Starting with Firefox version 49, Firefox requires Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or higher. Visit this Apple Support page to find your Mac OS version.
One Mac, four browsers, five benchmark tests. Which is the best web browser for the Mac? Edition: Asia Australia Europe. I've taken a look at how well browsers run on OS X 10.11 'El Capitan.' Note: If you have Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) or 10.6 (Snow Leopard), you will need to download OS X El Capitan before you can upgrade to the latest Mac OS. While insecure versions of Firefox will continue to work on OS X 10.8 and earlier, using an up-to-date version of Firefox on a supported version of Mac OS will provide you with the best and safest. Best Browser for Mac in 2021: Leaving Safari Behind. Though Safari is far from the worst browser out there, Mac users could also do so much better than Apple's default browser.
If you're using an outdated version of Firefox on Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) or earlier, the only way you can update Firefox to a secure version is to upgrade your Mac OS to a version that Apple supports. Visit this Apple Support page to learn more about upgrading your Mac.
While insecure versions of Firefox will continue to work on OS X 10.8 and earlier, using an up-to-date version of Firefox on a supported version of Mac OS will provide you with the best and safest user experience.
Data collection and tracking have become a digital epidemic over the past decade, as user information has become the largest commodity in the world. Mainstream browsers are some of the worst offenders of this. In particular, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Safari all use cookies to track the websites you visit and keep records of your browsing history, all to ship you targeted advertisements.
If you are remotely concerned about your privacy, you’ll want to avoid these browsers and start using alternatives dedicated to protecting your information.
Fortunately, all our suggestions avoid meaningful tracking and implement built-in protection to combat invasive website tracking.
What are the best secure and private browsers?
After the short answer? Here's a quick list of the best browsers for security and privacy. For more information, check out our in-depth reviews below.
- Firefox - The most private browser for everyday use
- Tor Browser - The best browser for true anonymity online
- Pale Moon - A highly customizable browser
- IceCat - A free software alternative to Firefox
- SeaMonkey - A Firefox alternative with a retro twist
Best private browsers: In-depth analysis
Below, we go through what makes each provider a great choice for security and privacy. For more information, click on through to each provider, or carry on reading through this article.
Firefox is a fast and private open-source browser. Its service has been fully audited, which proves they do exactly what they say they're doing. The browser is developed by Mozilla Foundation, which is a non-profit organization.
Firefox is arguably at least as secure as Chrome. Its “Quantum” rendering engine has been built from the ground up to improve speeds and includes Tracking Protection built-into the interface. What sets it apart from chrome are the additional privacy settings that you can tailor to meet your needs.
Firefox includes built-in protection against canvas fingerprinting, the most common form of browser fingerprinting.
Firefox is streaks ahead of its mainstream competition, as it does not track your web browsing to target ads at you, and gives you outstanding control and customization over your own privacy when using it. Try it for yourself, and you'll quickly see why we love it so much.
Firefox
- Fastest VPN we test
- Servers in 94 countries
- Unblocks Netflix, iPlayer and more
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