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While Apple's native Safari browser is adequate for most people, you might prefer a different option that's more suitable for you. With so many third-party options available for iOS, it can be hard to decide on one. Below we list the best iPhone browsers to help you choose.

1. Safari

As mentioned above, Safari is the default browser on iPhone. But that doesn't mean Apple is resting on its laurels. The company has done so much to make Safari competitive against other popular browsers like Chrome and Firefox.

For one, it syncs all your open tabs over iCloud. So if you use another Apple device, like an iPad or Mac, you can easily switch devices without interrupting your browsing experience. You can even remotely close open Safari tabs from your other Apple devices.

Besides that, you can install browser extensions to customize and improve your Safari experience further. If you rely heavily on the Apple ecosystem, the native Safari browser should be your top choice.

2. Google Chrome

Chrome is the most popular alternative to Safari among iPhone users. And there's a good reason: Chrome is available on most major operating systems, including Windows, Mac, ChromeOS, Linux, and Android.

So no matter what device you own, Chrome will sync your bookmarks, history, and open tabs. It might be worth switching to Chrome for that reason alone.

Chrome offers voice control, a data saver mode, and intuitive gestures. For instance, you can swipe down to reload the page. After swiping down, you can move your finger to the left to open a new tab or to the right to close the current tab.

You can also move Chrome's address bar to the bottom if you think you'll miss that function of Safari. These features are some of the reasons why Google Chrome is one of the most popular iOS browsers and the best alternative to Safari.

Download: Google Chrome (Free)

3. Microsoft Edge

Many write off Microsoft Edge because of its association with Internet Explorer. Although Internet Explorer has a long history, its poor performance made it a laughingstock among modern browsers. However, the revamped Microsoft Edge is a far cry from the slow, buggy Internet Explorer and its Edge Legacy successor.

Microsoft Edge is now Chromium-powered, giving it the same foundation as the highly successful Google Chome. As such, the massive extension library on Google Chrome also works on Microsoft Edge. It also means you can install it nearly anywhere Chromium browsers are supported.

But what makes Edge different from Chrome is the Microsoft Copilot feature, an AI-powered chatbot that uses OpenAI's GPT-4 language model to help with your search queries and more. It can even create AI-generated images for whatever purpose you need. So if you need AI assistance without additional setup, Microsoft Edge should be your browser of choice.

Download: Microsoft Edge (Free)

4. Brave

Brave is a fast and secure browser for iOS. It takes your privacy to the extreme by blocking all trackers and popups from your browser (including ads). This means your browsing speed can be up to eight times faster, especially when opening news sites loaded with trackers.

But it's not just Brave's browsing that's lightning-fast. The app is quick to navigate, with a dedicated new tab button in the bottom toolbar (which Safari doesn't have). You can tap, hold, and swipe the tab icon at the bottom bar left or right to move between open tabs, making it easy to browse multiple pages on your phone.

You can also create a PDF from the website you visit straight on the browser, making it easier to print and share pages. Furthermore, if you're into crypto and NFTs, Brave offers a multi-chain, self-custody wallet right within the browser.

Since Brave is Chromium-based, you can install and use it on different operating systems. So even if you have a Windows laptop or an Android tablet, you can sync your browsing sessions on an iPhone.

Download: Brave Browser (Free)

5. Opera

Although Opera isn't as popular as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, it's still a great alternative browser for iPhone users. Its built-in ad blocker and VPN make it stand out, so you don't need to install extensions or add-ons to get these features.

If you also use Opera or Opera GX on your computer, you can use My Flow to copy-paste text and files between your phone and PC. However, that's the limit of Opera's synchronization features—it won't let you sync tabs and passwords between devices.

Nevertheless, Opera offers other features like an integrated crypto wallet and the Aria browser AI. If you frequently find yourself being geo-blocked by content, hassled by ads, or just want to try something a little different, it's worth giving Opera a shot.

Download: Opera (Free)

6. Mozilla Firefox

If you don't trust Google or its Chromium project, Mozilla Firefox is a great, fully-featured option that doesn't use the open-source Chromium codebase that Google developed. And if you've already been using Firefox on Linux, Mac, or PC, you'll be right at home with Firefox for iOS.

Like Chrome and Safari, you can use Firefox Sync to keep all your tabs, bookmarks, and passwords in sync with your iPhone. Furthermore, Firefox blocks trackers by default, its Private Browsing mode stores zero browsing information, and you can lock the browser with a passcode or Face ID.

The only downside is that Firefox for iOS doesn't support extensions or add-ons (though this helps you avoid the hidden dangers of browser extensions). If you're security conscious but still want the convenience of a modern browser, you should install Firefox on your iPhone.

Download: Firefox (Free)

7. DuckDuckGo

If you want more privacy than what most other browsers offer, you should consider DuckDuckGo. This browser was created by the same team behind the privacy-focused search engine that bears its name.

DuckDuckGo for iOS uses WebKit as its foundation, which is what Safari uses—but its similarities end there. Since this app focuses on privacy, it doesn't let you sync across devices. Although it has tabs, they're private by default. You can close all tabs and clear all data with a single tap on the fire icon in the bottom toolbar.

While it's not as convenient to use as the other browsers we've discussed, DuckDuckGo is worth checking out if you're concerned about privacy and don't want the websites you visit to track you.

Download: DuckDuckGo (Free)

8. Firefox Focus

Think of Firefox Focus as a super-specialized mini version of Firefox. It's a barebones app that focuses entirely on privacy. To that end, the app has no tab-switching feature, bookmaking, or history.

You open the app, browse the web, open pages (but not in a new tab), and that's basically it. The app turns off ad, analytic, social, and content tracking by default. You can see how many trackers Firefox has blocked by tapping the shield icon in the address bar. Hit the Trash button to erase your browsing history immediately.

While I wouldn't recommend using Firefox Focus as your primary browser, it's an excellent choice if you visit highly sensitive websites (like your bank or crypto wallet). This is the browser you need if you value privacy and security when visiting a webpage.

Download: Firefox Focus (Free)

If you want a great browsing experience on your iPhone, we recommend picking any of the apps above. Of course, the best iPhone browser for your use case may vary; it depends on personal preferences and other devices you have.

Safari is still the best option if you've invested heavily in the Apple ecosystem. But if you use other devices, Chrome and Edge are great picks, too. You can go for Brave, Opera, or Firefox if you don't trust Google's Chromium project. And for the best-in-class security and privacy, pick DuckDuckGo or Firefox Focus.