A web browser is one of the essential parts of our life. We use it for many things like searching for information, watching movies, playing online games, reading the news, etc. And for that, you need a web browser that is fast, safe, and easy to use. So here’s a list of the 8 best browsers for Windows 11 along with their benchmark scores (at the end of the post).
If you’re an iPhone or Android user, you can also check out the following articles:
Table of Contents
- List of best browsers
- Benchmark comparison of all the browsers
- Graphics benchmark comparison of all the browsers
- Fastest browser for Windows 11
- Safest browser for Windows 11
- Which browser should I use
- Most secure browser
- Best Chrome alternative
8 Best Web Browsers for Windows 11 (2023)
1. Microsoft Edge – Optimized for Windows 11
OS Support: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
Ever since Microsoft launched the Edge browser based on the Chromium engine, I have never looked to any other internet browser. It offers everything I need, be it cross-platform sync, blocking online trackers, themes, or extension support. In case I don’t find any extension on Edge Add-on Store, I can easily install it from the Chrome Web Store.
On the other hand, Edge also consumes less RAM than Chrome, and most of the Google background services have been removed, making it lighter and faster. And with features like Sleeping Tab, you can reduce system resource consumption and prolong the battery life of your laptop.
A few other useful features of Microsoft Edge are:
- Reading mode and Read aloud
- Cast media to the device
- Browser task manager, where you can check the usage of Memory, CPU, and Network by websites and extensions.
- Tracking Prevention
- Microsoft Defender SmartScreen: It protects you from malicious sites and downloads. You can read more about it here.
As for the user interface, it is clean and easy to navigate and comes with a few customization features like Bing daily image, quick links, greetings, Microsoft news, and a dark theme. And with Windows 11 update, the Edge browser has become even more touch-friendly and the UI also matches Windows 11’s translucent design.
And if you have Microsoft Edge installed on your iPhone or Android phone, then you can send your open web pages from your smartphone to your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC just by tapping on the “Continue on PC” feature. Overall, Microsoft Edge is one of the top PC browsers and the best Chrome alternative.
2. Brave Browser – Fast & Privacy-focused
OS Support: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
Brave Browser is another Chromium-based browser that has become quite popular among tech nerds, especially for its privacy-related features. By default, the anti-tracker and ad-blocker are enabled, which results in fast page load time and safe web browsing.
Like most Chromium-based browsers, it also supports chrome extensions and themes. As for the user interface, the Brave browser has a clean design with a very easy-to-use interface.
A few additional features included are:
- Brave News
- Cryptocurrency Wallet
- Brave Talk
- Cross-platform sync
- Fingerprinting Blocker
- Sidebar panel
So if you want a robust browser like Google Chrome but with top-class privacy features, Brave is the best choice.
3. Mozilla Firefox – Best for Privacy
OS Support: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
When it comes to privacy, there is no doubt Mozilla Firefox is one of the best browsers for privacy. It protects your online activity by blocking trackers and other malicious scripts. Also, being an open-source and non-profit browser, it doesn’t share users’ data with any third-party organization. Besides that, you can find tons of extensions on Firefox Add-Ons Store, which you can download to further enhance your browsing experience.
Some other features of Mozilla Firefox are:
- Password free login
- Sync across all your devices
- Send any tab to a device
- Pocket integration
As for customization, you can enhance the overall look and feel of Firefox all thanks to third-party themes. Also, by turning off recommended content by Pocket you will see a way cleaner startup homepage.
4. Google Chrome – Most Popular Web Browser
OS Support: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
Google Chrome is one of the most popular browsers in the world, and there is a high probability that you are reading this article from the Chrome browser itself. The benefit of using the Chrome browser is its compatibility with other Google services. You can also sync your bookmarks, passwords, history, and more with all your devices. So it doesn’t matter which device you are using, your data will always be in sync.
Also, thanks to a massive collection of extensions, it provides you with more flexibility. And if you want to customize the browser, you can download a theme from the Chrome Web Store. It has a wide collection of themes and you can find almost all types of themes like cars, nature, anime, animals, and many more.
The UI of Chrome is simple, clean, and easy to use, and you will find all the Google services links on the start page. Furthermore, Chrome runs smoothly on any Windows PC or Laptop. However, Chrome is infamous for its heavy RAM usage.
ALSO READ: 15 Best Chrome Extensions
5. Tor Browser – Most Secured Browser
OS Support: Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
When it comes to privacy and security, no web browser can come close to Tor Browser. It automatically deletes cookies and browsing history after your session is over. It also makes sure that none of the websites knows where you are connecting from. There are many more advanced privacy & security features, but you might find it hard to use in the beginning so you can read this article – How to use the Tor Browser tools?
On the other hand, the Tor browser is a modified version of Firefox, so you will find its user interface similar to Firefox. It also means you can download extensions and themes from the Firefox Add-ons Store.
The downside of the Tor Browser is the lack of a sync feature, but it is understandable since you want your web activity to remain as private as possible. And the other downside is, it is not as fast as Chrome, Edge, or any other browser because its network has over million daily users, and just over 6000 relays to route all of their traffic, and the load on each server can sometimes cause latency.
If you are ready to give up some features in exchange for privacy and security, then Tor will be the best Windows browser for you.
6. Opera – Built-in Free VPN
OS Support: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
Opera is another Chromium-based browser which means you can try out extensions not just from Opera Add-Ons Store but also from Chrome Web Store. Furthermore, the Opera browser is packed with tons of features and one of them is the sidebar. You can use the sidebar for many things, such as
- Use Workspace for switching between the task and if needed, you can add more Workspace.
- Adding shortcuts like Facebook Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, history, bookmarks, downloads, extensions, etc. to save time and improve work efficiency.
As for customization, it comes with a light and dark theme and you can add your own wallpaper or you can download the wallpaper from the Opera Add-Ons Store. You can also enable a news feed on your start page that covers a wide range of categories, including business, entertainment, sports, technology, and more.
The Opera browser also comes with a built-in ad-blocker and tracking prevention so that you can surf the web without worrying about your privacy. That’s not all. You can also use the free and unlimited VPN to further secure your browsing.
Other features of the Opera browser are:
- Built-in screenshot tool
- Battery saver mode for laptops
- My Flow: You can use this feature to send stuff between your devices.
- Picture-in-Picture mode
7. Vivaldi – Most Customizable Browser
OS Support: Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
Vivaldi is one of the most customizable web browsers on this list. You can customize almost every element of the browser, like the start page, theme, background wallpaper, tab bar position, address bar position, and much more. Another cool feature in the Vivaldi browser is keyboard shortcuts. You can change existing or use custom keyboard shortcuts as per your liking.
Apart from that, it protects your privacy and loads web pages faster by blocking online trackers and ads. It also has useful features like quick notes, screenshots, sync, gestures, etc. On top of all, it is also based on Chromium, so you can expect Chrome extensions to run smoothly.
Overall, if you are looking for a browser that is fast, highly customizable, and protects your privacy, Vivaldi is definitely one of the best web browsers for Windows 11.
8. Opera GX – Best Browser for Gamers
OS Support: Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS
Opera GX is a special version of the Opera browser built specifically for gamers. Its UI looks gorgeous and will surely give you gaming vibes. You can also customize the looks of this browser to your liking. It has an extensive collection of themes as well as the option to create your own custom theme.
Aside from its unique looks, Opera GX has some unique features too, like CPU, RAM, and network limiters. This gives the user ultimate control over their browser. There’s also a dedicated tab called GX Corner which will show all the latest gaming news, deals, and release date.
Like its sister browser, it is also loaded with tons of robust features, such as
- My Flow for file sharing between computer and phone
- Custom homepage wallpaper
- Ad-blocker
- Free VPN
- Battery saver mode
- Force dark web pages
- Cookies blocker
- Sidebar
- Cross-platform synchronization
So if you need a browser that stands out from the rest, Opera GX is probably the best choice.
Benchmark comparison between all the Windows browsers (2023)
To check the overall performance of each browser on this list, we used Basemark Web 3.0. It is a benchmark testing tool that is used for testing the browser’s performance, which includes geometry test, SVG test, page loading, WebGL test, etc.
| Browsers | Benchmark Score |
|---|---|
| Edge | 1186 |
| Brave | 1289 |
| Firefox | 769 |
| Chrome | 1169 |
| Tor | N/A |
| Opera | 1269 |
| Vivaldi | 1058 |
| Opera GX | 1269 |
As you can see, the Brave browser is leading in this performance test with a benchmark score of 1289, followed by Opera and Opera GX, which both have scored 1269.
Graphics benchmark comparison of all the browsers
To check how well each web browser can handle graphically intense tasks, we used the MotionMark tool. This tool determines the efficiency of your browser when handling complex scenes at a set frame rate.
| Browsers | Graphics Benchmark Score |
|---|---|
| Edge | 613 |
| Brave | 727 |
| Firefox | 331 |
| Chrome | 1127 |
| Tor | 505 |
| Opera | 707 |
| Vivaldi | 547 |
| Opera GX | 690 |
As you can see from the result, Google Chrome has outperformed all its competitors in a graphics benchmark test. None of the browsers are even close to Chrome’s score.
In the 2nd position, we have Brave browser with a score of 727, followed by Opera with 707.
Which is the fastest browser for Windows 11?
For measuring the browser speed, we used the free tool called Speedometer. The following result will give you a clear-cut answer on how many tasks each browser can execute per minute.
| Browsers | Speedometer Score |
|---|---|
| Edge | 103 runs/minute |
| Brave | 161 runs/minute |
| Firefox | 120 runs/minute |
| Chrome | 164 runs/minute |
| Tor | N/A |
| Opera | 147 runs/minute |
| Vivaldi | 118 runs/minute |
| Opera GX | 143 runs/minute |
As you can see, the fastest browser for Windows 11 is Google Chrome, with a score of 164 runs per minute. On the 2nd spot, we have Brave browser with a score of 161 runs/minute, followed by Opera with 147 runs/minute.
Which is the safest browser for Windows 11?
To determine how safe each browser is, we used the tool called BrowserAudit. It is a free tool for testing how well the most common security standards and features are implemented in your web browser.
| Browsers | Privacy & Security Score |
|---|---|
| Edge | Passed – 352 Warning – 30 Critical – 1 Skipped – 21 |
| Brave | Passed – 363 Warning – 20 Critical – 1 Skipped – 20 |
| Firefox | Passed – 360 Warning – 24 Critical – 0 Skipped – 20 |
| Chrome | Passed – 353 Warning – 30 Critical – 1 Skipped – 20 |
| Tor | N/A |
| Opera | Passed – 365 Warning – 18 Critical – 1 Skipped – 20 |
| Vivaldi | Passed – 365 Warning – 18 Critical – 1 Skipped – 20 |
| Opera GX | Passed – 362 Warning – 21 Critical – 1 Skipped – 20 |
—– FAQ —–
Which browser should I use?
Well, it totally depends on your need. If you want military-level security and privacy while web browsing, Tor Browser should be your top pick. But bear in mind, this will result in slower page loading and is not ideal for day-to-day usage.
On the other hand, if you need a browser that is not only fast but also offers a good amount of privacy and features, then without any doubt Brave browser can be your best daily driver.
Which browser is most secure?
All the browsers listed here are secure, but when you say most secure, no browser can come close to the Tor browser. The level of privacy and security the Tor browser offers is unmatchable.
Is there a better browser than chrome?
Yes of course. You can check out Microsoft Edge. It is the closest competitor of Google Chrome. Also being the Chromium-based browser, you can run all the Chrome extensions on it. In addition, you also get many cool features such as Microsoft Defender, Tracking Prevention, a Customizable start page, and a translucent design.