Google’s Android operating system has gone from strength to strength over the years and it’s now a feature rich platform. Along with the apps, the platform has a rich ecosystem, with more than a million apps available on the Google Play Store. There’s an app available for every other feature you wish for, you name it!
It’s the same case with browsers, as a number of browsers are available for Android. Even though Google ships Android with a pretty capable Chrome browser, we all like alternatives, don’t we?
Here is our list of 10 Best Android Browsers:
1. Chrome
Most of us are pretty well acquainted with Google’s Chrome browser, considering we use it on our PCs and our phones as well. Google pre-installs the browser on Android devices, so chances are you have it already and chances are, you love it as well.
Google’s Chrome browser is feature rich and Google recently updated it with some Material Design love and things look gorgeous in the UI department. The notable features of Chrome are the ability to sync across various devices, bandwidth compression, voice search, supports HTML 5, privacy features like incognito, do not track and more. The browser also includes a number of gestures for intuitive browsing.
You most probably have Chrome on your device already but if you don’t have it, hit the link below and get it right now.
Developer: Google Inc.
Compatibility: Android 4.0 and up
Availability: Chrome Browser (Free) – Google Play Store
2. Opera
Opera is one of the popular names when we are talking about mobile phone browsers and it has made its presence felt with its Android browser as well. I, personally have been a big Opera fan, thanks to their data compressing features which makes it the fastest among all browsers and great tab system.
Opera also allows you to sync data across devices through Opera link and considering, Opera browsers are available on a vast number of platforms, it’s a great feature to use. The browser features a neat interface with Speed Dial and Discover.
It offers a cool off-road mode, which compresses your data to let you browse fast and in places where the network is a little shaky.
Developer: Opera Software
Compatibility: Android 4.0 and up
Availability: Opera Browser (Free) – Google Play Store
3. Maxthon
Maxthon is among one of the best android browser, which is available on a number of platforms and is known for its cloud-based sync feature The browser lets you sync your data on any device. There’s also a “Cloud Tab” feature, which lets you resume your tabs from where you left off on an other device.
Maxthon’s homescreen features your favorite websites along with “NewsBites”, which are basically RSS feeds from different publications. You can choose to add your own feed. The browser also comes with features such as sharing over Facebook, Tabbed browsing and a super cool Fetch mode, which automatically loads the next page on the website you’ve just opened, making things a lot quicker.
Maxthon browser comes with a number of other features, which you should definitely check out.
Developer: Maxthon Browser
Compatibility: Android 2.2 and up
Availability: Maxthon Web Browser (Free) – Google Play Store
4. Firefox
Firefox is one of the favorite browsers of Android users, thanks to a wide array of features it brings. Firefox Mobile lets you sync your data across devices and it’s great if you use Firefox on your PC as well.
Firefox is also one of the few browsers that still supports flash, so if you are into flash games, this might be your bet. The browser also lets you use add ons and extensions. The browser supports various video codec, reader mode for reading articles without hassle on screen and bar to manage all your bookmarks, most visited sites. There are also a number of security and privacy features. Overall, Firefox has you covered.
The popular browser is available for free on the Google Play Store.
Developer: Mozilla
Compatibility: Varies with device
Availability: Firefox Browser (Free) – Google Play Store
5. Dolphin
Dolphin browser for Android is one of the oldest browsers available on Android and it has gained a great level of adulation and rightly so. The Dolphin browser brings a unique experience on-board with some great gesture support.
The browser lets you draw letters or specific gestures to open the website you want. The browser also comes with a cool “Sonar” mode, which lets you search with voice. It offers one tap share, tabbed browsing, sync option to share settings and pages between mobile and laptop. Send to device option allows you to send links, numbers or text from PC to mobile. WiFi broadcast enables sharing links over WiFi, sonar feature allows you to search the web using voice, gestures and speed dial makes the web pages easy to search. Dolphin browser supports over 60 add-ons.
Dolphin also brings a number of customization features, which you would love if you want things your way.
Developer: Dolphin Browser
Compatibility: Varies with device
Availability: Dolphin Browser (Free) – Google Play Store
6. UC Browser
You might be pretty well acquainted with UC Web’s UC Browser, it is a very popular browser especially in India and China. UC Browser brings the usual array of features and adds a great file and download manager into the mix.
While the homecsreen is a bit cluttered, the browser makes it up with a vast number of features. There’s Speed Mode, great tab management, custom themes, add ons, gestures and a night mode. The best feature of the browser is of course the download manager. The browser lets you download multiple files with ease and it lets you continue your downloads from where you left off in case of an issue with the internet.
Developer: UCWeb Inc.
Compatibility: Android 2.2 and up
Availability: UC Browser (Free) – Google Play Store
7. CM Browser
CM Browser is another great android browser. The browser is light weight and is said to be very secure along with bringing you speedy browsing. The CM Browser brings a number of features like speed acceleration and fraud prevention. The browser also detects malicious apps and protects you from them.
The CM Browser homescreen features speed dials packing in your favorite websites. Other features of the app includes do not disturb mode, page translator, gesture control for videos, card tabs and more.
Developer: Cheetah Mobile
Compatibility: Android 4.0 and up
Availability: CM Browser (Free) – Google Play Store
8. Next Browser
Next Browser is a great browser if you want the amalgamation of features and beautiful interface. The browser is super fast and developers claim that it does not take more than 1.5 seconds to open a website.
The Next Browser is also very lightweight and it also manages the memory well with low power consumption. There’s also a cool customisable home-screen and you have the ability to RSS feeds. The browser also brings offline reading, extensions and Next View. There is also a cool gesture to switch tabs. Overall, the Next Browser is a good mix of great user experience and good looks.
Developer: Go Launcher Dev Team
Compatibility: Android 2.2 and up
Availability: Next Browser (Free) – Google Play Store
9. Opera Mini
Yes, we know we have mentioned Opera on the list but Opera Mini deserves its very own mention. While both are Opera browsers, the Opera Mini is arguably more popular and termed as one of the fasted android web browser. It works well in places where internet speed isn’t that great.
Opera Mini also has the ability to sync data, thanks to the Opera Link feature but the similarities end there. Opera Mini uses Opera’s great compression technology to let people with slow internet connections use the web quickly and way more efficiently. The browser also lets you choose if you want the images to be shown or not or choose the image quality in websites.
Opera Mini also packs a number of features like ability to save web pages for viewing later, single column view, Smart page for news and more. Chances are you already have Opera Mini but if you don’t, check it out.
Developer: Opera Software
Compatibility: Android 2.3 and up
Availability: Opera Mini (Free) – Google Play Store
10. Atlas Web Browser
Atlas Web Browser is a decent browser available on the Play Store and it features Google’s Material Design UI. The Atlas Browser features built-in ad blocker, so you don’t have to worry about several extensions or add ons.
Atlas lets you take control of your browsing experience by adding a Control Panel slider, which lets you toggle between desktop and mobile views, filtering and more. Other features of the browser include a Dual-view mode, content centric UI, sandboxed private browsing and more.
Developer: NextApp
Compatibility: Android 4.0.3 and up
Availability: Atlas Web Browser (Free) – Google Play Store
SEE ALSO: Best Android Wear Apps For 2015
With the usage of internet on the rise, a great browser is what we need to make sure our experience is up to the mark and well, we have listed what we think are the 10 best Browsers for Android devices. We are also keen to know if your and our choices match, so tell us your favorite Android browser in the comments section below..
Abubakar Mohammed
