With the speed with which the number of iPad owners increases, the activity of software developers for them also increases, especially in terms of browsers. And how could it be otherwise, when the iPad itself is based on the function of providing convenient access to flash information posted on the pages of Internet sites. But each iPad user has his own priorities and interests, and therefore, his own requirements for the form of information provided. Therefore, the best browser is different for everyone - which one you choose.
It is immediately necessary to pay attention to the fact that most of them do not support the function of viewing flash information, but one of the supporting flash, the most common, will be described. The browser for the TOR project will also be analyzed, but more on that below.
UC Browser on iPad
The speed is achieved through the use of cloud traffic processing technology, which may be attractive for those who use their iPad to surf the web. Pages load significantly faster even compared to Safari, not to mention the Opera browser, so the flash player is “in its place” here.
It should be noted that traffic compression does not come at the expense of performance. The developers provide 4 GB for storing their files, this is in addition to the standard functions of downloading information.
One of the features worth paying attention to is creating your own bookmarks, since they and open tabs function only with the creation of your own account.
Coast by Opera
A new browser that, with its entire appearance, claims to be individual and even unique. This is especially noticeable in the fact that if in other browsers there are simply bookmarks, then in this one your favorite sites are displayed in the high-speed access panel, although only a few sites can be placed there. The issue of quick search has also been solved in an original way - based on the first characters of the input, the browser will guess the most frequently used search addresses.
The developers have tried to use the screen area with maximum efficiency. No unnecessary information, not even website addresses, only two functions, one of which opens the quick access panel, and the other – the last opened sites.
Fans of online shopping will be especially pleased with the function of checking the loyalty of online stores, which is calculated using at least three indicators.
InstaWeb
This one-page browser somehow simply fantastically clears web pages of all advertising fluff. You receive clean text without spam or advertising. At the same time, all the main graphics of the site are preserved. It looks similar to Google's. By its type it is a convertible browser, but it only works with pdf files, but it opens them with almost any program; its highlight is a good flash player.
The interface is clear even without Russification; all basic operations are performed in a couple of touches. In terms of functionality, speed and cost (in most cases, when you go to the InstaWeb corporate page, the program can be downloaded for free), this is one of the best browsers; it does not slow down, since the flash player is “in its place”.
Offline Pages
The Offline Pages application allows you to save information for offline viewing, which makes it stand out among others. This information can subsequently be viewed in both Safari and Chrome. At the same time, in prof. version has the ability to save multi-page sites and video information, but the cost of this version is high.
The function of switching to full-screen mode and sending the saved page to social networks is retained.
Yandex
Yandex search, which was unsuccessful in all respects, was almost recently replaced by a full-fledged Yandex browser. Not only the name has changed, but also the content. Although the main thing is not in the design, but in the smart search function, when a request takes you to exactly the sites you were looking for. At the same time, it is possible to view the list of issued links on the left side of the screen, and the contents of sites on the right, which is quite convenient.
Among the additional features, it is worth noting the ease of working with tabs. Several dozen selected addresses can be placed in the central display. Built-in voice dialing capability in several languages, including Russian.
Despite all its awards and praise, this product must be approached with sober assessments. After all, what the user is always interested in is the speed of loading information (a powerful flash player) and how quickly he can find it. The creators of the Chrome browser tried to combine these two qualities as much as possible.
The interface takes some getting used to. Particularly unusual is the lack of bookmarks, and the quick access panel is not universal. However, this is compensated by high performance, which, however, can sometimes fail when the screen is quickly enlarged. Voice input also wants better functionality, sometimes it's easier to enter text into the search bar.
Dolphin Browser HD
Most iPad users agree that it is better than others, although it is far from perfect. However, it contains all the functions familiar to us, which is why people are in a hurry to download it. There are bookmarks, a quick access panel, tabs, and its own feature. This is where we will focus our attention.
In the upper right corner there is a conventional “Signs” icon. When you click on it, a black board appears, just like in school. On this board, you can use your finger to draw a symbol installed by the browser, or created by you, which immediately displays the required page to which the drawn symbol corresponds.
Puffin - flash for iPad
Unlike the Skyfire browser, which only partially solves the problem with flash playback, Puffin solves this problem in full. True, the price for this was rather weak functionality.
One of the features worth noting is the ability to download flash videos as needed, and not constantly, which speeds up its work a little.
Tor Browser Bundle
This software product allows you to quickly and without unnecessary knowledge start using the anonymous network of the TOR project. It includes the tor itself and the Vidalia graphical shell, together with the portable version of Firefox.
Using the tor product allows you to hide not only your presence on the network as much as possible, but also encrypt all your traffic, both transmitted and received.
As you can see, there are different browsers, and you can download whichever one you like best to work with. This could be tor or Puffin, in which the flash player loads quickly, give preference to Yandex or any other.
iCab Mobile is one of the few cases where the developers managed to load the mobile browser with functions to the fullest, but at the same time it is really convenient to use, and the navigation is intuitive.
Today it is extremely difficult to find a worthy alternative to Safari, and there are two main reasons for this. First, Safari is the default for opening links in almost all apps (at least those that don't have a built-in browser). Secondly, and here it is worth paying tribute to Apple's designers, Safari is one of the few iOS browsers that looks modern and is scaled for the user's convenience.
However, Safari also has a lot of shortcomings. As we already mentioned in the best apps for iPad Pro (2018), Safari is updated extremely rarely - only with the release of a new version of iOS - and sometimes you have to wait literally years for bugs to be fixed or new features added. In addition, the functionality of mobile Safari is significantly reduced compared to desktop browsers.
If you want more control over your browser's interface and settings, consider iCab Mobile. This application is not new. Not at all, the first version of iCab Mobile was released back in 2009, and now the current build is 9.11.3, released in July of this year.
Interface and functionality
The first thing that greets you in the browser (besides the vintage iCab site as the default start page) is a huge number of buttons and settings. Fortunately, understanding most of them is not difficult.
The icons at the bottom of the screen speak for themselves. The leftmost key calls Action Menu, where you can manage tabs and forms, add a page to the Today or Quick Launch widget, and much more. Panels follow Personal Information And Reading list. In the latter, you can add pages to your reading list not only in iCab Mobile, but also in Safari, which is convenient if you prefer to read in the default browser.
The next two icons are an alternative way to navigate between tabs and full screen mode. In the settings you can enable the status bar in full screen mode if you need it. Icon with a puzzle piece - menu of modules (extensions for iCab). Here you can use connected modules - for example, add a page to Pocket or Evernote to read later.
Finally, the last three icons are Downloads, Dark Mode and Settings. It would seem that the purpose of all three is extremely clear, but here I would like to note the ability to save files in Dropbox and copy them to the clipboard, as well as create rules for downloads. For example, you want all books in .EPUB format to be automatically moved to the Downloads folder on your smartphone. Just a couple of taps is enough to add such a rule!
Important Features
It’s convenient that the search can be configured directly, forgive the tautology, in the search bar. You can choose whether to show search results in a separate tab or in the current one, change the search engine, or even switch to page search mode (!). A nice bonus - in search mode, an additional autocomplete line appears on the keyboard with symbols and popular domains: com, net, edu, etc.
It’s definitely nice to be able to customize the interface to suit you. And we are talking not only about navigation elements, but also about design. If modern design seems too boring to you, you can switch to classic and change the color of contrasting elements.
In the Privacy settings menu, you can see how much space the cache takes up and clear it with one touch. The same goes for browser history, tabs, and search. It’s nice that you don’t need to go into your smartphone’s settings to do this, as is the case with Safari.
Finally, the last feature of iCab Mobile that I would like to talk about is the ability to change users. In addition to the admin, you can also add a guest profile with limited access to settings and separate browsing history and open tabs. You don’t need to close your personal tabs before giving your smartphone to another person - you just need to switch the user to Guest, this is done in two taps.
Conclusion
iCab Mobile is a great option if you are looking for a mobile browser that is as close in functionality as a desktop one. However, this app definitely looks better on larger screens due to the large number of icons and tab system.
Today's article is dedicated to reviewing popular mobile browsers for the iOS platform, ready to become an alternative to Apple's built-in Safari.
Google Chrome
Year of issue: 2012
Developer: Google
iPhone, iPad: Free download]
The history of the first browser from the search giant Google began back in September 2008. After much doubt from the head of Google about the release of a separate software product that allows you to browse Internet pages, it was decided to use the engine as the basis of the browser WebKit. Before mobile platforms Chrome arrived four years later: in February 2012, a version was released for the Android platform, and in June for iOS.
Today, the browser is used by more than 300 million people, and its market share is 45,8% .
The Chrome browser has been translated into 53 languages, and its strong point is considered to be a high level of security, speed of operation and page rendering.
- synchronization of desktop and mobile versions;
- voice search;
- page translation;
- many tabs.
Advantages:
- typical interface;
- lack of “reading” mode;
- no full screen mode;
- questionable stability;
- lack of support for archaic versions of iOS.
Flaws:
Verdict: a good browser, provided that its version is listed as “beta”. Frequent crashes and unstable operation with a very ascetic design.
Dolphin
Year of issue: 2009
Developer: MoboTap
iPhone, iPad: Free download]
Includes in-app purchases
The first version of the browser of an American company MoboTap was released back in 2009. The priority direction was chosen to be software development for the Android and iOS mobile platforms.
Among a fairly wide range of possibilities, the main “trick” Dolphin Gesture support is considered. For frequently used sites, it is possible to bind a specific gesture, after entering which the required page will be instantly opened. Optional package Sonar(59 rubles) allows you to expand your search capabilities by shaking the device and voice commands.
In addition to a high level of security and the presence of a private mode (all browsers in question are equipped with “Incognito” tabs), Dolphin allows you to set different color themes and provides the ability to display pages in the “Night” and “No Images” modes.
Advantages:
- Gesture support;
- many page display modes;
- ability to block unwanted windows;
- availability of topics;
- high performance;
- lack of plugins and Read mode;
- periodic crashes.
Flaws:
Verdict: a good alternative to standard Safari with advanced functionality.
Maxthon
Year of issue: 2012
Developer: Maxthon Tech
iPhone, iPad: Free download]
The brainchild of a Chinese software developer Maxthon on the browser market for more than ten years. From being a ponderous version of Internet Explorer in 2004, it has evolved into a worthy alternative to mobile browsers on Android and iOS platforms. In July 2012, the company announced the release of the first mobile version of the Maxthon cloud browser for iOS.
The key features of Maxthon lie in its interaction with remote storage– “cloud”, into which individual links, fragments of text and images, as well as files of various formats can be added. Supports Maxthon and tab synchronization between different browser versions (OS X and iOS).
- "reading" mode;
- flexible interface settings;
- tab synchronization;
- availability of a “stationary” version;
- good integration with the cloud;
- work in full screen mode;
Advantages:
- periodic departures;
- Unstable operation with a large number of open tabs;
Flaws:
Verdict: a productive browser with good Web page rendering speed and tight integration with its own cloud.
Mercury
Year of issue: 2012
Developer: iLegentSoft
iPhone, iPad: Free download]
Includes in-app purchases
Receiving a strict “5 stars” rating in the App Store is truly a success and recognition from users. This is exactly what the browser can boast of Mercury. The Mercury seems to have virtually no downsides. It provides the ability to change custom themes, synchronize tabs with third-party browsers such as Firefox and Chrome, and integrate with cloud services Dropbox, OneDrive, GoogleDrive, Box(built-in cloud client).
The list of available functionality does not end there thanks to the ability to install extensions (due to the nature of the iOS platform, this is a relative rarity among third-party applications) and Internet filters. In addition, Mercury also implements gesture support for even faster surfing. An extended paid version of the browser is provided Mercury Browser Pro, costing 69 rubles.
- Gesture support;
- saving pages;
- file manager;
- full screen mode;
- support for cloud services;
Advantages:
- not quite perfect Russian localization;
- periodic flights.
Flaws:
Verdict: Mercury can easily be called one of the best browsers for the iOS platform.
Opera mini
Year of issue: 2009
Developer: Opera Software
iPhone, iPad: Free download]
The popularity of the mobile version of the browser Opera owes it to countries where fast internet for phones remained a myth for a long time. However, the bet placed on well-thought-out algorithms for compressing Web pages in order to save traffic is not the only merit of Opera. The first version of the browser was released back in 1994, and by mid-2014 it confidently took fifth place in popularity.
Despite the fact that today most countries have reliable 3G coverage, in 2014 Opera again managed to attract attention by releasing a browser with a video optimization function. According to the developer, installing Opera mini will permanently solve issues with “slow” video and stream freezes.
Alas, traffic optimization, it seems that it remains the main advantage of Opera mini. If you need to view text news, the browser will come in handy. Working with media content and loading “heavy” pages often results in the application crashing. A separate product of the company is a young browser Opera Coast.
- the best browser for traffic compression;
- video stream optimization function;
- nice interface;
- saving pages;
Advantages:
- traffic compression sometimes becomes a counterweight to speed;
- limited functionality;
- minimum settings;
- lack of “reading” mode.
Flaws:
Verdict: a specific browser for those who are tormented by a feeling of nostalgia for the 2000s.
Puffin
Year of issue: 2011
Developer: CloudMosa
iPhone, iPad: Free download]
Includes in-app purchases
According to numerous synthetic tests, it is the browser Puffin In terms of page loading speed, it is ahead of all its competitors. Speed is the main advantage of the browser, and the improved engine JavaScript shows truly impressive results.
Puffin supports the latest version Flash(in the cloud, with the ability to adjust the degree of compression), and thanks to an improved encryption algorithm, makes it safe to browse Web pages even when using public Wi-Fi access points.
Among the features of the Puffin browser, it is worth noting the presence of a virtual joystick and a touchpad that imitates a computer mouse.
- Flash support;
- high page loading speed;
- many additional settings;
- reliable data encryption algorithms;
Advantages:
- Flash work sometimes affects browser performance;
- Difficulties with streaming video.
Flaws:
Verdict: The fastest browser for surfing, but we strongly recommend trying the free version before purchasing.
Tor
Year of issue: 2013
Developer: Ronen
iPhone, iPad: Free download]
Anonymity on the World Wide Web is an issue that plagues many users. The inaccessibility of certain sites and the imposition of government filters very often makes it impossible to surf the really necessary sites. Browser Tor can be called a pill that is recommended to be taken at a time when you need to hide your real IP address or gain access to closed resources.
Alas, Tor cannot be called multifunctional. He pursues one single goal - anonymity. Within a few seconds after launch, you will receive a new IP address, after which you can safely set off on an anonymous voyage. Tor has no settings, bookmarks, additional plugins, or even an interface as such.
- anonymity;
- change of IP address;
Advantages:
- complete lack of additional functionality;
- poor design.
Flaws:
Verdict: if you need anonymity, Tor is the best free alternative. If anonymity is not your top priority, choose a different browser.
More and more mobile device users are using their gadgets. Now this no longer surprises anyone, since the number of iPad owners is growing at warp speed. The activity of specialists developing software for them, namely browsers, is also intensifying. It cannot be any other way, since the iPad is already based on the function of instant access to various flash information located on web pages. Naturally, any iPad user has his own preferences and interests in this matter. There are plenty to choose from, but it’s still quite difficult to determine for the iPad. Let's try to do this together.
The main browser is Safari, which is the default on all Apple devices. Naturally, he also has competitors. Let's look at some of them.
This browser is a one-page browser. In some way that only he understands, he clears web pages of all advertising junk. As a result, a text appears in front of you, cleared of unnecessary distracting information and spam. The main graphics of the site itself are preserved in full.
Externally, InstaWeb is similar to Google's browser. The interface is so simple that it is understandable without translation, and all necessary operations are performed. In terms of speed, functionality and cost, it is one of the best browsers. It works practically without any brakes, since the built-in flash player is practically flawless in operation.
Google Chrome for iPad
Chrome, like any browser for iPad, takes some time to master. For example, it’s not entirely customary to work without bookmarks. By the way, the quick access panel itself cannot boast of significant versatility. But this is successfully compensated by high performance, which does not always work properly if you quickly increase the screen size. The voice input function could also use improvement; sometimes it’s easier in the search bar.
Dolphin Browser HD
Many iPad users agree that it is better in some ways than others, although it is not perfect. Still, it has all the previously familiar functions. There is a quick access panel, bookmarks, and its own feature. In the upper right corner there is a conventional “Signs” icon. When you click on it, a black board appears, similar to a school board. On it, you can use your finger to imitate a conventional gesture installed in the browser or invented by you, which will immediately display the desired page corresponding to it. It must be admitted that, compared to others, this application can deservedly bear the title of “Best browser for iPad tablet.”
The best browsers for iOS
Statistics show that at the end of 2011, more than 50% of all Internet traffic came from devices (iPod touch - 2.32%, iPad - 24.53%, iPhone - 25.24%). Such metrics indicate quite clearly that the web browser on devices with an apple on their back is one of the most frequently used applications.
Safari
First on the list, of course, is Safari. The reason is simple - it is a standard browser installed by default. In addition, it copes well with its main task, that is, displaying web pages.
Its interface is not overloaded with unnecessary options, but is easy to understand. At the top, as is customary, there is an address bar, to the right of it is a field for entering a search query. At the bottom there are keys for navigating through tabs and pages, a button to open the bookmarks bar, and another one to open access to the following additional functions:
Also with the release of iOS 5, Safari added two more exciting features. One of them is the “Reading List”, which allows you to save links to articles of interest for reading later. For convenience when working with navigation, all saved links are divided in the list into “unread” and “all others”. Plus, under each of them there is a brief description of the page to which this or that link leads.
Video about comparing Safari, Chrome, Opera browsers on iPad:
The second option that appeared with the fifth version of iOS is Reader. It is necessary for the most voluminous articles on the screen of electronic gadgets. Web pages are displayed without annoying you with unnecessary advertising and other unnecessary information. The text with pictures is formed in a special way and appears in the form of an easy-to-read page, typed in a font that is pleasing to the eye.
Opera Mini
If there is a question of saving Internet traffic (especially in roaming), then most users, first of all, remember this Norwegian development. The fact is that Opera Mini appeared on mobile phones long before the advent of Android and . At first it was distributed as a Java application, or rather, a MIDlet. The Opera mini interface can be considered old-fashioned, but you can’t deny its ergonomics. For example, it is quite convenient to create bookmarks with one click on the asterisk in the address bar. However, the main advantage of this browser is very fast page loading thanks to the traffic compression option, which allows you to save yourself from large expenses on mobile Internet. Therefore, it is deservedly recognized as the best Flash browser for iPad. The disadvantages include not always high-quality drawing and sometimes not very smooth scrolling of web pages.
For iPad you don't like it at all? Although Apple requires all web apps on iPad to use the WebKit framework, there are many options that can be used as alternatives to Safari.
One of the most common competitors to the default application is Chrome. It's a fast, tabbed browser for iPad that can sync with a similar app on your desktop or laptop. One of its useful features is the ability to open web pages on your tablet that are already open on one of your other devices. Moreover, it is completely free.
Another browser for iPad - ICAB - is designed for those who want to get more productivity while surfing the web. An important feature is the ability to download files - a feature that is missing from Safari and most other web applications for the tablet. This means you can easily upload photos to Facebook or similar sites without having to install additional programs. ICAB can also be useful for bloggers for the same reason. We can say that this is the best browser for iPad, since it has the ability to save and restore forms, as well as support for Dropbox.
Photon is the best solution for people who want to watch flash videos or play games on iPad. Although not all such applications will be supported by the mentioned browser, this feature is useful. In addition, it is endowed with all the characteristics necessary for full-fledged work on the Internet.
Another good browser for the iPad, Mercury, has a number of interesting features that make it unique. For example, the ability to disguise yourself as Firefox. This is great if you're visiting a site that loads on mobile by default when you need the full web page. This browser can sync with Firefox, supports Dropbox and private browsing, and has performance options (like image blocking).
Another interesting all-in-one offering is Atomic. This browser for iPad has a wide range of features, including tabs, privacy mode, full screen with Dropbox and iTunes, features and the ability to save pages to read in. Another useful feature comes in the form of rotation lock, which is very convenient when you are holding the iPad under angle. In addition, you can connect your own search engine to this browser for iPad 4.
Opera Mini can't compete with some of the other browsers on this list in terms of features, but it does allow you to view compressed versions of websites, which will help you get the most out of limited data. Even though there is a short pause before the site loads, it is a very fast application. This is explained by the fact that all resources are loaded as a whole at once, and not in parts. In addition, this browser is completely free.
