These are the best free Safari alternatives for iOS devices

The ability to surf the internet at will and with relative ease (while on the move) are part of what led to the boom of smartphone technology. Nowadays, smartphones have developed to represent more than just that, but a browser is still one of those applications that are essential for optimal use of your mobile phone. Unfortunately, with the development of smartphones and increased usefulness of the internet have come some elements that frustrate phone users, even those with iOS devices.

What are the best browser for iphone and iPad devies?

Thankfully, there are a lot of browsers available on the app store that help mitigate the effects of these elements, and I am going to be looking at ten of the best mobile browser to aid your personal choice.

Safari

Before we get to the best alternative mobile browsers for iOS let’s talk about the browser that comes with all iOS devices by default; the Safari. In line with Apple’s continued commitment to providing their customers with privacy, this browser utilizes intelligent tracking prevention to stump third-party advertisers and keep them from inundating you with ads.

There is also the reader mode that allows for ads-free surfing; the option for easy syncing with other iOS devices and the impressive compatibility with web pages that are boasted of by this browser. The latter ensures blazing-fast browsing.

Google Chrome

When it comes to smartphones of all types, the one name that seems ubiquitous is that of Google. The company seems to possess a long list of applications for almost all fundamental smartphone functions but one of their most popular apps has to be Chrome. It is undoubtedly one of the fastest and most secure mobile browsers.

While there are industry reservations about just how private the browser really is, it offers top-shelf syncing across multiple devices and platforms. There are other features as well such as its Adblocker, password manager, etc. and these are all made accessible via its neat interface.

Firefox

The interface of this browser might not be as easy to navigate as that of some other browsers on this list but it more than makes up for that with its almost obsessive focus on privacy. To give some context; you do not need an incognito mode to escape trackers and ads on this browser. 

Its privacy-focused nature doesn’t mean it shirks its responsibility towards other aspects of web surfing. If anything, I found it to be quite fast. All of this can be enjoyed almost simultaneously on many devices as well thanks to its syncing abilities.

Microsoft Edge

For a long time, Microsoft was associated with the internet explorer, which had gradually become an eyesore and a subject of endless memes. Not anymore though has the Edge has replaced its ancient predecessor.

The Microsoft Edge is faster, provides more options for customizing your homepage, and employs features such as its own reader mode and Cortana Integration annotation tool. If you find that you want to block all cookies, you can do that as well. There’s just one caveat; it still has relatively limited Privacy features.

DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser

The name might sound funny but the browser app is actually quite good. If the name actually sounds more familiar than funny, it’s probably because of the search engine of the same name that promises not to track users’ activity. Similar to the search engine, the interface of the browser is very friendly.

It prevents tracking and allows you to view blocked trackers, includes smarter encryption, private search, supports ads (but can remove them following the payment of a one-time fee), and allows users to access privacy features via extensions. Beyond all this, the browser is relatively basic but its simplicity and privacy guard is its selling point.

Opera Browser

Opera has been around for a while since the Symbian OS for Nokia phones and is always looking to rejig the browsing experiences of users. As expected, surfing is fast on this browser thanks to its turbo tech that compresses web pages and reduces loading times.

This app also employs a distraction-less full-screen reading mode to aid concentration while reading. There is also the built-in VPN to enhance browsing privacy, crypto mining protection, and a crypto wallet. The experience of the developers comes to the fore with its interface as well, with accessible and easy-to-employ features.

Ghostery Dawn

This is not one of the most popular browsers on the app store by most metrics, but when you go from being a privacy add-on to being a full browser, it stands to reason that your input towards privacy is pretty exceptional.

The browser doesn’t complicate things at all and its interface is clean. With this browser, you get to browse without trackers hounding your every click and your history and cookies could be automatically deleted as well.

Brave Browser

The brave browser is said to use the same rendering engine as Chrome, granting it a similar speed but I confess to not put that fact to the test. The browser also comes with its own default search engine, Ad-blocker, and tracking blocker.

The browser also permits syncing across multiple devices, access to a built-in VPN app (that could be used upon subscription for $9.99 per month or $99.99 yearly), and the option to use brave news with customized feeds. Some of its features might not be as polished as those of its top competition but its reviews indicate that there’s a lot to be impressed about regardless.

Aloha Browser

This particular browser comes in free and paid versions, so you should check out the free version before deciding to spend your money. The interface is direct and easy to understand, but the stand-out features of the browser are browsing speed and privacy. In addition, it includes a File manager, Adblock feature, and a built-in video player.

Its privacy-ensuring features include a VPN to facilitate anonymous browsing. The other significant privacy feature is less of a feature and more a lack of one; the developers of the browser claim not to log any activity.

Puffin Web Browser

Just like Opera, this browser uses a webpage compressing technology to reduce the size of data being downloaded and reduce the loading time. It’s a cloud browser that acts like a remote desktop client which accesses the cloud server with powerful technology instead of the website directly. As such, it is also one of the fastest browsers available to iOS users. However, you would have to brave some relative discomforts to enjoy this speed.

The first of these discomforts is a not-so-clean interface. There is also the issue of its virtual trackpad sometimes acting up. Regardless, if speed is of utmost importance to you, this is the browser for you, and it’s one of the best web browser for iPad devices.

Any of the browsers above would perform all of the basic web surfing functions with limited hiccups, but they all have unique strengths that could be leveraged. Assess your situation, decide what you’re looking for, and thank me later for simplifying your options.