See full list on macupdate.com. In Firefox's relentless battle to take on the impregnable Chrome, they've hit a huge milestone with version 57 of their browser. The beta for it is out now for download and includes the new Servo engine whose performance couldn't be more heartening: Firefox is now twice as fast as it was a year ago. Installing Firefox on Mac. Visit the Firefox download page in any browser (for example, Safari). It will automatically detect the platform and language on your computer and recommend the best version of Firefox for you. Click Download Firefox. Open the Firefox browser. On the address field, type in about:support and hit Enter. Click Reset Firefox button. A window will appear showing the details of this action. Click Reset Firefox button. Still experiencing problems with Mac OS? We have written a malware removal guide for Mac OS. The Mac OS comprehensive removal. Firefox Lockwise. Take the passwords you've saved in Firefox with you everywhere. Download for iOS; Download for Android; Support; Firefox Monitor. See if your personal info has been leaked online, and sign up for future breach alerts.
- Firefox Or Chrome For Macbook Pro
- See Full List On Macupdate.com
- How To Download And Install Firefox On Mac | Firefox Help
- Firefox Or Chrome For Mac
Choosing a secure and reliable web browser is often a difficult task. The hot topic is usually Chrome vs Firefox, however there is a host of popular browsers that you could use including Microsoft Edge, Opera, Firefox, and Chrome. In this article, we look specifically at Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
Chrome and Firefox are two of the most popular web browsers available. They both have a large customer base and have an excellent array of features for web surfing. To properly discuss Chrome vs. Firefox, we analyse several different features including usability, performance, security, and privacy.
Firefox vs Chrome: Basic Information
| Information | Google Chrome | Mozilla Firefox |
| First Released | 2008 | 2002 |
| Owned By | Google LLC | Mozilla Corporation |
| Available On | Mac OS, Windows, Android, iOS | Mac OS, Windows, Android, iOS |
| Installer Size | 30.3MB | 350 KB |
The above table shows some basic information about these two Internet browsers. As you can see, Firefox is the older web browser, being release 6 years before Chrome. It is not the oldest, however – the original Internet Explorer browser from Microsoft was first released in 1995.
Both web browsers are relatively small and will not take up much space on your devices. In addition, you can use both Internet browsers on different devices including computers, smartphones, laptops, and tablets.
Firefox or Chrome: Features
Basic features and utility of the browser are important. Can you install plugins and extensions? How much customization can you apply? What about capture features and mobile compatibility?
Chrome browser
Google has gone to town on the features of Chrome to make it the best browser. It has the most extensive plugin/extension library of any Internet browser. Also, the plugins integrate well with Google's other services. There isn't much scope for customization of Google Chrome, but it does have a PDF reader and an automatic translation feature.
Mozilla Firefox web browser
This browser has an extensive plugin library too although it is not as large as Google Chrome's. You can find a myriad of different plugins to improve the utility of the browser. Also, Firefox has a capture feature for screenshots and a reading mode that is perfect for reading large pages of text.
Chrome or Firefox: Usability
Usability relates to the style and design of the web browser. It looks at features like tab management, navigation, and settings management.
Chrome browser
Google has created a highly usable Internet browser that most people are familiar with. It has a decent tab management system, although it does not have scrolling tabs like Firefox. As you open more tabs, they simply shrink is size – this can sometimes be difficult to use. It does, however, have great mobile usability.
Mozilla Firefox browser
This web browser is generally fantastic to use. It has an excellent design, particularly excelling at tab management. You can easily open new tabs, change their positioning, and even pin and mute tabs. The settings tab is also easy to operate and you can customize the browser without too much effort.
Google Chrome vs Firefox: Performance
Performance has a direct impact on our enjoyment when browsing the web. We want to use a web browser that encourages quick loading times. But it should also enable you to open new tabs quickly and use its various features without lag.
Google Chrome
This browser performs well on both mobile and desktop devices. However, it does have a relatively high RAM usage rate. It can sometimes be a little sluggish, especially when using multiple tabs. Also, there is no support for data-saving, and mobile devices with minimal processing power may struggle.
Mozilla Firefox
Like Chrome, Firefox is also pretty resource-hungry. It eats RAM on both desktop and mobile devices. However, like Chrome, it also is incredibly fast and performs well. There is not much to choose between these two fastest browsers in terms of raw performance. Firefox does have a slight mobile advantage as you can disable images to improve loading times.
Firefox vs Chrome: Security
When surfing the web, you want to be secure. This can be achieved in part by using high-quality antivirus software. However, the web browser you choose is also important. Both Chrome and Firefox browsers have various security features to protect you when accessing the Internet.
Chrome
You can use Chrome's native pop-up blocker which is highly effective. Also, you can access a range of quality ad-blockers via the Chrome extension library. Moreover, Chrome has various useful security features like warning messages if you are trying to access a malicious site. It also uses Google Safe Browsing.
Firefox
This Internet browser has an automatic pop-up blocker – something highly useful for web browsing. However, it does not have an ad-blocker installed as default. You can easily install an ad-blocker from the plugin library, however. Firefox also benefits from Google's safe browsing database which keeps a record of malicious sites and content.
Chrome vs Firefox: Privacy
Privacy is hugely important when using a web browser. You are opening yourself to a myriad of external connections. Also, you are often placing your personal data on the internet for others to potentially see. You must, therefore, consider privacy and look at what each browser has to offer.
Google Chrome browser
Google is well-known for having less-than-reputable privacy policies. As a company, Google actively collects user information. You would be startled to know just how much this corporation knows about you.
Chrome, unfortunately, suffers from this same trait. You can limit the amount of data collected, but it is difficult to delete information and truly protect your privacy. If you value your privacy, you may want to consider using Mozilla Firefox, or even other browsers that put privacy first like DuckDuckGo.
Mozilla Firefox browser
Mozilla is a non-profit organization. This means they do not rely on ad revenue and collecting customer data. As a result, Firefox has excellent privacy and it's one of the best browsers privacy-wise. This is one of the browser's major features. It has an extensive privacy policy detailing exactly how any personal data collected is used.
Also, it has various features allowing you to block different tracking tools. For example, you can block cookies, finger printers, crypto miners, and more.
Chrome vs. Firefox: Final thoughts
If you're looking for the best browser with tons of plugins for each and any purpose, synchronization with Google account and your computer is powerful enough to support CPU consuming Chrome then go with the browser by Google.
If you need the fastest browser with better security and privacy options that is not resource hungry then stick with Mozilla Firefox browser.
We hope you have found this article useful. You should now have a clear idea of what each browser has to offer and who's the winner in the Chrome vs Firefox battle. The reality is that both web browsers are highly usable. Your choice may come down to personal preference, and what features are most important for you in an Internet browser. Don't forget to install the best antivirus software to keep your computer safe while browsing.
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It's been a while since I entirely switched to Chrome on iOS, and for a good reason. I find the instantaneous syncing of my browsing data between different platforms and devices vital for productivity. That's not possible with Safari. So what about Firefox?
Firefox Quantum is collecting praises and syncs data seamlessly as well, just like Chrome. So I downloaded Firefox for iOS to check out some old bookmarks and was pleasantly surprised with what I saw. Mozilla's new browser was good enough, and I used it for longer than I had planned.
Does Firefox warrant a complete switchover from Chrome? While both browsers have a lot of convenient features to offer, let's look at a few areas where they excel over each other.
Download FirefoxDownload ChromeNew Tabs
When I first launched Firefox, I was surprised to see how similar it looked to Chrome. Not to say that there aren't any differences in aesthetics — Chrome looks more modern and polished, while Firefox has that classical touch to it with clearly defined boundaries between elements.
Icons to access your synced browsing history, recent tabs from other devices and the reading list are conveniently present on the new tab pages of both browsers. Chrome has them at the middle of the screen, while Firefox lists them on the top. Navigation controls are well positioned at the bottom of the screen on each browser, which makes flicking back and forth between pages, switching to alternate tabs, and accessing browser menus a breeze.
The new tabs on both browsers also showcase frequently visited sites, which may be either useful or distracting depending on what you prefer. However, Firefox lets you disable and replace them with a fully blank screen if needed. Meanwhile, Chrome offers no similar option, possibly due to the minimalist nature of its icons. Further, Firefox also allows you to replace the default new tab with your custom homepage — another thing that Chrome doesn't allow.
In short, you are stuck with what you get on Chrome, while Firefox allows for a certain degree of customization.
Tip: To customize the appearance of the Firefox new tab, visit the New Tab and Homepage options from the browser's Settings panel.Navigational Controls
When it comes to navigation, Chrome has a couple of advantages over Firefox. For one, it's pretty easy to search for something — Chrome's has a nifty search icon located directly within the navigation bar itself, which helps when surfing one-handed.
And then there's the browser menu. Unlike Firefox, the Chrome menu includes nifty shortcuts to open both normal and incognito tabs, which negates the requirement to rely solely on the tab switcher all the time. Also, you can select the options listed within the menu with a single seamless gesture, thus allowing for some rapid-fire browsing.
Tip: To select options within the Chrome menu with a single touch gesture, start by tapping and holding the menu icon. Next, drag your finger over to the option that you want to select, and then lift your finger.
Ads and Trackers
The internet is rife with annoying advertisements, and getting rid of them translates into a better experience when it comes to most websites, in general. But while there are tons of content blockers for Safari, the App Store forbids any for the third-party web browsers.
For Chrome, I did find a workaround a while back that involved switching DNS servers to filter out advertisements, but it's somewhat confusing and tedious compared to having a dedicated ad-blocker doing the job instead.
When it comes to Firefox, however, ad-blocking is ingrained right into the browser itself. Open the Firefox menu, and then switch on Tracking Protection to disable both web trackers and advertisements. Pretty cool, huh?
Furthermore, you can also choose to enforce even stricter restrictions on trackers with a brief dive into the Settings panel. It's bound to impress those who are sticklers about privacy.
There are additional options to determine exactly when you want Firefox to block trackers and ads — during normal browsing or in Private sessions. I don't see any reason why you shouldn't have it set up all the time.
Dark Mode
The trend in apps towards dedicated dark modes is one of the best things to ever happen including the night mode in Chrome on Android. However, not all fancy it, including a couple of my colleagues at GT. I find it easier on the eyes, and use it on most supported apps. Sadly, Chrome on iOS is yet to offer it. That's why I often find it pretty annoying while surfing on my iPad late at night.
However, Firefox has been kind enough to present the ability to switch to a Dark theme, which then replaces the default white user interface with a deep shade of black. But still, it does not affect webpages.
Thankfully, Mozilla's browser doesn't disappoint you. There's an additional feature dubbed Night Mode, which you can use either with or without the Dark theme.
Switch to the Night Mode from the browser menu, and all webpages will start displaying darker backgrounds and lighter fonts. Images are largely left untouched, though the occasional image inversion can feel a tad annoying. Nonetheless, the whole implementation feels pretty neat.
Do keep in mind that without the dark theme, Night Mode only affects webpages, and not the browser interface itself. For a complete experience, you need to enable both.
Note: Firefox also features an automatic mode where the Dark theme switches on and off depending on ambient light levels.Search Engines
Chrome supports only a handful of search engines — Google, Bing, and Yahoo, all of which don't have a stellar reputation with privacy. And since alternate search engines mostly integrate themselves only on to Safari, you are pretty much stuck with these three.
To my surprise, Firefox featured twice as many. For extremely private searches, I could easily switch to the amazing DuckDuckGo search engine. For shopping, all I had to do was to set Amazon.com as the default, and I could look up products right from the address bar itself. Mac OS X Features - How Mac OS X Works | HowStuffWorks.
What's even better is that you can also add your custom search engines to the mix, which is pretty cool considering that all other major web browsers on iOS never let you do that. Kudos, Mozilla!
Syncing Data and Security
Syncing data from multiple platforms (Windows, macOS, Android, etc.) is common to both browsers, and one of the main reasons why I started using Chrome in the first place. With Firefox, however, I found notable limitations compared to Google's flagship browser.
For example, Firefox doesn't feature the ability to save credit card information, which is just ridiculous — it's not fun having to pull out my wallet every time I want to make an online purchase. Chrome instead saves all payment information alongside other browsing data and seamlessly auto-fills them when needed. Why Firefox does not do this (not limited to just the iOS version) is beyond me.
The browser also lacks the option to add an extra layer of security to protect synced data in the event of an account breach. On the other hand, Chrome lets you fully encrypt your data using your custom sync passphrase, which is something I've argued that people should make maximum use of without relying solely on a master password.
Also on Guiding Tech Should You Use a Sync Passphrase on Chrome? Read More
Voice Search
As I mentioned earlier, Chrome makes it pretty easy to surf single-handed thanks to the conveniently placed search icon on the navigation bar. But what about searching for something even faster by speaking what you want to type instead? Simply tap that microphone icon on a new tab, and you are ready to go! Google boasts of best voice recognition technologies in business, and Voice Search on Chrome works like a charm.
Firefox, on the other hand, doesn't feature such functionality, though you can simply use iOS's Dictation feature instead — via the onscreen keyboard. However, it feels pretty cumbersome compared to Chrome and doesn't work as smoothly.
Data Management
Both Firefox and Chrome let you easily get rid of your browsing activities right from their settings. But here, Firefox wins over Chrome since it enables you do the same for individual sites as well — much like Safari.
I find this especially useful for instances where I want to delete obsolete cookies and other data that can prevent a site from working normally, but without losing all of my browsing history in the process.
Distracting Images
Sick of sites that bombard you with distracting images or annoying GIFs? If you're having a hard time focusing while pursuing a news site, then Firefox has a neat surprise for you.
Flick on the Hide Images toggle in the Firefox menu to instantly hide all images. I found this to be one of the most important features in Mozilla's browser, and I'm sure you would too.
If you feel bored after a while, simply turn off the toggle, and you should see all the images immediately.
Foreign Languages
I often need to browse content in a foreign language to research on various matters related to my studies, and Chrome makes things super easy with its integrated Google Translate module. With that, I can translate webpages from any supported language to another immediately.
If you intend to visit sites in foreign languages, Chrome is your best bet. Firefox is yet to offer a similar feature officially.
Browser Performance
In normal usage, performance is mostly a non-factor on both Chrome and Firefox, especially considering that both use Apple's WebKit engine (the same as Safari's) to render webpages. However, Firefox does have an advantage over Chrome if you use the built-in Tracking Protection functionality that I mentioned earlier.
With trackers and ads disabled, I found that Firefox functioned much better than Chrome did. That is understandable since a lesser workload mostly translates into a smoother browsing experience. Combine that with the ability to hide hefty web images, and Firefox performs best on iOS, even if your iPhone or iPad is a bit older.
Also on Guiding TechFirefox Or Chrome For Macbook Pro
#comparison Click here to see our comparison articles pageWhat's Best?
Firefox for iOS has a lot of deft touches that allow for a more enjoyable browsing experience, but Chrome excels when it comes to convenience and security.
If you ask me, I still prefer Chrome for iOS. While I love features such as Night Mode and Tracking Protection, what I potentially lose (Voice Search, Google Translate, etc.) by a Firefox switchover doesn't make it a feasible option. Not to mention that I'd also have to switch browsers on my non-iOS devices as well.
See Full List On Macupdate.com
But if you are using Firefox on another platform and won't miss out on what Chrome has to offer, then there's no reason why you shouldn't use it on iOS too. Built-in ad-blocking, a seamless dark theme and night mode, and custom search engine support should definitely make it an instant favorite.
How To Download And Install Firefox On Mac | Firefox Help
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextMicrosoft Edge vs Safari: What's Best on iOS
Firefox Or Chrome For Mac
Also See
Ads and Trackers
The internet is rife with annoying advertisements, and getting rid of them translates into a better experience when it comes to most websites, in general. But while there are tons of content blockers for Safari, the App Store forbids any for the third-party web browsers.
For Chrome, I did find a workaround a while back that involved switching DNS servers to filter out advertisements, but it's somewhat confusing and tedious compared to having a dedicated ad-blocker doing the job instead.
When it comes to Firefox, however, ad-blocking is ingrained right into the browser itself. Open the Firefox menu, and then switch on Tracking Protection to disable both web trackers and advertisements. Pretty cool, huh?
Furthermore, you can also choose to enforce even stricter restrictions on trackers with a brief dive into the Settings panel. It's bound to impress those who are sticklers about privacy.
There are additional options to determine exactly when you want Firefox to block trackers and ads — during normal browsing or in Private sessions. I don't see any reason why you shouldn't have it set up all the time.
Dark Mode
The trend in apps towards dedicated dark modes is one of the best things to ever happen including the night mode in Chrome on Android. However, not all fancy it, including a couple of my colleagues at GT. I find it easier on the eyes, and use it on most supported apps. Sadly, Chrome on iOS is yet to offer it. That's why I often find it pretty annoying while surfing on my iPad late at night.
However, Firefox has been kind enough to present the ability to switch to a Dark theme, which then replaces the default white user interface with a deep shade of black. But still, it does not affect webpages.
Thankfully, Mozilla's browser doesn't disappoint you. There's an additional feature dubbed Night Mode, which you can use either with or without the Dark theme.
Switch to the Night Mode from the browser menu, and all webpages will start displaying darker backgrounds and lighter fonts. Images are largely left untouched, though the occasional image inversion can feel a tad annoying. Nonetheless, the whole implementation feels pretty neat.
Do keep in mind that without the dark theme, Night Mode only affects webpages, and not the browser interface itself. For a complete experience, you need to enable both.
Note: Firefox also features an automatic mode where the Dark theme switches on and off depending on ambient light levels.Search Engines
Chrome supports only a handful of search engines — Google, Bing, and Yahoo, all of which don't have a stellar reputation with privacy. And since alternate search engines mostly integrate themselves only on to Safari, you are pretty much stuck with these three.
To my surprise, Firefox featured twice as many. For extremely private searches, I could easily switch to the amazing DuckDuckGo search engine. For shopping, all I had to do was to set Amazon.com as the default, and I could look up products right from the address bar itself. Mac OS X Features - How Mac OS X Works | HowStuffWorks.
What's even better is that you can also add your custom search engines to the mix, which is pretty cool considering that all other major web browsers on iOS never let you do that. Kudos, Mozilla!
Syncing Data and Security
Syncing data from multiple platforms (Windows, macOS, Android, etc.) is common to both browsers, and one of the main reasons why I started using Chrome in the first place. With Firefox, however, I found notable limitations compared to Google's flagship browser.
For example, Firefox doesn't feature the ability to save credit card information, which is just ridiculous — it's not fun having to pull out my wallet every time I want to make an online purchase. Chrome instead saves all payment information alongside other browsing data and seamlessly auto-fills them when needed. Why Firefox does not do this (not limited to just the iOS version) is beyond me.
The browser also lacks the option to add an extra layer of security to protect synced data in the event of an account breach. On the other hand, Chrome lets you fully encrypt your data using your custom sync passphrase, which is something I've argued that people should make maximum use of without relying solely on a master password.
Also on Guiding Tech Should You Use a Sync Passphrase on Chrome? Read MoreVoice Search
As I mentioned earlier, Chrome makes it pretty easy to surf single-handed thanks to the conveniently placed search icon on the navigation bar. But what about searching for something even faster by speaking what you want to type instead? Simply tap that microphone icon on a new tab, and you are ready to go! Google boasts of best voice recognition technologies in business, and Voice Search on Chrome works like a charm.
Firefox, on the other hand, doesn't feature such functionality, though you can simply use iOS's Dictation feature instead — via the onscreen keyboard. However, it feels pretty cumbersome compared to Chrome and doesn't work as smoothly.
Data Management
Both Firefox and Chrome let you easily get rid of your browsing activities right from their settings. But here, Firefox wins over Chrome since it enables you do the same for individual sites as well — much like Safari.
I find this especially useful for instances where I want to delete obsolete cookies and other data that can prevent a site from working normally, but without losing all of my browsing history in the process.
Distracting Images
Sick of sites that bombard you with distracting images or annoying GIFs? If you're having a hard time focusing while pursuing a news site, then Firefox has a neat surprise for you.
Flick on the Hide Images toggle in the Firefox menu to instantly hide all images. I found this to be one of the most important features in Mozilla's browser, and I'm sure you would too.
If you feel bored after a while, simply turn off the toggle, and you should see all the images immediately.
Foreign Languages
I often need to browse content in a foreign language to research on various matters related to my studies, and Chrome makes things super easy with its integrated Google Translate module. With that, I can translate webpages from any supported language to another immediately.
If you intend to visit sites in foreign languages, Chrome is your best bet. Firefox is yet to offer a similar feature officially.
Browser Performance
In normal usage, performance is mostly a non-factor on both Chrome and Firefox, especially considering that both use Apple's WebKit engine (the same as Safari's) to render webpages. However, Firefox does have an advantage over Chrome if you use the built-in Tracking Protection functionality that I mentioned earlier.
With trackers and ads disabled, I found that Firefox functioned much better than Chrome did. That is understandable since a lesser workload mostly translates into a smoother browsing experience. Combine that with the ability to hide hefty web images, and Firefox performs best on iOS, even if your iPhone or iPad is a bit older.
Also on Guiding TechFirefox Or Chrome For Macbook Pro
#comparison Click here to see our comparison articles pageWhat's Best?
Firefox for iOS has a lot of deft touches that allow for a more enjoyable browsing experience, but Chrome excels when it comes to convenience and security.
If you ask me, I still prefer Chrome for iOS. While I love features such as Night Mode and Tracking Protection, what I potentially lose (Voice Search, Google Translate, etc.) by a Firefox switchover doesn't make it a feasible option. Not to mention that I'd also have to switch browsers on my non-iOS devices as well.
See Full List On Macupdate.com
But if you are using Firefox on another platform and won't miss out on what Chrome has to offer, then there's no reason why you shouldn't use it on iOS too. Built-in ad-blocking, a seamless dark theme and night mode, and custom search engine support should definitely make it an instant favorite.
How To Download And Install Firefox On Mac | Firefox Help
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextMicrosoft Edge vs Safari: What's Best on iOS
Firefox Or Chrome For Mac
Also See#chrome #FirefoxDid You Know
Your browser keeps a track of your system's OS, IP address, browser, and also browser plugins and add-ons.
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