Best Browser for macOS & M1 Apple Silicon Macs (2024)

Best Browser for macOS & M1 Apple Silicon Macs (1)

The kind of browser you use plays a significant role in your experience with the internet. Each browser has a different set of features and a different selling point. So, if you are looking for the best browser for macOS, you have come to the right place. It’s not easy to find the best browsers.

All Macs already come with a pretty powerful and efficient browser — Safari, which should be helpful enough for day-to-day use. However, you may need a different browser with a diverse feature set depending on what you do on a browser. In this guide, we will show you the Best Browser for macOS.

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Best Browsers for Your M1 Apple Silicon Mac in 2022

1. Microsoft Edge Chromium (M1 Optimized)

As a newcomer, Microsoft Edge has the potential to become the best browser for macOS. For the past few years, Microsoft Edge has been under the shadow of browsers such as Google Chrome and Firefox. Well, that was until Microsoft started to run Edge on the Open-Source Chromium Engine. Since then, Edge has become a serious competitor to Google Chrome.

Today, users are switching to Microsoft Edge from Google Chrome due to Chrome’s power-hungry nature. Features like Reading Mode, Read Aloud, Collections are also pulling more users from Chrome. Since Microsoft Edge is now Chromium-based, it supports Chromecast and Chrome Extensions.

Best Browser for macOS & M1 Apple Silicon Macs (2)

Like some other browsers on the list, Microsoft Edge is also very privacy-focused. You can set the tracking prevention to “basic,” “balanced,” and “strict.” Unlike Chrome, Microsoft Edge can perform flawlessly and buttery smooth on outdated hardware.

It’s not all roses, though, some extensions may not work, and the search engine defaults to Bing and not Google. However, Microsoft Edge is a great Chrome alternative and is the Best Browser for macOS. If you use power-hungry resources, Edge might be the best browser for Mac in this case.

Engine: Chromium

2. Safari (M1 Optimized)

Safari is the default and best browser for macOS. It comes pre-installed with Macs, is one of the best browsers for everyday use, and comes packed with all the necessary features to make your browsing experience great. Safari is also highly optimized for macOS.

Safari also got a massive design overhaul with macOS Monterey, making its UI simpler and easier to use. Safari has been a lot of people’s favorite browser choice for a long time now.

Best Browser for macOS & M1 Apple Silicon Macs (3)

Safari is pretty smooth and is one of the minor power-hungry browsers for macOS. Safari has many features that aren’t available in other browsers, such as tracking protection against websites, a built-in reading mode, and a keychain password management system. One drawback with Safari is that the collection of extensions is not even close to Google Chrome or Firefox.

However, Safari is the Best Browser for macOS due to its efficiency and features like protection against tracking and an in-built reading mode. It is the best browser for macOS you can get.

Engine: Webkit, Nitro

3. Google Chrome (M1 Optimized)

Google Chrome is potentially the best browser for macOS. You may have heard of Google Chrome as it has been one of the most popular web browsers for a long time. It is a pretty solid alternative to Safari because it is available on various devices and because of data syncing on all devices via your Google Account.

Chrome also comes with a massive collection of Extensions that can improve your browsing experience. Chrome focuses on security and loads all websites as a separate process for better security. Chrome also has a native ad blocker, highlighting unsafe websites.

Best Browser for macOS & M1 Apple Silicon Macs (4)

You can also download certain websites as Chrome Apps on your desktop, making it much easier to open them. Chrome also has extensive developer tools such as inspect that can get you a detailed look at any website you want.

For a long time now, Google Chrome has been criticized for its power-hungry nature. Although it has improved, it still consumes more power than other browsers like Microsoft Edge and Safari. Due to this, Google Chrome is not suitable if you spend a long time on your browser to watch movies or TV Shows.

Despite this, Google Chrome is one of the Best Browsers for macOS if you want a vast collection of extensions or already use Chrome on another device such as your phone or laptop. Moreover, this is one of the best browsers for macOS or any other operating system in that case.

Engine: Chromium

4. Firefox (M1 Optimized)

You may have also heard of Firefox. It was prevalent, but Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge overtook it. A couple of years ago, Mozilla released the Firefox Quantum with its main new feature being a multi-process approach, similar to what Google did with Chrome. Firefox Quantum is now just called Firefox, and despite employing a similar method to chrome, it isn’t much of a resource hog.

Best Browser for macOS & M1 Apple Silicon Macs (5)

Firefox is overall a smooth browser despite the occasional jitters. Firefox grew in popularity due to its stability, themes, and massive collection of extensions. Like other browsers, Firefox is also privacy-focused: It is open source, doesn’t collect a lot of data, and blocks ad trackers by default. Just like other browsers, Firefox supports bookmarks, spell check, editing console, and more.

Firefox, however, isn’t too friendly with heavy websites and jitters occasionally while using them. Firefox is an overall great browser for macOS if you are privacy-focused. However, it isn’t ranked higher in this list as it is not quite as fast as Google Chrome and Safari. If you love Firefox’s capabilities, this could be the best browser for macOS.

Engine: Gecko,Quantum,SpiderMonkey

5. Opera (M1 Optimized)

Opera is the first browser on this list that isn’t as well known as the others. Opera has a snappy and fast performance which has helped it gain popularity. Opera runs on the same Blink rendering engine as Chrome. It means you will be able to use Google Chrome extensions on Opera. However, you will have to download an extension that enables that feature first.

Best Browser for macOS & M1 Apple Silicon Macs (6)

Every browser has the same basic features; however, the add-on features help decide which browser is a fit for you. Some of Opera’s most popular add-on features are — sidebar, Opera Flow, an in-built VPN (Virtual Private Network), and an in-built battery saver that comes in handy.

All browsers have their shortcomings; with Opera, it is the fact that it noticeably slows down and sometimes even crashes under heavy workloads. That said, if you use VPNs frequently to make your browsing more private or if you would like quick access to your favorite websites, then Opera is the browser for you. A perfect or maybe, the best browser for macOS.

Engine: Chromium

6. Brave Browser (M1 Optimized)

Brave Browser is another name you may not have heard of before. It is a pretty new browser and has gained quickly due to its performance and privacy features. Brave is one of the fastest browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Opera are based on the Blink rendering engine. Like Opera and Edge, Brave Browser also supports Chrome Extensions which work reasonably well.

Best Browser for macOS & M1 Apple Silicon Macs (7)

Coming to the privacy features, Brave offers a feature called “Brave Shield” that block all ad trackers to give you one of the most private browsing experience. Brave also provides a feature called “Brave Rewards” that lets you opt into privacy-respecting ads and uses the revenue from those ads to reward content creators anonymously. Brave also has Tor built into its browser, making for an even more private browsing experience.

One drawback you will have to face is that some websites don’t work well with Brave Shield, which may be a bit of a bummer. Despite that, Brave Browser is one of the best privacy-focused browsers on macOS, and you should give it a try. When it comes to privacy and Cryptocurrencies, the best browser for macOS is Brave.

Engine: Chromium

7. Vivaldi (M1 Optimized)

Vivaldi is a browser that focuses solely on the needs of power users who don’t mind a browser hogging up their resources. Vivaldi was founded by the co-founder of Opera and worked on the same Blink Rendering Engine as most browsers on this list. It helps it to be snappy and fast. Since it is based on Chromium, Vivaldi also supports Chrome Extensions, which you can download.

Best Browser for macOS & M1 Apple Silicon Macs (8)

Vivaldi features a ton of customization options and lets you stack different tabs on top of each other. It is part of its powerful tab management tool. You can see the tab’s contents simply by hovering over them, which saves time if you are in a hurry. Just like Opera, you can use the sidebar to open your favorite websites without disturbing the contents of your primary tab. Vivaldi on macOS also allows you to change the color of your Phillips Hue Lights depending on the content in your tab, and it also has a built-in screenshot and cloud sync feature.

Like opera, Vivaldi also has the same weakness: it starts to struggle if you have many tabs or windows open. However, if you focus on a few heavy websites, Vivaldi is an excellent browser. If it just features that matter to you, Vivaldi will be the best browser for macOS in your case.

Engine: Chromium

The Best Browser for macOS to Surf Faster

That ends our list of the Best Browser for macOS. All browsers have the same basic functionality, and they differ in their add-on features. It would be best to choose a browser that has all the features you need. For Example: “Do you need a built-in VPN?”, “Do you need a fast browser?”, “Do you need a focussed privacy browser?” etc. We hope you liked our list of the best browser for macOS. If you have any recommendations, you can write about them in the comments below.

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Best Browser for macOS & M1 Apple Silicon Macs (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to use Safari or Chrome on Mac M1? ›

Google says Chrome is now 43% faster on Apple's M1 Macs than it was 17 months ago.

Which browser uses the least RAM on Mac M1? ›

Safari will most likely use the least amount of RAM on macOS due to the deep integration between the OS and the browser.

Can I use Chrome on an M1 Mac? ›

The ‌M1‌ version of Chrome can be downloaded on ‌M1‌ Macs on the Chrome website by selecting the "Mac with Apple Chip" option after clicking download.

Should I use Safari or Chrome on Mac 2022? ›

If you're deciding between Safari vs Chrome on Mac, you may want to choose Safari. Apple has designed and developed its browser to be fully compatible and integrated into its ecosystem. Safari plays extremely well with Apple machines and devices and usually requires far fewer resources and battery to run.

Which browser is fastest on Mac? ›

So this confirms their own claims and ranks Chrome as the fastest web browser for Mac. Basic features: It offers an immense library of easily obtained and installed extensions that allow users to increase productivity, reduce distraction, source content and customize the browser.

Does Chrome drain Mac M1 battery? ›

On my MacBook Pro, Chrome is always the biggest daily drain. It's far less of a problem on the new M1 Pro MacBook Pro because this machine has great battery life, but it's still at the top of the list every time I look at Energy Impact and 12 hr Power in the Activity Monitor.

Is it better to use Google or Safari on Mac? ›

Both Safari and Chrome are good browser choices for Apple users. However, Chrome takes the lead over Safari in terms of performance, ease of use and customization, making it a better all-round browser choice.

What is safest browser for Mac? ›

If you're on a Mac and want to keep your data safe, Brave is a much better option than Chrome. If you don't want to switch to Brave, you'd be better off sticking with Safari.

Is Firefox or Safari better for Mac? ›

In the end, it just boils down to what you value in your browser. If you're integrated with the Apple ecosystem, Safari is still a great choice. But if you value having the latest and greatest privacy protections and being able to work across multiple operating systems, we think Firefox is your best bet.

Is 8GB RAM enough on M1? ›

Yes. In fact, “get away with it” is a bit misleading, because, for me, 8GB never feels like a constraint – until it's really pushed under sustained load. Unless you're doing seriously heavy lifting in terms of video, audio or coding work, 8GB will do you proud, and I have a feeling it'll be future-proof, too.

How much RAM do you need on M1 Mac? ›

The increased performance and efficiency of memory use on the M1 chips suggest that you can get away with the same amount or even less than you have now while still enjoying improved performance. We recommended 16 GB as the minimum for Intel-based Macs, but 8 GB seems to be an acceptable base level for M1-based Macs.

Is Chrome optimized for M1? ›

Originally, Chrome on Apple's M1 chips had passable performance, but 15 months after the launch of these Arm-based chips, Chrome now runs 43% faster on them, Google also noted today, and also stressed that its browser's graphics performance now beats Safari's by 15%, thanks to a couple of new techniques in this area, ...

What is the best browser for Mac besides Safari? ›

Top 10 Alternatives to Apple Safari
  • Chrome.
  • Internet Explorer.
  • Brave.
  • Opera.
  • Mozilla Firefox.
  • Microsoft Edge.
  • Chromium.
  • Focos.

What is the safest web browser in 2022? ›

Top 13 most secure browsers for your privacy in 2022
  • Microsoft Edge.
  • Opera.
  • Chrome.
  • Chromium.
  • Safari.
  • Puffin.
  • FreeNet.
  • Vivaldi.
16 Jan 2022

Which browser is faster than Safari? ›

Chrome, as you might guess, is certainly a better fit if you have Android devices or use Windows operating system (there's no Safari for Windows).

Is Google Chrome available for Apple silicon? ›

dmg file with the optimized version. Open the file, drag the Google Chrome. app file into your Applications folder, and you're good to go. Chrome is one of the first third-party browsers to support Macs with Apple silicon.

What programs dont work on M1 Mac? ›

For the time being, some crucial tools either won't run on new Macs or won't run properly. These include Docker, Android Studio, and Haskell. The list of tools that will run on Rosetta 2 but aren't optimized for the M1 is much more extensive and includes Atom, RStudio, PHPStorm, R, Flutter, VSCode, Golang, .

Is Windows good on M1 Mac? ›

But for now, the combination of an M1 Pro MacBook Pro, Parallels Desktop for Mac 17, and Windows 11 Arm is an absolutely winning combination. So, this is my endorsem*nt of Windows 11 Arm running in Parallels Desktop for Mac 17 on the M1 Pro MacBook Pro. For me, there's no better way to run Windows 11 than on a Mac.

Is Safari better than Chrome Big Sur? ›

Apple says that Safari on macOS Big Sur is "50% faster on average at loading frequently visited websites than Chrome," and that Safari provides up to one and a half hours longer of streaming video, and up to one hour longer normal web browsing on a single charge, compared to Chrome and Firefox.

Which takes more RAM Chrome or Safari? ›

I've migrated back to Safari after reading that Chrome uses ~10x more RAM than Safari. Chrome is pleasant by nearly every other metric, especially with extensions.

Is it OK to download Google Chrome on my Mac? ›

You can download Google Chrome on your Mac, PC, or iPhone. Using Google Chrome with the same Google account across devices will sync your history and favorites. Google Chrome should already be downloaded on Android phones and Chromebooks.

What is the fastest Internet browser in 2022? ›

Our verdict: Google Chrome is the best web browser

Google Chrome is fast, it supports Google services natively, and it's available across all platforms. It's our top pick in speed, as it went head to head with Safari on macOS and Microsoft Edge on Windows.

Which browser uses the least CPU on Mac? ›

Best Browsers for Low CPU Usage
  • Opera Browser. ...
  • Chromium Browser. ...
  • Safari Browser. ...
  • Maxthon Browser. ...
  • Yandex Browser. ...
  • Comodo Dragon Browser. ...
  • DuckDuckGo. DuckDuckGo is a search engine founded as an alternative to Google in 2008. ...
  • K-Meleon. K-Meleon is an extremely fast, lightweight, customizable web browser.
15 Apr 2022

What was the fastest growing web browser in 2022? ›

Chrome is the fastest internet browser we tested. Edge followed closely behind.

Should you shut down m1 Macs? ›

Many experts suggest shutting your Mac down every 2-3 days. So, if you're not planning on using your device for more than 36 hours, then a shutdown is a great option. Go to the main Apple menu > System Preferences > Battery. Select Schedule, and use the drop-downs to set your preferences.

Which browser uses least battery Mac? ›

Without a doubt Apple's Safari web browser uses less battery power, it also is faster and more secure.

Should you keep your m1 Mac plugged in all the time? ›

In terms of conserving battery life and battery charge cycles, be sure to follow the tips below: Don't keep your Mac plugged in all the time, and let its power drop to around 40 percent before recharging it. Don't fully discharge your battery regularly.

Is Safari or Chrome safer on Mac? ›

In fact, Safari beats Chrome on the Mac because it's more energy-efficient, better at protecting your privacy, and it seamlessly works with the Apple ecosystem. Here are all the reasons why you should avoid using Google Chrome on your Mac.

How do I replace Safari with Google on Mac? ›

Steps. Open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap Safari. Tap Search Engine and select Google.

Is it better to use apps or browser on Mac? ›

Which is better? Native apps typically have more features than the ones based on the web. Native apps integrate within the operating system, which means a dock icon, direct access to data and files, the ability to run in the background, and more.

Which browser is safest from hackers? ›

Tor is the most secure web browser available for online browsing. The Tor network web browsers encrypt and anonymize your data. Firefox web browsers provide security without sacrificing performance. Chromium: All of Google Chrome's best features without tracking or selling your data while browsing.

Can I have both Safari and Firefox on my Mac? ›

Yes, you can have two browsers or more installed in your computer.

Is DuckDuckGo better than Safari? ›

DuckDuckGo is a web browser that was built mainly to respect the privacy of the users so this web browser is known for its transparency towards its users.
...
DuckDuckGo vs Safari.
DuckDuckGoSafari
8.Overall performance of DuckDuckGo is good.Overall performance of safari better than DuckDuckGo.
7 more rows
25 Apr 2022

Should I buy MacBook Air 256GB or 512GB? ›

Is 256GB Enough for a MacBook? If you're buying any model of MacBook (whether it's a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro) and plan to use it as your main machine, you should buy a model with more than 256GB of storage. Even if you only double the internal storage to 512GB, you'll thank yourself in a few years.

Do I need 32GB RAM in M1 MacBook Pro? ›

Unless you are configuring your MacBook Pro with the M1 Max chip, which starts with 32GB of memory, you likely do not need the $400 add-on. In real-world tests, the 32GB MacBook Pro is not significantly outperforming the 16GB model, even during intense workflows.

Should I get 8GB or 16GB RAM? ›

Most users need about 8 GB of RAM, but to use several apps at once, you might need 16 GB or more. If you don't have enough RAM, your computer will run slowly and apps will lag. VRAM is located on your graphics card and stores temporary graphical data from apps and games.

Is 256GB enough for IMAC M1? ›

A device that is primarily intended to carry out less intensive tasks such as web browsing, email and document writing, will not require anything crazy when it comes to storage space. Even if you want to store photos, videos or music on your device, 256GB should be more than enough.

Is 512GB enough for Mac? ›

It fully depends on you. If you are a person who takes lots of photos and videos that will be saved to your laptop, then 512GB may only be sufficient, or not enough for you. If you don't, then 512GB will be too much for you.

Is 8 GB RAM good for M1 Mac? ›

Yes. Programmers who compile large amounts of code or perform 3D rendering might want to opt for 16GB of memory, but except for these use cases, 8GB on the M1 MacBook Pro is enough.

What is the fastest browser for M1 Mac? ›

Fastest (yet least efficient) browser: Google Chrome. Most Efficient Browser: Firefox.

Is Safari or Chrome better on M1 Mac? ›

According to Google, this all adds up to its browser being the fastest on M1 Macs, benchmarking around 7 percent faster than Safari. Chrome M99 also apparently set a speed record with a score of 300 on a benchmark created by Apple's WebKit team, according to the blog post.

Is Firefox optimized for M1 Mac? ›

Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Brave are all optimised for M1 Macs (as discussed below).

Which browser is safest for Mac? ›

If you're on a Mac and want to keep your data safe, Brave is a much better option than Chrome. If you don't want to switch to Brave, you'd be better off sticking with Safari.

Is Firefox or Edge better for Mac? ›

Performance. In addition to everything we've listed above, it's important to consider which browser, Safari or Edge, works best on a Mac. In this regard, we think each browser has different strengths. Edge is faster than Firefox, and faster than Safari per a HTML5test.com run for both browsers.

Is Google or Safari better for Mac? ›

But, if you have one Apple device and another Windows or Android device, then Chrome might be the better bet because it works across all platforms. Although Safari is Apple's default browser, you can change it on iPhone and Mac alike. It's worth noting that Safari is better optimized for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

Should I use Safari instead of Chrome on Mac? ›

In fact, Safari beats Chrome on the Mac because it's more energy-efficient, better at protecting your privacy, and it seamlessly works with the Apple ecosystem. Here are all the reasons why you should avoid using Google Chrome on your Mac.

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