Safari is the default browser on all Mac computers and we have to admit that it is quite a good and secure browser. Apple has optimized it for its own chips and the macOS operating system, so it’s fast and syncs well with your iPhone and iPad.
But you should know that there are many other options. You’ve probably heard of them: Chrome, Firefox, Brave, DuckDuckGo, but if you’re a long-time Safari user, you might not think you need to try anything else.
Here we come with five good reasons why we recommend trying to use another browser for your daily life on your Mac.
Use of Google services
If you tend to use web apps and services, you might find better experiences elsewhere. browsers other than Safari. Apple tends to focus on its own app ecosystem, but even the web experience for iCloud isn’t as good as other browsers.
For example, Google offers several popular web apps like Docs, Drive, and Maps, and while they’re all accessible using Safari, they tend to offer better performance and functionality when using Chrome.
It’s not just Google services that work better in Chrome. Many services are optimized for Chrome and Firefox before Safari, so you’ll likely get a better overall experience with another browser.
Browser customization
Even though safari offers several extensions that improve the browsing experience, it’s nothing compared to what can be found in Chrome and Firefox. Most popular extensions are in Safari, but there is usually more development work towards Chrome or Firefox.
From themes to games to utilities, the Chrome and Firefox Add-ons store is full of useful extensions and add-ons that will make your browser more personal.
Apple lets you customize the homepage with an image and links, but that’s about it. In other browsers, the sky is the limit when it comes to web extensions.
web developers
Any developer who works with programming code based on languages such as HTML, PHP, CSS, Java, JavaScript or any other knows that only Chrome and Firefox browsers offer the best test, trial and error tools.
In fact, the open source community is very fond of Chromium there firefox, and the developers use these browsers for reference. You’ll then need to make sure the code works correctly in Chrome, Firefox, and others like Safari and Microsoft Edge (available for macOS).
privacy is important
Now that we are aware, more than ever, that most tech giants sell your personal data to advertisers, browser companies have started to make privacy a fundamental requirement for their browsers.
Apple has always been adamant about this when it comes to putting privacy first with Safari, and the company has some great features built into its browser, but it’s still very focused on Google Search.
DuckDuckGo, which has earned a reputation as a privacy-focused company and has a search engine that works well with Safari, also has a beta Mac browser designed for security and privacy.
In fact, standout features include locked search, smart encryption, as well as automatic cookie blocking. And then there’s the Brave browser, which blocks ad trackers, doesn’t use AMP, and has a separate search engine.
other ecosystems
Apple has developed Safari on macOS and iOS to the point where the two are essentially linked, making it easy to sync content like bookmarks, passwords, and browser history between your Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
This is great if you work daily with Mac, iPhone and iPad. But if Windows or Linux are part of your workflow, Google’s Chrome browsers and Microsoft Edge they have cross-platform functionality through Google or Microsoft Office accounts.
Work tool
No browser has what it takes to define it as the best Swiss army knife to do everything you might need. In fact, in this constant browser war, there are no real winners or losers, and even Microsoft has opted for an open source model to appease its users.
Try to take it into account and know all the tools offered by each. This way everything will be fine. As you’ll see, there’s life beyond Safari, even if you’re a Mac user.
Discover our special on the best web browsers for Mac and MacBook.
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