I Tested Every Browser. Most Are Garbage.

Summary

In this video, the creator tests 15 different web browsers to determine which is the best, based on three criteria: installation ease, energy consumption, and speed. Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Brave, and others are put through rigorous tests, with results ranging from frustratingly complex installs to energy-hungry performance. Brave emerges as the best in terms of power efficiency and speed, while Microsoft Edge wins for speed. Despite the numbers favoring Brave, the creator ultimately leans towards Edge for its raw performance. The video highlights the trade-offs between convenience, cost, and speed when choosing a browser.

Takeaways

• 😀 **Installation Ease**: Microsoft Edge and Brave are the easiest browsers to install, requiring zero clicks to start using after installation.
• 😀 **Annoyance Index**: Arc browser is the worst in terms of installation, with 13 clicks required due to forced account creation and unnecessary setup steps.
• 😀 **Power Consumption**: Brave is the most power-efficient browser, costing around €40 per year, while Opera GX consumes the most power at an astonishing €65 annually.
• 😀 **Speed Performance**: Microsoft Edge is the fastest browser, scoring 42.5, followed by Google Chrome at 41, and Brave at 38.2.
• 😀 **Cost of Running Browsers**: Firefox costs around €54 per year, Chrome is slightly cheaper at €51, while Brave offers significant savings at €40 per year.
• 😀 **Brave's Efficiency**: Brave is not only efficient in terms of installation and speed, but it also saves money on power consumption, making it the most well-rounded choice.
• 😀 **Edge's Power Tradeoff**: While Edge is the fastest browser, it requires more energy to run compared to others, which impacts its overall ranking in terms of cost-effectiveness.
• 😀 **Opera GX's Bloat**: Opera GX, despite being marketed as a ‘gamer’s browser’, is inefficient, burning €65 annually just for extra features like clicky sounds and a red theme.
• 😀 **Yandex's Surprising Performance**: Yandex Browser was an unexpected contender, ranking third with solid performance in installation, speed, and power usage.
• 😀 **Arc's Disappointment**: Despite its futuristic and sleek design, Arc fails in the installation process, power efficiency, and overall speed, making it the least favorable browser among those tested.
• 😀 **Tor and LibreWolf Limitations**: Both Tor and LibreWolf failed to run the speed benchmark tests, rendering them unsuitable for users who care about raw browser performance.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the 'annoyance index' test?

The 'annoyance index' test measures how many clicks it takes to go from opening a browser installer to being able to search on Google. It highlights the ease or frustration of the installation process.

Which browser required the most clicks during installation?

Arc required the most clicks during installation, totaling 13 clicks, due to mandatory account creation and additional pop-ups.

Why was Microsoft Edge surprising in the installation test?

Microsoft Edge was surprising because it required zero clicks to start using the browser, as it assumed the user was already on Windows and did not need additional setup.

What makes Brave the most power-efficient browser according to the tests?

Brave is the most power-efficient browser because it blocks ads and other unnecessary content, allowing the CPU to use less energy. It only costs €3.2/month to run, making it the least expensive option.

How did Opera GX perform in terms of power consumption?

Opera GX performed poorly in terms of power consumption, costing a staggering €542 per month, primarily due to its gamer-oriented features such as sound effects and visual enhancements.

What does the power consumption test reveal about the average cost of running popular browsers?

The power consumption test shows that Firefox costs about €4.5 per month, Google Chrome costs €4.28 per month, Brave is the most efficient at €3.2 per month, and Opera GX is extremely inefficient at €542 per month.

Which browser was the fastest in the speed test?

Microsoft Edge was the fastest in the speed test, with a score ranging from 42.5 to 43.8, outperforming other browsers such as Google Chrome and Brave.

Why was Arc considered the worst browser in the final ranking?

Arc was considered the worst because it had a high annoyance index with 13 clicks to install, was expensive to run, and performed average in speed. It was described as a 'Ferrari with a Toyota engine.'

What was the final ranking for browsers based on the overall tests?

The final ranking was as follows: 1st place - Brave, 2nd place - Microsoft Edge, 3rd place - Yandex, and Arc was the lowest-ranked browser.

How did the results of the speed test impact the recommendation for browser choice?

The speed test results impacted the recommendation by showing that while Brave was the most well-rounded in terms of efficiency and installation, Microsoft Edge’s speed made it the top choice for those who prioritize fast performance.