Top Android Browsers to Consider Instead of Google Chrome
Rewritten Article:
Going with Chrome on Android might not always cut it. It's a heavy browser with minimal features. No built-in reading mode, no ad-blocker, no tab management, no VPN—the list goes on. If you want more from your Android browser, ditch Chrome and opt for a third-party one. Here are my top 5 recommendations, suitable for different types of users:
Vivaldi: Best for phablets and tablet users
Vivaldi is a zesty browser, offering a scrolling tab bar that displays full titles straight in the tab bar. Say goodbye to tedious tab switching or management. You can switch to different tabs or manage them effortlessly with the horizontal scrolling list of tabs. But if you prefer the conventional way, you can still keep the tab bar at the top or bottom of the screen. Vivaldi supports this layout on larger screens, making it a great pick for phablets, tablets, or foldable devices.
Synced with the desktop version, Vivaldi offers an array of features such as ad-blocking and tracker-blocking, speed dial, search engine shortcuts, reading list, and themes. The browser is light and user-friendly—no AI agent, no free VPN, no news feed to complicate things.
Firefox: Best for customization enthusiasts
Firefox is the only browser on this list that supports extensions, making it the prime choice for customization junkies. The Firefox Android app is nimble and user-friendly by itself. Using Firefox Sync, you can access all your Firefox tabs on your Android smartphone. Passwords are synced as well.
Firefox boasts Collections, a feature for manually grouping tabs in the tab switcher. The gesture-supported tab bar lets you swipe left or right to access recently used tabs seamlessly. But the main draw is its extensive range of extensions. The Dark Reader extension enables dark mode on any website, uBlock Origin provides a fast and efficient ad blocker, Bitwarden's extension handles password authentication, and more. Numerous extensions cater to needs like tracking prices online, downloading YouTube videos, and more. While you don't necessarily need most of them, adding a couple of extensions like uBlock Origin and Dark Reader will noticeably improve your browsing experience.
Brave: Best for privacy advocates
Brave is often associated with privacy and security, and the Android browser is no exception. Brave is faster compared to Chrome, and it blocks ads and trackers by default, eliminating the need to configure settings. By default, Brave uses its own Brave search engine, which is also privacy-focused.
Brave packs numerous other features, but they are all hidden by default. You can enable a personalized news feed if you desire. While Brave has its AI bot Leo and a paid VPN, they can be easily ignored if you wish.
There's an experimental Night mode that automatically inverts the colors on all websites, giving them a dark background and light text. Brave also supports group tabs for improved tab management.
Via: Best for budget and old devices
Via is a lean and minimalist browser, crafted for smooth performance on any Android device. Weighing only 1.5 MB, it's ideal for devices with limited storage. It also works well on devices with low RAM.
Via is a bare-bones browser. It starts with a minimal homepage, and there are no news feeds or shortcuts. Although it has a basic tab management feature, the tab bar can be found conveniently at the bottom of the screen.
The browser comes with built-in ad blocking, and you can edit and customize the ad blocking filters as well. There's a reader mode, and even a night mode that inverts the colors on all websites.
If you're tired of Chrome's bloatware or if you own an older device where Chrome slowed you down, Via is the browser you should consider.
Opera: Best for users battling tab overload
Opera is all about features for Android users. A reading mode, ad-blocker, free VPN, customizable address bar, and a sleek tab management system—it's got them all. Opera takes tab management seriously by offering tab islands, where it groups and color-codes multiple web pages from the same site.
Opera's tab switcher offers three different layout options: Carousel, Grid, and List. The Carousel option lets you swiftly navigate through open tab groups and tabs. You are free to customize tab arrangements by dragging and dropping tabs between groups.
If you have Opera on your desktop, the tabs from your computer can show up on Android, and you can use the "Flow" feature to share links, files, and notes across all your devices.
- When considering Chrome alternatives on Android, compelling options such as Vivaldi, Firefox, Brave, Via, and Opera stand out, offering varying features tailored to different user preferences.
- For those seeking a browser optimized for phablets and tablets, Vivaldi, with its scrolling tab bar and customizable layout, is undeniably a great gadgets choice, providing an enjoyable technology experience.
- Customization enthusiasts will appreciate Firefox, as it supports extensions, allowing users to personalize their browsing experience to their tech liking, enhancing their browsing journey with features like ad-blockers, dark mode, and more.
- Privacy advocates looking for a secure Android browser might find Brave to be the optimal solution, with built-in privacy features and an ad-blocker, ensuring a more secure browsing experience in the realm of technology.
