Web browser on a smartphone continues to be one of the main apps we use on our phones. Safari is deeply integrated with Apple’s ecosystem, so you will feel more natural while using it. However, it lags behind some of its rivals in certain features.
Safari browser comes pre-installed on all Apple devices and also integrates deeply with them. So, if you want all things Apple, then this may be your best bet. Based on the desktop version, it comes equipped with privacy controls, pop-up blocking, autofill, iCloud integration, and more.
Multiple tabs can be opened simultaneously, easily Add bookmark, Add to Favorite, or share web pages in multiple ways with other devices. The Apple company also provides a privacy-centric feature where it will prevent trackers from following you across websites, shows all the list trackers it has blocked, and also which websites are contacted by trackers.
Apart from lacking some of the features found in rival browsers, it has a Reader mode feature available to turn websites into simple text pages to read easily.
Note: Safari is still one of the best browsers to use on an iPhone. Despite the recent controversial design changes, the browser is deeply integrated with iOS and offers a good web browsing experience.
If you are looking for Safari alternatives for iOS, read ahead to find out.
Google Chrome
Google Chrome is based on Chromium, an open-source web browser, and is known to be fast and secure. You can also sign in to Google to sync across different devices. It comes with a clean and easy-to-use interface, and all the useful features that an average user might need are there.
Things like translating web pages, incognito mode, read-later, pop-up blocker, cross-platform sync, bookmarks, and more.
Chrome is available across platforms, so everything can be synced between all your devices. It also comes with an Omnibox address bar, quick search, tab groups, and other neat features. It is among the best iPhone browser apps for those who like to work on multiple devices running on different operating systems.
Google and Privacy may not go hand in hand but I don’t see any issues with the browser in that aspect. This has been my personal choice since day one. And I have never looked back.
Mozilla Firefox
The UI of the browser is simple & clean, and it will not take much time to get used to all its functions if you are using it for the first time.
The synchronization of data and tabs between the devices works well and can block any harmful pop-up ads. It’s a great alternative to Safari when it comes to privacy. The private mode is also available for mor privacy.
The browser is also known for its flexibility and support for extensions. It also works cross platform having apps for all platforms. This allows easier syncing, as you create an account, then sync your browsing data and passwords across the devices.
Face ID or Touch ID is also available for securing the app.
The drawback is, it treats the PC and iPhone bookmarks as two separate entities. This leads to not allowing you to manage and delete PC bookmarks via your mobile and vice versa. And this limits cross-device management.
Aloha
Aloha is another great and free alternative for Safari iOS. And one highlight about this browser is that it’s not from a big company like Microsoft or Google.
They are a relatively small company that has made a good web browser for iOS.
Note: There are many things to love about Aloha but the one I love most is the ability to download videos from pretty much any site.
I think this is the only browser that even allows downloading videos on iOS. Downloading a video or even an MP3 file is a complete nightmare in iOS. But Aloha makes things soooo much easier.
Props to Aloha!
Here are a few highlights of Aloha:
- Free unlimited VPN.
- Built in ad block.
- VR Video player built inside the browser.
- QR Code reader.
- Built in media player with background play option.
- Private tabs – lock the tabs behind a passcode.
There is also a premium version of the app but i don’t think most people would need to purchase it. The free version is perfect and I’m a happy user.
Microsoft Edge
It comes with many features, such as private mode, gesture support, built-in translator, cross-platform sync, and more. You can also send the currently opened website directly from your iPhone or iPad to your Edge Browser on Windows or Mac devices.
Here are some of its feature highlights:
Note: You may need a Microsoft account to make full use of all the features.
- Block Pop-ups
- Built-in Adblock Plus. The baked in Ad-Block Plus to stop the intrusive ads from ruining your browsing experience.
- Microsoft Defender Smartscreen.
- Built on Chromium for speed.
- Immersive Reader Mode allows for a distraction-free experience.
- InPrivate browsing Mode so that you may browse securely in incognito mode.
- Password Manager to effectively handle all your saved passwords associated with your account.
Brave Browser
There is no doubt Brave browser is one of the most secure browsers for iPhone & iPad and also the best Safari alternative. And if privacy matters to you a lot, then you can even subscribe to Brave Firewall + VPN, which offers features like:
- Blocks unwanted network connections
- Keeps your online activity anonymous
- Supports speeds up to 100 Mbps
- Uses IKEv2 secure encrypted VPN tunnel
Brave rewards are another major feature in brave, as you can earn rewards by watching ads.
While using the Brave browser on any device, it can easily sync your browsing data across all the devices.
The let down with Brave is Brave Search isn’t as polished or intuitive as Google, and though it has a VPN, that allows you to hide your actual IP address and browse anonymously. It’s not free.
However, there is still a little reluctance in the developers and publishers’ community. This is because they are still unsure how these Brave Rewards add up compared to the revenue they are getting via ads. So, until the payment methodology gets further simplified, one or two sections of the user base might maintain a safe distance from this browser.
Opera
When it comes to fast browsing, you can always count on it. Also, it does not take up resources like the other competitor browsers. It also has a voice search feature, when you need to search for something quickly.
It also features smart barcode scanning which allows you to search for a product online via its barcode.
With the ad blocker that is efficient in blocking ads that obstruct your browsing, it also boasts of end-to-end encryption to secure your browsing.
It also has a clean design, comes with a light/dark theme, a built-in ad-blocker, pop-up blocker, crypto wallet, and much more. Another significant feature is that you can select different navigation styles like Standard or Fast Action Button.
To further ease your browsing, opening My Flow in Opera on your computer and scanning the QR code from Opera Touch will connect to your phone. This allows you to easily send links, images, notes, or any other files from your iPhone or iPad using a secure and private connection to your Mac PC.
FAQ
The answer is actually objective but I think Safari for iOS can be considered the best browser for iPhone. Given that it’s deeply conncted with iOS ecosystem and its privacy focused apprach, it’s a good choice. But if you have been deeply connected to Google ecosystem or Mozilla, Chrome and Firefox are both great choices!
Aloha is the best iOS browser to download videos on iPhones. And I think it’s pretty much the only option. It also comes with a built-in media player to watch the vidoes.
Apple Safari for iOS is the best browser if privacy is your primary concern. Apple is known for its privacy policies and Safari for iOS is no exception.
Both have their own pros and cons. If you are deeply rooted in Google ecosystem, go for Chrome for iOS. If not, the built-in Apple Safari for iOS is good enough for most people.