Since we have apps for almost everything these days, I won’t be surprised if we have a generation who asks: what is a web browser? But, even today, you get some benefits exclusive to web browsers on Android. For instance, you get a relatively neat and ad-free through a browser without spending on paid subscriptions.
What Is a Web Browser?
A web browser is an application that lets you open web pages on the internet. You can use a web browser to open local files as well. However, generally, they are used for browsing the web. Web browsers are now available for desktops, mobile, tablet, and smart-home devices.
How to Choose the Best Android Browser?
Here is a quick rundown of the criteria we used to choose the best browser for Android.
First, we wanted to recommend web browsers with maximum speed and performance and something that would not slow down your phone. It also meant that we had to choose a web browser app with an intuitive UI design.
The second criterion was features and the ability to expand the purpose. If you are like me and want to have different browsers for different purposes, we want to offer multiple options for each of them.
Last but not least, I have gone through multiple reviews and ratings to ensure that these applications are reliable.
The sheer diversity of Android browsers also makes things easy. Here are the top 10 Android browsers.
Top 10 Web Browsers for Android
The best browser for Android depends on your needs. Google Chrome offers fast browsing and seamless integration with Google services. Firefox provides strong privacy features and customizability. Opera has a built-in VPN and data saver mode. Brave blocks ads and trackers by default, enhancing speed and privacy. Evaluate features to choose the right fit.
Feature Rich and Must Try
1. Brave Browser: Focus on Privacy and Security
Brave Browser for Android is another option that I wholeheartedly recommend for its balanced set of features, all while focusing on privacy and security. Also, Brave claims to be one of the most secure web browsers out there, and you get that experience from day one.
For instance, it comes with a built-in ad blocker and tracking blocker, which means you feel a lesser impact from the entire cyber-alien system. More so, there is an option to watch privacy-respecting advertisements and earn some rewards for this. So, there is an option to support your creators while also benefiting yourself. This is just one part of the features.

Apart from that, Brave performs exceptionally well on Android, with pretty great speed. While you do not get extension support, the browser app comes with a built-in VPN as well. Once again, you can use your Brave account to synchronize data between multiple devices and resume from where you left off.
Compared to Google Chrome, Brave Browser for Android is better for privacy and security.
2. Vivaldi Browser: Extensive Customization Options
Vivaldi Browser for Android goes the extra mile by offering many features found in the options above. For instance, compared to Chrome and Firefox, Vivaldi is several times more customizable. You can extend the features without third-party extensions or keep the UI simple.
Something that I genuinely appreciate about Vivaldi for Android is that it simulates a desktop-style browsing experience. This is particularly useful if you have a foldable phone or use an Android tablet for most of your purposes. These desktop-style tabs are not only easy to manage, but you can also group them for easy access.
When it comes to privacy protection, the Vivaldi browser offers quite a lot by blocking ads and fingerprinting attempts. Customization is almost endless, considering that you can choose the custom color codes and accent colors for each theme you get. With these improvements, Vivaldi also claims to enhance overall browsing speed, making the web experience somewhat faster.
Other fantastic features included in the package are encrypted syncing, background playback, and a built-in note-taking service. Overall, it is a browser worth trying out.
3. Opera Browser: Built-in Ad Blocker and VPN
If you thought Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox do not offer enough, you might want to check out the Opera browser for Android. It is one of the few browsers that comes with a built-in ad blocker and VPN service.

Surprisingly enough, the built-in VPN is free and does not have a bandwidth limit, allowing for an even better private browsing experience from your device. If you use Opera on your desktop devices, you get the benefits of multi-device sync. But that is beside the point, considering the app’s in-browser experience. You get a customizable news feed where you can select the sources.
There are also several customization options that we have not found on other browsers. Like other web browsers, Opera has also integrated its AI features into the app, and this one is called ARIA. Depending on the region, you might also have access to live scores and other dynamic features.
Conclusively, Opera Browser for Android offers a balanced package of ad-blocking and privacy protection.
Famous and Most Used Ones
1. Google Chrome: The Ubiquitous Choice
Google Chrome has been an integral part of the Android experience for a long period, and most people don’t think of it as a web browser. Unless you have a Samsung smartphone, your device will already have Google Chrome as the default web browser. Google Chrome is the go-to choice for most people for a few reasons.

Google Chrome is integrated so well into the Android operating system that it is the most efficient way to browse the web using an Android device. Unlike the PC versions of Google Chrome, Chrome for Android does not consume a lot of resources either. So, even with a mid-range smartphone, multitasking would not be a problem for most.
As far as features are concerned, you get the full suite of features from Google, as well as the benefits of multi-device sync and support. Google Chrome for Android is also one of the most stable web browsers, thanks to the regular support from Google.
Overall, if you are not looking for specific features, you might as well stick with Google Chrome on Android.
2. Mozilla Firefox: Privacy and Customization
Even when you get an Android smartphone from another manufacturer, it is difficult not to notice how much control Google has over your smartphone experience. So, when it comes to browsing the web, some people want to prioritize privacy and customization.
If you are one of them, you should go for Mozilla Firefox for Android. This is the official Android version of the Mozilla Firefox browser, and you get a balanced package consisting of a privacy-centric philosophy as well as room for customization.

Unlike Google Chrome for Android, Mozilla Firefox allows you to install extensions on your smartphone, just like you would install an adblock extension on Mozilla Firefox on your Windows PC. You can customize your New Tab page and widgets. Firefox for Android is thus the recommended option when you prioritize privacy over convenience.
3. Microsoft Edge: Integration with Microsoft Services
If you rely more on Microsoft services like Office, Outlook Email, or your PC, you might be interested in better integrating these services when you browse the web. In that case, you should choose Microsoft Edge as the default web browser for your Android smartphone.

Microsoft Edge has been attempting to become an alternative to Google Chrome in that you get a comprehensive set of features and the convenience of multi-device syncing. However, I should warn you that Microsoft Edge often tends to go overboard with these features. There might be instances where you don’t need this many features in a web browser in the first place.
You get a decent set of standard options, such as reader mode and AI-based tab management, to name a few. Like other Microsoft products, Edge for Android has also integrated Copilot into it. You can use all these features with a pinch of AI on top.
Choosing Microsoft Edge over Chrome is not a massive leap over privacy. But you will get better integration.
Lightweight and Minimalistic Browsers
1. Samsung Internet Browser: Optimized for Samsung Devices
I already mentioned that Google Chrome is not the default web browser on Samsung devices. Instead, it uses something called the Samsung Internet browser. You might want to stick to this built-in browser if you continue using a Samsung device because it is optimized for the device and the user interface.

So, when you have a device with an Exynos (or a Qualcomm) chipset, you will find better performance with the Samsung Internet browser than on Chrome or other websites or web browsers. Like many other browsers in this list, the Samsung Internet browser also offers some privacy-centric options and a built-in ad blocker that gives you a comparatively sane browsing experience.
Continuity and compatibility with DEX are also things that you should keep in mind. You can always keep track of all these statistics with your Samsung account. The browser also packs some tab management-based features.
However, I understand that these features are not available on non-Samsung smartphones. So, I wouldn’t recommend this browser for those people.
2. DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser: Enhanced Privacy
If you don’t think the Tor browser is the right choice for you, you might want to go for the DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser. While this browser also focuses on improving your privacy and security, it does not hamper the standard web browsing interface.
For instance, you can get started with a simple and clean interface that does not require advanced knowledge of these anonymous systems. On the other hand, the DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser does a great job of filtering out and removing tracking agents on a per-case basis.

There is also a “Fire” button that you can use to instantly clear all the browsing data and close all the tabs you have opened. So, whether you are looking for digital privacy or better control over your actions on the web, this Android browser can offer something unique.
The overall browsing experience from this DuckDuckGo browser is also great for most people.
Bonus
1. Tor Browser: Ultimate Anonymity and Privacy
If you are looking for ultimate anonymity and privacy, even at the expense of cutting down some features and speed, you might want to check out Tor Browser. Tor Browser is an Android web browser that lets you use the Tor protocol, which enhances your privacy and anonymity by a long shot.
As far as the browser is concerned, it uses the same rendering engine as Firefox, and you can expect the same security updates. However, the extra advantage here is that you have one-click access to the Tor network. This means you can access those deep web articles and pages where you need to open a .onion web browser.

Because this browser application from the Tor Project is focused on internet freedom and access, speed may not be the best option here. On the other hand, if you want to visit pages that are censored or blocked in your country, there is no better option than Tor.
There is also custom control over what can track you and what cannot. So, for privacy-centric users, this is a great option.
2. Kiwi Browser: Fast and Powerful with Extensibility
Update: Arnaud Granal, the founder of Kiwi Browser, recently announced the browser’s transition on the official Discord server and GitHub repository. He mentioned that the Kiwi Browser has been archived and will no longer be maintained after January 2025. The browser’s extension code has now been integrated into Microsoft Edge Canary. Kiwi Browser has also been removed from the Google Play Store, marking a significant shift in its availability and future development.
Kiwi Browser is a little different from all the other browsers I have covered so far because it brings together some of the features that I could not find in single apps before.
For instance, it is a very powerful and fast browser based on the Chromium codebase. This also means you get good support for Chrome extensions. So, the extensibility of Kiwi Browser alone is impressive, and you can use features like developer options if you want.

However, this also means you cannot get the best out of Kiwi Browser if you have a small-screen device. On the other hand, you don’t have to think of any other options than Kiwi Browser if you are looking for a suitable web browser for your Android tablet. Yet, it’s good to know that you have a developer-friendly web browser for Android.
While I would not recommend the app to everyone, it is something nice to install on your Android device as a backup web browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
In terms of performance, Chrome is the number one browser for Android because it is so well integrated. However, a case may be made for Samsung Internet if you use a Samsung smartphone. Otherwise, you can consider Brave and Firefox as better options.
Google Chrome is technically the fastest browser for Android, but it does not have an ad-blocker. So, Brave or Vivaldi may load websites faster, meaning that you may want to try either.
Firefox and DuckDuckGo are better than Chrome in terms of privacy. Vivaldi is better than Chrome in terms of customization. Kiwi is more extensible than Chrome. This way, you can find many better web browsers than Chrome.
Conclusion
As I mentioned, I always have two free browsers installed on my Android device for different purposes.
For instance, though I use Brave for regular browsing, I go for Opera when I want to access something that is restricted in my country.
Similarly, there are times when I want a clean and ad-free reading experience, and I go for something like the DuckDuckGo privacy browser.
The point I am trying to make is that I have the choice to choose between all of these. Considering the power of your smartphone, you can install multiple of these apps. And it never hurts to have additional options when you want to browse the web.
5 Comments
Nice roundup, Rajesh. Good to see both Tor and DuckDuckGo’s browsers getting a shoutout for their privacy features. It’s crucial more people become aware of how much personal data traditional browsers collect.
You’re absolutely right Jake. Thank you.
But aren’t those browsers slower than Chrome or Firefox? I read somewhere that Tor, especially, can be pretty slow.
Terry, yeah, privacy often comes at the expense of speed, especially with Tor. It’s all about what you prioritize.
Been using Chrome forever cause it syncs up nice btw all my devices. Didn’t realize there were so many other options out there with diff features. Gonna give Brave a try for the privacy stuff, didn’t know about the built in ad blocker til I read this. Thanks for the info, made me think more about what I want from a browser.