Best browsers for Mac: Can any of these beat Safari?

For Mac users exploring the web, the journey doesn’t have to end with Safari. While it works well and integrates smoothly with macOS, there are many other browsers worth checking out. As someone who tests apps for my job, I’ve written dozens of app reviews. So, if you’re looking to try something new, you’re in the right place! This article will introduce you to some of the best web browsers for Mac, highlighting what’s great about each one and where they might have some downsides.

The best browsers for specific needs

• Safari: Best for seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem and energy-efficient browsing.
• Chrome: Ideal for those seeking an extensive library of extensions and seamless syncing across devices.
• Firefox: Great for users prioritizing privacy and security with customizable browsing experiences.
• Microsoft Edge: Suitable for those who appreciate a balance of performance with productivity tools and Microsoft services integration.
• Vivaldi: Perfect for users desiring deep customization options and advanced user interface configurations.
• Brave: Optimal for users focused on ad-free browsing and enhanced privacy features.

Best browser for Mac comparison

This table provides a quick snapshot of how each browser compares across several dimensions important to Mac users.

Browser comparison	Speed	Privacy & security	User interface	Extension library	Cons
Safari	Fast	High	Streamlined design, minimalistic	Limited	Available only on Apple devices, limited plug-ins
Google Chrome	Very fast	Moderate (with concerns)	User-friendly, sleek	Extensive	Privacy concerns, heavy RAM usage
Firefox	Moderate	High	Busy design, wide selection of themes	Moderate	Slow on some sites, smaller add-on library
Opera	Fast	High	Customizable, feature-rich	Moderate	Less third-party support, low adoption
Microsoft Edge	Fast	Moderate	Sleek, integrates with Microsoft services	Moderate	Ecosystem not as developed
Brave	Fast	High	Ad-free, privacy-centric	Moderate	Slower updates
Vivaldi	Fast	High	Busy, highly customizable	Wide	Overcrowded design, too much functionality for some

As you can see, each browser has its strengths and addresses different user needs, from privacy and security to integration with broader ecosystems and unique features that enhance productivity and web exploration.

1. Safari — the optimal browser for seamless Mac integration

Apple's Safari leads the pack with its stellar performance and robust security, boasting 1 billion users and about 19% market share in 2024-2025. Preinstalled on all Apple devices, Safari offers a user-friendly interface and essential browsing features like bookmarks and private windows. Its seamless integration with macOS ensures top-notch performance.

What I like is that Safari presents the most streamlined design among other internet browsers for Mac, giving you more space on web pages while minimizing the area occupied by bookmarks and the top menu. As one Reddit user humorously noted, “To make a bookmark, you need to use the Share (!!??) button.”

For those using Safari for study or work, features like QuickNote and Reading View enhance productivity by simplifying note-taking and decluttering web pages.

Privacy-wise, Safari shines with anti-fingerprinting and Intelligent Tracking Prevention, blocking unwanted data tracking.

However, Safari's exclusivity to Apple devices may frustrate users who also use Android, requiring them to juggle different browsers. On top of that, its limited support for plug-ins and fewer extensions compared to Chrome might be a drawback for some. Despite these limitations, Safari remains a solid, efficient choice for an all-around web browser.

Pros:

• Clean design
• Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem
• Excellent privacy and security features

Cons:

• Limited extension library
• Only available on Apple devices

2. Google Chrome — the leading browser for extension enthusiasts

Google Chrome dominates as the leading internet browser, known for its user-friendly and sleek interface that suits both beginners and advanced users. It is customizable and syncs effortlessly across devices.

On top of that, Chrome integrates smoothly with Google's suite, like Google Docs, Gmail, and YouTube, using a single Google account for seamless navigation and syncing. It's quick, efficiently loading pages without heavily consuming RAM.

Boasting the largest library of Chrome extensions, it offers everything from ad-blockers to password managers, making it a top pick for macOS users. Despite my enthusiasm for Safari, my husband remains a steadfast Chrome user on both his Mac and iPhone. He claims Chrome is unbeatable for its seamless integration with Google services he frequently uses, like Gmail and Drive, which all sync effortlessly. Plus, the rich variety of extensions adds customized functionality that he finds indispensable. 

However, Google Chrome might not be the best option in terms of privacy. Google was sued for tracking users' private browsing, seeking $5 billion in damages for collecting data on users' online activities despite being in Incognito mode.

Using Chrome means accepting Google's deep dive into your browsing habits, even in Incognito mode — a compromise many users are willing to make, while others may look for alternatives.

Pros:

• Fast performance
• Syncs across all your devices
• Huge extension library

Cons:

• Google tracks users' private browsing

• Chrome is infamous for being a resource hog
  

3. Firefox — the privacy-centric browser for Mac users

Before Chrome came along, many people liked using Firefox.

Firefox keeps your information and what you do online safe. It has special blockers to stop ads and hidden trackers. You can choose how much protection you want and even tell it which websites are okay to not block.

Firefox also keeps your passwords safe, lets you pick from lots of free designs, and has a cool feature where you can watch videos in a small window while doing other things. It doesn't have as many extra extensions as Chrome, but the good part is Firefox doesn't keep track of everything you do online.

Note that Firefox can be slower when opening websites. And while you can sign into your Firefox account for bookmarks just like in Google Chrome, the fact that it's not a standard option on most computers in the way Chrome is, makes this feature less useful. Its design also doesn't match well with the sleek look of macOS.

Interesting fact: A Redditor conducted a side-by-side comparison, opening the same tabs — email, chat, and a few others — on both Firefox and Google Chrome. Their screenshot revealed that Firefox used significantly more memory (4,706.6 MB) compared to Chrome (2,284.1 MB), indicating that Firefox may consume more resources, which could lead to slower performance on devices with limited RAM.

Pros:

• Excellent privacy and security features
• Wide selection of themes

Cons:

• Smaller add-on library
• Slow by modern web standards
• Busy design

4. Opera — feature-rich browser with built-in convenience

Opera stands out as a great choice for Mac users. It uses the same technology behind Chrome but adds its own special touches. One handy feature is a sidebar for messaging apps like WhatsApp, making it easy to stay updated on messages.

I especially like the Battery Saver feature, which detects when you're running your laptop on battery power and reduces background activity to conserve power. However, this Redditor’s feedback also caught my attention. A user says: Safaris battery is a game changer. I tried Edge, Opera, Chrome, and Opera gx. All gave me way worse battery than Safari.” So keep this in mind.

Opera also focuses on privacy, offering a free VPN and ad blocker to keep your web browsing private and quicker by blocking ads.

On top of that, Opera offers a wide range of extensions. You can also customize its appearance with themes and pick up where you left off on another device with Opera installed.

Pros:

• Integrated ad blocker and free VPN
• Innovative features like battery saver mode
• Customizable interface with sidebar access to tools and social media

Cons:

• Less third-party support compared to Chrome
• Low adoption

5. Microsoft Edge — a balanced browser for modern web users

Edge is a great browser for Mac users who also use Windows or Microsoft's services. Like Chrome, Edge uses Google's Chromium, so you get lots of extensions to help with work. But Edge is smarter thanks to Microsoft's CoPilot AI. It can chat and summarize web results for you. A Redditor says: “Edge is Chrome with better performance and AI features. Better than Chrome now.”

Edge's Read Aloud feature is perfect for long reads. It turns text into spoken word, like a podcast or audiobook, which is great if you like listening while doing other things.

You'll also find quick links to Microsoft services like Office and Outlook in Edge. This is handy if you use Microsoft's tools. While some require a subscription, many are free to use online.

Pros:

• Wide range of extensions
• Useful productivity features 
• AI-powered

Cons:

• Ecosystem and community are not as developed as Safari, Chrome, or Firefox

• If you’re using Edge on macOS or iOS, syncing things like passwords, history, or open tabs doesn’t always work properly
  

6. Brave — feature-rich and secure web browser for Mac

For Mac users who prioritize privacy and security without compromising on speed, the Brave browser emerges as a perfect choice. Unlike other browsers that often require additional extensions to bolster user privacy, Brave comes with these features preinstalled. This built-in security suite offers comprehensive control over ad blocking, cookie management, and tracker prevention, allowing you to customize your browsing experience according to your privacy preferences. A unique feature, Brave Shields, provides real-time insights into the ads and trackers being blocked, with the option to disable this protection if you want.

Brave stands out with additional features uncommon in other web browsers. Crypto enthusiasts will appreciate the built-in self-custodial wallet for managing digital assets. Brave Talk enables private phone calls directly from the browser, adding to its suite of privacy tools. On top of that, its integration with Tor appeals to users seeking access to the dark web, all while maintaining the capability to use most Chrome extensions, including those for private search engines and cookie management.

Despite its emphasis on privacy, Brave doesn't lag behind in performance. And while it may not claim the title of the fastest browser on Mac, its efficient RAM usage ensures a smooth online journey. Here is what a Redditor says about Brave: “I use Brave as main browser, only problem is some pages (only one in every fifty or hundred) load better in Chrome.” 

Note that Brave's update cycle is slower compared to other Chromium-based browsers. This is a minor setback in an otherwise stellar browser, right?

Pros:

• Built-in adblocker 
• Good speed and performance (thanks to the absence of ads)
• Extremely secure browser
• Many great features 

Cons:

• Brave's update cycle is slower compared to other Chromium-based browsers

• Some websites don’t load properly or break when Brave’s shields (like ad and tracker blocking)
  

7. Vivaldi — fast and safe browser with clever features

Vivaldi, built on the same Chromium base as Opera, features a versatile sidebar for swift access to web content, including a handy notes function for jotting down insights and capturing screenshots during your browsing — ideal for research.

This browser stands out for its ability to organize tabs into groups, stack them in various positions within the window, and view multiple tabs simultaneously through a split-screen setup. 

Vivaldi's Web Panels keep essential pages ready in the sidebar, opening next to your main window for easy multitasking. You'll appreciate the customizable sidebar that allows for panel reordering, zooming, and width adjustments for better visibility.

Beyond these innovative features, Vivaldi is equipped with built-in mail and calendar apps, a translation tool, robust privacy settings, and an integrated Mastodon client, enhancing its utility and security.

While Vivaldi might not seamlessly integrate with Apple, Google, or Microsoft ecosystems, its comprehensive research tools and privacy measures make it an outstanding choice for users dedicated to extensive online exploration and who prioritize data protection.

I've been scrolling through Reddit about the Vivaldi browser, and honestly, this comment from a user perfectly captures my thoughts: “It’s quite good. Super customizable, has decent block list support, and just gets the job done. Only drawback is the sync function, which is just meh.”

Pros:

• Good speed and performance 
• Extremely secure browser
• Many great features 

Cons:

• Overcrowded design
• Too much functionality for some users
• No iOS version
• The sync function does not work properly

Best browser for Mac: Final thoughts

Choosing the right browser for your Mac can be a challenge with each offering unique features. Whether you prefer Safari's smooth macOS integration, Chrome's vast extensions, or Firefox's privacy focus, remember you're not limited to just one browser. Mixing and matching browsers could be the key to meeting all your online needs.

For those who find themselves juggling multiple browsers, integrating apps like ClearVPN, OpenIn, Tab Finder, AdLock, and MenuBarX can significantly enhance your browsing experience.

These tools, along with others, are readily available on Setapp, a platform with more than 250 top-of-the-line Mac, iOS, and web apps for any task you can imagine. Try every Setapp app today at no cost and find your new absolute favorites!

I hope this guide assists you in finding the perfect browser or combination of browsers. 

FAQ