Your web browser may be the Mac app you use the most, so it makes sense to pick the best one for your needs. Explore what the most popular options have to offer.
Safari: A Native, Energy-Efficient Default
Every Mac comes with Safari, making it the default frontrunner. There are many compelling reasons to use Safari, such as its native appearance and privacy features that prevent sites from tracking your behavior.
Developed by Apple, Safari fits seamlessly with macOS. You’ll enjoy tight integration with the macOS GUI and efficient energy consumption, as the app leverages Apple’s APIs for optimal performance.
In my testing, Safari ranked highest for web app performance according to the Speedometer 3.0 benchmarking tool. Results were close, but if you’re a heavy web app user, this might significantly enhance your daily work.
| Browser | Version | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Safari | 17.4.1 | 32.7 |
| Firefox | 125.0.1 | 32.2 |
| Chrome | 124.0.6367.62 | 30.9 |
| Opera | 109.0.5097.45 | 30.1 |
| Edge | 123.0.2420.97 | 28.5 |
Any testing referenced in this article was conducted on a Mac mini 2023 M2 with 8GB of RAM.
Chrome: A Rich Extension Ecosystem
Google’s Chrome is the most popular browser across all platforms, boasting a 65% market share worldwide as of March 2024, according to statcounter.
This popularity fuels a rich ecosystem of extensions, allowing you to enhance the browser with features that improve reading experiences and speed up navigation.
While each browser offers an extension library (sometimes called ‘add-ons’), their sizes vary significantly. Edge has approximately 11,191 extensions (per Microsoft’s directory), Firefox offers 38,000 (as per the Firefox directory), but Chrome stands out with a vast library of 130,445 extensions (source: Backlinko).
Although size isn’t everything, you are more likely to find niche features by extending Chrome than any other browser. Chrome is also favored by web developers due to its powerful Developer Tools feature, which enables design and debugging directly in the browser.
Download: Chrome for Mac (Free)
Edge: A Decent All-Rounder With Excellent Office Features
A Microsoft browser might not seem like the most relevant choice for Mac users, but Edge has a lot to offer, from office workers to gamers.
The browser handles Office files—and PDFs—natively. If you frequently switch between Windows and macOS, or collaborate with Windows users, Edge can provide a smoother experience. It’s fairly fast and lightweight, though not a leader in either category.
Edge promotes Microsoft’s search engine, Bing, and might raise concerns over its telemetry features, though many can be disabled. Overall, Edge is an acceptable choice, especially if you need some Microsoft ecosystem integration.
Download: Microsoft Edge for Mac (Free)
Firefox: Safe and Customizable, but a Bit of a Memory Hog
Once the bold open-source contender, Firefox has seen its popularity wane. Originally launched in 2004 as a challenger to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, Firefox played a crucial role in creating a more open and compatible web.
Today, Firefox remains free, open-source, and highly customizable. Its default home page resembles an enhanced Google search page, featuring favorite sites, recent pages, and news feeds.
In my testing, Firefox consumed the most memory by far:
This may not be a significant issue depending on your use, but other browsers start with a more favorable baseline.
Download: Mozilla Firefox for Mac (Free)
Opera: Full of Features, but Pretty Obscure
It’s likely that you won’t switch to Opera unless you’re already a fan. This is unfortunate because Opera has a lot to offer: built-in ad-blocking, powerful tab management, and even AI integration.
Opera has always been a niche browser, and its interface looks somewhat out of place on macOS. The UI even includes the familiar traffic light window icons, but arranged vertically!
Download: Opera for Mac (Free)