Top 10 + 3 best Web browsers for the Mac
When it comes to Web browsers for Apple’s Macintosh computers, there are a lot more choices out there than you may realize, including at least four Mozilla-based and, would you believe it, seven WebKit-based products. And, that’s just the beginning!
On the fairer platform, the performance leader is Safari 4, which is built on the open-source WebKit browser engine and featuring the Nitro JavaScript engine—a potent one-two punch that delivers speed, functionality and industry-leading standards compliance.
However, WebKit browser development isn’t just about Apple. Because the Safari’s underpinnings are open source, you’ll find a riot of innovation going on here with TopSites, Visual Bookmarks, parallel sessions, Cover Flow, highly flexible search and highly granular parental controls just a few of the more memorable not found elsewhere features.
• Safari 4 (free, form)
— Super fast, great new features (TopSites, Cover Flow, etc) and the creamy smooth goodness that only comes from Apple
— WebKit (free, night build): The open-source underpinning of Safari and the hands down performance leader, though not always the most stable
• Stainless 0.6 (free, 557K)
— Tired of waiting for Google bring Chrome to the Mac? This browser features parallel sessions, great search options and more
• Sunrise 1.8.5 (free, 2.8MB
— Top two features here are visual bookmarks and full webpage snapshots
• OmniWeb 5.9.2 (free, 23.3MB
— The two most potent, mostly unique features of OmniWeb are saved sessions and the ability to create/save/manage Workspaces
• iCab 4.6 ($20, 8.5MB)
— iCab Mobile 1.5 ($1.99, iTunes)
— iCab 2.99 is maintained and runs on Mac OS Classic and 68K Macs!
• BumperCar 2.0 ($29.95, 16MB
— A browser for children designed to artfully manage and limit what little eyes can see
Gecko with a TraceMonkey chaser
In some parts of Europe, Mozilla’s Gecko-based Firefox holds over 50 percent of the browser market. Fast, compatible and highly extensible, this open-source family of browsers has changed how the world views and uses free software.
• Firefox 3.0.11 (free, 17.2MB)
— It’s relatively fast and quite compatible, but the big attractions are add-ons and plugins; do it all
— Add-ons for Firefox
— Check out Firefox 3.5 beta 4, featuring the new and very fast TraceMonkey Java engine
• SeaMonkey 1.1.16 (free, 23 MB
— Want everything—browser, email, IRC, html editor—all in one? This is the browser for you…
• Camino 1.6.7 (free, 15.3MB)
— Tired of Safari’s bloat and Firefox cruddy user interface? Get Mozilla goodness wrapped in a delicious Mac UI.
— Camino 2 beta 3 ships
• Flock 2.5 (free, 23.1MB
— Does FaceBook, Twitter and a bunch of other social networking thangs without plugins, and it’s Mozilla-based
Blessed by Thor
The Norwegians behind this product are best known for their mobile version, Opera Mini, which is perhaps the world’s most popular mobile browser. It’s neither WebKit nor Mozilla (i.e. it is not morg or imorg).
• Opera 9.6.4 ( free, 7.9MB)
— Includes an integrated mail client and support for the company’s own web widgets
— Opera 10 beta: Gets faster, riffs on Safari’s Top Sites
Retro rocks!
On a flaky dial-up connection? Then the terminal-based, text-only Lynx browser is for you!
• Lynx 2.8.6 (free, 3.2MB)
— Lynxlet 0.8.1 (free, 2.2MB: A “termlit” application to make using Lynx fast and easy
That’s 13 Mac browsers and only the tip of the iceberg of what’s available, especially if you include legacy products like Internet Explorer and Netscape. Did I completely and totally miss the world’s greatest, bestest browser?
Drop us a note and a link or three in the comments below…
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June 13th, 2009
That is a lot of browsing goodness for one platform.
June 14th, 2009
You’ve got some good choices here, and with links! Thanks!
You’ve left out a beta browser that’s pretty slick – Opera 10. Just sayin’, there’s a couple of other betas on your list.
June 14th, 2009
I’ve added a link for Opera 10 beta—thanks.
June 15th, 2009
thanks for it
June 19th, 2009
I use Safari, Firefox, Camino, and Seamonkey. I also really like Shiira.
June 23rd, 2009
You guys totally left out Shiira.
Beats most all the webkit browsers except safari.
August 19th, 2009
u r a worst person
September 3rd, 2009
I downloaded Camino. Felt great. Even had Google video chat options available.
Then took Opera 10 and hated it. No Gvideo capabilities, plus some pages that render great in FF, appears pixelated in Opera 10.
Now downloaded Stainless. Has Gvideo support and parallel sessions, and so far seems great!
If this does not work, thinking of going back to Camino.
September 27th, 2009
My best pick for a Mac browser is Demeter, based on Shiira. Its highly configurable for search engines & keyboard control. The best feature is a Spaces like feature which shows all your browser tabs spread across the screen & the ability to pluck pictures or any other feature out of a webpage. Thus, if you’ve followed a link to That Golden Item & can’t find it on the page then you can filter the elements to make finding easier. The downside of it is that it is a personal project so development is a bit lurchy & the features you find or don’t find on it has a high randomness factor.
March 2nd, 2010
Btw, I’m pretty sure that Safari riffed on Opera’s speed dial, not the other way around.