Web Browsers for macOS

Web Browsers for macOS: Exhaustive List

Mainstream and Modern Browsers (Easy to Install)

Safari (Apple) – Preinstalled on macOS, Safari is based on WebKit. It offers excellent performance and deep system integration (supports Safari extensions, features like Apple Pay, Handoff, etc.) and is known for energy efficiency on Macs. Provides advanced privacy through Intelligent Tracking Prevention and lower battery usage compared to other browsers. Download: Apple Safari Official Site
Google Chrome – Google’s browser based on Chromium/Blink. One of the most popular browsers, known for its speed, web compatibility, and vast extension library. Integrates Google services (sync of bookmarks, passwords, history with Google account), but is heavy on RAM. Supports auto-updates and solid sandboxing for security. Download: Chrome Download Page
Mozilla Firefox – Open-source browser by Mozilla, using its own rendering engine (Gecko/Quantum). Strong focus on privacy (advanced tracking protection enabled by default) and highly customizable. Supports extensions (also on mobile) and multi-account containers. Performance enhanced by the Quantum project. Great alternative to Chromium-based browsers. Download: Firefox Official Site
Microsoft Edge – Modern Edge version for Mac, based on Chromium (Blink) with Microsoft customizations. Features IE mode (for legacy compatibility), Collections to organize web content, and integration with Microsoft services (Microsoft Account, OneDrive, etc.). Balanced performance with some unique features (e.g. advanced PDF reader). Download: Microsoft Edge Download Page
Opera – A long-standing browser now based on Chromium/Blink. Notable for built-in features such as a free unlimited VPN, native ad blocker, social messaging sidebar (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.), battery saver mode, and a customizable Speed Dial homepage. Well-designed interface with rich customization. Download: Opera Official Site
Brave – Open-source browser based on Chromium, focused on privacy. Blocks ads and invasive trackers by default (built-in shield), forces secure HTTPS connections when possible. Includes features like private tabs with Tor and optional Brave Rewards token system. Interface similar to Chrome but without Google integrations. Download: Brave Official Site
Vivaldi – Chromium-based browser by former Opera co-founders, aimed at power users. Extremely customizable: modifiable interface (tab location, bars, themes), supports quick keyboard commands, built-in notes, advanced tab management (tab stacking, tiled view), built-in mail/RSS client, and encrypted sync. Ideal for advanced users seeking total control. Download: Vivaldi Official Site

Niche and Specialized Browsers (Privacy-focused, Minimalist, Text-based, etc.)

Tor Browser – A Firefox ESR variant configured for anonymity. Routes traffic through the Tor network for anonymous browsing and access to .onion domains. Pre-configured to block scripts and trackers and to resist fingerprinting by normalizing browser profiles. Ideal for maximum privacy; slower due to encrypted routing. Download: Tor Browser
DuckDuckGo Browser – Privacy-focused browser developed by the DuckDuckGo search engine team. Based on WebKit (like Safari), with built-in protections: tracker blocking, HTTPS enforcement, cookie management, and DuckDuckGo search integration. Simple interface, privacy by default, includes a “Fire Button” to erase session data instantly. Available on macOS and Mac App Store. Download: DuckDuckGo for Mac
Mullvad Browser – Privacy-first browser developed by Mullvad (VPN provider) and the Tor Project. Based on Tor Browser code but without Tor routing; instead, designed to reduce fingerprinting and maximize anonymity during regular browsing. Best used in combination with a VPN. Download: Mullvad Browser
LibreWolf – Firefox fork focused on privacy and security. Removes Mozilla telemetry and includes hardened settings (aggressive tracker blocking, anti-fingerprinting). Updated alongside Firefox ESR, compatible with most Firefox extensions. Portable version with no cloud integration. Download: LibreWolf Site
Waterfox – Firefox-based browser optimized for 64-bit systems, known for supporting legacy XUL extensionsno longer compatible with Firefox Quantum. Two variants: Waterfox Classic (based on Firefox ESR 56 for NPAPI add-ons) and Waterfox G (modern Firefox base). Improved privacy through telemetry removal. Useful for older add-ons. Download: Waterfox Site
Epic Privacy Browser – Chromium-based browser modified for privacy. Blocks ads, tracking, and crypto-mining scripts by default. Offers encrypted proxy/VPN toggle button to hide IP. Doesn’t save history, third-party cookies, or cache after session ends. Chrome-like UI without Google integration. Download: Epic Browser
Iridium – Open-source Chromium fork focused on privacy and security. Removes Google data collection, applies security patches quickly. Chrome-like interface and extension support with stricter privacy defaults. macOS builds available (Intel/Apple Silicon). Download: Iridium Browser
Orion – Lightweight browser for macOS and iOS by Kagi (WebKit-based). High performance, low memory usage, and native support for Chrome and Firefox extensions. No telemetry, includes tracker isolation and enhanced blocker system. Native macOS interface (built in SwiftUI), supports trackpad gestures. Download:Orion for Mac
Arc – Innovative browser for macOS by The Browser Company. Based on Chromium, rethinks UI: no traditional tabs, but a sidebar to organize spaces and pinned pages. Boosts productivity with integrated tools (notes, easel, media pop-out) and minimalist design. Chrome extension compatible. Download: Arc Browser
SigmaOS – Productivity browser for Mac, with workspace and split-panel UI. Built with Swift and WebKit. Offers one-key shortcuts, internal split-view, and AI assistant (Airis AI). Chrome extension support. Designed for multitaskers. Download: SigmaOS
Colibri – Tab-less multi-platform browser designed to reduce clutter. Open pages are saved in a persistent Linkslist, replacing traditional tabs/bookmarks. Minimal interface, includes Feeds for RSS tracking. Requires account for cloud sync. Download: Colibri Browser
Maxthon – Chromium-based browser popular in Asia. Features Cloud Sync, download tools, split-screen mode, and tools like Resource Sniffer. macOS version available. Download: Maxthon Site
Yandex Browser – Chromium-based browser by Russian search engine Yandex. Features include unified SmartBox bar, Protect mode (Kaspersky scanning, banking protection), and Turbo Mode for slow connections. Download: Yandex Browser
Opera GX – Opera variant for gamers. Includes GX Control to limit CPU/RAM/bandwidth use, gaming news feed, and Twitch sidebar. Same core features as Opera. Download: Opera GX
SeaMonkey – Mozilla-derived internet suite (browser, email, composer, IRC). Gecko-based, classic interface. Still community-maintained (v2.53.x). Download: SeaMonkey Project
Polypane – Chromium-based browser for web developers. Simultaneous multi-screen responsive previews, accessibility tools, social meta-data, and Lighthouse. Paid software. Download: Polypane
Blisk – Dev-oriented browser with mobile emulation, synced scroll/refresh, JS error alerts, and recording tools. Chromium-based. Free trial and paid plans. Download: Blisk
iCab – Long-running Mac browser by Alexander Clauss. WebKit-based with power features (content filters, kiosk mode, tab previews, advanced cookie/cache management). Unique download manager and HTML validation. Shareware. Download: iCab Site
Basilisk – Open-source browser based on pre-Servo Firefox (like v52 ESR). Uses Goanna engine, supports XUL extensions and NPAPI plugins. Community-maintained Pale Moon fork. Download: Basilisk Site
Otter Browser – Open-source Qt5/QtWebEngine browser aiming to recreate Opera 12 experience. Advanced UI, notes, Speed Dial. Mac builds available. Download: Otter SourceForge

Manually Installable or Source-Only Browsers

Lynx – Classic text-only terminal browser. Navigates in ASCII-only mode. Great for accessibility or ultra-light environments. Install via Homebrew (brew install lynx). Lynx Official
Links/ELinks – Advanced terminal browsers. Links and ELinks support basic graphics and multiple tabs in text UI. Install via Homebrew. Links / ELinks
w3m – Terminal-based browser supporting tables, frames, even images in certain terminals (e.g. iTerm2). Install via Homebrew. w3m Info
Browsh – Modern terminal browser using headless Firefox, rendered as ASCII art in terminal. Supports JS, WebSockets, video. Needs Firefox. Browsh Site
surf – Ultra-minimalist graphical browser (WebKit2) from suckless. No GUI elements; controlled via CLI or shortcuts. surf Site
uzbl – UNIX philosophy browser: only core rendering, everything else scripted externally. Text-driven, uses WebKit. uzbl GitHub
luakit – Lightweight Lua-scripted browser based on WebKitGTK. Vim-style, programmable. luakit GitHub
Dillo – Ultra-light graphical browser with FLTK. Supports only basic HTML/CSS. Good for offline or legacy use. Dillo Site
NetSurf – Custom rendering engine browser for low-spec machines. Mac port available (Cocoa experimental). NetSurf
Nyxt – Lisp-based browser for power users. Fully scriptable, Emacs/Vim-inspired. Source or MacPorts install. Nyxt Browser

Discontinued but Downloadable Browsers

Camino – Mac-only Gecko browser (2002–2013). Famous for Aqua look, performance. Development stopped in 2013. Still available via archives. Not safe for daily use.
OmniWeb – Early Mac OS X browser with advanced features (tab thumbnails, content filters). Last updates around 2017. Download from OmniGroup labs section. No longer maintained.
Shiira – Japanese open-source browser based on WebKit. Known for elegant UI and advanced tab features. Discontinued in 2009. Available via archives.
Sunrise – Lightweight Mac WebKit browser (2003-2006) with features like full-page screenshot and visual bookmarks. Project abandoned. Archive-only.
Stainless – Experimental multiprocess Mac browser (2008) with tab isolation and parallel session login. Abandoned beta project. Download still available.
Roccat – Mac/iOS browser from Runecats. Featured VisiTabs, FusedBar, and RClouds sync. Last stable version 8.5 (ca. 2019). No longer updated but downloadable.
Ghostery Privacy Browser (Dawn) – Firefox-based browser by Ghostery with advanced tracking protection. Discontinued in late 2024. Users are recommended to switch to Firefox + Ghostery extension.