5 Best Browsers for Developers in 2022 (2023)

A web browser is the second most important tool for website developers, after the interactive development environment (IDE). It is simply indispensable for many tasks, from searching the Internet to debugging scripts. Unfortunately, not all browsers are equally useful. To increase their productivity, web developers need a tool with analysis and debugging capabilities. It also creates websites for users who visit them through browsers. Consequently, using a browser is essential for any web developer.

In this quick overview, we'll look at the most advanced web browsers to help you find the best developer solution. Note immediately that our selection is a convention and does not claim a true hierarchy of browsers from best to worst. And don't forget about cross-browser compatibility.

Cross browser compatibilityIt can be defined as the ability of your web resource to adapt and display correctly in multiple browsers at the same time. All front-end developers know that a website design that doesn't “spread” is trusted by users, and audience loyalty is a key indicator.

This used to be a huge problem in website development – ​​there was an all out browser war and different technologies were used to win over users. However, ultimately everything has more or less a common denominator, although cross-browser compatibility is still important.

For a website to display correctly everywhere, vendor prefixes are often used: "-webkit" for Chrome and Safari; "-moz" for Firefox; "-o" for opera; "-ms" for Internet Explorer, etc. They help browsers to correctly perceive the functions of elements and do not affect their display in other programs. Additionally, website builders create a special Coming Soon page that appears on the screen of users of unsupported browsers. It usually suggests updating to a newer version or opening a web resource in another app to view it. You can test a website's cross-browser capability using online testing services such ascross browser testing,Navigation, etc

Which browser to choose?

So which browser is the best? It is not so easy to give a definite answer. Every web browsing app is somewhat similar to its counterparts. Of course, they all have their own advantages and disadvantages, which can vary depending on the user's needs and preferences.

However, we must not forget about people's trivial tastes and the fact that a disadvantage for one can be an advantage for another. Therefore, to determine a really great browser, we need to analyze the application's implementation of expected standard functions, as well as support for current trends in technological development.

Below is a list of the most popular and efficient browsers that are well received by many web developers.

Mozilla Firefox Developer Edition

Mozilla regularly delights its users with new products. In addition to the usual browser, there are versions for people involved in the development and creation of new functions in web browsers. One such product is Firefox Developer Edition.

This browser version has more features compared to the default option, as well as improved performance and handy developer tools that will come in handy for open source authoring.

In terms of performance, Mozilla Firefox Developer Edition shows impressive results and hence the fastest possible page loads are guaranteed. In some tests, like WebGL, Asm.js, the browser offers the best performance among its counterparts. Not by a few points, but by one and a half or even twice as much.

It is currently the most popular browser for website developers and geeks alike. At least, it leads many polls among the developers themselves. And that's totally justified given that it's a really powerful, albeit underrated, web browser. By the way, Mozilla Firefox Developer Edition can display your resource's CSS grid, which is quite rare, if not unique.

Here are some things that set this browser apart from its counterparts:

• Best JavaScript debugger;
• CSS-Mastergrid;
• Integrated web IDE;
• Independence from companies that handle user data;
• Browser support on a variety of operating systems;
• Great page loading speed;
• Higher performance;
• Ability to sync devices;
• Modern browser customization/interface solutions;
• Current list of plugins and extensions;
• Detect inactive CSS on the page, etc.

Unlike other browsers, Firefox Developer Edition has a layout tool called CSS Grid. With its help, developers can divide screen areas into separate blocks with information, change their position and layout.

Firefox Developer Edition is available for all major platforms. Achieving a faster program was possible after the engine was completely redesigned. The developers practically wrote new code from scratch. The new CSS engine is much faster and smarter than its predecessor and includes the best of other popular browsers. High performance provides an algorithm that evenly distributes the load across all cores of your computer. The speed can be increased by a factor of 2, 4, and on some devices up to 16 times.

Developers tried to create a multifunctional browser and succeeded. Mozilla Firefox Developer Edition is a truly unique product. The Developer Edition has a number of useful tools that will come in handy for developers. They are characterized by their flexibility and great functionality. For example, there's a built-in JavaScript debugger that emulates activity in other browsers; This way you can check how the page is displayed in other browsers. Working with code in Mozilla Developer Edition is much more convenient: all the necessary information and tips are displayed on the screen.To make your coding process even easier, use the right external tools like thesecode time tracker.

There are just as many and sometimes more development opportunities in Mozilla than in Chrome. At the same time, Mozilla is completely authentic and does not copy any features of the Google product. In addition, Firefox is more respectful of user data and does not collect information like Google Chrome does.

Here are some other resources you might want to check out:

• Integrated path editor🇧🇷 Developers can use the editor to adjust and resize shapes. It's accessible from the CSS panel: to start editing an object, just click on it. Currently, the editor can work with shapes created with clip patch and external shape.
• title block🇧🇷 The panel gives you quick access to fonts used in elements. It contains information such as font type and size, typeface, and more. Font values ​​can be changed at any time using the built-in editor.
• store🇧🇷 Websites use different types of storage. Is not realcloud storage🇧🇷 Firefox Developer Edition has a built-in control panel that lets you check cache, cookies, session data, and more. Currently, the memory panel only offers memory readings, but Mozilla promises to expand this tool's capabilities in the near future.
• red monitor🇧🇷 The tool called Network Monitor shows the user all the requests made by the browser with detailed information about each one of them. Reports can be generated in the form of lists, graphs and tables.
• Web-Audio-Editor🇧🇷 The experimental web audio editor tool examines the audio context on pages and displays information about it through graphics. The editor is currently still under development and may have bugs that you can report.

Those aren't all the features, of course, but we have a few other browsers to discuss. As for Firefox, you should know that Mozilla has made sure your learning curve is as easy as possible, even if you don't have the right experience and are just learning how to develop software. The company's website has theTool boxSection with detailed descriptions of how to work with individual browser functions. In fact, the Mozilla Developer Network contains a lot of useful information for developers. Materials are published by professionals involved in creating new programs.

Mozilla Firefox Developer Editions are available for iOS/Android, Windows, macOS and Linux.

polypano

Polypane strikes the perfect balance between a classic user browser and a developer-focused masterpiece. However, many would say that this unique browser was primarily designed for website developers. That means it's practically packed with useful features for website builders:

• Ability to model a website withmultiple windows for different screens, from mobile phones to 5K monitors;
• 80 website accessibility testsso that everyone is comfortable;
• Compatibility with the most popular CMS;
• Compatibility with popular framework extensionsfor example, React, Angular, Vue, Svelte and many others.

Polypane is a browser built from the ground up for building websites and apps. It's the only browser that lets you develop a website for all viewports and devices at once, giving you a better overview of your website. You can also use it in your everyday life, but you won't be able to understand all its powerful development features.

Interact with a panel and all other panels will automatically follow your actions. Scrolling, clicking, and hovering are automatically distributed to panels. You can easily ensure that your website works as expected in all browser windows. One click is enoughtake a screenshotwith a complete view of your website (in all screen sizes) and share it with whoever you want. Layout debugging, CSS stress testing and Chromium-based development tools - Polypane has everything you needCreate advanced websitesand custom mobile apps

Polypane pays special attention to making the feature accessible, so it comes with a free trial period. However, if you want to use the extended functions in the long term, you will have to pay.

Polypane is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.

Quite

Sizzy is a full-featured browser that focuses on simplifying your development workflow. Its developers promised to make this process more productive and it looks like they did a great job. The list of features offered by Sizzy is quite long, but some of them deserve special attention:

• Everything is in sync. Simulation and the ability to take a screenshot of a web page on multiple devices at the same time;
• Element analysis on all devices with Universal Inspect Element;
• Website speed tests under different conditions;
• Spotlight function to operate the site via keyboard;
• Session Manager to switch between users.

If you are looking for a feature-rich browser with tools that no other browser has, Sizzy is the perfect solution. It is designed for developers and used by employees of Philips, GoDaddy, Comcast, Basecamp, Zapier and others. However, the browser is only available as a paid monthly/annual subscription with a two-week free period.

Sizzy is available for macOS, Windows and Linux.

Lichtblitz

Compared to Opera, Chrome and Firefox, Blisk doesn't get as much attention on the internet. However, it is worth considering if you are a beginner. The browser was specially developed byukrainian developerto give web designers their first workplace, where they can develop and test modern applications as quickly as possible.

Blisk has all the features that can help you create a true web masterpiece. These are just some of them:

• View desktop and mobile site side by side and simultaneously;
• Show how your feature will look on any smartphone;
• Developer tools are similar to Chrome;
• The built-in page inspector lets you inspect every element on the screen.

Blisk is the only developer-focused web browser that gives you access to all the features you need to create a great online experience. You can see what your website or app looks like on virtually any phone, from the Google Pixel to the iPhone. There are also options for landscape or portrait viewing.

Blisk also displays desktop and mobile layouts side-by-side so you can compare the experience users get when visiting a website, no matter what device they're using. Other features are:

• Modern URL and scroll sync.Blisk automatically syncs scroll positions and URLs to desktops and phones;
• automatic updates🇧🇷 Every time you save your code changes in the browser, Blisk refreshes your tabs and updates your CSS changes.
• development tools🇧🇷 Blisk comes with Chrome-like DevTools: you can run separate DevTools for mobile and desktop and use them to check performance at the same time.
• error messages🇧🇷 Blisk automatically monitors for JavaScript page errors and unloaded resources;
• page inspector🇧🇷 Blisk provides page inspection tools to quickly inspect any element on your mobile or desktop computer.

Bravo

If you're looking for a free and open source browser that's good for everyday use, then Brave is a great choice. It's more than a browser! Developed by Mozilla co-founder and JavaScript creator Brendan Eich, it's fast, secure, and privacy-oriented, and well worth a try.

Brave is one of the more "compact" web browsers in our test, offering plenty of flexible out-of-the-box tools for stealth and staying anonymous online. The browser blocks trackers and web beacons, removes annoying ad banners, removes ubiquitous surveillance systems and other data that can identify the user.

To make it even more convincing, the browser shows useful statistics about blocked elements, cookies and JavaScript that pose a threat to cybersecurity, along with information about traffic levels and page load time savings.

All of this is just the tip of the iceberg in Brave. The main feature of this browser is the built-in Onion Router (TOR) client, which allows you to use online services while safely "hiding" behind a distributed network of routers. They ensure that user information is transmitted in such a way that at no time can it be determined where the encrypted data came from or where it is going.

On iOS, you can even enable Private Browsing Only mode with Face ID or Touch ID, automatically unlock and remove all trackers, cookies, and history on exit.

Brave will never collect, store, or sell your personally identifiable information because, under Brave's Terms of Service, your information is considered your personal property.

In addition, IPFS Companion allows you to upload content via the InterPlanetary File System, a peer-to-peer transfer protocol designed for more decentralized uploads of large files.

If that wasn't enough, Brave comes with full support for Google Chrome extensions, making it easy to set up a VPN connection, adding an extra layer of protection against strangers "snooping" on your traffic.

Here are some of Brave's strengths:

• It runs about three times faster than Chrome and is optimized to extend battery life and minimize memory consumption.
• It has a built-in ad blocker and all the user safety features you need.
• Reduced traffic consumption due to lack of advertising (relevant for mobile devices);
• Easily sync with your Android or iPhone;
• Availability of IPFS integration for intermediary-free Internet browsing;
• No collection of personal data;
• Ability to visit blocked websites (TOR);
• Ability to earn cryptocurrency for viewing ads;
• Block browser mining and hidden app installations.

The Brave Rewards feature is also worth mentioning - it gives you a chance to win BAT (Basic Attention Token). Brave is a great everyday browser that is not only fast and secure, but also free.

Brave is available for Windows 64-bit, Windows 32-bit, macOS Intel, macOS ARM64 and Linux.

Google Chrome

We simply couldn't ignore the world's most popular browser. According to StatCounter https://gs.statcounter.com/, Google Chrome has more than 60% of users. Therefore, a web developer only needs to test the code before pushing it to production. Let's list the obvious advantages of the world's leading browser:

• One of the best browsers in terms of feature support;
• High level of awareness, large user community;
• integration with the Google ecosystem;
• Industry standard with many extensions;
• Excellent development tools.

Of course, we are more interested in the Developer Edition, which has a special set of tools and an advanced console that allows you to edit code and enable hidden options. Chrome Developer Edition also has special plugins for development:

• Octotree simplifies GitHub https://github.com/ by providing easy navigation and support for private repositories;
• The Web Developer extension adds a toolbar button with various web development tools;
• PerfectPixel de WellDoneCode—This extension lets you overlay other images on the page with a translucent layer to precisely align elements.
• The Usersnap Chrome extension lets you capture and annotate any webpage right in your browser.
• Code queue displays the page's source code so you can edit the CSS by dragging and dropping the slider—The finished code can be copied and pasted into the editor.

You can use DevTools mode to change the page after loading, run Google Chrome console commands to monitor and control the page, and network and speed tests to monitor web traffic.

You can also emulate other devices including different operating systems and screen resolutions. This allows you to see if the site has a responsive design and where the content and layout of the site changes depending on resolution or device type.

While these tools are aimed at professional web developers or QAs, regular Chrome users are also familiar with the DevTools suite. If you encounter a problem with a website that you cannot resolve, switching to web development tools can help you determine whether the problem is website or browser related.

The easiest way is to open Google Chrome DevTools from the Google Chrome menu. To do this, click on the three-dot menu icon in the upper-right corner. Select from the menu that appearsMore Tools > Developer Tools.

Conclusion

All browser comparisons presented in this review are very preliminary and relative.—There is no way to choose the best. Though one thing is true—Developers are trying to make front-end development easier and more convenient for everyone, taking into account the needs of both professionals and ordinary users.

Each of the above browsers can be safely called “the best browser for web developers”, because no one has canceled the competition yet. Developers add their own unique features that can help you develop your own web projects. They do this to find their loyal users and get the right level of popularity.

That is why almost every company has a special version of its browser for web developers, so that it is convenient and good for everyone, without cluttering the product with tools that few need.

To find your best browser, we recommend trying several products. Hands-on experience will allow you to appreciate the real difference between them, both in functionality and in the interface.
Lots of luck!