Best Web Browser For Linux: 5 Tested

The best browser for Linux: 5 heads

Best Linux Browser: 5 tested

How the mighty have fallen. During those early days, what some may be a little 'hysterically, is called the "browser wars", the two companies battling for domination of the browser was Netscape and Microsoft.

While this feud could be the only directly affects Windows users, the death of Netscape and Microsoft's dominance of the left end of the last decade, Linux users are often overlooked in the browser at times struggled with a website that has been designed only for Internet Explorer in mind.

The defeat of Netscape lead to the creation of Mozilla Firefox, if the Linux open source ethos completed its purpose. Its growing popularity has helped to create a playground and eventually lead to an alternative well supported Internet Explorer that was adopted by web developers.

The success of Firefox has been great for Linux users, but recently a series of unfortunate decisions and confusing Mozilla Firefox is the browser has stopped the go-to for Linux.

One of the strangest decisions was that no longer supports older versions of a few weeks. A habit of marking, even small spills that the major version number - which some believe is just a superficial attempt to look as it is followed with Explorer and Chrome - also helped to alienate once loyal users.

While change is once again in the air. With the rise of Google Chrome, and other alternatives as Epiphany Rekonq and grow in confidence and popularity, it's time to leave Firefox?

Web browsers is the way we see and interact with the Internet, so the choice of law is so important.

How we tested ...

There are two great to watch - the front-end user experience and technological background.

Testing the technology was relatively simple. The browser running Ubuntu 11.04 will put you in touch with their pace of benchmarks, including the SunSpider, Acid3 tests Peacekeeper and web standards.

This gave us a good picture of how they are compatible with the latest technologies and web standards. It 'a 100 percent compatible with the new standards and is capable of displaying JavaScript few milliseconds faster than its competitors, does not automatically make the best browser, however.

If the front-end user experience, we used real-world tests to gauge how each run, when used in daily activities. This is necessary to visit several different web sites running on different standards, such as the new HTML5.

Our

Chrome

Epiphany

Firefox

Opera

Rekonq

Best web browser on Linux: Firefox

While the basic browser must be stable and reliable, it is add-ons that you can really fit your needs - helping to expand the browser and can reach its full potential.

The vast majority are created by third parties and lovers, it is not surprising that the most popular browsers have the option of greater and more varied. Firefox has a lot to cover everything from blocking ads and social networking tools for Web developers on the server. Many of the most popular have been ported to other browsers.

Firefox needs a proper system, users can search, download and install add-ons they want. Mozilla does not betray a great site that lists the shares of additional classes, as well as to make a popular, featured and up-andcoming add-ons easily. The download and installation is all done inside as well as updates to Firefox.

Chrome Web Store is another well-executed resource. Rapid rise in popularity of the library of Chrome is a great add-ons continues to grow.

Traditionally, the Society has taken closed-source approach and were reluctant to adopt a third add-on. This has changed with version 11 and there is a growing number of at www.opera.com / supplements. A little 'digging you should find the appropriate add-on, although the selection is not great, and some are still in their early versions of the stroller. It has often been seen as a reformer of the Opera browser technology - but the add-on is still playing catch-up.

Rekonq concentrate on being as light as possible means that addons are more than an afterthought. While an ad blocker application comes with the default installation, provides support for Flash and Java addons. Currently Rekonq expansion sacrifice pure speed.

While Epiphany is much more open to the add-ons, small user base resulted in a limited number of official extensions, and most of them are oriented more productivity. Certificate Viewer and Greasemonkey are more representative of the Epiphany offers - you will not find a Facebook add-ons here.

Steady stream of updates from Mozilla allows add-ins often require an update. An alert is useful but also can be a bit frustrating. Other modules just stop working with newer versions. Firefox has developed a reputation for slow to a crawl, when many plug-ins installed.

The speed of Chrome does not seem so dramatic, thanks to its plug-in running a separate process.

The experimental results

Chrome - 4 / 5

Epiphany - 2 / 5

Firefox - 4 / 5

Opera - 3 / 5

Rekonq - 1 / 5

The Best Linux Web Browser: Security

It seems that Mozilla has once again shot themselves in the foot with its decision to cut the amazing support for earlier versions of Firefox. Firefox 4, which was released earlier this year, is no longer receive patches of vulnerability - forcing users to switch to Firefox fifth New features such as spores unable to prevent third party advertisers see your data, shows that Mozilla can always be renewed.

Chrome comes with sandboxing tools, add an extra layer of security. The implementation of strict protocol-Transport-Security (Firefox needs a plugin for this) to ensure that Chrome still use secure connections for high security sites.

Opera uses SSL 3 and TLS for encryption secure Web sites, and Firefox, you keep the information on the safety of a site in the address bar. Visited web sites also face blacklisting. Users are invited to submit bugs or security holes they find, and vulnerabilities are corrected on average much faster than Firefox.

Rekonq has had a checkered past when it comes to security vulnerabilities with a great future in light of last year. This is to improve, and there are good elements, such as SSL flash that provides a quick overview of identity, encryption and security of any website where you are.

Epiphany has a similar approach with a pop-up blocker and cookie protection guarantee sites. As with Firefox, Chrome and Opera, you can store passwords, even if you do not feel as secure as other browsers.

The test results

Chrome - 5 / 5

Epiphany - 4 / 5

Firefox - 3 / 5

Opera - 4 / 5

Rekonq - 3 / 5

Interface, media playback and speed

The Best Linux Web Browser: Interface

Web browser interfaces to find a balance to give users quick access to the tools when the deduction is not the main reason to use them - you can view the sites.

In the past, browsers are more than willing to fill most of our screens with buttons and toolbars - including on-screen as well as having real value of the Web page screen. Since the launch of Chrome, with its sleek interface, other browsers have been removing a lot of unnecessary fluff visual not only get in the way of displaying the pages, but also reduced the responsiveness of the browser.

Austerity does not necessarily lead to ugliness, however, and attractive streamlined browser is a precious thing - especially when it comes to experience the greatest importance for the user mentioned above.

Firefox 5 - 4 / 5

Firefox 5 to keep a previous version of the GUI, and for good reason. Before Firefox 4, the interface was a big and messy, which is particularly annoying to look at web pages netbooks with small screens.

The reduced interface frees up a lot of screen space, while allowing easy access to frequently used functions. Next and Previous keys have been reduced, and the Update button is much smaller, located next to the address bar.

The search bar allows quick access to online searches, with Google as your default. New tabs can be opened quickly with '+' button and the more advanced features and options can be found in the toolbar. In its default skin, Firefox would not be as attractive as the browser, but is practical and effective.

Chrome - 4 / 5

At a time when browsers are groaning under the weight of the large icons, toolbars and other useless junk chromium varied arrived and became a pioneer of the stripped-back interfaces. In a sense, is very similar to Firefox's interface - or should we say, evangelism are Firefox for simplicity is very similar to Chrome.

The Next, Previous, and reload are small and unobtrusive, yet easily accessible on the side of the address bar - which is also the search bar, Google the only option. There is no Start button - indicative of the ruthless slaughter of the buttons on Google.

There is no toolbar or - Advanced Settings can be accessed through the key icon. Tidy then, but it is not so easy to use than Firefox - sometimes it seems that the pursuit of a clean interface precluded any ease of use, the use of targets.

Opera - 3 / 5

Opera seems much more glamorous version of Firefox. Gone are the large buttons and toolbars of previous versions, replaced by a much smaller, cooler icons.

Something no other browsers have a small toolbar at the bottom of the window with buttons for panels - which adds a toolbar on the left side - Opera Link, Opera Unite and Opera Turbo. While undeniably useful if you are not using these features, the toolbar just takes screen space that might show something else.

Even more useful is the trash can little icon in the upper right corner of the window that offers quick access to previously closed tabs.

Somehow, the focus of the Opera interface is the opposite of Chromium - the ease of use are put first, which leaves you with a functional, if a little messy interface.

Rekonq - 3 / 5

In some ways reminds Rekonq Chrome. When you start the browser you are miniatures of the page in most regular sites. Recently closed tabs, bookmarks, history, and downloads are also shown on this page. Address bar doubles as a search bar and you can search for bookmarks and history as well.

Furthermore, as there is no Chrome toolbar - just a key icon. Rekonq and Chrome are both built on WebKit, not too much of a surprise to see similarities in appearance.

It 'a shame that when Rekonq not really bring out the interface as the most talented Chrome. Although it is simplistic, too much space is always used in a variety of buttons and other features.

Epiphany - 2 / 5

In some ways it feels like something of the Epiphany of a return to the Firefox interface from the past. While Mozilla has changed and close their browser Chrome is a minimalist design, the Epiphany retain large buttons and toolbar. In a way, it's not a bad thing - the buttons are easy to find and hit, and additional features are easily accessible and not hidden like a dirty secret that they are chrome.

If you're using Epiphany on the table, then the extra space you need and the toolbar buttons are not too big a problem. There are netbooks, reduce screen space for web pages is a bit 'annoying.

Generally plain interface Epiphany and manufacturing - it's not the most attractive, but it is well known and easy to use.

Best browser on Linux: Multimedia playback

The web has evolved from primitive sites with some animated GIFs and a MIDI loop cover of a pop song, the media truly dynamic and interactive hosting. If the browser you are using is not able to show properly the role, then you will end up losing a lot of things.

For an overview of how to run a browser while playing a variety of media, Futuremark Peacekeeper benchmark we used. This is a series of tests that evaluate how well the browser makes photos, social networking features, and complex graphics, among other things.

Each browser is then assigned a score - the higher it is, the browser is more robust and reliable on-site show.

At the top of the charts was chrome with a total score of 9537. Although he scored particularly well in the data and text analysis tests, he scored 15,841 for complex graphics, 5839 in social networks, and in 6960 rendering tests.

Second place went to the Opera with an overall score of 8603. Even if it were placed much lower than Chrome testing data, scored an excellent 18 350 in the complex graphics, 6384 9131, and the rendering of social networking. While Chrome may be a better day today, the browser, Opera is better than average.

Epiphany came in a distant third with a score of 5636 - 7248 low for complex graphics, 3832 for social networking and just 2996 for the destruction.

Firefox was the fourth place with a disappointing score of 5524, even if it was a decent graphics 14,443 complex social networks in 4009 and a low in the report of 3864.

Finally, in 5066 marked Rekonq networks get complex graphics 7711, 3809 and 2577 was simply social.

Test Results

Chrome - 5 / 5

Epiphany - 4 / 5

Firefox - 3 / 5

Opera - 5 / 5

Rekonq - 2 / 5

Speed

Page itchy mouse finger faster.

We pay enough for broadband internet access as it is, so using the browser bloated and buggy, which slows down the navigation will be a waste of money. Fortunately, one of the best web browser side effects, "a new and elegant interfaces is that they are now far fewer resources.

5 using the Firefox JavaScript engine Jäger monkey, which allows execution speeds considerably faster, and scored an average time 240.8 milliseconds, using the SunSpider JavaScript benchmark - a great improvement on the time 1106ms Firefox 3.6 's.

A relatively new feature of Firefox is that some graphics are now handled by the GPU, resulting in a Web experience smoother and more beautiful than the treatment of complex graphics is now managed by the graphics card. When running, Firefox is 61.4MB of memory - but when the supplements that have been installed.

The function of news of Chrome is speed - and its reputation as the fastest of the browsers is well deserved. Websites pop open almost instantly, with graphics and animations to play quickly and seamlessly. The result is an experience for fast and transparent.

SunSpider JavaScript benchmark in chrome 272.4ms, just a little longer than Firefox. But it is a program much easier - uses about 30MB of system memory when one side - so thin as Firefox. Chrome is committed to not consume resources that make it feel more alive than its competitors.

Opera has a feature built into the so-called Opera Turbo - there is a button at the bottom of the window to quickly enable and disable.

Test Results

Chrome - 4 / 5

Epiphany - 3 / 5

Firefox - 3 / 5

Opera - 4 / 5

Rekonq - 3 / 5

Synchronization features

Take your bookmarks everywhere you go.

Sync for Firefox is built on version 4 and higher, and is a fast and easy to install. The information is not protected by a password, but also encrypted - an additional safety measure, which has left the Opera. Sync synchronizes the Firefox passwords, history, bookmarks and open tabs - we were able to continue their browsing session on a different computer.

The integration of its Opera Opera Link synchronization feature is well done and easy to use, but not quite as encompassing as Firefox Sync. Rather than go through the configuration pages of the browser functions quickly accessible by clicking on the icon in the status bar.

Chrome uses a Google account - you have one, if you are registered to Gmail or Google + - to save and synchronize settings in Chrome. Like Firefox data is password protected and encrypted. The encryption key is generated, and Chrome offers several options for keeping it protected.

Epiphany has custom built-in sync, but there are several ways to implement synchronization, as an add-on Epilicious service Ubuntu One, or by using Dropbox.

Rekonq functions without synchronization, at the time, despite requests by the Community will be realized in the future.

The test results

Chrome - 4 / 5

Epiphany - 3 / 5

Firefox - 4 / 5

Opera - 5 / 5

Rekonq - 1 / 5

Compatibility standards

How to manage all browsers web standards different?

In order to view Web sites properly, browsers must be able to cope with the various technologies and standards used on the web. One of the best ways to test the compatibility of a browser are the rules with the Acid3 test (which is in http://acid3.acidtests.org). It tests the performance of a web browser with different standards, with emphasis on the Document Object Model (DOM) and JavaScript. To pass the test of browser needs a score of 100 out of 100.

Firefox just lost the Acid3 web standards test, scoring 97 of 100 - not bad, but still not fully compatible with some web technologies. The previous version also had 97, so there is no improvement does not seem a missed opportunity.

Due to the relative newness of Chrome, and its rapid ascent to the summit, has trouble viewing some websites properly. This is the lowest for developers, and is really only a problem with the sites. Since that Chrome continues to grow in popularity, and developers to adopt it, these problems are reduced. There are really no excuse for the Acid3 test for compatibility with Chrome than 100 points 100.

Like Chrome, Opera passed the Acid3 test and added support for HTML5 compatibility issues with older versions are significantly reduced by 11.10.

Epiphany was very 99 100 - This is more compatible than Firefox. How Rekonq uses the same rendering engine of Chrome, it was no surprise to find also received a 100 - although the final figure was slightly different from the reference ago - Chrome does not have a problem.

The test results

Chrome - 5 / 5

Epiphany - 4 / 5

Firefox - 3 / 5

Opera - 5 / 5

Rekonq - 4 / 5

Web Browser for Linux is ...

None of the browsers tested here in bad way, and each has its own strengths. What was surprising is how Firefox - once considered the de facto browser for the open source community - has proven to be lacking in some areas. Given its position, this should not be the case, but our tests found Epiphany browser even smaller to be better than Firefox in areas such as media playback and security.

While Firefox does not meet our expectations, the newcomer Chrome exceeded. In almost all test Google's browser arrived on or very near the top. It is fast and secure, compatible with all major web standards and supports reading media. Even in the arena where Firefox is definitely the top dog - addons - Chrome closing fast.

Results of the Opera has been solid, but not drawn. While this may be fine for most browsers, Opera on the legacy of being an innovator in the browser market, it is frustrating to see a product that seems to rest on their laurels - happy to follow in the other lead. His slight advantage over chromium when it comes to digital entertainment that make this browser a better option for sites heavy media veteran.

While Epiphany feels a bit 'like a loser when it is erected against the big three, can hold its own in many areas. Safety standards and compatibility well, and although lagging behind other browsers when it comes to speed, yet fast and intelligent performer and well worth considering if you are looking for an alternative browser.

Finally, Rekonq may have trouble keeping up with other browsers in some of these tests, but this does not necessarily mean that should be totally rejected. It is relatively early to the browser, and its creators have already shown they are willing to listen to the community and add features and bug fixes, if possible. With new features regularly promised, this browser may not be quite there yet, but worth keeping an eye on. What is clear is that Firefox has lost his crown - Chrome alive!

1 °: Chrome - 5 / 5

Web: www.google.co.uk/chrome

Engine: WebKit

Version: 13.0.782.112

In most of our tests of chromium reached the top.

Another: the Opera - 4 / 5

Web: www.opera.com

Engine: Presto

Version: 11.50

It was a very close race between Firefox and Opera for second place.

Third: Firefox - 4 / 5

Web: www.mozilla.com

Engine: Gecko

Version: 5.0.1

A slight decline in the previous issue due to a.

4th: Epiphany - 3 / 5

Web: http://projects.gnome.org/epiphany/

Engine: WebKit

Version: 3.0.4

Solid browser, which needs a little 'enamel.

Fifth Rekonq - 1 / 5

Web: http://rekonq.kde.org

Engine: WebKit

Version: 0.7.0

It is perhaps not the best browser out there, but it shows some promise.