The basic thing needed for running Internet are browsers. Internet and browsers are a team, like Romeo and Juliet. When you go for a PC, you get Internet Explorer added, from the Microsoft’s stable. If you go for a Mac, you get Safari. People start using it and get accustomed to it very soon. Then, they seldom change the browsers. In fact, some people don’t even update them for the fear of losing their control over the browser. Today, in this small post, I will tell you which browsers you can opt for just in case you are looking for a ‘change’.

1. Mozilla Firefox

Intro : Since the so called “Browser Wars” came to an end, Firefox (FF) is on the top of the charts of alternate browsers. The flagship product of Mozilla has been liked by all the users who switched to it. One of the best things of FF is that you can customize the way you want. Add a few themes, change the icons, throw in some GreaseMonkey scripts and voila!, you just got a new browser. FF traces its lineage back to the original Netscape browser. Firefox was designed for simplicity, security and the feature to make it customizable as there are thousands of extensions available. It also has its own mail, the Mozilla Thunderbird. All these applications are open source.

Features: Own Google based search, RSS headlines, Email via Thunderbird, Skinnable, Phishing Filter, Extremely Customizable.

Import: All settings, bookmarks and preferences from Internet Explorer, Opera, Netscape and Chrome.

Download : Firefox

2. Opera

Intro : Opera is another browser that has managed to weather the “Browser Wars” since its release in 1996. This browser should get credits for its constant innovation which has evolved this into a mighty powerhouse. Users prefer Opera because of its fast response time and amazing speed. This browser is now a full-fledged internet suite with e-mail, web, news and with a treasure box full of features for basic as well as experienced ones. Opera has now started attracting the mobile users by launching Opera Mini. It can be used on any phone that supports Java. The good thing is that nowadays the basic phones support Java.

Features :  Web, E-mail, Skinnable, Phishing filter, Widgets, Syncronize, BitTorrent, RSS feeds

Import: Bookmarks from Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Netscape, or generic HTML file; Mail from Outlook Express, Netscape, Thunderbird, Apple Mail and Eudora.

Download : Opera and Opera Mini

3. Safari from Apple

Intro : Apple stunned the whole internet world in 2003 by announcing the launch of their browser Safari for Mac. Mac users were enthralled by it. The downloads of Internet Explorer plunged down so much that Microsoft stopped developing IE for Mac. Safari is famous for its speed and elegance. It is now the default browser of Mac. From version 3.0 onwards, they started giving free downloads of Safari for Windows users. It is also the web browser that is supported by iPhones and iPod Touch.

Features : Private Browsing, Web, RSS

Import: Bookmarks, history and passwords from any browser.

Download : Apple Safari

4. Google Chrome

Intro : Google introduced Chrome for the Windows users in 2008 and from then, it has got an ever increasing fan following. They have followed a good and useful mantra : Keep it simple, keep it fast. It has the fastest loading time on my PC and it very well designed. It does the essentials the best way. Chrome uses WebKit engine like Safari and is the default browser on Android powered cells. At this time, Chrome is only available for Windows, but Mac and Linux versions are planned.

Features : Web, RSS, Incognito browsing, Most Visited Page and separate download page.

Import : Bookmarks, History and Password from all major broswers.

Download : Chrome

Here comes to end of this article. Next time, we will have a Browser War between the uncommon browsers. Keep checking Techaddicts and have a good day.