Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

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Web browsers are among the most essential pieces of software we use daily, yet we often take them for granted. Most users settle for whatever default ships with their devices -- and that's a mistake. There are far better options available that improve upon the default in myriad ways.

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Over the decades, I've tried almost every browser that's come to market, from the most basic, terminal-based ones to the very complex and bloated. Within that spectrum, there are some browsers that rise so far above the rest that there's no comparison between the bad, the mediocre, and the good.

For me, there are four good browsers that I wouldn't hesitate to use.

1. Opera

Opera has been my go-to web browser for years.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

For years, Opera has been my go-to browser on Linux (more on that in a bit), and it has been for a long time. I originally migrated from my previous default browser (Firefox) due to its poor tab management. Opera includes a feature called Workspaces, which makes managing tabs not only easy but also efficient. 

Instead of having 30-60 tabs open in a single window (which can lead to confusion), I categorize my tabs into categories such as Work, Social, and Shopping. I can then dump all related tabs into each Workspace and work with a far less cluttered UI. And it doesn't hurt that Opera's new theming engine is absolutely brilliant.

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Although Opera doesn't have the same level of security as other browsers on this list, it does offer features such as forced HTTPS, protection against malicious sites, Secure DNS, and V8 security. Opera also performs very well. Outside of stripped-down, minimal browsers, Opera can compete with any modern option in the realm of performance. Plus, with the inclusion of Aria AI and the Opera VPN, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option. 

I will mention that Opera is still my go-to browser on MacOS.

Use Opera if you're looking for outstanding performance, some of the best tab management on the market, and a built-in AI tool. Opera can be installed for free on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, iOS, and iPadOS.

2. Zen Browser

Zen Browser is what Firefox should have been all along.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Look out, both Opera and Arc; there's a new fork in town, and this time it's focused on Firefox. Zen Browser became my default Linux web browser within the past year because of the improvements it made to Firefox. The biggest of those improvements is tab management. The developers of Zen Browser took a cue from Opera and added Workspaces to make tab management significantly easier. Additionally, they've made it possible to theme the browser without needing to install third-party extensions. 

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Essentially, you can achieve the Opera look with Arc's tab management. Zen Browser very quickly jumped the list to near the top, and I could easily see this browser becoming my default. Zen Browser also includes Mods, which are community-developed tweaks that you can install to change the behavior or appearance, allowing you to make Zen Browser truly your own. 

Use Zen Browser if you wish Firefox had better tab management and more options for theming. Zen Browser can be installed (for free) on Linux, MacOS, and Windows.

3. Tor Browser

Some websites will not load in Tor, depending on the circuit it's using.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

When I need serious security, there's only one browser I even consider, and that's Tor Browser. Not only does it automatically anonymize your traffic, but it also encrypts it. Tor accomplishes this by using a decentralized network called Tor Network. There is no browser on the market that can match Tor's security and privacy. 

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Although Tor Browser may be light on features and appear a bit outdated, when I need to feel confident that I'm using a truly secure browser, this is the only option I even consider. I admit that I only use Tor Browser when I need the utmost security, but I'm always glad it's there when needed. The only caveat to using Tor Browser is that its performance does take a hit in favor of security. But when the highest security is required, a slower browser is a price I'm willing to pay.

Use Tor Browser when you need the most powerful browser security on the market. Tor Browser can be installed (for free) on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS.

4. FireDragon

FireDragon is a beautiful web browser with plenty of extras to entice you away from your default.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

FireDragon is new to the web browser scene and was originally based on LibreWolf. Eventually, it switched to a base of Floorp (which is, in turn, based on Firefox). This browser resembles a combination of Opera and Firefox. FireDragon uses the Gecko rendering engine and the SpiderMonkey JavaScript engine (both of which are core components of Firefox), includes added privacy measures, adds Workspaces for improved tab management, makes use of the Dark Reader extension (dark mode for every website), and has a beautiful (and dark) default theme. 

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FireDragon also defaults to the Searx search engine (a free, open-source search engine that focuses on privacy, diverse search options, user control, and offers a self-hosting option). If you enjoy your privacy and want a Workspaces tab UI, FireDragon is a great option. Additionally, Firedragon has been customized to feature dr460nized-fitting aesthetics similar to those found in Garuda KDE dr460nized Linux. 

The only caveat to FireDragon is that it is only available for Linux and can be installed from the Arch AUR repository, as an AppImage, via Flathub, or through a binary tarball.

Use FireDragon when you need better tab management, a privacy-focused search engine, and a UI that resembles Opera's.