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The best internet browsers that no one uses. Alternatives to replace Internet Explorer Browsers similar to internet explorer

Creating a new browser today is easier than ever - there is Chromium, which you can fork and add any functionality. Companies do this according to the same logic by which toolbars were once created - this is just an attempt to hammer their brand into the user and force him to use other company products. But when independent developers do it, the product's goal is to make its mark in a virtually static browser market. Don't get me wrong - I don't believe you'll switch to one of the indie browsers. But it's interesting to see what they offer, isn't it?

To switch or not?

When it seems like everything that can be said in some area has already been said, trying to do something differently is breathtaking: at first you think it’s wild and utopian, but as a result you begin to look at market leaders in a new way. For the same reason, in the December issue ][ we talked about such “strange” mobile OSs as Tizen, Firefox OS or Maemo. Therefore, in my opinion, when talking about alternative browsers, it is incorrect to pose the question bluntly: to switch or not. No, you definitely won't cross over. But you can try to repeat the functionality you are interested in in your favorite browser - for this, in each case, I tried to select the appropriate extensions.

The idea of ​​creating a browser that closely interacts with popular social networks has long been exciting the minds of developers. There were many attempts to create such a combine, but, perhaps, the Rockmelt company did a better job. No wonder they were able to receive serious financial investments.

The project of the same name was launched in 2009 and immediately enlisted the support of one of the founders of Netscape. A year later, the first beta version, built on Chromium sources, was released, and in a short time it managed to gather a decent number of fans. The main feature of Rockmelt is its unobtrusiveness. Integration with Facebook and Twitter was implemented as additional functionality, and not an intrusive addition.

Rockmelt may have had a bright future ahead of it, but in 2012 the developers shut down the desktop version and focused on creating an iOS app. Despite the drastic changes, the mobile application was born quickly and turned out to be quite interesting.

So, we are offered a solution that is interesting primarily because of its interface. Browser control centers around a single input line. It is both an address bar and a navigator for various content groups. For example, you can choose a specific topic and immediately receive a pack of thumbnails of new posts corresponding to it. The presence of additional gestures allows you to perform a number of operations (sharing, liking) with one click or swipe.

Thus, together with the browser we get a content generator. At the same time, we have the opportunity to quite easily influence the conditions for issuing materials. You just need to go to any website and click on the “Follow” pimp. The resource is added to the watch list (RSS feed is taken into account), and new materials will appear in the personal news feed.

Extensions:

  • Content generator. Plugin for Google Chrome Feedly;
  • New materials by category. Plugin for Google Chrome: StumbleUpon;
  • Interaction with social networks (publications, sharing, etc.). Plugin for Google Chrome: Buffer.

SRWare Iron

Project audience: conspiracy theory lovers

The first releases of Google Chrome (as well as Chromium) caused a lot of noise. Users paid attention not only to the interesting interface and speed of operation, but also to a couple of clauses in the license agreement that deal a blow to privacy.

After this, a boom in articles on the topic “Big Brother is watching you” began, eventually forcing Google to reconsider its ambitions. Despite this, Chrome still contains several functions that somehow violate the user's personal space.

For example, everyone knows that immediately after installation, Google Chrome generates a unique identifier, which is transmitted to the company’s server. The "suggestions" function works in a similar way. All entered data is sent to Google for the purpose of producing search suggestions. The discussion about other nightmares is in roughly the same vein: the background update service, sending error reports, and so on.

SRWare is ready to solve all the problems raised. In fact, this is the same Google Chrome, but with the language cut off. It does not transmit any information to the Google server, but also brings several nice features:

  • offline installer;
  • built-in ad blocker;
  • ability to change User-Agent.

Verdict: The solution is primarily for conspiracy theorists. The browser has few additional functions, and all of them are implemented using appropriate extensions. As a result, it turns out that all the advantages come down to providing an additional level of privacy.

CoolNovo

Project audience: web developers, enthusiasts

Another project that grew out of a Chromium fork, CoolNovo compares favorably with similar alternatives. Firstly, developers from the Middle Kingdom are setting ambitious goals for themselves, and not just creating another clone with a couple of additional extensions. Secondly, they position their solution as a complete replacement for Google Chrome. The idea of ​​such a solution managed to win the hearts of users, and the browser itself received a number of awards.

One of the most interesting and useful features is IE Tab. My main activity is partly related to the development of web applications, which means testing whether the layout is displayed correctly in browsers that use different rendering engines. IE Tab simplifies the testing process in Internet Explorer. It eliminates the need to run a separate copy of IE, and allows you to change the rendering engine used for rendering with one click.

Gesture controls also deserve special attention. At one time I got used to using similar functionality in Opera, and I must say that the implementation in CoolNovo is no worse.

The developers share the same views on the inviolability of personal space as the guys from the SRWare Iron project. All secret transfers of information to the company’s servers are cut to the ground.

Other most interesting features worth noting:

  • instant translation of pages into other languages ​​(using Google Translate);
  • taking screenshots of a page or selected area;
  • quick history clearing;
  • separate sidebar for placing frequently used widgets and extensions;
  • ad blocker.

Verdict: CoolNovo has long been a leader among alternative Chromium-based builds. Today it continues to hold its position and remains a good solution for users who want to get a beefed-up browser out of the box. The only sad thing is that CoolNovo has been updated less frequently lately. If this continues, sooner or later a competitor in the form of Chrome will throw it out of the race.

Extensions:

  • Fast and flexible cleaning of history, cookies and other network activity files. Plugin for Google Chrome Click&Clean Click&Clean ;
  • Link shortener. Plugin for Google Chrome URL Shortener;
  • Gesture control. Plugin for Google Chrome: CrxMouse or Gestures for Chrome;
  • Reading mode (without displaying pictures and unnecessary layout elements). Plugin for Google Chrome: iReader or Clearly;
  • Button for quick RSS subscription. Plugin for Google Chrome: RSS Subscription Extension;
  • Super drag. Plugin for Google Chrome: Super Drag;
  • Translator. Plugin for Google Chrome: Google Translate.

Maxthon

Project audience: All inclusive lovers

Maxthon is one of those projects that has experienced a rebirth. He first saw the light in the early 2000s under the pseudonym MyIE. Back then it was a convenient wrapper for Donkey IE and a number of useful functions. It had a built-in download manager, tabs instead of separate windows, and other useful features.

When Firefox and subsequently Google Chrome boomed, MyIE was forced into obscurity for a major overhaul. The total straightening brought it back with a new name, an updated set of functions and a completely different face.

Today Maxthon is more like a powerful Internet center than just a browser. Under the hood of the adventure game there are already two engines - WebKit and Trident (used in Internet Explorer). Moreover, unlike most similar solutions, Maxthon is able to independently determine pages for which the use of Trident is more preferable (as a rule, these are old sites). I specifically took one old project out of the closet, adapted for viewing in IE, and tried to view it in Maxthon. Without thinking twice, the browser immediately switched the display to retro mode and rendered the page using Trident. In addition to working with two engines simultaneously, Maxthon’s greatest strengths are its own cloud and the availability of versions for mobile platforms (Android, iOS). Your own cloud not only allows you to store various small information such as your browsing history, a list of open pages and similar things, but it is also quite suitable for storing files.

For example, I was very pleased with the ability to save files from a web page to the cloud with one click. This function looks most beneficial when working on a mobile phone/tablet. The usefulness of Maxthon does not end there, but rather just begins. Among them:

  • Gesture support;
  • SuperDrop function, which simplifies interaction with the browser interface in the absence of a mouse;
  • ad blocker;
  • completely redesigned application interface (not another Chrome clone);
  • simultaneous processing of search results from several search servers;
  • viewing pages in reading mode (without unnecessary information);
  • saving videos from YouTube;
  • mute sound on any page;
  • simultaneous viewing of several tabs in one window;
  • download manager;
  • own extension store;
  • setting an arbitrary refresh time for open pages;
  • night surfing mode. When this mode is activated, Maxthon darkens the bright background of pages, thereby reducing eye strain;
  • increased productivity and much more.

Verdict: Maxthon will appeal to both casual users and hardcore geeks looking for new adventures. The presence of versions for mobile platforms and a full-fledged personal cloud are two key features that allow Maxthon to surpass many competitors. Add to this good performance, numerous victories in tests for compliance with web standards, and we get an almost ideal, but little-known browser.

Extensions:

  • Retro mode (page rendering using the IE engine). Plugin for Google Chrome: IE Tab;
  • Taking screenshots. Plugin for Google Chrome: Webpage ScreenShot;
  • Night mode. Plugin for Google Chrome: Hacker Vision or Turn Off the Lights for comfortable viewing of videos;
  • Password storage. Plugin for Google Chrome: LastPass;
  • Ad blocker. Plugin for Google Chrome: AdBlock;
  • Built-in notepad with the ability to store notes in the cloud. Plugin for Google Chrome: Memo Notepad;
  • Resource sniffer. Plugin for Google Chrome: Web Developer.

Project audience: lovers of everything fresh

Chromium became the father of many webkit-based browsers. It forms the foundation of almost every new browser, and it is hardly possible to shake its dominant position.

So, you probably already know that it is on this project that all new products are tested before they get to Google Chrome. Support for new HTML5 features, fixes of terrible bugs, new interface features - all this is primarily received by Chromium users. Unfortunately, the frequency of updates comes at the price of stability. Major problems that prevent you from working normally with the browser are rare, but accurate.

It is quite difficult to single out some original interface features or capabilities, since they are largely the implementation of new HTML5 features and are relevant for web developers, not mere mortals.

Nevertheless, Chromium still has a number of differences that can interest the average user. For example:

  • no error reporting;
  • the RLZ identifier is not transferred to the company servers;
  • there is no Updater hanging in the background;
  • Only open and free media formats are supported;
  • productivity is very high.

Verdict: A special version of Google Chrome for enthusiasts and geeks. Everything new appears here, and these user groups will definitely like it. Chromium is unlikely to be suitable for mere mortals, since this is a product primarily for testing. And there are few users eager to be the first to test, say, the Battery API.

Avant Browser

Project audience: web developers

The primary goal of the Avant Browser developers is to provide users with an easy way to combine the work of engines within one application. It would seem that the task is not easy, but looking at Avant Browser, you are convinced of the opposite. The developers were not only able to bring together all the popular engines under one wrapper, but also came up with an easy way to switch between them. Changing the rendering engine is done in a couple of mouse clicks.

This is where the super useful functions end, and what remains are typical for such solutions:

  • a simple cloud storage capable of storing RSS subscriptions, favorites, passwords and other information;
  • ad/popup blocker;
  • creating screenshots of pages;
  • simple implementation of gesture control;
  • creating aliases for pages, with which you can quickly go to frequently visited sites;
  • built-in RSS reader;
  • mail client.

Verdict: Avant Browser cannot be considered as a full-fledged application for everyday use. This is more of a specialized solution that can serve web developers well, but not the average user. There are simply no other interesting features in Avant Browser.

Popular software often has alternative analogues that have similar functionality, but with some features in the interface or operation. A close analogue of Internet Explorer is the Maxthon browser with a choice of Trident or WebKit engine.

The phrase "an alternative to Internet Explorer" usually brings to mind something like Firefox or Google Chrome, maybe Opera. However, there is also a somewhat less radical option. This is the Maxthon browser from the Chinese company Maxthon International Limited. Basically, it is an alternative interface to the same engine as the corresponding version of Internet Explorer: Trident. Newer versions of Maxthon also include WebKit with the ability to select one of them.

Its history began back in the 1990s with MyIE, a customization of the Internet Explorer interface of that time. When the developer of MyIE left the project and opened the source code of MyIE, Ming Jie "Jeff" Chen began creating a new version of the browser based on this code, which was called MyIE2. A community was formed from programmers living in several countries around the world, which created additional plugins and skins. By 2003, the project had advanced so much and formed its own special “I” that it was decided to give it a special name: MyIE2 was renamed Maxthon.

Then the project began to actively develop, attracting investments, financial assistance, and the participation of a large number of programmers and testers. Support for another browser engine, WebKit, has been added. Versions have appeared not only for Windows, but also for Mac OS X and Linux (based on Chromium). Not only for desktop computers, but also for mobile devices: Android, iOS, Windows Phone platforms.

[ One of the pages of the Compmiscellanea.com website in the Maxthon browser for Windows ]

From, one might say, funny. Maxthon of early versions became quite widespread and was used for a relatively long time. However, it was based on a very old version of Trident. It turned out that to the legendary and amazing affection (due, however, to some completely mundane reasons) of the PRC Chinese to Internet Explorer 6, a completely non-zero number of Maxthon users were added, also on the old engine.

East Asia turned out to be a big problem for the designer and layout designer. The Internet statistics clearly showed a fairly significant proportion of users using the Internet Explorer 6 engine. This obviously hinted that coders and graphic artists may need to think about making the pages of the sites they create suitable for Internet Explorer 6 with Maxthon 1.x too. So some who were ordered sites aimed at China or designed very “internationally” had to puzzle over how to do this.

Either way, Internet Explorer has gotten better in recent years. New generations of users don't know about some of the difficulties that surfers, designers and coders once experienced with Internet Explorer 4 or Internet Explorer 6. They don't know about the feeling of protest that someone had at a time when Microsoft and its browsers seemed to were close to achieving a monopoly. Now the situation is different, the majority do not use Internet Explorer at all, and those who do use it do not have any particular motivation to leave Internet Explorer. So no alternative may be unnecessary. However, if someone still wants to try, then there is a choice: not only Firefox or Google Chrome or

For a very long time, ES File Explorer claimed to be the best file manager for Android. Exactly until the program acquired new owners who decided to quickly recoup their purchase with the help of advertising and useless built-in utilities. This became too much for users, and they began to look for a replacement for ES File Explorer. We decided to help them.

Solid Explorer

Solid Explorer is the first contender for attention from frustrated ES File Explorer users. It even reminds a little of this program - the way it was in the good old days. Solid Explorer will delight you with a stylish interface, a full package of functions, stable operation and speed. To fully use the program, you will have to buy it, but I am sure that you will not regret this purchase for a second.

Total Commander

This name is familiar to all experienced computer users. Yes, this is a mobile version of that famous file manager for Windows. The program has a proprietary ascetic interface, moreover, it is completely free and does not contain advertising. By default, Total Commander allows you to perform all basic operations with files, but if this is not enough for you, you can expand the functionality of the program using special plugins.

File Manager ZenUI

Many smartphone manufacturers strive to equip their gadgets with proprietary software. The ASUS software division produces quite worthy applications that appeal not only to fans of this brand. Their file manager attracts primarily with its pleasant modern interface and speed of operation. However, under the beautiful shell hides a fairly powerful program that can copy, move, create files and folders, manage cloud storage, work with archives, analyze memory usage, and much more.

X-plore File Manager

The distinctive features of this file manager are the directory tree and dual-pane mode. This is why tablet owners love it so much: using X-plore on a big screen is really convenient. In addition to performing standard file operations, the program can work with archives, view many types of files, transfer data to a computer and back, and connect to many popular cloud file storage services.


File Manager

If you need a simple and reliable tool for working with files, pay attention to this program. It may not be as functional as other participants in this review, but it looks nice and works quickly. An excellent choice for novice users who don’t want to spend all day figuring out the settings just to copy a file somewhere.

MiXplorer

And for dessert, we have one of the best file managers for Android, which, however, you will not find in the Google Play app store. When creating this program, the developer took the standard explorer of the MIUI operating system as a sample. Therefore, as you understand, MiXplorer’s appearance is completely fine.

From a functionality point of view, the program also did not disappoint. Even a cursory listing of all the capabilities of MiXplorer would take up a lot of space, so we will limit ourselves to the statement that you are unlikely to ever encounter a task in ordinary life that this file manager cannot cope with. And in conclusion, we would like to inform you that MiXplorer does not contain advertising, is free and, according to the developer, will always remain free.

Today, the browser has become one of the main computer programs that no user can do without. Usually, when choosing a browser, we limit ourselves to a very small list consisting of several well-known names - Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari. However, the number of existing web browsers is far from exhausted by these programs. We want to introduce you to the most interesting alternative browsers, which may not be well known, but definitely deserve your attention.

A modern browser is a complex program that includes several independent components, including a page rendering engine, a user interface, a Javascript processing engine, an XML parser, and so on. This multi-level architecture makes it quite easy to change individual browser modules, which third-party developers successfully use by releasing their own modifications of web browsers based on existing browser engines. The most common browser engines today: Trident (Internet Explorer),
Gecko (Mozilla Firefox) and Webkit (Chrome, Safari), so in this review all programs are divided according to this criterion.

Browsers based on Mozilla Firefox

Gecko is a web page rendering engine known to us primarily from the Mozilla Firefox browser. When creating Gecko, the developers ensured support for open Internet standards, cross-platform, and most importantly, free distribution, thanks to which this engine is successfully used in a wide variety of software products.

Waterfox(Windows Vista x64, Windows 7 x64)

Despite the popularity of 64-bit systems, Mozilla does not yet plan to release a special version of the browser for this architecture. The Waterfox project fills this gap by providing us with a version of the browser specifically optimized to run in this environment. Although Waterfox has almost the same functionality as Firefox, it still makes sense to try this program, since the developers promise us a significant increase in performance on 64-bit systems.

Purpose. If you have a 64-bit system and want a small gain in speed, then it's worth trying this program.

(Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, x86/x64)

Another optimized and accelerated version of Firefox, which is only available for Windows and has both 32 and 64 bit versions. The developers focused their main efforts on creating a program specially optimized for full use of all the capabilities of modern processors. In addition to changes hidden under the hood of the browser aimed at maximizing performance speed, there are also some tweaks to the user interface, but they are very minor. However, in future versions, according to the developers, the differences from the parent browser will be more noticeable, since Firefox will soon undergo a significant redesign, and Pale Moon will retain its familiar appearance.

Purpose. For those who like to get the most out of their hardware, as well as those who don’t like the changes to the Firefox interface.

(Windows, Linux, MacOS)

It would be a big mistake to consider SeaMonkey a subsidiary of the Firefox browser; rather, they are siblings based on the same Mozilla Suite project. Firefox took the path of making the program as lightweight as possible, while SeaMonkey retained all existing components, including a web browser, email program, HTML page editor, address book and IRC client. Thus, in one program we get a complete gentleman’s set of functions necessary for working on the Internet, which in one package consume much less resources than Firefox, Thunderbird, etc. installed separately.

Purpose. This combine may appeal to fans of multifunctional all-in-one solutions who are willing to put up with a frankly outdated interface and low operating speed.

Wyzo(Windows, MacOS)

This browser is based on the 3.6 branch of the Firefox browser, so those users who did not accept the fundamental update of the program in the fourth version should pay attention to it. In addition, Wyzo boasts built-in support for the BitTorrent protocol, an improved file downloader, and full compatibility with Firefox themes and extensions.

Purpose. If for some reason you are attached to Firefox 3.6 family, then this browser is for you.

Browsers based on Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer, more than any other browser, needs improvement. Despite the presence of a fairly stable, and in the latest versions also very fast Trident page processing engine, Microsoft's browser loses to its competitors due to modest functionality and slow implementation of new technologies. All the more valuable to us are those products in which third-party developers try to correct the inherent shortcomings of IE.

(Windows)

This web browser is one of the most successful offspring of Internet Explorer. If you don't take into account the slightly outdated appearance, then we can say that Avant Browser is exactly the browser that IE wanted to become as a child. Judge for yourself, record low memory consumption, built-in ad and pop-up blocking, auto-filling forms and a password manager, the ability to store your bookmarks, passwords, settings in online storage, support for mouse gestures, an RSS feed reader system and many other features make this browser perhaps the best choice among IE-compatible browsers. Add to this excellent localization, regular updates and a large user community, and it becomes clear that this browser is a must-try for all fans of Microsoft's Trident page rendering engine.

Purpose. This browser will appeal to those users who want all the benefits of the Trident engine, but cannot put up with the functionality of Internet Explorer.

(Windows)

An exotic browser from developers from distant Japan. Like many products native to this country, it has a number of unique features. First of all, this is the ability to use not only the Trident engine, which is included by default, but also Gecko with WebKit. Thus, users are given the opportunity to use the functions of all the most popular browsers today in one interface. It's even possible to assign a specific rendering engine to individual sites, so that if there are problems with any page, the browser will automatically switch to a more appropriate rendering engine. In addition, the browser has the ability to install add-ons (including for Chrome and Firefox), change the appearance using skins, as well as such a developed customization system that you can use it to change literally any aspect of the program’s operation.

Purpose. A complex product that requires configuration and learning. It can be useful if you need to see the display of sites in different browsers.

(Windows)

Despite the fact that SlimBrowser is updated quite regularly (the latest version was released just the other day), it looks like IE 8. However, under the hood of the program there is a whole set of popular functions, such as automatic filling of web forms, a built-in translator, a quick search panel , advanced download manager, ad blocker, HTML and script editor, integration with Facebook and other social services, support for skins, etc. Although SlimBrowser became one of twelve browsers offered for users of the European Economic Area, I would not call it an independent product - rather, it is just a set of useful settings and add-ons for Internet Explorer, collected under one shell.

Purpose. Although the developers boldly claim on the home page that this is the best browser for Windows, it is still just a collection of useful add-ons.

Browsers based on Google Chrome

Now many have forgotten, but the WebKit engine traces its origins to the KHTML project, originally developed for the KDE environment on Unix systems. Its source code is open, that is, available for use in projects for any purpose. The most famous of them are the Safari and Google Chrome browsers, but there are also a huge number of other programs that use WebKit components to one degree or another.

(Windows, MacOS, Linux)

Despite the fact that Google Chrome and Chromium are developed by the same company, and both use the same engine and interface solutions, there are still a number of significant differences between them. Chromium lacks auto-update, support for some proprietary audio-video formats and Flash, and does not have a module for working with PDF. But at the same time, the Chromium browser offers all the latest and experimental features that developers are still planning to implement in Google Chrome.

Purpose. If you want to be the first to try all the innovations that will appear in Google Chrome, then this is your choice.

(Windows)

Google has recently been often reproached for its lack of respect for privacy. In particular, the Chrome browser has been repeatedly seen collecting various information about user actions on the Internet. That is why a number of alternative browsers have appeared, in which increased attention is paid to privacy and security. The Comodo Dragon program is developed by Comodo, which is well known for its antivirus and firewall. It uses a connection through a SecureDNS server to block malicious sites, uses a more advanced anonymous surfing mechanism, and also makes a number of other changes that increase your security.

Purpose. This browser is designed for those who are seriously concerned about their security and privacy.

(Windows, MacOS)

This browser is intended for fans of social networks and is reminiscent of the now closed Flock project. With its help, you can easily receive updates in your accounts, communicate with friends, and share any content of the pages you are viewing. The browser has special additional panels that serve to display buttons for connected social services, a list of friends, and a built-in chat. RockMeIt, unlike Chrome, stores the user profile on Facebook servers and, accordingly, to work, you need to log in to your account on this social network.

Purpose. If you are an active participant in social networks, especially Facebook, then you should definitely pay attention to this program.

(Windows, Linux, MacOS (beta))

Our Chinese comrades are famous for their ability to repeat and improve a wide variety of products. Google's browser did not escape this fate either. CoolNovo has all the features of Chrome plus a number of additional useful features that make working with the browser more comfortable. Thanks to the efforts of Chinese developers, the browser began to understand mouse gestures, acquired a convenient download manager, a built-in ad blocking mechanism, a “super drag and drop” function and many other features. In addition, the program takes care of protecting the user’s personal information: private information is cleaned more thoroughly and Google Chrome spy components are disabled.

Purpose. There's no magic - it's just Chrome complete with a few useful extensions and tweaks. It will be useful to everyone who needs an upgraded version of Google Chrome.

(Windows, Android)

One of the oldest alternative browsers, which since 2004 has managed not only to change the main page display engine from Trident to WebKit, but also to gain well-deserved popularity among a large army of users. The reason for this was the rather serious equipment of Maxthon, which provides out of the box many convenient functions that are available in other browsers only after installing dozens of extensions. These include the ability to customize the appearance using skins, the Super Drag&Drop function, mouse gesture control, ad blocking, built-in RSS reader, auto-update service, built-in notepad, download manager, the function of storing user data in a cloud service with the ability to synchronize between different computers and much more. It must be emphasized that Maxthon, unlike many competitors, is an independent project, and not a redesigned version of Google Chrome.

Purpose. A fast, convenient and functional web browser that has its own personality and a long history of development. A real and very worthy alternative to the favorites.

Conclusion

In this review, we tried to introduce you to the most interesting representatives of alternative browsers. Some of them are designed to perform highly specialized tasks, while others provide users with a wide range of options when working on the Internet. As you can see, the list of modern web browsers is much wider than the four well-known names and includes programs worthy of use. Among all the considered alternatives, we would like to draw special attention of readers to Avant Browser and Maxthon, which contain a number of original solutions and are fully capable of performing the role of a full-time web browser.

Choosing a browser for surfing the Internet is very much a matter of taste. Many users are ready to spend hours proving the advantages of their browser, but the offer is not very large. The “top” browsers are known to everyone - these are Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera and Safari. Even the most advanced users tend to prefer one of these developments.

We decided to figure out what kind of injustice reigns in the virtual kingdom and whether there is any alternative to the giants of Internet surfing. What types of browsers there are and what their features are will be discussed in this review.

What to expect?

First, let's figure out what a browser is in principle and what potential alternative web browsers may have.

As you know, the basis of browsers is the engine. The latter, in turn, is a program that converts the content of web pages into an interactive image with which the user has to deal. These engines can be either open source or closed - this is at the discretion of the developers and creators. If the engine is open source, programmers can use it to develop their own web browser. This is exactly what happened with Webkit (which served as the basis for Google Chrome), Gecko (Mozilla Firefox) and Trident (Internet Explorer). True, Trident is positioned as proprietary software. That is, in order to gain access to it, you need to agree with the developers. But this did not affect the decrease in the number of Explorer twins. Moreover, the Avant browser based on Trident managed to surpass its “big brother” due to an improved interface and advanced features. That's why we decided to make a selection of browsers that you may not have heard of, but which certainly deserve your attention.

To make it easier to understand, we have groupedalternative Internet browsers, starting from the “most famous” representative of their technology.

Our choice

Having studied the work of alternative web browsers, we have identified the best for each engine.

Based on Gecko (Mozilla Firefox), the most competitive will probably be Pale Moon. “Pale Moon” is filled with colors by the frantic speed with which he opens and loads websites.

The strongest thread from Trident (Internet Explorer) is Avant Browser. In its latest versions, Avant includes the Trident, Gecko and Webkit engines at the same time, making it a universal browser that takes the best from IE, Mozilla and Chrome.

Of all the WebKit-based browsers (Chrome), we liked it the most CoolNovo. He captivates with his “understanding” of mouse gestures. And in general, this product is really “cool” - working with it is comfortable and pleasant. It not only has all the features of Google Chrome, but also has such improvements as an uncompromising ad blocker, a built-in download manager and a privacy protection module.

We admit that our preferences are deeply and purely subjective. From all the variety of alternative browsers, you can choose a friend “to your taste and color”. Ready to experiment? Then go ahead!

Gecko-based Web browsers (Mozilla Firefox)

As you know, Mozilla Firefox uses the Gecko engine, which provides cross-platform functionality and support for open Internet standards. In addition, it is freely distributed, so it is successfully used in various software products.

It is an optimized version of the browser for 64-bit systems - Windows 7 x64, Windows Vista x64, Windows 8 x64. This new browser is fast and not much different in functionality from Firefox. But it’s still worth trying this program for those who want to increase the performance of their 64-bit system.

Pale Moon- this version of the browser is available exclusively for Windows (XP, 2000, Vista, 7, 8 x32/x64). Essentially, it is a faster and optimized version of Firefox. The developers tried to give the web browser not only proper acceleration, but also made some adjustments to the user interface. We recommend this fast browser to all users who want to test the strength of their hardware and appreciate its capabilities.

SeaMonkey- this browser is based on the same project as Firefox, so they can rightfully be considered “siblings”. Their only difference is that SeaMonkey retained all the components that Firefox was deprived of in order to make the program as lightweight as possible. Thus, SeaMonkey has become a program that provides a full range of functions for working on the Internet. If you are the proud owner of Linux, MacOS or Windows and are willing to put up with low speed in exchange for additional program functions, then the multifunctional SeaMonkey “combine” is just for you.

Wyzo- a browser based on one of the Firefox branches. If you don't like the updates in the fourth version of the program, you should pay attention to Wyzo. By the way, this browser can offer built-in support for the BitTorrent protocol. In addition, it has an improved file downloader and full compatibility with Firefox extensions and themes. The conclusion from all this is the following - if you have a MacOS or Windows operating system and you are quite happy with the Firefox 3.6 family, then the Wyzo browser is what you need.

Trident-based Web browsers (Internet Explorer)

Of all the existing browsers, Internet Explorer is the one that needs improvement the most. And although the latest versions of IE are distinguished by a stable and fast mechanism for processing Trident pages, the browser cannot boast of special functionality, or the introduction of new technologies. Therefore, IE-based products are of particular interest, as third-party developers have attempted to fix the browser's inherent shortcomings.


Avant Browser- Internet Explorer wanted to become just as successful and multifunctional as a child. What is so good about our brother? Firstly, the browser is characterized by low resource consumption, built-in ad blocking and pop-up blocking. Secondly, it has a password manager, RSS feed reader and many other features. And most importantly, the browser can use any of the three engines installed in it - Trident, Gecko and Webkit. The user is asked to define one of them by default, and switch to others as needed (in the event that a given engine cannot correctly display the contents of a web page). In addition, the user will have the opportunity to “link” any engine to a specific site (switching will occur automatically). Overall, Avant Browser can be called the best option among IE-compatible web browsers. Users who value good localization and regular updates should definitely try out all the benefits of Avant Browser.

Lunascape- this browser is not only exotic, but also unique. Japanese developers tried to endow it with a lot of useful features. The main thing that the web browser can boast of is the ability to use not only the Trident engine, but also WebKit and Gecko. Thus, the user can try the functions of the most popular browsers in one interface. Lunascape's capabilities are unique - from fixing a specific engine for displaying various sites, to changing the appearance using skins and a developed settings system. The browser runs exclusively on Windows OS. It will be a real discovery for users who love complex products that require deep learning. Lunascape is useful where there is a need to see the display of sites in different browsers.

SlimBrowser the appearance strongly resembles IE 8, although it is regularly updated. But, unlike its brother, the program has a lot of popular functions. This includes a built-in translator, automatic filling of web forms, an ad blocker, support for skins, integration with Facebook, an advanced download manager and much more. By the way, this particular browser is one of twelve recommended for users of the European Economic Area. However, it can hardly be called an independent product. The developers consider it the best browser for Windows, but in essence, it is just a set of useful add-ons.

GreenBrowser - another twin of Internet Explorer. Unlike its older brother, this web browser has advanced capabilities. Among them: URL aliases (instead of an address, you can enter the word of your choice), URL keys (hotkey combinations for opening certain sites), high-speed clearing of history and cookies, an integrated download manager. In addition, the developers have introduced a convenient feature in the form of a floating button with a capital letter “G”. You can drag it to any corner of the desktop, and when you right-click, use one of the options like download manager, saving the last opened page, or closing it. At the same time, the useful “G” point works even when the browser window is minimized to tray.

Web browsers based on WebKit (Google Chrome)

Such popular browsers as Google Chrome and Safari were created on the WebKit engine. Open source code allows you to use this engine in other projects. But in the spring of 2013, Google announced that it was moving to a new engine called Blink (starting with Chrome 28). Already in the summer of the same year, a stable version appeared. According to the developers, the modified Blink engine will remain open source, but it will be simplified by 8.8 million lines. Opera will also use it (since version 14).

Chromium developed by the same company that makes Google Chrome. These computer browsers have a similar interface, run on the same engine, but still differ in a number of features. Unlike its brother, Chromium does not have an automatic update function, does not support Flash and some proprietary audio and video formats, and does not have a module for working with PDF. However, a browser with html5 support is ready to offer the user the latest experimental features that have not yet been implemented by developers in Google Chrome. Chromium is recommended for all owners of Linux, MacOS, and Windows operating systems who want to be one of the first to try out all the innovations and usefulness that will soon appear in Google Chrome.

Comodo Dragon- a browser that pays special attention to the security of its users. Privacy is Google's weak point. Therefore, many alternative new browsers, such as Comodo Dragon, have made privacy and security their main advantage. The program uses a connection via a SecureDNS server, which blocks malicious sites and uses an advanced anonymous surfing mechanism. The browser is recommended for those who care about increasing their security and privacy of data on the Internet.

RockMeIt- a godsend for those who like to hang out on social networks. Here you can chat with friends, receive account updates, and exchange information. The browser features additional panels that display buttons for connected social services. RockMeIt stores the user profile on Facebook servers. Therefore, to get started, you need to log into your account on this social network. The conclusion suggests itself - the RockMeIt browser needs to be tested by active participants in social networks, especially Facebook.

Important: In April 2013, the developers announced that they were stopping work on the project due to the lag behind the pace of Chromium development. This means we won't see new versions of RockMeIt. But those who are interested in trying out this alternative can still download it.

CoolNovo is an improved version of Chrome with the addition of various useful features for a comfortable work experience. This program was created by “our Chinese comrades”, who don’t feed them bread, just let them improve something. Under their strict guidance, the browser learned to understand mouse gestures, received a convenient download manager, a built-in ad blocker and many other functions. In addition, the program ensures the protection of the user's personal information. Such Chinese utilities will be useful to users who want to get an upgraded version of Google Chrome based on Linux, MacOS, and Windows operating systems.

Maxthon- the oldest among the programs presented in this review. Developed eight years ago, the browser managed to change its engine from Trident to WebKit and became very popular among users. Good equipment and many convenient functions have made the browser so popular. Maxthon's capabilities allow you to customize the appearance using skins, block ads, and control mouse gestures. In addition, the browser has a built-in notepad, RSS reader, download manager, and automatic update service. But its main merit is that it has its own identity, that is, it is an independent project. Maxthon is a great alternative to browser favorites, all thanks to its convenience, speed and high functionality.

Amigo - their creation developers from Mail. ru Group called a social browser. This “friend-guide” is maximally integrated with the social networks My World, VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, Facebook and Twitter . Friends lists, news and music - all this is displayed in a special sidebar and does not require opening the sites directly. And of course, the browser is equipped with proprietary services - a search engine, mail and similar “features”from Rambler, like its “colleagues”, has implemented its services in Google Chrome, thereby providing users with a simple, fast and reliable web browser. For a quick search, the same address bar is used. The browser supports dynamic tabs, has an incognito mode, and provides protection from program crashes and malicious sites.

Summarizing

In this review, we tried to present Internet browsers that are the most worthy among alternative browsers. Of course, some of them are only capable of performing certain highly specialized tasks. But others may well offer the user a wide range of unique capabilities. Each of these web browsers will certainly find its user, who will choose the best browser that has the necessary functions and capabilities.

Some will be interested in the fastest Internet browser, some will prefer convenience, and some will choose the most versatile browser. Based on your needs, it is not difficult to determine which browser can best compete with the major browsers. However, special attention should still be paid to the Avant Browser and Maxthon browsers. They are significantly superior to their “colleagues” in having a number of original solutions. And most importantly, they can act as an independent web browser. Anyone can download new browsers for free and enjoy all their advantages.