Instead of randomly picking each option, we tested all these browsers, pointed out the pros and cons for each of them, and ranked the fastest and most efficient ones using online speed-testing tools. With this, you will be able to choose the best browser for Windows 11 that suits your needs. Let’s begin.
How Did We Test Each Browser on Windows 11
To find the best and fastest browsers for Windows 11, we installed multiple browsers and tested each of them on popular benchmarking tools. These tools include:
JetStream: This tool measures the browser’s ability to start up, execute code, run smoothly, handle complex mathematical calculations, render complex 2D and 3D graphics, and the ability to handle large amounts of data through running JavaScript and WebAssembly. MotionMark: MotionMark measures how well a browser handles modern animations and visual effects on web pages. In the test, the browsers must render complex animations and visual effects in real-time and show how many frames per second (FPS) they can handle. Speedometer: Speedometer is another popular browser benchmark tool to test the responsiveness of web applications on browsers. It makes the browser run demo web applications to simulate user interactions. 4K playback test: This is a test we ran to measure how fast the browser loads 4K videos and how many tabs it keeps in memory without reloading. A low-end business notebook is used to conduct the test, which helps common users gauge how well these browsers perform.
We tested all the options in the list and ranked them accordingly. Additionally, we have also included the scores each browser got after each test.
1. Microsoft Edge – Fast Chromium-Based Browser
Microsoft Edge is a successor to Internet Explorer and the first browser you meet on your Windows 11 PC upon the first boot. Built over Chromium, Edge keeps an edge over its competitors by being one of the fastest browsers for Windows 11 while boasting useful features. Edge performed excellently in testing. It’s lighter and faster due to the minimal RAM usage. When we streamed 4K videos, it could only manage 3 tabs until it became jittery. On lower resolutions, that wasn’t the case. These are the test results we got. Some useful features on Edge include reader mode, group tabs, cast inline videos to Chromecast, several customization options, password manager, web capture, solving on-screen math problems, choosing different privacy profiles, and a good page translation feature. If that’s not enough, you get more features by installing extensions, thanks to its support for extensions from both Chrome Web Store and Microsoft add-ons. While the start page is beautiful with handpicked wallpapers, we find it cluttered because of various contents. However, there is an option to turn it off or customize it according to the user’s choice but people who are a fan of minimal home pages might not be fans of Edge. Edge also comes with a customizable sidebar for easy access to some Microsoft apps and tools. If you log in with your Microsoft account, you can sync your data across devices, as well as easily integrate with Microsoft apps, similar to what sync feature with Google apps and services. Regardless, give Edge a try. Moreover, you can also access Edge on Mac, iPhone, and Android. Price: Free
Based on Chromium Support for a huge range of extensions Loaded with features Multiple privacy options
The home page is cluttered
Download Edge
2. Opera – Feature-Rich Browser for Windows 11
Another Chromium-based browser, Opera offers a wide range of add-ons and features such as an integrated VPN with the option to switch between three servers, block ads or customize it for specific websites, a privacy option for each web page, and a Crypto wallet. Similar to Edge, Opera also has a sidebar where users can add necessary tools, resources, and services such as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp Web. Users can also add the websites of their choice to this sidebar. In our testing, we were not only impressed by the speeds but were happy to discover some small features integrated into the browser that improve user experience. When playing 4K videos on YouTube, you can improve its quality with Lucid Mode or enable pop-up. As for the test, 4K videos ran with fewer lags compared to Edge after simultaneously opening 3 tabs with video. Here’s how it fared in our tests: There are other interesting tools built into the browser such as the ability to capture screen, media player, and many more. The features don’t end there. Opera has even integrated Chatbots such as ChatSonic and ChatGPT with the integration of AI prompts to ensure you stay fast and productive. Speaking of productivity, there is also an option called Workspace, where users can organize tabs accordingly. Users can sign in with an id and sync that across devices as well as share links seamlessly. Apart from Windows, Opera is also available for macOS, Android, and iOS. However, since the browser is stuffed with so many features, users can get confused to navigate around. We also found it tricky to open private windows, apart from the option to open it from search results. Price: Free; VPN Pro: $3.99/month onwards
Wide range of features Based on Chromium Built-in Integration with AI tools Free VPN with multi-location support
Many features can be confusing Bit tricky to open the Private window
Download Opera Download Opera GX
3. Brave – Best Browser for Privacy
With the increase in privacy breaches by many of the trusted browsers, Brave came to fight against it with a strong emphasis on privacy and security. Built on Chromium, Brave ensures to block ads, cookies, phishing, and malware by default. Users can even see the number of trackers. It also has support for tab groups and is also integrated with Web3. Brave performed well enough in our tests. However, in our video playback test, it began stuttering from the second tab and eventually froze with the third one. Things improved when we lowered the playback resolution but wasn’t as good as the previous two options. Here are the results from our tests: Brave also offers advanced options to enable HTTPS Everywhere and prevent browser fingerprinting. Apart from that, Brave also rewards its users with its cryptocurrency, the Basic Attention Token (BAT). Users can also earn BAT by enabling Brave ads. Additionally, you can also withdraw BAT to convert it to regular currency or use these tokens to reward your favorite creators. Since Brave is based on Chromium, you will get all the benefits of Chrome such as Extension support. While Brave tries to mimic the sidebar, similar to the competition, it is not executed that well, since there are only a few useful tools such as Bookmark, Reading list, and Wallet. Thankfully, users can add websites and services to the sidebar. While Brave is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, it doesn’t have the option to sync across devices through an account. Price: Free; Firewall + VPN: $9.99/month
Privacy-focused browser Supports all Chrome extensions Users get rewarded with BAT Ability to know the number of trackers
Sidebar could have more useful features
Download Brave
4. Google Chrome – Massive Extension Support
As one can guess, Google Chrome is based on the open-source Chromium platform, which is easy to use and super compatible. All of it helped Chrome to gain fans worldwide. However, competition has begun to catch up. Regardless, Chrome is still the choice of most users, thanks to its huge extension library, cross-platform support, autofill features, tab groups, password manager, and more. Chrome also has a pretty good name when it comes to responsiveness. While it might not be the fastest browser, it is still fast and can be considered one of the best. In our video playback test too, it performed poorly as Chrome froze upon playing 4K video in just 2 tabs. Apart from that, it also took more time than other options to load these videos, something which we weren’t expecting. However, not all things are bad, as Chrome is still one of the smoothest browsers after Edge as it can render animations on websites without any hiccups. Thanks to the integration of the V8 Javascript engine. Chrome has been lately getting criticism lately for high RAM consumption. While Google has brought features such as Memory and Energy saver to Chrome, only time will tell how effective it is. Regardless of the strong competition, Chrome is still the choice for many when it comes to the best browsers for Windows, thanks to its amazing sync feature and the ability to easily integrate with Google apps and services. Price: Free
Huge library of extensions Integration with Google apps and services Syncs across multiple devices Good responsiveness
High RAM consumption Struggles at load
Download Chrome
5. Vivaldi – Lightweight Browser for Windows
Vivaldi is a new player on the field but knows everything about the game, as it is developed by former Opera developers. Vivaldi emphasizes customization, and you can customize almost every nook and corner of the browser, including navigation, user interface, toolbar, page fonts, and color schemes. Besides offering many customization features, Vivaldi has made sure to keep the browser fast, however, it’s not as good as its competitors. This was seen in our benchmark and video tests as the browser struggled to play videos simultaneously on two tabs. Vivaldi also has a feature known as Workspace, similar to Opera, but has been implemented better. There is also a feature called periodic reload that can make tabs load automatically after a particular time, an option to hibernate tabs to get more resources, and the ability to stack tabs of the same type of content. There is also a side panel with the necessary features and tools such as bookmarks, tools, and many others. If that’s not enough, users can also add websites of their choice. Users can also know the number of trackers when they visit a website. Since it is based on Chromium, it gets the benefit of all the Chrome extensions. Along with that, users can also log in to enable the sync feature where the data will be able to be accessed from Vivaldi app for macOS, iOS, and Android. Price: Free
Based on Chromium Wide range of customization features Stack tab groups Workspaces from productivity
Might confuse users with excess features
Download Vivaldi
6. Firefox – Browser With Frequent Updates
Firefox has proved as one of the best and fastest browsers for Windows over the years and has been in the market since the top G’s. The browser is appreciated for its regular updates which bring bug fixes, enhance speed and security. As for our tests, Mozilla Firefox was the slowest among all the options. The case was the same with 4K video playback as the browser was struggling once it started to stream 4K video on the second tab. Here are the scores. While Firefox is not based on Chromium, it still has a library for extensions, the Windows version also provides Windows Hello authentication for enhanced security on compatible websites. The feature lists are comparatively low, but you get features such as a great screenshot tool, password manager, and the ability to customize the themes. Firefox also supports a sync feature upon logging in with your account. Since Firefox is available on macOS, iOS, and Android other than Windows, this will be a handy feature. Also read: How to import or export Firefox bookmarks Price: Free
Wide range of extensions Constant updates Cross-platform sync Feature-packed screenshot tool
Not much interesting features Can’t handle the load
Download FireFox
Get the Best Browsing Experience
Like phones became smartphones, today’s browsers have also evolved a lot, giving you amazing features like seamless integration, sync across devices, and unparalleled speeds. We hope this article helped you choose the fastest browsers for your Windows 11 device. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
