Modern browsers are easy to use and have a lot of functionality, but they can reduce computer performance. For example, the popular Google Chrome requires at least 2 GB of RAM for stable operation, so on older PCs running Windows 7 or older it freezes, loads tabs slowly, and also significantly reduces the performance of the device. However, there is a solution, and fast and lightweight browsers can be found for low-power computers.
What does the lightness of the browser affect?
The ease of the browser is an important parameter that you need to pay attention to when choosing and installing programs for surfing the network on weak computers running Windows 7 or older. The lightweight browser works quickly on low-power devices, does not require a large amount of free memory on the PC hard drive, and does not take up most of the processor power and the same amount of RAM. Thus, the user has access to easy and fast browsing of web pages on the Internet, and at the same time his computer works properly without a decrease in performance, which means it is able to simultaneously perform other tasks.
Midori (Windows and macOS | Free)
If this article were to win an Oscar for lightweight browsers (it actually does), we'd name Midori the "Best Minimalistic Lightweight Browser." Midori's home page contains the core features (toolbar, address bar, and a few buttons) you'd expect from a lightweight browser, and gets rid of other unnecessary components and details.
Midori uses minimal system resources because it is not as feature-rich as heavy browsers such as Chrome and Firefox. In terms of performance, Midori used the least amount of battery, CPU, and memory power on our test device, a Windows 10 PC.
Interestingly, it is also compatible with extensions from the Chrome Web Store, despite not being a Chromium browser.
If you're big on privacy, Midori has a Do Not Track feature that blocks websites from tracking your traffic. It also uses DuckDuckGo, a respected privacy-focused search engine, as its default search engine.
How to Calculate Browser Performance
To determine the fastest browsers suitable for weak PCs, you need to install several programs, see how they work, and compare them based on several characteristics.
What indicators are compared
To understand which browser is the lightest and fastest, and therefore most suitable for weak computers running Windows 7 or older, you need to compare installed programs using parameters such as:
- startup speed - the time it takes for the web browser to fully load and be ready to open web pages;
- memory consumption - old PCs have a small amount of RAM, so this value is very critical for them;
- CPU load is an important parameter that affects performance degradation;
- the amount of free hard disk space required to install and operate the web browser.
After conducting such a comparison, a number of web browsers were identified that showed the best results when working on weak PCs with the Windows 7 operating system.
Rating of the fastest browsers
Opera
Until recently, Opera could be considered the best browser for those who need a fast VPN connection. Now everything has changed a little, and the developers needed to disable VPN for residents of the Russian Federation. Despite this, the browser still has powerful functionality and interesting tools that other solutions do not have.
One of the advantages is Opera Turbo technology, which compresses Internet traffic passing through Opera servers before it reaches the device from which the user opens sites. This helps in cases where you have a slow Internet connection or are on a limited data plan.
Another feature will be useful for those who like to play games. A special version of the Opera GX browser, designed for video game lovers, offers integration with Twitch, support for synchronization with Razer Chroma lighting technology, and even its own catalog of profitable gaming offers.
Advantages:
- has a built-in ad blocker;
- built-in VPN, but not for residents of the Russian Federation;
- convenient express menu.
Flaws:
- small library with extensions.
Official page : Opera
Rating of the lightest browsers
Some of the fastest and lightest browsers for low-power devices include the following programs.
Pale Moon
A web browser based on Firefox, but with several important differences, the main one being that the application is optimized for Windows 7 or younger. For full operation, the browser only needs 256 MB of RAM. Compared to more famous competitors, such as Chrome or Firefox, Pale Moon is efficient on system resources and works well on low-end computers. The program has a large number of add-ons, and the interface is convenient and understandable, even despite the lack of Russian language.
It takes three to six seconds for the web browser to fully load and be ready to use. If you open YouTube in your browser and run a video in 480p resolution, the program consumes approximately 300 MB of RAM. Under heavy load - with more than ten tabs open, as well as with other applications running on the PC - Pale Moon quickly switches between pages and loads them easily, but the performance of the device itself may decrease. If the browser is open but not in use, it consumes no more than 3% of processor power. The program also plays well online videos with a resolution of 720p and frames per second of 50 FPS.
K-Meleon
One of the oldest browsers for Windows XP, Vista, 7 and earlier, showing excellent results when working on low-power computers. Created on the Firefox Gekco engine and therefore strongly resembles this web browser. The interface is simple and Russified, intuitive even for an inexperienced user. To run the application, 256 MB of RAM is enough. It has many built-in features for flexible configuration, unlike Firefox, where you need to install additional extensions. There are many useful add-ons available for the program.
The time required for the program to fully load is 2-4 seconds. When playing a 480p video on YouTube, it consumes between 235 and 250 MB. With ten or more open tabs, it is easy to switch between them, pages load quickly, other programs running on the PC also work well, i.e. Computer performance does not decrease. A web browser that is turned on but not used consumes 1 to 5% of processor power. The disadvantage of the browser is that it does not cope well with video at 720p and 50 FPS - it shows less than 20 FPS, and periodically drops to 10 FPS. This means that when watching online videos you will need to reduce the quality to 480p or 360p.
Maxthon Nitro Browser for Windows 7
Maxthon Nitro
A fast and lightweight browser for weak computers, distinguished by the speed of loading web pages and a minimal number of settings and functions. Perfect for those who do not need a lot of features and want to work comfortably online.
The program takes from 6 to 10 seconds to enter operating mode. When playing an online video in 480p resolution on a well-known video hosting site, the program consumes about 350 MB of RAM. At high load (more than ten tabs open), it freezes a little when switching between pages and opening them; the computer itself behaves in a similar way when launching other programs or working with folders. In idle mode, consumes up to 5% of processor power. Video playback at 720p and 50FPS resolution is very good.
The well-known Google Chrome was tested in a similar way for comparison. It takes 3 to 5 seconds for the program to fully load and be ready for use. When playing YouTube videos, the browser consumes about 390 MB of RAM. When the load is high, it tries to remove the contents of unused pages from memory, but the performance of the browser is significantly reduced, as is the performance of the computer itself. During idle time, it practically does not load the processor, consuming no more than 5% of its power. It handles video at 720p and 50FPS perfectly. Such results suggest that the program is not suitable for low-power devices with weak processors and a small amount of RAM.
Browse the Internet without straining your computer
You should try these browsers even if your computer is not old. If you prefer to use Chrome or other resource-intensive browsers, perhaps for the advanced tools they offer, you should read our guide on how to make Chrome use less RAM and CPU. In this guide, we offer some tips to help reduce the amount of CPU resources Chrome uses. You can also apply some of the tips to other resource-intensive browsers.
Note. CPU and RAM consumption of these lightweight browsers may vary depending on your device's hardware or software configuration, websites visited, number of tabs open, extensions installed, and other factors. However, in general, these lightweight browsers consume less system resources than regular browsers—under the same conditions.
Pale Moon
Pale Moon is a stripped-down version of Firefox and is intended exclusively for the Windows operating system. According to the developers, it is this factor that contributes to a significant increase in speed, up to 25-30% higher than that of the fire fox.
The application works great with multiple open windows and tabs, contains a convenient cookie manager, and supports smart caching. To use the latest version of Pale Moon, you will need to have a processor no worse than the fourth Pentium or Athlone 64. Another nuance may be the lack of Russian-language localization, but this problem can be solved by simply installing a localization tool.
Monument Browser
The application has a dark theme, as well as a reading mode with the ability to customize fonts and even read text. You can save the entire article as a screenshot or PDF file.
You can move the search bar from top to bottom and select a search engine of your choice. It is possible to download audio and video files, as well as entire web pages for offline viewing.
The only drawback of Monument Browser is advertising. To remove it, you will have to buy the application.
Monument Browser: Ad Blocker, Privacy Focused
Apps by Marcelo de Souza
Price: Free
Download
Price: Free
Hermit
With Hermit, you can turn frequently visited sites into light applications. Select a resource and a shortcut icon will appear on your Android home screen. There is also a set of popular applications if you don’t want to bother with settings.
When you create a site shortcut through Chrome, it works like a regular tab in the browser. In Hermit, each link is an “application within an application” with its own parameters.
For example, it is possible to choose your own design theme and make the site open in desktop mode. You can also prevent certain applications from loading images.
The browser supports RSS notifications, has a dark theme and reading mode, as well as a number of other features. To unlock them all, you will have to buy the Pro version.
Hermit - Lite Apps Browser
Chimbori
Price: Free
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Price: Free
Chrome Browser
Of course, we will begin our investigation with the most popular browser - Chrome. Its users love it more than others. This browser has frequent updates, and when its Update is not of the highest quality, the browser tries to remove this deficiency in another update and correct the error.
What is its main advantage? Speed of operation. Also worth noting. The more windows you open in it, the more it takes up your computer's resources. Each such window takes approximately 50 MB of RAM on your card. If the computer is weak and more than 5 windows are open, the browser becomes slower. But when only two or three windows are open, this browser takes up few resources, and the computer functions perfectly.
Also, the program informs the user about an attempt to enter a malicious site. And this happens without installing special antivirus add-ons. This browser is free.
Download Chrome
Linket Browser
When you click on a link in any Android application, it opens either in the default browser or in the built-in browser. The first one may take a long time to load, and the second one may simply be outdated.
Lynket Browser allows you to open links in the application you are currently using. You can also collect them in a special storage facility that is always at hand.
The browser has extensive customization options, has a reading mode and supports the lightweight Google AMP page format.
Lynket Browser (previously Chromer)
Arunkumar
Price: Free
Download
Price: Free
