Today, the list of existing browsers can be presented in a very detailed form. So, the main applications, along with IE, over the past years are Firefox, Opera, Safari and Chrome, and the first program is cross-platform. If we talk about services developed for a specific OS, you can make a separate list of browsers for Windows, Macintosh and Linux.
All applications listed above have the following characteristics:
- Tab support.
- Modern web pages with HTML, CSS, SSL, and JavaScript.
- Cookies and tags.
- Plugins and Java.
- Block ads and / or pop-ups.
- Download manager.
- Built-in search.
- Favorites / Bookmarks function and import.
These are the main parameters of programs running on major platforms, and today they are being actively developed to continue supporting modern web standards (HTML, CSS, JavaScript).
Starts the list of browsers Opera, which has managed to survive the competition since its first release in 1996. Constantly introducing innovations, this application now offers not only work on the Internet, but also convenient viewing of e-mails, news (Usenet and RSS) and many convenient plug-ins. In addition, there was also a version for mobile users - Opera Mini. In addition to supporting IOS and Android, the Mini version works on most Java-compatible devices, as a result of which Internet access has become possible even from older mobile phones. You can synchronize bookmarks between Opera Mini and the computer version of the application when using Opera Link.
Mozilla Firefox is the most versatile web browser that has brilliantly won the competition. It was designed for simplicity, security and the ability to install plugins. There is also a version of Mobile Firefox that is available for Android and Maemo.
Safari undoubtedly tops the list of browsers for Mac OS X. The application has become so popular among Mac users that Microsoft has stopped developing IE for Apple products. Safari is elegant and fast, and is currently used as the default browser on Mac devices. Starting with version 3, Safari is also available for Windows. This program is also core on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.
In 2008, Google introduced a truncated web browser in terms of capabilities, rethinking the basic assumptions about what such an application should do. By focusing on improving performance, Chrome lets you focus on the network itself. The program uses the WebKit engine and is similar to the default browser installed on the Android platform.
In the above examples, the list of browsers is completely unlimited. For example, long before the advent of universal Firefox, K-Meleon was launched, whose strengths are speed and customization options. Another browser used before Safari came out was iCab. Currently, it has been transferred to the WebKit engine and has been slightly modified; a mobile version has been released.
Trying to make a list of the best browsers, you should not forget about the development for Linux. So, Konqueror is both a web browser and a file manager for the KDE desktop. This customizable app came to light when Apple chose it as the basis for Safari. Konqueror integrates closely with other applications - KDE Kontact / KMail for email, Akregator for RSS feeds, etc. The program can also work under GNOME or other desktop environments.