reading mode on sites that support it.
• Options to control the browser with one hand.

Kiwi only works on mobile devices; it does not have full support for Android TV. There is also no flash player, but the latter can be installed from the extension store.

One of the disadvantages of Kiwi is the lack of a built-in traffic saving function, which is available in Google Chrome.

Users' opinions

Users respond very well to this application. The browser really puts minimal load on the system and is completely undemanding when it comes to chipsets and firmware. It can be launched and worked normally even on the most ancient smartphones.

Browser Features:

• pleasant and intuitive interface;
• availability of an intelligent and full-fledged Yandex.Zen service;
• convenient bookmarks and toolbar;
• “smart” search working in tandem with “Alice”.

Lightning Browser

Lightning Browser is one of the lightest web browsers for Android.
The installation file of this browser weighs only 2.5 MB, which is several tens of times less than that of its competitors. After installation, “Molniya” occupies only 6.43 MB of device memory (excluding cache and temporary files). For comparison, Chrome needs at least 143 MB, and Edge needs a whopping 263 MB. Lightning Browser is not only lightweight, but also very fast - thanks to its unique prioritization technology. When a page loads, the browser first draws elements that carry important information: HTML markup, text, images, and then begins loading the remaining elements.

Key features of Lightning:

• Powerful reading mode on sites that support this technology.
• Built-in intrusive ad blocker.
• Advanced privacy settings that allow you to enable automatic deletion of logs and blocking of cookies.
• Display settings for customizing the interface.

This browser also does not support playing Flash elements and does not work on Android TV - only on mobile devices.

Users' opinions

The main screen is an address bar and nothing more. This approach ensures ideal concentration and at the same time fast work. Judging by user reviews, some important functions were cut out for the sake of speed, but for owners of budget and low-power devices, Firefox Focus has become an ideal tool for surfing.

Browser Features:

• advanced privacy modes;
• excellent ad blocking tools;
• instant deletion of web browser history;
• ascetic, but at the same time convenient and attractive interface;
• “smart” line with the ability to connect a voice assistant.