I switched back to Samsung Internet on my phone after Vivaldi became somewhat clunky for whatever reason following their recent 5.0 update. Before I switched to Samsung Internet, I ran across a few web browsers I'd never heard of. One example is Stargon Browser. I liked it, but the UI was a bit lacking. Didn't fit in with my personal preferences, I guess. My question is: Does anyone have recommendations for lesser-known web browsers that are unique to Android (I'm open to multi-platform apps, too), but do a good job? I'm curious to see what else is out there. Thanks in advance!
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Recommendations for lesser-known web browsers?
- Thread starter Omnimaxus
- Start date
Stephanie Blue
Newbie
I play around with different browsers often; tried Stargon last year & it was good, but limited. But Via is quite good and I go back and forth between Via and Firefox.
puppykickr
Android Expert
I use Lightning.
(Actually, a heavilly modified version of a version, but the browser is the same.)
It basically is a wrapper app for Android System Webview, which is the built in app that allows apps to show web content.
Lightning is small, unlike Firefox, Brave, and other popular browsers because they have and use their own webviews.
This makes Lightning faster than the others.
Other great things are unlimited tabs and bookmarks.
This browser is so good, in fact, that there are multiple different versions floating around with different features.
These are legitimate, because Lightning is Free Open Source Software (FOSS).
The homepage can be any site you like.
Security is set by the user, and there are many combinations.
Many times websites cannot figure out what I am using, and say Chrome or whatever.
This is due to the use of Android System Webview, which is commonly used.
You are better off using something like this, because of browser fingerprinting- where an odd-ball browser sticks out and can be used to identify the user because not many people use it.
I actually use multiple versions of Lightning on each of my devices, as the homepage is customizeable I have one set up just for Android Forums.
This basically makes it into an app for this site.
Here are links to the original and some other versions of it.
I have used Lightning for years, so feel free to ask questions.
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/acr.browser.lightning/
https://m.apkpure.com/1dm-adblock-browser-video-torrent-downloader/idm.internet.download.manager
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.midorinext.android/
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.cookiegames.smartcookie/
Personally, I would start with Lightning.
It is the base of the others.
The last one I would try is 1DM, as it is rather advanced.
The paid version has no ads.
I included the free version here so that you could play with it, and see what you think.
If you like to download, this is definitely something to look into.
The settings for 1DM are much more in depth and require some time to get just right.
However, the browser is the same.
Virtually anything can be downloaded with 1DM.
Also, the bookmarks you set can be shared among all of these apps.
Webpages as well.
Sometimes it is nice to have multiple similar browsers all doing diffferent things at once.
One more thing, these are all very small apps, and even the most memory strapped device can handle all of them existing on one device.
(Actually, a heavilly modified version of a version, but the browser is the same.)
It basically is a wrapper app for Android System Webview, which is the built in app that allows apps to show web content.
Lightning is small, unlike Firefox, Brave, and other popular browsers because they have and use their own webviews.
This makes Lightning faster than the others.
Other great things are unlimited tabs and bookmarks.
This browser is so good, in fact, that there are multiple different versions floating around with different features.
These are legitimate, because Lightning is Free Open Source Software (FOSS).
The homepage can be any site you like.
Security is set by the user, and there are many combinations.
Many times websites cannot figure out what I am using, and say Chrome or whatever.
This is due to the use of Android System Webview, which is commonly used.
You are better off using something like this, because of browser fingerprinting- where an odd-ball browser sticks out and can be used to identify the user because not many people use it.
I actually use multiple versions of Lightning on each of my devices, as the homepage is customizeable I have one set up just for Android Forums.
This basically makes it into an app for this site.
Here are links to the original and some other versions of it.
I have used Lightning for years, so feel free to ask questions.
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/acr.browser.lightning/
https://m.apkpure.com/1dm-adblock-browser-video-torrent-downloader/idm.internet.download.manager
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.midorinext.android/
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.cookiegames.smartcookie/
Personally, I would start with Lightning.
It is the base of the others.
The last one I would try is 1DM, as it is rather advanced.
The paid version has no ads.
I included the free version here so that you could play with it, and see what you think.
If you like to download, this is definitely something to look into.
The settings for 1DM are much more in depth and require some time to get just right.
However, the browser is the same.
Virtually anything can be downloaded with 1DM.
Also, the bookmarks you set can be shared among all of these apps.
Webpages as well.
Sometimes it is nice to have multiple similar browsers all doing diffferent things at once.
One more thing, these are all very small apps, and even the most memory strapped device can handle all of them existing on one device.
Milo Williamson
Extreme Android User
Beta tested this one way back when it first got it's legs for my Sammy three:
https://dolphin.com
It has so many different features and it automatically does not mind the weight of browsing throughout the internet, invisible or not.
https://dolphin.com
It has so many different features and it automatically does not mind the weight of browsing throughout the internet, invisible or not.
puppykickr
Android Expert
Dolphin was one of the least secure and most frustrating browsers that I ever had the misfortune to have on a device.
Not only was it built in so it could not be removed, it was exceedingly difficult to remove data from it and the last update I delt with gave it ads.
That was the final straw, and led to me looking for and finding something much better.
puppykickr
Android Expert
Milo Williamson
Extreme Android User
Thanks man, never again.
No wonder I rage quit it a billion years ago.
I would never use Dolphin myself, because I don't particularly want Alibaba Cloud Computing (Beijing) Co., Ltd., and the CPC possibly having access to everything I'm browsing. Same with other "free" Chinese web browsers, like UC Browser, 360 Browser, etc.
Davdi
Android Expert
Here's a couple for small, light browsers, both are in the Play Store:
Sharkee: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sharkeeapp.browser
Yuzu :https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.hazuki.yuzubrowser
Yuzu is Open Source -source is on Github)
Sharkee: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sharkeeapp.browser
Yuzu :https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.hazuki.yuzubrowser
Yuzu is Open Source -source is on Github)
This is Android, so there is no actual Safari browser (i.e. the Apple browser). There are a few browsers that use versions of the Safari logo and try to pass themselves off as Safari, but they are fakes. Personally I would avoid a browser that is pretending to be something else - given that people use the web for sensitive things anything that casts doubt on the developer's honesty is a red flag for me.
I personally use Firefox mainly, though I have a number of browsers installed. It works well enough for my usage.
I personally use Firefox mainly, though I have a number of browsers installed. It works well enough for my usage.