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By now you’ve heard about the risks involved with downloading certain apps that can drain your battery and compromise your data — social media apps like Facebook likely come to mind in a flash. But have you ever considered that the browser you’re using can also be affecting your device and privacy? Whether you’re a Firefox fan or a Chrome devotee, there are pros and cons to all browsers. With that said, there’s one browser that stands out when you ask many tech experts which one they would avoid — and this is the one browser you should delete from your phone ASAP, according to tech experts.
Browser choices are personal — maybe even more so than the social media apps you prefer to keep on your phone. As such. Tech Expert Charlotte Robinson, programmer and blogger at Robotpoweredhomes.com says there is no straightforward answer to which is the best browser to use for your iPhone. “If data privacy is your primary concern, then go for Safari,” Robinson says. “If you prefer open-source code, then look no further than Firefox. And if UI and ease of use is what you wish for above all else, you can fix yourself on Chrome.” But one of those browsers is continually mentioned when you ask tech experts to narrow down their choice for the browser that can go.
Safari
Safari is often an iPhone user’s first browser choice AND it’s the fastest browser on all Apple-based products — one that can exchange information between the iMac,iPhone or iPad, says Anish Godha, Founder of Diamondere. It makes sense then that, out of all browsers, this may be the one you are relying on for your internet searches. But it has its drawbacks.
“While cross-compatibility is a positive, Safari only works with Apple OS,” Godha says. “This limitation may be optimal for security purposes, but the inability to transfer data across the PC is something all other browsers can do, and more.”
To make matters worse, according to Godha, Safari is well known for opening web pages in unpredictable ways. “Google Chrome, Firefox, and even Microsoft Edge can open websites in the manner they were intended, even if the site was programmed on Apple OS or with iOS,” Godha says.
Convenience matters — and the truth is: for iPhone users, Safari is a convenient browser. But it isn’t the only one on the block and a number of browsers offer features that Safari doesn’t have, Godha says. Godha outlines some of the best qualities of other browsers so that you can make a more informed decision:
Chrome: Offers a completely personalized experience and can sync up information based on your Gmail account alone. It doesn’t need an IP address.
Firefox: Allows interfacing on all devices and includes a built-in password management service. With a plethora of extensions, users can automate most of their browsing.
Edge: The updated version of Explorer solves a lot of its previous problems. Edge is compatible, outperforms Chrome on speed tests, and excels in maintaining privacy..
Opera: An unknown browser with a highly sophisticated adblocker. The Speed Dial sidebar lets you jump between favorite web pages. It contains a cryptocurrency wallet.
“Opera, Chrome, and newcomers Brave and Epic run on Chromium, making them lightning-fast browsers,” Godha says. “Keep a lookout for Brave and Epic because they may surpass the big guys.”
