Let's take a look at what a web browser is and the different types of browsers.
Today, it's impossible to use the internet without a web browser.
This powerful tool is programmed to allow you to access websites. It displays text, images, videos, and all other types of content on your screen.
Web browsers are used on a variety of devices, including desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, and they're so important that they're installed by default when you buy a PC or mobile device. So you don't have to install a web browser separately, but some advanced users install their own.
Web browsers look simple, but there's a lot of code and technology behind them.
About 4.8 billion people used browsers in 2019, and even more are using them now.
Google Chrome is the most popular browser, with a 65% share across all devices worldwide, followed by Apple's Safari browser at 18%.
There is a significant difference between the first and second place in market share for web browsers, which speaks to how popular Google Chrome is with people.
What is a web browser?
A web browser is a piece of software (application) that is installed on a PC or mobile device to view Internet web pages.
The first web browser, the World Wide Web, was developed by Tim Berners-Lee in 1990.
The browser was created to allow researchers at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) to share information about particle physics over the Internet. Since then, many browsers have been developed.
Web browsers work by talking to a server to request the specific web pages you want to visit.
These are documents written in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and JavaScript, and it is the web browser that outputs these documents in a way that the user can see.
There are many different types of browsers, most of which are free, but some are available for a fee.
You can compare the features offered by each browser to find the best one for you. You don't have to stick with the default web browser that comes with your operating system.
If you don't like the web browser you're using, try a different one.
1. Microsoft Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer is a web browser developed by Microsoft.
It is the browser that comes by default when you install the Windows operating system. It has been around since the 1990s and was first released in August 1995.
At the time of its release, it was used by most people in the world, but it has since stopped being updated and has been replaced by Microsoft Edge, the next generation web browser.
However, it is still used by many people and is still very popular. Especially in South Korea, if you need to log in to a public website or request related work, you will definitely need Internet Explorer. While this was convenient and unobtrusive in the early days, public sector websites are now so heavily developed for Internet Explorer that a wide range of browsers are not supported, which is a major disadvantage.
2. Google Chrome
Google Chrome is the most popular web browser today and more.
It's developed by Google and has the largest free web browser market share at 65.88% as of May 2023. It helps you find the information you're looking for faster and smoother, so you can spend less time searching and more time on other tasks.
The browser works on all operating systems, is fast, scalable, and cross-syncs between devices.
Pages you've visited with your Google sign-in on your desktop PC or mobile device, bookmarks, website-specific password management, and more are synced.
There's also an incognito mode that prevents your activity history from being stored on your device, so you can surf the web with peace of mind.
Other notable features include security alerts, personalized recommendations, and an offline download manager.
3. Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is an open source and free web browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation.
It was developed in 2003 and is now one of the mainstays of the web browser industry.
Mozilla browsers have a particularly large power user base, and like Google Chrome, they have their own web store where you can install the extensions you need to use the browser.
The browser has excellent privacy features and is endlessly customizable in terms of plugins, extensions, and support for different themes.
Other features include web development tools, pop-up blocker, private browsing, tabbed browsing, and more.
A few downsides include running a bit slower than its competitors and using more system memory. However, with continuous improvements, it is now comparable to other browsers.
4. Apple Safari
The Apple Safari web browser is developed by Apple. Safari is the second most popular among people after Google Chrome with a market share of 18.60%.
The Safari browser is the default web browser on all Apple devices, and some power users install and use other browsers.
Safari is named after the Safari browser, which was originally bundled with Mac OS X v10.2 in 2001.
Safari was the first browser to introduce a reading mode for users. This option removes unnecessary elements from the page, allowing you to focus on reading or watching a video without distraction.
It was also the first to introduce fingerprint recognition in a browser, a feature that prevents web trackers from identifying you based on your system's specifications.
The browser only works on Apple devices and is not available for other operating systems, including Windows, which is one of its major drawbacks.
But apart from this drawback, you will find the Safari browser to be powerful, efficient, and secure.
5. Opera
The Opera web browser was created in the late 1990s and is very useful for content harvesting.
The best reasons to use Opera are its built-in proxy, excellent security, and great interface.
It has a built-in ad blocker and VPN to provide a more secure internet experience, which is a big plus if you're trying to get sensitive information like phone numbers, addresses, cryptocurrency wallet information, and other personal or financial data on the web.
Another feature is the library express, which saves all the web pages you visit to your library so you never lose them again.
There's also a news feed, download manager, and much more to make your browsing experience more enjoyable and secure than ever.
There's also a version of Opera GX designed specifically for gamers. This browser comes with Twitch integration, Laser Chroma support, and many other features that most gamers love.
Because Chrome and Opera use the same Chromium-based technology, you can add a variety of integrations and add-ons to Opera through the Chrome Store.
6. Brave
Brave is a fast, simple, and secure browser that protects your privacy and blocks ads. It has introduced an innovative way for websites to monetize user engagement: the browser offers its own cryptocurrency to reward users for browsing. Because of this, Brave is popular among users interested in cryptocurrencies and tokens.
The Brave browser was created by Brendan Ike, the inventor of JavaScript and co-founder of Mozilla Firefox.
So far, more than 5 million users have downloaded Brave Browser to enjoy a faster browsing experience without ads or trackers.
Like many other browsers, it's based on Chrome, so you'll find similarities with Google Chrome, Opera, and other browsers in the same family.
So there you have it, six of the most popular web browsers.
Which browser do you use? Take this opportunity to install and try out any of the browsers listed above.
Thank you.
