[Ebeneezer Goode]

I like Internet Explorer 9 but I'm finding it increasingly buggy and unstable and quite a few websites don't seem to display properly also I'm finding I trust it less for security reasons.

Many people here on Digital Spy seem to advocate switching to Chrome or Firefox so which is best for speed, security, and general usability?

[anniebrion]

I used to favour Firefox but now use Chrome as my default but have Pale Moon (based on Firefox source) as backup.

[Ebeneezer Goode]

Originally Posted by anniebrion

I used to favour Firefox but now use Chrome as my default but have Pale Moon (based on Firefox source) as backup.

Can I ask why you switched from Firefox, as generally through searching past posts on these forums it seemed to always be favored above Chrome?

[LION8TIGER]

Originally Posted by Ebeneezer Goode

Many people here on Digital Spy seem to advocate switching to Chrome or Firefox so which is best for speed, security, and general usability?

Speed, probably Chrome.
Security and general usability, probably Firefox.

I use Firefox myself but best to try them both and see which you like.

[Sandgrownun]

If it's just between Chrome and Firefox, then Chrome. It's more stable and faster imo (although Firefox has a lot more extensions if that's what you're after). Personally though I use Opera as my default because I find it quicker, more stable and easier to customise than the others..

[anniebrion]

Originally Posted by Ebeneezer Goode

Can I ask why you switched from Firefox, as generally through searching past posts on these forums it seemed to always be favored above Chrome?

Firefox was getting a bit bloated with too many memory leaks, chrome also works better under Windows 8.

[NewWorldMan]

Originally Posted by Ebeneezer Goode

Many people here on Digital Spy seem to advocate switching to Chrome or Firefox so which is best for speed, security, and general usability?

Speed - people always say Chrome is faster but tbh I've never noticed a difference. If there is a difference it's negligible in comparison to network latency.

Security - not much difference. All browsers have regular security vulnerabilities. It's just a question of how quickly they're patched. IE is generally slowest to do so.

Usability - subjective but I personally prefer Firefox. If you're used to IE you might find Firefox a little less alien.

I'd say try both and see how you get on. Overall, it's subjective and you'll see passionate advocates for both Chrome and Firefox here. Possibly you might see some Opera fans too.

[Helmut10]

Ebeneezer Goode
Firefox is not really in favour, it's just that users of Firefox/Anti MS brigade are often more persistant and annoying.

To have 2 Browsers installed means reduced security for the simple reasons of having 2 Browsers to maintain. Does not matter which ones they are.

I have Chrome as a second Browser to IE now, Firefox has been dropped as I found it too buggy, likewise Opera, Safari, and years ago Netscape, Mozilla.

Browser Speed is really a non issue now. Internet Download Speed is far more to the point.

To find out you install an alternative Web Browser and assess it yourself for useability. This is by far the best way.

[NewWorldMan]

Originally Posted by Helmut10

Ebeneezer Goode
Firefox is not really in favour, it's just that users of Firefox/Anti MS brigade are often more persistant and annoying.

Firefox is my favourite browser but not because I'm anti-MS (I use and like Microsoft development tools, for example). I simply find Firefox has better functionality and usability. If, further down the line I find that Microsoft offers this (or anything else) I will switch.

[REDBUS]

For windows pc i'd rate very highly pale moon compared to Firefox easily these days ,my default browser and IE as back up .

Palemoon Optimized for your individual set up/graphic's /ram ect and up to speed with FF update/version wise 15.1.1. ,also run memoryfox add-on as well and constantly squeezes last drop of juice from windows OS

[Fried Kickin]

Install both and see which one you prefer.

[neo_wales]

Install both, I have and run both at the same time sometimes with no issues.

[fletchem]

THIS was just posted on Lifehacker - browser speed tests

[barky99]

well having multiple browsers installed I'd say the only one that struggles is ie9 .... the rest all have their + & - as far as functionality goes and with me they all run @ much the same kind of speed ... stick with firefox as main browser, then opera, then comodo dragon, .... suspect many speed problems are either low spec hardware, just start up time of browser or perhaps user perception/impatience .. along with perhaps slight software incompatibility glitches from other things installed.
Stick with firefox due to greater functionality & scope for customisation through addons ... a light user might be perfectly happy with chrome but not me!
anyone else remember netscape navigator 1.0?

[John259]

Some web sites are better on one, some on the other. Install both. Keeping them both up-to-date is a trivial task, keeping their add-ons/plug-ins/extensions up-to-date a bit more laborious but not really an issue.

Chrome is a good browser but IMHO it suffers from having a bizarre non-standard minimalist user interface which is a pain.

[barky99]

Originally Posted by John259

Chrome is a good browser but IMHO it suffers from having a bizarre non-standard minimalist user interface which is a pain.

have to agree & same applies to ie9 ... too minimalist for use on pc's for all but light & corportate (locked down) users ... OK for tablets though

[c4rv]

Originally Posted by barky99

have to agree & same applies to ie9 ... too minimalist for use on pc's for all but light & corportate (locked down) users ... OK for tablets though

its easy enough to switch all the gnuff back on if you want

[John259]

Originally Posted by c4rv

its easy enough to switch all the gnuff back on if you want

If you know of a way of getting a standard menu bar I'd be interested.

[barky99]

Originally Posted by c4rv

its easy enough to switch all the gnuff back on if you want

like a decent sidebar & more useful features ... tried all available it's still simply not enough ... don't want a 0.1 second speed gain if it means I lose lots of 1 click functions

[NewWorldMan]

Originally Posted by John259

Chrome is a good browser but IMHO it suffers from having a bizarre non-standard minimalist user interface which is a pain.

To many the minimalist user interface is a boon.

Personally I think minimalist UIs are overrated but I don't mind them provided that I can still get adequate configurability. In Chrome this is not the case. But most Chrome users are fine with this. It all depends how you browse.

[NewWorldMan]

Originally Posted by barky99

have to agree & same applies to ie9 ... too minimalist for use on pc's

Easy enough to make it non-minimalist though.

[NewWorldMan]

Originally Posted by John259

If you know of a way of getting a standard menu bar I'd be interested.

Are you referring to IE here or Chrome? In Chrome the Fauxbar extension gives you a menu from which you can get to many (not all) of the settings in Chrome's side menu.

[LightningIguana]

I use both, as sometimes my FF doesn't run some sites due to all the plugins I've installed in an attempt to keep the computer safe. At that point I switch over to Chrome.

[DotNetWill]

Originally Posted by Helmut10

Browser Speed is really a non issue now. Internet Download Speed is far more to the point.

wut? Not true at all. Modern sites are so JS heavy that browser speed is more important that ever. Downloading a few hundred KBs over most home broadband is virtually signification compared with building complex DOMs and loading additional resources.

[DotNetWill]

Originally Posted by Helmut10

To have 2 Browsers installed means reduced security for the simple reasons of having 2 Browsers to maintain. Does not matter which ones they are.

Another giant WUT?! Maintain a browser? You mean allow autoupdate to do it's thing? Yeah, that's such a chore.

Also, if you have one installed that's out of date, is not the default and you never run that is not going to harm security.