Features missing in your current browser

[Parkinsond]

In the search for the perfect browser.

 

[Bot]

In the search for the perfect browser.

There probably isn’t a truly “perfect” browser, but you can get very close to “perfect for you” if you decide what matters most: privacy, security, performance, features, or compatibility.

Here’s a quick overview to help you narrow it down.

1. Start with your priorities
What do you care about most?

• Privacy: Less tracking, fewer connections to big clouds, stronger defaults.
• Security: Strong sandboxing, fast patching, exploit mitigations.
• Performance: Speed, low RAM/CPU usage with many tabs.
• Features & UI: Customization, tab management, sidebars, built-in tools.
• Compatibility: “Just works” with every random website and web app.

If you tell me your top 2–3, I can narrow it down very specifically. For now, here are the main “families”.

2. Main browser families

Chromium-based (Chrome, Edge, Brave, Vivaldi, Opera, etc.)
Pros:

• Best website compatibility (most sites are built/tested for Chromium).
• Usually best performance and smoothness.
• Huge extension ecosystem.

Cons:

• Privacy varies a lot by vendor (Google vs. privacy-focused forks).
• Most of the web relying on one engine = less diversity.

Firefox-based (Mozilla Firefox, LibreWolf, Floorp, etc.)
Pros:

• Independent engine (Gecko) – good for web diversity.
• Strong privacy controls, good tracking protection.
• Still quite customizable (UI, about:config, etc.).

Cons:

• Occasional site quirks on poorly-coded or Chromium-only sites.
• Some advanced tweaks require more effort/knowledge.

3. Concrete options by use‑case

If you want strong privacy out-of-the-box (no heavy manual tweaking):

• Brave (Chromium):
  • Built-in ad/tracker blocking, fingerprinting protections, per‑site controls.
  • Good performance and compatibility because it’s Chromium.
  • Has some crypto features many users just disable.
• Firefox with sane privacy settings:
  • Use Strict Enhanced Tracking Protection.
  • Add a good content blocker (uBlock Origin).
  • Turn off telemetry in settings if you’re privacy-sensitive.
• LibreWolf (Firefox fork):
  • Pre‑hardened privacy settings and no telemetry by default.
  • Less convenient for beginners (fewer built‑in services, some things may need manual enabling).

If you want maximum compatibility and “just works”:

• Google Chrome:
  • Top-tier website compatibility and performance.
  • Not great for privacy by default (heavy integration with Google services).
• Microsoft Edge:
  • Deep Windows integration, very compatible.
  • Some users dislike the Microsoft service integrations/promotions.

If you love customization and features:

• Vivaldi (Chromium):
  • Insane amount of UI customization, tab stacking, tiling, side panels.
  • Good power-user features (notes, mail, feeds, etc. built-in).
  • Heavier feel than something minimalist.
• Firefox (mainline):
  • UI can be customized quite a lot.
  • about:config for power users.

If you want a “security first” mindset:
No mainstream desktop browser will magically “secure” an already compromised system, but in normal use:

• Keep to up‑to‑date mainstream builds (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Brave, etc.).
• Enable automatic updates and don’t delay them.
• Use a strong content blocker (e.g. uBlock Origin) to reduce drive‑by ads/malvertising.
• Consider using separate profiles (or even separate browsers) for:
  • Banking/critical logins
  • Casual browsing
  • Testing unknown sites

4. A practical approach

Many MalwareTips users end up with two browsers instead of chasing one “perfect” one:

• Primary: e.g. Firefox or Brave with privacy hardening and main extensions.
• Secondary: e.g. Chrome/Edge for any stubborn sites or work apps.

This usually covers:

• Good privacy/security for daily tasks.
• Maximum compatibility when you really need it.

5. If you want a more tailored recommendation

Reply with:

• Your OS (Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS).
• Top priorities (privacy, speed, features, minimal RAM, etc.).
• Any “must have” things (sync, certain extensions, vertical tabs, etc.).

Then I can suggest 1–3 very specific browsers + settings that should get you as close to “perfect” as realistically possible.

 

[Sampei.Nihira]

I apologize if my answer is too technical, but this is the only thing I'm missing.

These are one sandbox feature that are missing in Chrome but available in Edge.

The Appcontainer for the Renderer.

 

[Marko :)]

Firefox ticks all features in poll for me except normal and functional spell checker. Currently it's a mess that I don't think will ever get fixed.

 

[Sorrento]

I'm happy with Brave & Firefox as they are, adding the like of Brave's ad-blocking to Firefox would be nice but my main concern now is adding features I do not want to a browser such as AI that's on by default, leave the bloody thing alone would be my main choice, IF I want AI i can use it ...

 

[Parkinsond]

I apologize if my answer is too technical, but this is the only thing I'm missing.

These are one sandbox feature that are missing in Chrome but available in Edge.

The Appcontainer for the Renderer.

I thought Edge is just a Chrome clone!

 

[Parkinsond]

Firefox ticks all features in poll for me except normal and functional spell checker. Currently it's a mess that I don't think will ever get fixed.

Most, but not all.
No toggle for dark webpage, AI agent, built-in adblocker, or AI agent.

 

[Parkinsond]

I'm happy with Brave & Firefox as they are, adding the like of Brave's ad-blocking to Firefox would be nice but my main concern now is adding features I do not want to a browser such as AI that's on by default, leave the bloody thing alone would be my main choice, IF I want AI i can use it ...

Ultimately AI will be squeezed in every single piece of software; it is inevitable.

 

[Marko :)]

Most, but not all.
No toggle for dark webpage, AI agent, built-in adblocker, or AI agent.

Well, you did ask "what do you need to be added to your browser?". I'm not missing on any of these features. On some websites I prefer to have light UI, and on some I prefer dark (and all of those that I prefer to have dark already have the setting for it). Regarding ad blocker, I think most of these ad blockers built-into web browsers suck and lack of customization, so I prefer to have uBlock Origin as standalone extension. AI agent? I have Copilot app installed so I don't miss the AI inside of the browser too. Beside you can enter @perplexity in Firefox address bar and it will send your query to AI.

 

[Sorrento]

@Parkinsond Maybe/probably, although when Google say don't trust it as they did this week twice - There is even on the most simple minded person erosion of AI, I don't mind using it I just don't want it rammed down my throat though seems much is for training AI as for the help of a consumer anyway, I will continue to use the net as I like to even though things change.Only time will tell if it is too much to quickly?? I certainly think it is & I am no Luddite.
Edited..

 

[Marko :)]

Maybe, although when Google say don't trust it as they did this week twice - There is even on the most simple minded person erosion of AI, I don't mind using it I just don't want it rammed down my throat though seems much is for training AI as for the help of a consumer anyway, I will continue to use the net as I like to even though things change.Only time will tell if it is too much to quickly??

I use AI quite often, either for simple questions or for solving problems. But if I ask about a thread I'm not really familiar with, I'll always confirm the information by searching web the old way.

 

[Parkinsond]

Well, you did ask "what do you need to be added to your browser?". I'm not missing on any of these features. On some websites I prefer to have light UI, and on some I prefer dark (and all of those that I prefer to have dark already have the setting for it). Regarding ad blocker, I think most of these ad blockers built-into web browsers suck and lack of customization, so I prefer to have uBlock Origin as standalone extension. AI agent? I have Copilot app installed so I don't miss the AI inside of the browser too. Beside you can enter @perplexity in Firefox address bar and it will send your query to AI.

So instead of "Firefox ticks all features in poll for me except normal and functional spell checker", it would be more appropriate to isert "needed" between "all" and "features".

 

[Parkinsond]

@Parkinsond Maybe/probably, although when Google say don't trust it as they did this week twice - There is even on the most simple minded person erosion of AI, I don't mind using it I just don't want it rammed down my throat though seems much is for training AI as for the help of a consumer anyway, I will continue to use the net as I like to even though things change.Only time will tell if it is too much to quickly?? I certainly think it is & I am no Luddite.
Edited..

I do not want AI to be included in browsers at all; I only offered is as a feature someone may need.

 

[Parkinsond]

I use AI quite often, either for simple questions or for solving problems. But if I ask about a thread I'm not really familiar with, I'll always confirm the information by searching web the old way.

Me too; I prefer to make the decision myself, rather letting AI to take care of such a task for me.

 

[Sorrento]

@Marko :)

 

[Marko :)]

So instead of "Firefox ticks all features in poll for me except normal and functional spell checker", it would be more appropriate to isert "needed" between "all" and "features".

That's why I added for me part.

 

[Parkinsond]

@Marko :)

View attachment 293202

This is not a built-in adblocker; it is pre-installed extension of adblocker.

 

[Parkinsond]

That's why I added for me part.

For me, toggle for dark webpage per website and screenshot tool and the top priority; adblocker extensions, until the present time, can do the job with no significant difference in page loading time compared to built-in adblocker.

 

[Sampei.Nihira]

I use AI quite often, either for simple questions or for solving problems. But if I ask about a thread I'm not really familiar with, I'll always confirm the information by searching web the old way.

If, on the other hand, I use AI for some problem, it refers me to some work I have done myself here and there on the web.
Just think how messed up I am...

 

[Sorrento]

Maybe a thread on what we do not need, there are two new threads on what Microsoft in their infinite wisdom Maybe have in-store for us lucky people, frankly I don't want any of these new features, maybe I'm getting old but probably a bit wises??