33 Cool Alternative Web Browsers You Didn’t Know | 2024 Edition

We use web browsers to find information, update our social media, and stay updated on global events. If you have a Windows or Mac computer, you’re probably using Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox. These four browsers dominate over 90% of the market share worldwide.

However, there are many alternative browsers out there that you probably haven’t heard of. They offer various unique and easy-to-use features.

If you’re someone who loves trying out new software and tools and you’re always multitasking, you’ll find this list of alternative web browsers really helpful and interesting. It covers cool browsers for all the latest devices like tablets, smartphones, and computers.

Did you know?

WorldWideWeb (later renamed Nexus) was invented by Sir Tim Berners-Lee in 1990. It was not only the first web browser but also the first web editor.  

33. Iridium Browser

New builds of version 2024.01.120 have just been made available for openSUSE Tumbleweed and Leap 15.5.
These releases are based on Chromium 120.0.6099.224.

learn more https://t.co/Q0SaW6F2YR#foss #opensource

— Iridium Browser (@IridiumBrowser) January 29, 2024

Platform: Windows, Mac, and Linux

Iridium is an open-source browser based on the Chromium project. It focuses on privacy and security, aiming to provide users with a more private and secure experience compared to popular browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. 

It includes built-in measures to prevent website fingerprinting, block tracking cookies, and combat various forms of online tracking techniques. 

Pros 

• Minimizes user tracking and data collection
• Offers fast and responsive browsing experience 
• Options to adjust privacy settings and install extensions
• Regular security updates and patches

Cons

• Not available for iOS and Android 
• May consume significant system resources

In short, Iridium is a compelling choice if you are seeking a privacy-focused alternative to mainstream browsers. However, you should consider its limitations and compatibility factors when evaluating it for your daily browsing needs. 

32. Cốc Cốc

Platform: Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS

Cốc Cốc Browser is designed specifically for users in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries.

It offers a range of features tailored to the needs and preferences of users in the region, including built-in tools to improve productivity and convenience while browsing the web. This includes an ad blocker, video downloader, a download manager, and built-in antivirus protection.

The browser also allows you to set your search engine, favorite websites, and news sources to appear on the homepage for quick access. 

Pros 

• Provides a localized browsing experience
• Has its own search engine, called Cốc Cốc Search 
• Option to disable tracking cookies

Cons

• Not widely available or supported in Western countries

Unlike other browsers, Cốc Cốc has its own search engine. It is optimized for Vietnamese language queries and provides localized search results. It offers instant search suggestions, image search, and voice search. 

As per their official website, Cốc Cốc has more than 30 million users. 

31. Falkon

Platform: Windows and Linux

Falkon is known for its lightweight nature and fast performance. It is built on the QtWebEngine rendering engine, which is based on the Chromium project. 

The browser has many customization options, including options to customize the toolbar, theme, and font settings. Plus, it has a built-in ad blocker to reduce distractions and speed up page loading times. 

Pros 

• Perfect for older or less powerful hardware
• Plenty of customization options
• Robust tab management
• Built-in ad blocker

Cons

• Has a smaller user base and a less developed ecosystem 

Falkon also prioritizes user privacy and security. It offers features like Do Not Track (DNT) support, private browsing mode, and cookie management to help users protect their online privacy and minimize tracking. 

30. Otter Browser

Platform: Windows, Mac, and Linux

Otter aims to provide a modern and customizable browsing experience while preserving the best aspects of classic web browsers, particularly the Opera 12.x series. 

It comes with a customizable toolbar and sidebar for quick access to bookmarks, history, and downloads. Plus, there is a speed dial feature that allows you to quickly access your favorite sites and web applications from a customizable grid of thumbnails. 

Pros 

• Classic interface 
• Tab stacking
• Bookmarks and history management

Cons

• Limited extension support

You have the option to organize and navigate related tabs by grouping them together. This enhances your browsing experience, particularly when you have numerous tabs open simultaneously.

Although Otter may lack the extensive ecosystem and extension support found in mainstream browsers, it presents an excellent alternative for those seeking customizable features and efficient tab management.

29. Dillo

Platform: GNU/Linux, BSD, Solaris, Mac OS X

Dillo is a free, minimalistic web browser written in C and C++. It is based on Fast Light Toolkit, which is known for its speed and small footprint.  

One of its features is a bug meter that helps web developers catch bugs while parsing web content, helping them stick to web standards.

Pros

• Fast
• Small footprints
• Friendly to both users and developers

Cons

• Looks outdated

The browser features tabbed browsing, bookmarks, support for jpeg, png, and gif images, and XHTML with CSS rendering. The home page, fonts, download folder, and background color can be customized via configuration files.

28. QtWeb

Platform: Windows, macOS X, Linux

QtWeb is an open-source web browser based on Nokia’s Qt framework and Apple’s Webkit rendering engine. It is a lightweight, secure, and fast web browser developed by LogicWare & LSoft Technologies.

Pros

• Lightweight and fast
• Customizable user interface
• Easy access to most privacy functions
• Friendly to both users and developers

Cons

• No plug-ins or add-ons management

It includes an ad filtering function, pop-up blocking, privacy mode, mouse gesture, web inspector for debugging webpages, customizable keyboard shortcuts & search engine.

27. GreenBrowser

Platform: Windows

GreenBrowser is a speedy and highly customizable web browser built on the core of Internet Explorer. It’s compact and doesn’t hog system resources.

It comes packed with handy features like ad filtering, the ability to save pages as a group, a boss key for privacy, mouse gestures for easy navigation, a page manager, a status bar, a video player, and customizable page background colors.

Pros

• Comes with a powerful ad filter
• Page Manager
• Autosave pages

Cons

• UI looks outdated

Moreover, it supports various useful plugins that can be added to the external toolbar for even more functionality.

26. Browzer

Platform: Windows

Browzer is a free privacy-oriented web browser that doesn’t save cookies, history, temp files cache, and passwords. This is great for banking and cloud applications. It automatically clears all data when you close the browser.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Total browsing privacy
• Popup management

Cons

• Doesn’t get regular updates

Moreover, it supports auto-complete blocking, crash protection & recovery, homepage customization, secure file deletion, pop-up management, and Index.dat cleanup.

25. Coowon Browser

Platform: Windows

You must install it if you are a gamer. Coowon is a Google Chrome-based Browser built with some unique features that are perfect for web gamers. It helps you perform game botting, play & record mouse clicks, control game speed, and has Gamepad support.

Pros

• Gamepad support
• Login to different accounts simultaneously in special tabs
• Record your mouse clicks and keystrokes

Cons

• Not ideal for regular users

It also includes features like mouse gestures for convenient navigation, drag-to-go functionality, support for multiple login tabs, buttons to quickly reopen closed tabs, and translucent, floating windows for a modern look. Currently, it’s accessible for both Windows and Mac OS users.

24. Pale Moon

Platform: Windows, Linux

Pale Moon is a tweaked version of Firefox, but it comes with a few extras like WebRTC, a PDF viewer, support for 64-bit computing, hardware acceleration, and some customization options such as the status bar and scrolling. It also supports Windows parental controls and can use many Firefox extensions and themes.

Pros

• Optimized for modern processors
• Fully customizable interface with plenty of gradients and fonts
• Supports lightweight themes

Cons

• Lacks privacy-protecting features

This open-source tool aims to provide close adherence to a balanced set of web standards and specifications in its implementation. It purposefully excludes some functions to strike a balance between technical advancements, performance, and general use of the Web.

23. SlimBrowser

Platform: Windows

SlimBrowser is a lightning-fast browser that uses the Microsoft Trident layout engine. This is a great alternative web browser for Windows in terms of time-saving.

Pros

• Instant photo upload and photo framing
• Built-in download manager
• Save the screenshot of a whole page

Cons

• No bandwidth-saving option

It features an auto form filter, one-click Facebook integration, fast download manager, YouTube video downloading, Web page translation, popup blocker, blacklist/whitelist filtering, and integration with an online virus scanner.

22. iCab

Platform: Mac

iCab is an alternative web browser for Mac, offering many handy features like ad filtering, customizable rendering adjustments, and settings for JavaScript and cookies on specific web pages.

Pros

• Blocks undesirable content like pop-ups
• Downloads webpages for offline access
• Open source code of a page in a text editor

Cons

• Form filling doesn’t work every time

It comes with features such as organized history by title, user agent spoofing, full-screen viewing, the ability to reload a single image without refreshing the entire page, and support for multiple languages.

21. Superbird

Platform: Windows

Superbird is a free alternative to Google Chrome. The difference is that Chrome tracks all your information, whereas Superbird doesn’t send any data to Google or other third parties.

Pros

• No data is sent to third-party apps
• Low memory consumption
• A lot of Plugins are available

Cons

• Doesn’t get updated regularly

It mainly focuses on speed, stability, and data security. Moreover, it uses low memory as compared to Chrome and supports lots of plugins.

20. Avant Browser

Platform: Windows

Avant is a free web browser that’s completely free of ads, malware, and spyware. It uses the Trident layout engine, which is known for its reliability and speed.

With low memory usage and a user-friendly interface, Avant provides a smooth and efficient browsing experience. It’s regularly updated, ensuring stability and security.

Pros

• User-friendly interface
• Blocks annoying pop-ups
• Infinitely customizable

Cons

• Does not come with anti-spyware, antivirus, or anti-phishing tools

Avant comes with a range of features including a multi-threaded downloader, low CPU usage, no memory leaks, online bookmarks, a multi-document interface, mouse gestures, a flash animation filter, and built-in popup and ad blocking capabilities.

19. Lunascape

Platform: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

Lunascape contains three rendering engines: Webkit, Trident, and Gecko. The web browser allows the user to switch between layout engines seamlessly.

Pros

• Flick Gesture and tabbed browsing with sliding finger
• RSS Reader and eBook Reader
• Can be fully customized for your technical needs

Cons

• Difficult to change settings

It is packed with tons of features like a versatile tab menu, customize mouse action, switch user agent, block unwanted URLs, tickers to display headlines from major news sources, bookmark synchronization, automatic backups, and much more.

18. Konqueror Browser

Platform: Linux

Konqueror Browser is based on HTML and Webkit engine. It consists of ad-block, pop-up blocker, password manager, bookmark manager, webpage translation, spell checker, tabbed, and split browsing. It works well with panels that can be rearranged or added.

Pros

• In-built spell checker
• File management on FTP and SFTP servers
• Embedded tools to preview files

Cons

• Fewer customization options

The browser efficiently manages tasks within clean, flexible containers, requiring fewer system resources. Even with multiple tabs open for webpages, embedded document viewing, and file management, it uses less than 300 MB of RAM.

17. Sleipnir

Platform: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS

Sleipnir is a free web browser that lets you quickly locate a specific tab even when you have over 100 tabs open. It works on the Blink engine and supports Chrome function extensibility (for Windows OS).

Pros

• Sleek design
• Lots of gestures
• Thumbnail tab that shows the contents as it is

Cons

• Some learning curve

It is packed with a web inspector, a tool for reading & making text beautiful, search fields from various sites, and retina display support.

16. Comodo IceDragon

Platform: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS

Comodo IceDragon is an open-source web browser based on Firefox. It is intended to be faster, easy to use, and more secure than Firefox.

Pros

• Scan web pages for malware
• Features several tweaks to enhance both security and performance
• Full compatibility with Firefox plug-ins

Cons

• Sometimes, it crashes for no reason

The browser includes a page inspector for scanning malware, a secure DNS service, and seamless social media integration enabling instant sharing of any webpage. It is fully compatible with all Firefox plugins and extensions.

15. Epic

Platform: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android

Epic is based on chromium source code developed by Hidden Reflex. It is dedicated to protecting your privacy by blocking tracking scripts and ads. It includes a built-in protection system against tracking cookies, third-party widgets, and other tracking agents.

Pros

• One-click anonymizing proxy
• Protects users’ privacy at every level
• Built-in encrypted proxy lets users access blocked websites

Cons

• Some websites work strangely or don’t work at all

When closed, Epic automatically deletes all browsing data, including database, history, session, cache, cookies, login data, and preferences. Moreover, it is dubbed as the first browser from India with free VPN servers in eight countries.

14. Maxthon

Platform: PC, iOS, Android

Maxthon is a powerful engine based on blockchain technology. It encapsulates the blockchain technology through the Vbox and NBdomain interface, allowing developers to power powerful applications.

Pros

• Fast and easy-to-use
• Support NBdomain protocol to access blockchain content
• Compatible with Chrome data
• Cloud Service provides cross-device data sync

Cons

• Lacks supplementary features like voice interaction commands

It has many features that make internet browsing less annoying and more convenient. Maxthon automatically blocks phishing attempts and malicious websites. Also, it supports private browsing session that doesn’t trace your history.

13. Dolphin

Platform: PC, iOS, Android

Dolphin has a beautiful user interface and is filled with features like Voice search, one-tap sharing, bookmark synchronization, web app store, add-ons, search suggestions, ad-block, video downloader, and flash support.

Pros

• Private browsing and personalized search
• Customize the browser with various backgrounds
• Dozens of add-ons are available

Cons

• Maybe a little slow on startup

You can browse the internet more efficiently by creating personalized gestures for websites and common features. For instance, you can draw the letter “B” to navigate to Bing or “D” to access DuckDuckGo.

12. Citrio

Platform: Windows, macOS

Citrio is a fast, lightweight, and free web browser with an intelligent download manager. Citrio is designed with in-build malware and phishing detector, video downloader, proxy, and torrent manager.

Pros

• The built-in proxy widget makes switching between proxies very simple
• Powerful Download Manager and video downloader
• Rich extension library

Cons

• Not updated regularly

It is a safe and secure browser that doesn’t collect any of your personal information. The quick startup time, responsive add-ons, and rich extension libraries deliver a smooth and comfortable web surfing experience.

11. Midori

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android

Midori is a lightweight, fast, and free web browser based on the Webkit rendering engine. It has a beautiful interface and supports all the latest technologies like CSS3, HTML5, etc.

Pros

• Lightweight and fast
• Guarantees your privacy and anonymity on the network
• Useful plugins are built-in

Cons

• Does not offer universal cookie blocking for all sites

It features script disabling, 3rd party cookie blocking, automatic history clearing after a certain time, ad blocker, smart cookie manager, RSS, and spelling checker.

10. Torch

Platform: Windows, macOS

Torch is a media web browser based on the Chromium source code. It allows you to share webpages, download documents, audio & video files within a single click, directly from the browser.

Pros

• Touch bar support for Mac users
• Lightweight and fast
• VPN onboard
• Compatible with Chrome extensions

Cons

• Unwanted extras
• Owned by a Chinese consortium

It also includes a download accelerator for super-fast download and facelift through which you can design your Facebook profile by selecting various inbuilt themes. And to entertain you, it has mini-clip games (no download required), HD video, and an audio player.

9. Waterfox

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux

Waterfox is a high-performance web browser based on the Mozilla platform. It is built with Intel’s C++ compiler, which enables you to browse seamlessly. It supports a wide range of plugins, including Adobe Flash Player, Microsoft Silverlight, and Oracle Java.

Pros

• Offers excellent privacy
• Customize the browser with an array of backgrounds
• Works with major streaming services

Cons

• Maybe a little slow on startup

Overall, the browser delivers a balance of usability and privacy for power users such as server admins and developers.

8. Yandex

Platform: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux

Yandex is a free web browser utilizing the Blink layout engine, built upon the Chromium source code. It incorporates Yandex security and Kaspersky anti-virus systems to ensure safe web page browsing and file downloading. Its minimalist design helps users focus on essential tasks.

Pros

• In-built antivirus and security system
• Hide unrelated interface elements
• Surf the web in private

Cons

• No proper dark mode

Yandex is also packed with a bunch of useful features, including a language translator, document viewer, Smartbox search, device synchronization, keyboard layout switcher, and more.

7. Tor Browser

For users who are affected by Snowflake and some other anticensorship service outages like connection assist, we’ve developed a quick workaround: https://t.co/3iCyIVO5Q9.

— The Tor Project (@torproject) March 4, 2024

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android

Tor Browser prevents the trackers from learning your physical location, page views, and other private information. It isolates each URL you visit so third-party trackers can’t follow you. All your browsing history and cookies automatically clear when you are done browsing.

Pros

• Block trackers
• Multi-layer encryption
• Simple interface for complex security tools

Cons

• Takes time to start and load the homepage

The browser comes equipped with essential tools like TorButton, NoScript, TorLauncher, HTTPS Everywhere, Firefox extension, and the Tor proxy. It also helps you access websites that are blocked.

6. UC Browser

Platform: Android and iOS 

UC Browser is a mobile web browser developed by UCWeb, a subsidiary of the Chinese multinational company Alibaba Group.

One of the standout features of this browser is its data compression technique. It compresses web pages, images, and other content before transmitting them over the network. This is particularly beneficial for users with limited data plans or in regions with slow internet connections. 

Pros 

• Has its own data compression technology and efficient rendering engine
• Built-in ad blocking and download manager 
• Customizable themes, colors, and background images
• Supports gesture controls

Cons

• Faced criticism over privacy concerns

Since it’s a mobile browser, it allows you to navigate the web with intuitive gestures like swiping, tapping, and pinching, providing a more natural and fluid way to interact with content. 

5. Aloha

Platform: iOS, Android

Aloha is a full-featured web browser that gives you an option to unblock any site using its built-in VPN service, which is completely free can be activated with a single tap. All VPN traffic is encrypted and compressed to use less bandwidth.

It comes with a powerful download manager that allows you to download videos and music right from the browser. There is also a lightweight version of the browser named ‘Aloha Browser Lite.’ It is specifically developed for smartphones with weak specifications.

Pros

• VPN utility
• Built-in media player and QR code reader
• Highly secure and encrypted

Cons

• Overpriced premium subscription

With a premium subscription, which costs $2.99 per month, you get some extra features such as VPN country selection, the ability to use VPN in other apps, and auto-start VPN with the browser.

4. Avast Secure Browser

Platform: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android 

Built on the Chromium platform, Avast Secure Browser prioritizes internet security and privacy. It blocks ads and trackers to enhance webpage loading speed and prevents websites from identifying you based on your browser profile.

The browser ensures encryption on websites and defends against threats with built-in anti-phishing technology. It enhances productivity with a tab clustering system, allowing you to organize numerous open tabs neatly.

Pros

• Automatically forces sites to use encryption
• Masks your digital identity
• Private video downloader
• Fast VPN protection

Cons

• While it doesn’t log browsing details, it does keep VPN connection logs

All privacy and security tools are ready to go from the moment you download the browser, and they can be easily configured through the settings page. Avast Browser works seamlessly with Chrome-based add-ons, so you can further fine-tune your browsing experience to your liking via the Chrome Web Store.

3. Blisk

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux

Blisk is a developer-oriented browser that offers a great workplace to develop and test modern web applications faster. It is integrated with over 50 test devices. You can place these devices next to each other and compare the UI on desktop and mobile simultaneously.

Pros

• Develop and test for web apps quickly
• Preview devices in real size or smart-scaled size
• Simulate medium or slow Internet connection

Cons

• Not free; it costs $10 per month
• Intended solely for development purposes

Like Google Chrome, Blisk features a minimalistic UI. For example, it combines the search bar and address bar into the omnibox. Also, both browsing mode and developer mode can be used concurrently across different tabs.

2. Chromium

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android

Chromium is an open-source browser project that aims to develop a faster, secure, and stable way for all internet users to experience the web. It features a sleek interface that is easy to understand and navigate.

At first glance, you will find it difficult to differentiate between Chrome and Chromium as both browsers look identical on the surface. Each has benefits, so it is not easy to simply pick the best.

Pros

• Open-source
• Minimal UI
• More frequent updates
• Does not track my browsing history

Cons

• No pre-designed support for media codecs
• Updates must be installed manually

For regular users, Google Chrome is probably the better choice because it is relatively stable and doesn’t need to be manually updated. For advanced users and those who place a high value on coding and privacy, Chromium is the way to go.

1. Brave

Brave Leo is rolling out on Android!

Now you can use Brave’s AI assistant anytime, anywhere to get the help you need.

Go to Settings -> Leo now to give it a shot. pic.twitter.com/eq1mxsfnIu

— Brave Software (@brave) February 28, 2024

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android

Brave shields your privacy by blocking data-grabbing ads and trackers. It blocks malicious code and websites, particularly those attempting to utilize your smartphone or desktop resources for cryptocurrency mining.

Unlike other browsers that hide your history in the ‘private mode,’ Brave not only hides your history but also masks your location from the websites you visit by routing your browsing through multiple servers before it reaches your destination. Brave encrypts these connections to increase anonymity.

Pros

• Better privacy and less tracking
• Websites load quickly
• Comes with a firewall and VPN
• Settings on a per-site or browser-wide basis

Cons

• Brokes few websites
• Lack of extensions and add-ons

The browser is integrated with InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), a peer-to-peer hypermedia protocol designed to make the Web faster. IPFS is crucial for blockchain and for self-described data integrity. It allows users to access previously viewed web pages offline as well as content that has been censored by corporations and nation-states.

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