Ranking
Best Web Browsers in 2026
Browsers differ most in their engine, how they block trackers and ads, and where they run. This ranking weighs privacy defaults and platform coverage first, then built-in features and open-source status. Every browser here is free to download.
The ranking
- Top pick
Firefox92.0 - Best with a free plan
Google Chrome91.5 - Best open source
Brave90.0
- 1
Firefox
Open source under MPL-2.0, with trackers blocked by default and tabs and passwords synced across devices. Its own Gecko engine sets it apart from the Chromium browsers in this list.
Best for Privacy-minded users who want an open-source browser
WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSFree and open sourceOpen source
- 2
Google Chrome
The most familiar choice, with Google account sync and a password manager, but it is closed source and sign-in ties sync to Google. Its Chromium base is shared with Brave, Edge and Vivaldi.
Best for Users who want a familiar browser with Google sync
WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSChromeOSFree
- 3
Brave
Open source on the Chromium base, with ads and trackers blocked on every site and built-in search and AI. Brave Origin needs a purchase, and the bundled search and VPN add scope beyond a browser.
Best for Ad blocking on desktop and mobile without extra setup
WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSFree and open sourceOpen source
- 4
Safari
Built into macOS, iOS and iPadOS, with tracking prevention and a Privacy Report included. It is not available for Windows or Android, so its use is limited to Apple devices.
Best for Mac, iPhone and iPad users inside Apple's ecosystem
macOSiOS, iPadOSFree
- 5
Microsoft Edge
A Chromium browser on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, with energy saver and sleeping tabs. It is not open source, and its Copilot and Rewards features add scope that many users may not want.
Best for Windows users who want Microsoft and Copilot features
WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSFree
- 6
Vivaldi
A heavily customizable Chromium browser with tab tiling, workspaces, mail, calendar and a feed reader built in. It is not open source, and the built-in tools suit people who want one app for more tasks.
Best for Power users who want built-in mail and tab tools
WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSFree
- 7
LibreWolf
A Firefox fork with privacy and security settings applied from the start, released under MPL-2.0. Updates depend on a community team, and the site lists no mobile version.
Best for Privacy-focused users who want a Firefox fork
WindowsmacOSLinuxFree and open sourceOpen source
At a glance
| Product | Score | Price | Platforms | Engine | Built-in blocking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firefox | 92.0 | Free and open source | WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS | Gecko | Trackers by default |
| Google Chrome | 91.5 | Free | WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSChromeOS | Chromium | Malicious sites (Safe Browsing) |
| Brave | 90.0 | Free and open source | WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS | Chromium | Ads and trackers |
 Safari | 88.5 | Free | macOSiOS, iPadOS | WebKit | Trackers (Intelligent Tracking Prevention) |
 Microsoft Edge | 84.5 | Free | WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS | Chromium | Scareware blocker |
 Vivaldi | 82.0 | Free | WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS | Chromium | Ads and trackers |
 LibreWolf | 79.5 | Free and open source | WindowsmacOSLinux | Gecko | Trackers and fingerprinting |
How to choose web browsers
- Engine
- Chromium browsers share one engine, so most sites behave alike across Chrome, Edge, Brave and Vivaldi. Firefox and LibreWolf use Gecko.
- Privacy defaults
- Firefox, Brave, Vivaldi and LibreWolf block trackers or ads by default. Chrome's built-in protection focuses on malicious sites.
- Platforms
- Safari runs only on Apple systems, while Firefox, Edge, Brave and Vivaldi run on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.
- Open source
- Firefox, Brave and LibreWolf publish their source under MPL-2.0, so the code can be reviewed by anyone.
- Cost
- All seven browsers are free to download. Brave Origin is a separate premium edition.
What the scores weigh
- Privacy defaults and tracker blocking
- Engine and site compatibility
- Platform coverage
- Open source and license
- Built-in features and sync
Scores are editorial, from 0 to 100, and use these criteria. Full method · Disclosure
About web browsers
Browsers fall into three engine families. Chrome, Edge, Brave and Vivaldi share Chromium, Firefox and LibreWolf use Gecko, and Safari uses WebKit. Sites behave alike across the Chromium browsers, so the real choice comes down to privacy defaults, built-in extras and the systems each browser runs on.
Privacy-first browsers block trackers or ads without extra setup. Firefox blocks trackers by default, Brave blocks ads and trackers on every site, and LibreWolf applies stricter privacy settings from the start. Chrome relies on Google sync and Safe Browsing, and Safari is built into Apple devices with Intelligent Tracking Prevention.
The category has moved toward AI features. Chrome offers Gemini, Edge offers Copilot, Brave offers Ask Brave, and Firefox lets users turn its AI features off entirely. Brave Origin is a premium edition that needs a purchase, and Vivaldi asks for donations rather than charging. The scores below are editorial judgments against the criteria.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best free web browser?
- Firefox is free and open source, with trackers blocked by default. Chrome is free too, and Brave is free with ads and trackers blocked on every site. Firefox suits privacy-minded users, and Chrome suits people who want a familiar browser.
- Which browsers are open source?
- Firefox, Brave and LibreWolf publish their source under MPL-2.0. Chrome is built on the open-source Chromium project, but Chrome itself is not open source. Safari and Edge are not open source either.
- Which browser is best on an iPhone?
- Safari is built into iOS and works with Apple's tracking protection. Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Brave and Vivaldi are also available on iOS.
- Is Safari available on Windows?
- No. Safari runs on macOS, iOS and iPadOS, so Windows users should choose Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Brave or Vivaldi.
