Apple Safari vs. Mozilla Firefox GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Internet, Networking, & Security > Browsers 108 108 people found this article helpful
Apple Safari vs. Mozilla Firefox
Both browsers have strengths and weaknesses
By Scott Orgera Scott Orgera Writer Scott Orgera is a former Lifewire writer covering tech since 2007. He has 25+ years' experience as a programmer and QA leader, and holds several Microsoft certifications including MCSE, MCP+I, and MOUS. He is also A+ certified. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 25, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Overall Findings Availability Page Load Speed Add-Ons Final Verdict If you're a Mac user, two of the most powerful web browsers are available to you: Apple Safari and Mozilla Firefox. Both are free of charge, and each has distinct advantages. We compared both to help you decide which web browser will give you the best web experience. These features were tested on Safari 13 and Firefox 67 in macOS Catalina, but are generally applicable to all recent versions across macOS and Windows desktop platforms. Overall Findings
Safari Integrated with most macOS programs and devices. Faster page loading. Firefox More extensions available than Safari. Open-source platform. Available on more operating systems, including Windows and macOS The Apple Safari browser, now a key piece of macOS, is seamlessly integrated into some core Apple applications, including Apple Mail and Photos. This is one of the advantages of Apple having an its own browser. Mozilla Firefox is a popular alternative to Safari. Although it may not be as fast, the difference isn't enough to discount Firefox as your browser of choice. Although Safari's speed and integration with the operating system may give it a leg up at first glance, Firefox has some appealing features. Availability Safari Is Mainly an Apple Thing
Safari Developed primarily for Apple devices. Also available for Windows. Firefox Available for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. Because Safari is Apple's proprietary web browser, it mainly exists on Apple products. It comes pre-installed on Macs, iPads, and iPhones. You can download it for Windows machines, but it doesn't have an official release for Android phones. Firefox was not initially available on iOS devices, but it's now available in the App Store for iPhone and iPad. It's also available for Android and Linux, so if you use several platforms, Firefox works with all of them. Page Load Speed Safari Is Faster
Safari 1.4 times faster page loading than Firefox. Firefox Slower page loading than Safari. The developers at Apple did not rush the planning of the Safari infrastructure. This attention becomes apparent when you first launch the application and notice how quickly the main window and home page load. Apple has publicly benchmarked Safari as having HTML page load speeds at 1.4 times that of its Firefox counterpart. Add-Ons Firefox Offers More Extensions
Safari Smaller selection of extensions. Built-in parental controls. Firefox Thousands of extensions from third-party developers. Parental controls. Along with all of the features expected in a modern browser, such as tabbed browsing and privacy settings, Safari offers additional functionality. Safari features parental control settings that are easy to customize, allowing you to facilitate a child-safe environment. In other browsers, these controls are not easily configurable and usually require third-party downloads. If you use Safari on a Mac, parental controls are set in the Settings menu under Screen Time. Apple exerts the same control over Safari as it does over its other software, so it isn't open-source like Firefox. However, it does offer a section in its App Store that allows developers to create plug-ins and add-ons to enrich the browsing experience. Like Safari, Firefox provides a platform that allows developers to create powerful add-ons and extensions. Firefox's selection is much greater than Safari's, and developers have added a wealth of new functionality to the browser. Final Verdict It' s All About Preference and Availability
These browsers have many similar features, as well as some unique functions. When choosing between the two, here are some factors to consider: If you use Apple Mail as your email client and want to perform several email tasks from the browser, Safari may be the best choice.If you want to use Automator for everyday browsing tasks, Safari may be right for you.If you search sites such as eBay, Answers.com, and Amazon often, Firefox may make more sense as your primary browser.If you like to take advantage of add-ons and extensions to customize and supercharge your browser, give Firefox a try.If you have children who use your computer and you need to enforce parental controls, Safari is your best bet.If the only thing you care about is speed, go with Safari. If none of these features stand out, your choice may be a toss-up. In this case, try both for a couple of days. You can install and run Firefox and Safari at the same time without conflict. Eventually, you'll discover that one is more preferable than the other. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use Firefox for Mac How to Install, Manage, and Delete Safari Extensions Microsoft Edge vs. Google Chrome How to Turn off Incognito Mode The Top 10 Internet Browsers for 2022 How to Send a Web Page With the Mac's Email Program How to Turn on Incognito Mode in Your Browser How to Delete Cookies in Every Major Browser 8 Best Free Download Managers (Updated October 2022) Allow or Deny Access to Your Physical Location Settings The Best Web Browsers for the iPad How to Manage Extensions in Popular Web Browsers How to Use Firefox's Privacy and Security Features How to Disable JavaScript in Firefox The 5 Best Private Web Browsers of 2022 Which Browser Should I Use for Watching Movies? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies