Being able to browse the internet has become one of the basic requirements of mobile phones, with busy users demanding seamless and functional ways to access the web at all times. As a result, the humble mobile browser has been transformed from a basic amenity into an all-purpose application with features to rival their desktop counterparts. From Android and iOS to Windows Phone and BlackBerry, each operating system now boasts a bespoke browser specifically tailored to meet the needs of the user and compliment the key features of each device.

Mobile Browsers

However, mobile internet certainly doesn’t have to begin and end with a phone’s default browser. Delve into your app store and you will unearth a veritable host of options, each offering an alternative take on the mobile web experience. From functionality to design, third party browsers allow for a great deal of freedom when it comes to perusing the internet, and can often improve the whole browsing thing as a whole.

The world of third party browsers can be confusing and crowded, so we’ve picked out three of our favourites that we’re sure will improve that all important internet experience.

Mozilla Firefox

(Available for: Android)

The popular web browser has recently taken its first plunge into the world of mobile and has come up with some seriously impressive results. Differing from many existing browsers in terms of aesthetics, Firefox offers a stylish yet simplistic take on the internet experience and excels because of it.

Firefox has recently entered into the world of mobile browsers and has proved itself to be very quick. For those in a rush to get things done

In place of the often bland layout employed by many browsers, comes an attractive curved search bar design, vibrant page content and bold, eye-catching text. Pinch-to-zoom functionality makes an appearance, as with many other efforts, but does so without lag or slow page focus. In addition, tabs are set out in a handy box, allowing for quick switching between pages.

And, perhaps most crucially, it’s quick. Very quick. For those in a rush to get things done, web pages load in impressive time and seamless tab switching means you can accomplish everything in a prompt, straightforward manner.

Opera

(Available for: iOS, Android)

Opera crosses platforms and does very well with it too, proving a very reliable and detailed browser. Despite not quite matching up in terms of looks, its in-depth functionality more than makes up for this.

Opera offers more in-depth functionality than most other mobile browsers

Settings are available at the touch of a button, meaning you can keep an eye on the boring things like text wrapping and image display without too much hassle. And, thanks to the handy Start window, you can save all your favourite pages in a neat little collection, making it easy for you to load up the browser and go.

Tabs are also neatly tucked away, meaning you don’t have to suffer accidental presses and inadvertent page loads but rather swipe through the tidy list of open pages. Features such as these may not seem like much, but when combined with Opera’s functional appearance and solid load times, make for a very functional and appealing browser.

Google Chrome

(Available for: Android)

Perhaps one of the most iconic and recognisable browsers around, Google Chrome has made the transition onto the mobile platform and will no doubt prove popular. Famed for its reliability, this web browser ticks all the boxes with sublime integration, nifty features and quick performance.

Google Chrome has proved itself to be one of the more popluar mobile browsers

As anyone who has used the desktop version will know, Chrome looks the business. A minimalist design means pages look colourful without clutter, and text jumps from the screen and catches the eye. Far more importantly though, the Tab and Bookmark integration is a joy, making switching between pages and loading your favourites a refreshingly simple task.

Factor in Google Mail integration and you have a browser that is hard to beat. Once signed in to your Google account, you have access to all existing bookmarks, contacts and settings. You can’t ask for much more.

Which of these three mobile browsers do you use?


Like this post? Please share with your friends and colleagues too..