dockpicks

Browsers

Alternatives to Safari for privacy, extensions or cross-platform sync.

6 apps, listed best first · prices checked October 2026

  1. Firefox

    FreeOpen source

    Independent, open-source browser with a huge extension library

    A free, open-source browser built on Mozilla's own Gecko engine rather than Chromium. It blocks trackers by default, syncs tabs, history and passwords across devices, and offers over 30,000 extensions.

    Our take The best pick if you want a mainstream browser that is not built on Chromium and runs everywhere, including Windows, Linux and Android. Its extension ecosystem is the most open of any browser.

    FreeMPL-2.0 licenceby Mozilla

    Website Source

  2. Google Chrome

    FreeBuilt-in may be enough

    The most widely supported browser, tied into your Google account

    Google's Chromium-based browser. It syncs bookmarks and passwords with your Google account, runs Chrome Web Store extensions and includes Gemini AI features.

    Our take Pick it if you live in Google's services or need a site or extension that only works properly in Chrome. If you only want Chrome extensions, Brave or Vivaldi run them with less data going to Google.

    Freeby Google

    Website

  3. Brave

    FreeOpen source

    Chromium browser with ad and tracker blocking built in

    A Chromium-based browser whose Shields feature blocks third-party ads, trackers, cookie pop-ups and fingerprinting by default. It also bundles Brave Search, an AI assistant and an optional crypto rewards program.

    Our take Good for people who want Chrome's compatibility with strong ad blocking out of the box. The crypto wallet, rewards and VPN upsells add clutter, though they can be turned off.

    FreeMPL-2.0 licence

    Website Source

  4. Orion

    Free tier

    WebKit browser that runs Chrome and Firefox extensions

    A browser from Kagi built on the same WebKit engine as Safari, with zero telemetry and built-in ad and tracker blocking. It can install Safari, Chrome and Firefox extensions.

    Our take The closest thing to Safari with extra power: similar engine and battery behavior, plus access to Chrome and Firefox extensions. Extension support is not perfect, so test the ones you rely on.

    Free; Orion+ $5/month or $50/year as of Oct 2026by Kagi

    Website

  5. Zen Browser

    FreeOpen source

    Firefox-based browser with workspaces and split view

    A free, open-source browser built on Firefox, with workspaces for grouping tabs by project, a compact mode that hides the toolbar, Glance previews and split view.

    Our take A good home for former Arc users who would rather be on Firefox's engine than Chromium. It is still labeled beta and is maintained by a small community team.

    FreeMPL-2.0 licence

    Website Source

  6. Vivaldi

    Free

    Highly customizable browser with mail, calendar and feeds built in

    A Chromium-based browser with tab stacks, tab tiling, workspaces and a customizable interface. It includes a built-in ad blocker, mail client, calendar, feed reader and notes.

    Our take For power users who want to tweak every part of the interface and like having mail and feeds in the browser. The number of options can be overwhelming, and the interface layer is not open source.

    Freeby Vivaldi Technologies

    Website
Compare all 6 side by side
AppPriceModelOpen sourceApp Store
Firefox Free Free MPL-2.0 –
Google Chrome Free Free – –
Brave Free Free MPL-2.0 –
Orion Free tier Free tier – –
Zen Browser Free Free MPL-2.0 –
Vivaldi Free Free – –

Not sure which browser to pick?

Paste this into ChatGPT, Claude or any AI assistant that can open links. It reads the list, asks about your Mac and budget, and suggests a short list.

Help me choose the right browser for my Mac. Read https://dockpicks.com/browsers/ and its plain-text version, https://dockpicks.com/browsers.md. Ask me which Mac I have, what I use it for and my budget, then recommend a short list from that page with the free and paid trade-offs, and say if the tool built into macOS is enough.

Or open it in ChatGPTPerplexity