Yoodley is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Web browsers are an essential tool regardless of your device’s operating system. Windows users were generally enriched with Internet Explorer as a default program out of the box. However, since its discontinuation in June 2022, it’s not officially available as a downloadable application on any platform. Fortunately, there are several popular alternatives for Internet Explorer for macOS. In this article, we will be discussing a few of them.
Best IE alternatives for Mac
The best alternative to Internet Explorer is Apple’s in-house browser Safari. It features all the bells and whistles that one looks for in a web browser. However, if you are not happy with it, here are some other options for you.
1. Google Chrome
Developed by Google, Google Chrome is a free-to-use web browser. It is one of the most popular web browsers due to its cross-platform nature. It is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux, among many others. It is directly connected to your Google account, enabling you to back up and load your data between systems upon login. This data includes autofill data, bookmarks, passwords, etc.
A prominent feature of the Chrome browser is “extensions,” which are typically extra tools that can further amplify your browsing experience. All Google tools are automatically optimized for this browser. For example, if you open a foreign language webpage, the browser will prompt you with an option to translate the whole page into your native language (or any other language of your choice). Chrome is a top choice if you’re looking for an Internet Explorer alternative for macOS.
2. Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox has been a popular choice for a while now. It is available across multiple platforms, including macOS, Windows, Android, etc. It is highly regarded for its security features, such as anti-tracking, anti-fingerprinting, ad blocking, etc. It is also relatively light as an application which is ideal if RAM management is a priority for you.
Since its Quantum update in 2017, Firefox has provided a smooth and straightforward user experience. It has many useful features such as bookmarks, picture-in-picture mode, history, translation, etc. In a nutshell, a great choice if you are looking for a lightweight browser that focuses on privacy.
3. Microsoft Edge Chromium
Edge Chromium by Microsoft is the successor to Microsoft’s Edge browser. It is based on Chromium, the same open-source project used by Google Chrome. Due to this, it comes with several of Chrome’s features with a promise to provide a simpler and faster browsing experience.
It comes with an “Internet Explorer” mode, enabling users to load older web pages faster. Users can access the Chrome extensions store using this browser exactly how they would with the Chrome browser. As for security, it comes with ad-blocking trackers, malware and phishing detectors, etc. The Edge Chromium is an excellent IE alternative if you are a Microsoft ecosystem fan looking for a clean browsing experience.
4. Opera Browser
Opera Browser is a feature-rich web browser available on multiple platforms, including macOS, Windows, iOS, etc. It focuses on minimal RAM usage while packing many tools for its users. These tools include battery saver mode, a built-in ad blocker, a snapshot (for screenshots), etc.
Opera comes with a download manager which allows you to pause, resume and schedule downloads. It also has a feature called “Opera Turbo,” which compresses data to speed up browsing on slow connections. For add-ons/extensions, it has a library. You can save history, bookmarks, and other browser settings in sync across multiple devices. The Opera browser is a no-brainer if you are looking for a lightweight browser but also wish to make the most out of your browsing experience.
5. Brave Browser
Launched in 2016, Brave Browser is the new boy in town regarding Internet Explorer alternatives for Mac. Despite that, it has become a popular option among users. It is an open-source, free-to-use, cross-platform web browser that mainly focuses on showing its users as few ads as possible while browsing. It keeps your privacy intact by hiding your history and masking your IP address during your browsing session.
Brave is a cryptocurrency venture; therefore, it comes with a “Brave Rewards” program that allows its users to earn their Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) token for viewing privacy-respecting ads. Users of Brave browser can also tip content creators using this token. The browser also allows you to access “Tor.” As for conventional features, it has it all. It is the perfect browser for you if you are looking for an ad-free and private web browsing session.
6. Avast Secure Browser
Developed by popular antivirus providers Avast, the Secure Browser, as its name suggests, gives user security/privacy the topmost priority. It has many features for the same, including a built-in ad-blocker, anti-tracking tools, safe banking, etc. It also has a password manager which generates and saves strong passwords and syncs them across your devices.
The secure browser has a built-in VPN that allows users to mask their IP and access Geo-blocked websites safely. Another noteworthy feature is its download manager, enabling users to download audio or video files from any web page, including YouTube. If security is an area where you want no compromise, Avast Secure Browser can be a good option.
7. Vivaldi
Vivaldi is a cross-platform freeware that is built on the Chromium engine. Its primary focus is to provide users with a simple browsing experience that can be customized to their liking. For customization, it comes with various themes and color schemes and allows users to create custom keyboard shortcuts, edit menus, toolbars, etc.
The browser has a unique “Notes” feature that lets users take notes while viewing a webpage and save them for future reference. It also comes with a tabs stack that arranges tabs uniquely and efficiently. It also has its add-ons store. If you are looking for a personalized and seamless browsing experience, Vivaldo is an optimal choice.
Conclusion
The discontinuation of Internet Explorer disheartened internet users and sent many searching for alternatives. Despite not being a native app to the ecosystem, even macOS users look for Internet Explorer alternatives for Mac. In this article, we listed several choices to choose from. Ultimately, the best browser for a Mac user will depend on their individual needs and preferences.
