Which web browser is right for you?

You use it all the time to navigate the web, but is your browser right for you? Here are some free options.

It's a good idea to try out a browser on some of your favourite or most-used sites before making a choice. Look for the latest complete version as it's likely to be the most polished.

CHROME:
Latest version: Chrome 3.0
Google's browser Chrome is designed to be super simple. It is currently compatible with Windows operating systems only, but Google plans to release test versions for Mac and Linux operating systems by the end of the year.
The good: Many tests reveal Chrome to be the fastest web browser available and users like its simple interface. The search and address bars are rolled into one and Chrome suggests sites based on your web history. You can also search anonymously  - it will not record any of your browsing history. Chrome operates each window you open separately, so if one crashes, the others will not be affected.
The bad: Chrome doesn't support all web standards - that is, it can't display all websites, such as some Facebook screens, properly. Chrome also doesn't block ads, which can be annoying when you're browsing the web.

FIREFOX 3:
Latest version: Firefox 3.5
The Firefox browser is hugely popular with Mac computer users and is Microsoft's biggest threat in the tussle for browser supremacy. Firefox software is open source -its software code is publicly available, so developers are free to customise and improve it. The browser is compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems, and is often the default browser setting for Linux.
The good: Because it can be easily developed and added to, there is a multitude of add-ons and extensions for Firefox, so users can customise it to their heart's content. It's fast and renders pages very well. It has a built-in spell-checker for when you're emailing or posting comments on the web, and scrolls through your history and bookmarks when you enter a search term and presents a list of recently-accessed pages with that same search term.
The bad: Reviewers struggle to say anything bad about Firefox but one complaint is that it doesn't run tabs separately, so if a site in one tab crashes it's likely the whole browser will fail (you can restore your session when you fire the browser up again though).

INTERNET EXPLORER:
Latest version: Internet Explorer 8
Chances are most of us use Internet Explorer to surf the web because it's installed on every computer with Microsoft Windows. The latest version is Internet Explorer 8 -   compatible with Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 operating systems..
The good: Internet Explorer 8 is more stable than 7, because, as with Google Chrome, its tabs are managed separately and website crashes do not affect other pages. IE8 also lets you surf the web anonymously so your browsing history is not recorded, and tabs that are related group together so they're easy to find. Users can highlight a piece of text and its "accelerators" feature will give them driving directions, a map, word definitions or the option to email content to others, depending on what the text is.       
The bad: Because it's the most widely used browser, Internet Explorer attracts  hackers and cyber criminals. Microsoft does release regular security updates to ward them off though. Reviewers say IE8 is slower than Chrome, Firefox and Opera browsers and uses more processing power and memory.  

OPERA:
Latest version: Opera 10
Opera was the first browser to introduce tabbed browsing. Its market share -  about 2 per cent, according to Net Applications - is not much to crow about, but it's a favourite with reviewers. The browser is compatible with Windows, Linux, Mac and other operating systems.
The good: Opera is very light on your computer's resources and it's often recommended for older PCs that are not as grunty as their modern-day successors. It has a clean, user-friendly interface and users can search other websites, such as eBay, from inside the browser window. It can be synchronised with other PC and devices - such as mobiles - running Opera, so your bookmark settings will be the same whichever gadget you're using. It also has strong security features, including fraud and malware protection.
The bad:  There are few criticisms of Opera,  but reviewers have noted that it's not compatible with some websites.

SAFARI:
Latest version: Safari 4
Safari is Apple's version of Internet Explorer, it is pre-installed on Mac computers so, unsurprisingly, it is the most popular browser for Mac users. It is compatible with  Mac operating systems and Windows XP and Vista.
The good: Users say it's a speedy browser with a clean interface. Safari 4 - like Chrome - suggests favourite websites when you open a new tab, and auto-suggests results when you begin typing search terms in.
The bad: There are very few customisation options and it can be a bit memory-hungry.  

FLOCK:
Latest version: Flock 2.5
Flock is best-suited to those who spend a lot of time online and are heavy-users of social networking and blog sites. It's built using the software code for Firefox, meaning it is open-source and compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems.
The good: A large sidebar keeps lets you connect instantly with your favourite social networking and photo sites and you can upload photos through the browser to major photo-sharing sites.
The bad: Commentators say all the activity on the browser can be a bit distracting.

Sources: CNET, The WWW Blog, Microsoft, Opera, Internet Browser Review, Flock, Mozilla, Sydney Morning Herald, Consumer Search, Google, Apple, Suite101.com, Digital Trends.

- © Fairfax NZ News