Are you fed up with how long it takes your web browser to load a webpage? Maybe you're one of the poor majority who don't even realise how slow your browser is. If you are reading this in Internet Explorer then I'm talking to you.
Results of a recent comparison of web browsers at Six Revisions shows what a lot of people already knew from experience, Microsoft's Internet Explorer performs really badly. Of the 5 browsers on test it is the slowest of the lot. Its so bad it came last in 4 out of 5 categories, and came 2nd last in the other one. If you are still using Internet Explorer every day then you're experiencing the internet almost as slow as it can be.
As Internet Explorer has been bundled with all versions of Windows upto Vista, its not surprising that so many people use it, and if you haven't got anything to compare it to then you're none the wiser. So it might be a surprise to you to know that there are better browsers out there, and they are free.
Firefox is the main alternative to Internet Explorer. It performs very well and has great support from Mozilla who make it, and the community of people who use it. It also has gazillions of add-on bits of software that allow you to do all sorts of things like check the time on the other side of the world, or update your Facebook profile. It is well loved by the tech savvy crowd and rightly so.
Chrome, made by Google, yes that Google, is a very fast browser. It doesn't have as many features as Firefox but it comes out top in the tests.
Safari is a slick little offering from Apple and gives Firefox a run for its money. If you are a Macintosh fan, then you will probably lean towards using it.
Opera is the 5th browser in the line up and just gets edged into 4th spot behind Firefox and Safari.
If you just want simple, fast browsing, then Chrome is the easy choice. If you want a fast browser with a lot of bells and whistles then go with Firefox. In terms of pure speed, there's not much between Firefox, Safari and Opera. But what is clear is that Internet Explorer pales alongside all the others.
Do yourself a favour, choose speed. Don't choose Internet Explorer.
Check out the results of the tests in this chart.
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Duncan
True! I’ve not used IE for years, ever since I came across Chrome and I use Safari on my Mac.
Two more points:
ALL browsers seem to be memory grabbers
I live where there is no broadband so I use a mifi device and it’s slow. So I laugh when I wait for five, ten, 60 seconds and even more sometimes, for a page to open and then see google telling me that it took just 0.38 seconds to complete my request!!
Duncan
Filipe
I use FF but it often will not work with links so I have to go to IE.
Notice that you don’t seem to have the problem
Mynda Treacy
Hi Filipe,
I’ve experienced some sites don’t work properly in Firefox too, not usually links tho. I’m glad ours is working fine for you.
Kind regards,
Mynda.
Shirley Urbanek
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Perry
Hi, thank you for write-up! I have been reading your blog for a few days and i’m really enjoying it.
Matt
I’m not a fan of IE generally, but the release of IE9 of course does change the playing field somewhat.
Philip Treacy
Hi Matt,
Yes IE9 looks the business and initial reviews of the beta are good. Will have to see if that carries through to the final release version.
Phil
FFFan
Good post. I work with many small businesses and all of them use IE. I’ll be encouraging them to switch to Firefox, which is my preferred browser.