[8 May 2008] (Warning! Glowing review follows.) NetNewsWire is an RSS newsfeed reader that includes a built-in Safari-based web browser. I don't use the browser very much in NetNewsWire, but I do use this program several times a day, because RSS is such an efficient way of getting information quickly and NNW is one of the best applications ever available on the Macintosh platform. If you are just getting started with the whole RSS newsfeed thing, I suggest you try out this fine application, which as of version 3.1 is freeware (apparently NetNewsWire Lite, the freeware version without integrated browser, has been discontinued). Version 2.0.1 NNW provided full support for Atom newsfeeds. (Thanks for urging me to add this, Pierre!) Version 2.1 was also offered in a French localization, supported synchronization of subscriptions with NewsGator and introduced tabbed browsing. Version 2.1.1 was a bug-fixed release. Version 3.1, now freeware, offers loads of new features such as an updated interface with new icons, improved combined view, a new HTML archive feature, desktop integration with Address Book, iCal, iPhoto, Growl, etc., full-screen mode, clippings, version checking, automatic download of podcasts and transfers to iTunes, and smart lists and multiple languages. This is truly one of the finest Mac applications ever! Version 3.1.1 fixes a couple of bugs missed in 3.1. 3.1.2 includes more bug fixes. 3.1.3 fixes a crashing bug. 3.1.4 was an internal-only release. 3.1.5 includes bug fixes and tweaks. Version 3.1.6 is now in beta-testing. [Note: Although various beta versions and builds may be released, I will only report on officially sanctioned, publicly available releases on this page.]

[24 April 2008] This is one of the fastest browsers I have seen on Mac OS. It's also not bad on BeOS, Linux and Windows. Opera clearly demonstrates that improvements to a satisfying Web experience don't depend on the size of the company that produces it. Version 6.0 provided nearly full support for CSS, but handled some things differently from other browsers. Version 7.5 is a major improvement to Opera for Macintosh, bringing it to the top of the list of best Mac browsers and matching feature for feature the latest versions available on Windows and Linux. Even though similar browsers are completely free, these improvements should put Opera back into competition. Use of Opera is now completely free - without an advertising window. It was formerly $39 for the commercial, non-advertising version. This is my main browser on Windows. Versions 7.54u1 and 7.54u2 are security updates. Version 8.0.2 includes security-related fixes. 8.10 preview 2 was released after 8.0.2 and again includes support for BitTorrent file sharing. As of version 8.5 Opera is now free! Besides offering up dozens of new features, Opera 9.0 pre 1 has new keyboard commands that bring it more into line with those of other modern browsers. Version 8.5.1 is a security update. Version 9.0 is now a universal binary and adds "widgets", support for BitTorrent, site-specific preferences and much more. Versions 9.01 and 9.02 are bug-fixed, recommended security upgrades. Version 9.1 now features "real-time Fraud Protection" to prevent phishing attacks. Opera 9.20 introduces Speed Dial and Developer Tools as well as security fixes. Versions 9.21 to 9.27 are security fixes.

Opera 9.50 beta is available from the beta page. New features include Quick Find (finding text on pages visited), Opera Link to synchronise bookmarks, anti-phishing technology and an improved integrated e-mail client.

[17 April 2008] Formerly known as Chimera (up to version 0.60) and also known as "Navigator". This fine program is a Cocoa port of Mozilla for Mac OS X. Camino is one of the most promising browsers for the Macintosh and development is continuing at a rapid pace. If you like living in the fast lane, grab a recent "nightly build" from the FTP server. Version 0.8.3 uses Gecko engine 1.7.6. Versions 0.90al, 0.90a2 and the 1.0 versions use Gecko 1.8 and offer vast improvements in start-up and rendering times. Versions 1.0.1 and 1.0.2 offer bug and security fixes. On my iBook G4 it launches and is ready to use within only a second or so - it's truly a "one bounce in the Dock" browser! Camino has become a permanent member of my browser arsenal. Although it can't beat OmniWeb in features, this browser is much, much faster. Versions 1.0.3 and 1.0.4 are security and stability updates. 1.0.5 and 1.0.6 are the last versions to provide support on Mac OS 10.2.8. All later versions require at least Mac OS 10.3 Version 1.1a1 offers many new features: built-in spellchecking, feed handoff to the default RSS reader, pop-up blocking, single window mode, etc. Version 1.5 is now based on the Gecko 1.8.1 rendering engine and has many new features: spell checking, session restore, pop-up blocking and redesigned user interface. Version 1.5.1 now uses Gecko 1.8.1.6 and includes a few bug fixes and improvements. Versions 1.5.4 and 1.5.5 include an updated version of Gecko, bug fixes and add a few new features. Version 1.6 includes a few new features such as improvents to the tab bar, AppleScript support and automatic software updates.

[8 December 2007] Portable Camino [1.0.2r1.0, 1.0.3r2.0, 1.5r3.0, 1.5.2r3.0, 1.5.3r3.0, 1.5.4r3.0] is also available. It's packaged as a portable application so you can take your bookmarks, extensions, history and cookies with you.

[17 April 2008] This is the browser-only component of Mozilla (Thunderbird is the mail component). As of version 0.80 Firebird has been renamed to Firefox. Version 0.6 was the first version of Firebird (formerly Phoenix) for the Macintosh from Mozilla.org. There is another Firebird build available from Kevin Gerich and then there's always Camino (formerly Chimera). Including Mozilla, many other browsers are now using the same base code. This browser is amazingly fast at rendering pages and has already become an able competitor in the Mac browser market. There was never a 0.9.2 version for Macs as this was only a security update for Windows. General acceptance of version 1.0 was very widespread, especially in light of this browser's extensibility through the many extensions available. Version 1.0.1 provides security enhancements and bug fixes. Versions 1.0.2 to 1.0.7 are also security-related updates. Version 1.5 is an extension of the Deer Park branch. The code name for the 2.0 alpha versions is "Bon Echo". Kinda cool, huh? Version 1.5.0.2 is now a universal binary. Version 1.0.8 is a bug-fixed, final version for older systems. 2.0 includes some new features such as phishing protection, better support for subscribing to web feeds, spell checking, and restoration of browser session after a crash. Version 1.5.0.5 is a security update. Version 1.5.0.6 fixes a problem with loading embedded Windows media files. Versions 1.5.0.7 and 1.5.0.8 are security and stability updates. Versions 1.5.0.9, 1.5.0.10, 1.5.11, 2.0.0.1, 2.0.0.2, 2.0.0.3, 2.0.0.4, 2.0.0.5 and 2.0.0.6 provide many bug fixes. Version 2.0.0.7 fixes a Quicktime media vulnerability. Version 2.0.0.8 is a security update. Version 2.0.0.9 includes an updated version of the Gecko rendering engine. 2.0.0.10, 2.0.0.11, 2.0.0.12, 2.0.0.13 and 2.0.0.14 fix a few bugs and security issues.

Mozilla Firefox 3.0 beat is a developers release that requires at least Mac OS X 10.4. It uses the Gecko 1.9 rendering engine featuring a number of changes to graphics and text rendering, object loading, page painting, etc. It also has a different application icon. [Thanks for the corrections, Kevin!]

Note 1: [27 October 2006] There are also G4, G5 & Intel-optimized versions of Firefox 1.5.0.6 and 2.0 available from numerous independent sources (such as G4, G5 & Intel optimized, G5 optimized nightly versions and Intel optimized nightly versions). [Thanks for the tip, Dan!]

Note 2: [27 October 2006] There are also three other variations of Firefox, Portable Firefox (versions 1.5r1.0, 1.5r1.1, 1.5r1.2, 1.5r1.3, 1.5r2.0, 1.5r3.0, 1.5.0.1r3.0, 1.5.0.2r3.0, 1.5.0.3r3.0, 1.5.0.4r3.0, 1.5.0.7r3.0, 2.0r4.0) for using Firefox on removable media such as a USB thumb drive or iPod, and Cross-platform Portable Firefox (1.5, 1.5r2) which adapts Firefox for use on both Windows and Mac OS X, retaining bookmarks, extensions, history, cookies and saved passwords, and Mac Optimized Firefox (2.0a1), optimized for newer Macs with Intel processors.

Note 3: [17 August 2006] Cocoa Firefox 3.0ba1 is currently being adapted to use Mac OS X native Cocoa and is available in nightly builds. These are very rough, preliminary versions, so be warned!

Note 4: "Just to let you know that there's another way to install Firefox on OS X (10.3 or 10.4), and that's through Fink (which compiles it from source). The only versions available through Fink's package management process are 1.0 and 1.5. Very easy to install, and requires X11." [Thanks for the info, John!]

[16 April 2008] Safari is Apple's first browser since OpenDoc died and took CyberDog with it. It's also not the first Macintosh browser to be called "Safari" (see "Internet Safari" below). Based on KHTML source code used for the Linux KDE browser "Konqueror", it has become a worthy competitor to Camino and Firefox (also open source) and is the obvious replacement for the discontinued Internet Explorer. The two major reasons why I don't particularly care for this browser are 1. The "chrome" interface. What's wrong with Aqua? 2. Graphics loading can only be either turned on or turned off. Individual images can't be loaded only as needed. (The easy, but commercial solution to these problems is to use OmniWeb, which is also based on the KHTML engine.) Versions 1.1 and 1.1.1 were included in 10.3.0 and 10.3.1 respectively and are not available as separate downloads. Version 1.0.2 is the latest version for Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar). Version 1.2.x runs only on Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther). The 10.3.3 updater updates Safari to 1.2.1. The 10.3.4 updater brings Safari to version 1.2.2. Security Update 2004-06-07 brings build 125.7 to 125.8. Security Update 2004-09-07 v1.1 brings Safari to 1.2.3 [v125.9]. Mac OS X 1.0.3.6 update brings Safari to 1.2.4 [v125.11]The 1.0.3 version is for Mac OS 10.2.8 only. Security Update 2004-12-02 updates the browser to 1.0.3 [v.85.8.1] for Mac OS X 10.2.8 and 1.2.4 [v.125.12] for Mac OS X 10.3.6. The update to 1.3 [v312] is included in the updater for Mac OS 10.3.9. Security Update 2005-007 updates Safari to 2.0 [412.2.2]. Security Update 2005-008 updates Safari on Mac OS 10.3 to 1.3.1 [312.3.1]. The Mac OS X 1.4.3 updater brings Safari to version 2.0.2 [v416.12]. Security Update 2005-009 updates Safari to 1.3.1 [v312.3.3] and 2.0.2 [v416.13]. The update to Mac OS 10.4.4 updates Safari to 2.0.3 [417.8]. Security update 2006-002 brings Safari to version 2.0.3 [417.9.2] on Mac OS 10.4. Security update 2006-003 brings Safari to version 2.0.3 [417.9.3]. Mac OS 10.4.7 update takes Safari to version 2.0.4 [419.3]. Safari 3 Public Beta adds some new features: Snap Back search results, resizable text fields, private browsing, etc. A Windows version is also available for the first time.

Note [19 November 2006]: Although commercial (only $0.99) and not normally included on this list because it isn't really "publicly available", a Portable Safari (r1.3, r1.3.1) also exists. The script source code is freely available under the GNU.

Version 3.0.4 was originally only included with Mac OS 10.5, but is also installed with the 10.4.11 update. Version 3.0.4 [523.12.2] comes with Security Update 2007-009. Version 3.1 is available for Mac OS X 10.4.x (Tiger), 10.5.x (Leopard) and Windows XP/Vista. 3.1.1 is apparently a security update.

[10 April 2008] This is my main browser for a number of reasons. OmniWeb is Safari done right. It provides options for features I am familiar with in Internet Explorer and that I found missing in Safari. I can better control the presentation of images, plug-ins and pop-up windows with OmniWeb and take control over my browsing experience, including the appearance of bookmarked pages.

Safari users should try taking OmniWeb out for a spin. Its feature set blows Safari completely out of the water and $15 [Thanks for the pricing update, David!] is not much to pay for a product that is closely integrated in Mac OS X and provides a richer experience on the Web.

After switching to Internet Explorer 5 from Netscape 4 many years ago, I changed to OmniWeb as of version 4.5.

Version 5.0 adds even more features, many of which I'll never use and a few that are very welcome additions, e.g. the appearance for each bookmarked page can be set, a different twist on "tabs", workspaces, etc.

5.1 implements the latest version of Apple WebCore, essentially bringing HTML display in OmniWeb up to par with changes recently made for Safari. Version 5.1.1 provides fixes for Mac OS 10.4 ("Tiger"). Version 5.1.2 corrects many bugs from prior versions, adds additional languages and works again with the new version of Flash 8. Version 5.1.3 adds more languages and minor bug fixes.

5.5 is now a universal binary, provides support for the WebArchive format, has a global and site preference for user defined style sheets and its toolbars use the Unified Toolbar. It also sports numerous bug fixes. Mac OS X 10.4.6 or later required. 5.5.1 includes various bug fixes. 5.5.2 includes bug fixes for bookmarks, tabs and now uses the system default RSS news reader. 5.5.3 includes a single crash bug fix. 5.5.4 features security improvements and is a recommended update for all users.

OmniWeb 5.6 features an updated version of WebKit, now uses the WebKit icon database, includes the Web Inspector from Safari, inline display of PDFs, improvements in stability and various bug fixes. It is available in an English-only version and an international version localized in Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Japanese, Swedish and simplified Chinese.

OmniWeb 5.7 is now based on a stable version of WebKit and includes improvements for Mac OS 10.5 and much more.

[20 February 2008] The former king of Web browsers. I personally prefer other browsers based on the Gecko engine (Mozilla project) such as Mozilla, Camino and FireFox, but if you really need e-mail, news reader, Web page editor and browser all in one program, buy more RAM and use Netscape. It can take a while to start, but provides a very compatible and feature-rich browsing experience. This is probably the best and most secure Macintosh browser to use in a corporate environment. The last version for 68k Macs is 4.08 and for PPC the last version is 7.0.2. Version 7.2 is the first update in over a year. Version 9.0b1 is the first update for the Mac in almost three years. It features a "visual refresh", leaving more screen space for viewing pages, automatic correction of URL typos, a news menu and sidebar, link pad, news tracker, compatibility with Firefox 2.x extensions, split-screen browsing, resizable text fields and much more. Also, according to the FAQ page Netscape Navigator 9.0 is a browser-only release. It does not contain an e-mail client, newsgroup reader, or HTML composer. People wanting to continue using mail and news can keep Netscape 7.x and use it alongside version 9.x (Thanks for the info, Cees!). Version 9.0.0.1 incorporates the security changes made in Firefox 2.0.0.8. Version 9.0.0.2 includes an updated version of the Gecko rendering engine, 9.0.0.3 corrects some of the errors from the previous update, 9.0.04, 9.0.0.5 and 9.0.0.6 include security fixes.

Note: According to this blog announcement "We'll continue to release security patches for the current version of the browser, Netscape Navigator until February 1, 2008. After February 1, there will be no more active product support for Navigator 9, or any previous Netscape Navigator browser." This deadline has been extended to March 1, 2008 and they are now urging users to transition to Mozilla or Flock. [2 February 2008]

Note: [17 January 2008] There is also a portable version of Vienna: Portable Vienna, available in English-only and multi-language localized versions. (versions 2.1.1.2109, 2.2.0.2200, 2.1.3.2111 r1.0, 2.2.0.2209 r1.0, 2.2.2.2212 r1.0)

[29 December 2007] Seemore's Safety Browser is based on WebKit and is designed to be a safe browser for children to use, including parental control settings.

[Added to list on 19 June 2007, the 127th browser on this list]

[29 November 2007] DEVONagent is primarily an internet information agent and includes an embedded web browser based on Safari. (Thanks for the tip, Paul!)

[22 July 2007] This is a WebKit-based browser written in Cocoa by a Japanese developer who started investigating WebKit and couldn't keep himself from starting a project to create a full-featured browser released as open source (BSD license). Surprisingly, Shiira already provides more options than Safari with a side drawer for viewing history and managing bookmarks and a search field for your choice of search engine. It can also share bookmarks with Safari. 0.9.1.1 was the first public release in English. Versions 0.9.4 and 0.9.5PR were both released on the same day - the earlier version is for Mac OS 10.3.8 and earlier and 0.9.5PR is an "emergency release" to take care of some problems with 10.3.9. Version 1.0 is for Mac OS 10.4 only. Version 1.1 now again supports use on both Panther (10.3) and Tiger (10.4). Version 1.2.1 is a universal binary for use on both PPC and Intel Macs. Version 1.2.2 fixes problems that occurred after installing Security Update 2006-02. [Thanks for the tip on this browser, Hans!] Versions 2.0, 2.1 and 2.2 sport a redefined user interface and many new features. [Entered list on 24 May 2004]

Note: As of today [3 August 2006] a "unified metal" version of Shiira 1.2.2 has been released by The Caffeinated Mac Blog. You can get it here: http://tcmb.deathaxe.net/shiirauf/shiirauf.html.

cd /Applications/jazilla-bin
java $1 org/jxul/xulrunner/Main

[11 May 2005] NoteTaker is not primarily a browser, but it includes one as kind of a side feature. Since it uses WebKit, Web pages are presented the same as in Safari. The program also allows you to enter destination URLs and access any site you choose, and page scrolling and site navigation also work just fine, so it's certainly qualified to be on this list. It's also publicly available as a Trial version.

I'm not entirely convinced there should be a browser in this program and it's not even one of the major features of NoteTaker, which is intended for taking notes and organizing things like ToDo lists. It just happens to have a nice little browser hidden inside. [Thanks for the tip, anonymous!]

[4 May 2005] This appears to be a browser based on Firefox for Macintosh being developed for enhanced compatibility with improper HTML and JavaScript. The project page is in Chinese only, but the developer has sent me this URL for further information in English. [Entered list on 4 May 2005].

[26 August 2004] First released at the end of February, 2004. This little browser uses Apple's WebKit and displays Web pages in full screen mode on the desktop on Mac OS X 10.3.

Compared to other browsers in this category, iBrowser is awesome. I can't image using it for heavy-duty browsing, but for desktop viewing (with a pref for reloading interval) and for (unfortunately not password-protected) full screen display this tiny app is the perfect solution.

These comments are based upon version 1.5 and earlier and not on the 1.6 beta versions, which by definition I would expect to be somewhat unstable. On of the goals for version 1.6 is "webstickies". I suppose I'll understand what is meant by that as soon as I get more time for testing.

[15 June 2004] The 60th Web browsers for the Macintosh platform! Pepper Keeper is much more than a Web browser, but it includes one. It seems to be another attempt to provide a suite of online utilities using an interface that is totally unfamiliar to Macintosh users. [Entered list on 9 June 2004]

[28 April 2004] This browser is based on Apple's WebKit and also uses Apache Jakarta Lucene, a text search engine library. It takes a totally different approach to browsing the history of an online session - every page is thumbnailed and displayed on an extra History page. It also has a Google search field and a few other basic features.

[13 April 2004] Although released at the end of 1997, I first heard of this browser from "Elmar" late last week. This browser is based on Macromedia Director code, runs on 68K and PPC, and offers a much different take on browsing activities. It seems that emphasis was placed on "art" more so than any technically useful browsing features. This is not a browser for everyday use - and indeed presents you with a big black window and hidden menu bar when launched. A very curious find indeed!