Introduction:
With the ever-increasing demand for faster browsing speeds and lower memory usage, lightweight browsers have become quite popular among Windows users. These browsers are designed to be swift, responsive, and easy on system resources. In this article, we will discuss the top 15 lightest browsers for Windows 10 and 11 to help you find the right one for your needs.
All these browsers have small installation packages, lower RAM usage compared to mainstream browsers like Chrome, quick operations, and other useful features.
Why Do You Need a Lightweight Browser for Windows PC?
With webpages and web apps becoming more complex by the day, the system requirements for browsers are constantly increasing. Mainstream browsers like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge keep adding new features and require ample computing resources. While this enables enhanced functionality, it takes a toll on system memory and processing power. This is where lite web browsers for PC come into the picture.
These browsers are optimized to deliver maximum browsing performance while using up the minimum system resources. Such lightest browsers for PC have small install sizes and open swiftly without hogging RAM or CPU cycles.
This makes lightweight browsers ideal for older computers with limited hardware capabilities. They are also suitable for users who value speed and a clutter-free browsing experience above bells and whistles. The trimmed-down interfaces and uncluttered feature sets of the best light web browsers allow for smooth and distraction-free usage.
Top 15 Lightweight Browsers for Windows 10 and 11 PC
1. Opera
Opera is a pioneering browser for Windows PC and laptop with over 20 years of experience and innovation behind it. Opera uses the Blink browser engine developed by Google. It comes packed with unique features like a built-in VPN, ad blocker, social messengers, and a crypto wallet. Opera also has a data-saving mode and battery saver for laptops.
Key Features:
- Built-in ad blocker
- Battery saver
- VPN
- Crypto wallet
- Messengers
Pros:
- Packed with extra features
- Good customization options
- Lower memory usage
Cons:
- Too many built-in features can clutter the interface
- VPN limited to the United States and Europe
2. Firefox
Firefox is an open-source, lightest browser for PC developed by Mozilla that offers a balance between speed and features. Firefox uses a Gecko browser engine that complies with current web standards. It has a clean interface and is highly customizable with themes and add-ons. Firefox also comes loaded with privacy features like tracking protection.
Key Features:
- Fast page loading
- Tab browsing
- Private browsing mode
- Tracking protection
- Customizable interface
Pros:
- Light on system resources
- Open source with no privacy issues
- Supports extensions and themes
- Regular security updates
Cons:
- Extensions can slow it down over time
- Higher memory usage than other lightweight browsers
3. Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is the default browser on Windows 10 and 11 built with speed and resource efficiency in mind. Microsoft Edge uses the Chromium browser engine for wider compatibility. It offers smooth performance and integration with Windows 10/11 features. Edge also has vertical tab grouping, smart copy, and other handy tools.
Key Features:
- Vertical tab grouping
- Collections
- Immersive reader
- Built-in coupon finder
Pros:
- Lightweight and fast
- Good compatibility with Windows
- Useful built-in tools
Cons:
- Falls short of privacy compared to Firefox
- Still catching up with extensions
4. Vivaldi
Vivaldi is a highly innovative one of the best light web browsers for Windows PC focused on customization and power user features. Vivaldi is built on Chromium and allows extensive UI customization with accents, themes, and positionable interface elements. It packs power user tools like tab stacking, notes, and a dedicated screenshot tool. Vivaldi also has a built-in mail client.
Key Features:
- Utterly customizable interface
- Tab stacking
- Notes and screenshots
- Built-in mail client
Pros:
- Innovative feature-packed browser
- Fast and stable
- Great for power users
Cons:
- Too many features can seem overwhelming
- Relatively new browser with a small user base
5. Pale Moon
Pale Moon is an open-source lightweight browser for Windows focused on customization and speed. It uses the Goanna browser engine which is a fork of Firefox’s old Gecko engine. It is highly customizable and supports many old Firefox extensions. Pale Moon has options to tweak the advanced configuration.
Key Features:
- Optimized for speed
- Support for legacy Firefox extensions
- Highly customizable
- Advanced configuration options
Pros:
- Very lightweight and fast
- Extensive customization options
- Good browser for older hardware
Cons:
- Limited compatibility with newer websites
- Small development team
6. Maxthon
Maxthon is a seasoned multi-platform, lightest browser for PCs with a focus on speed, security, and cloud services. It uses a hybrid browser engine combining Chromium with its own proprietary Maxthon engine. It emphasizes security and privacy with tools like ad blockers and fingerprint protection. Maxthon also offers cloud sync and cross-device functionality.
Key Features:
- Hybrid browser engine
- Secure browsing tools
- Cloud sync and services
- Support for extensions
Pros:
- Fast and stable performance
- Good balance of features and speed
- Enhanced security and privacy
Cons:
- Interface feels dated
- Smaller extension library
7. Brave
Brave is an emerging privacy-focused lightweight browser for Windows PC with a built-in ad blocker and crypto wallet. Brave is built on Chromium and blocks ads and website trackers by default to protect privacy. It has a built-in crypto wallet and allows users to earn BAT tokens for viewing opt-in ads. Brave also offers a stripped-down Reader mode.
Key Features:
- Built-in ad blocker
- Crypto wallet
- Earn BAT rewards
- Reader mode
Pros:
- Excellent for privacy
- Innovative crypto features
- Clean and fast browsing
Cons:
- Still a relatively new browser
- Limited customization options
8. Waterfox
Waterfox focuses on ethical values, speed, customization options, and community feedback. Waterfox uses Firefox’s Gecko engine and strips out telemetry while adding under-the-hood optimizations. It is an open-source lightest browser for PCs with an emphasis on user control and choice. Waterfox offers extensive customization options like themes, add-ons, and about:config tweaks.
Key Features:
- No telemetry or data collection
- Speed optimizations
- Support for browser extensions
- Customizable configurations
Pros:
- Lightweight and fast
- Privacy focused values
- Active community engagement
Cons:
- Not beginner friendly
- Small development team
9. Slimjet
Slimjet is designed for speed by incorporating website pre-fetching and Cloudflare’s DNS. Slimjet uses the Blink browser engine to deliver fast performance. It has website pre-fetching to speed up page loading along with Cloudflare DNS integration. Slimjet lightest browser for PC and also offers add-on support and a reader mode.
Key Features:
- Website pre-fetching
- Built-in ad blocker
- Cloudflare DNS
- Reader mode
- Extension support
Pros:
- Very fast page loading
- Light on system resource usage
- Clean and intuitive interface
Cons:
- Fewer customization options
- Relatively new with a smaller user base
10. Comodo Dragon
Comodo Dragon prioritizes security without compromising on speed and stability. Comodo Dragon is a lightweight browser for Windows based on Chromium with added security features baked in. It has domain validation, script blockers, and privacy controls. Comodo Dragon also offers malware scanning and website certificate validation.
Key Features:
- Built-in security tools
- Script and malware blocking
- Secure DNS
- Privacy controls
- Site certificate validation
Pros:
- Fast and secure browsing
- Very lightweight
- Feature-rich for security
Cons:
- Too many security prompts for some users
- Interface needs modernization
11. CentBrowser
CentBrowser offers streamlined browsing using the Chromium engine sans Google services. CentBrowser strips out Google services for reduced memory usage. It has a clean interface with a built-in media downloader and extension support. CentBrowser loads pages swiftly while remaining very portable.
Key Features:
- No Google services
- Media downloader
- Portable and lightweight
- Extension support
Pros:
- Blazing fast
- Tiny install size
- Streamlined and bloat-free
Cons:
- Very barebones
- Limited feature set
12. Basilisk
Basilisk revives Firefox’s classic legacy with advanced customization and old-school charm. It is one of the most lite web browsers for PC. Basilisk browser uses Firefox’s old Gecko engine built purely for customization and speed. It has support for legacy Firefox extensions along with userChrome.css modifications. Basilisk appeals to users who liked Firefox’s pre-Chrome era.
Key Features:
- Firefox’s classic Gecko engine
- Support for legacy extensions
- UserChrome.css tweaks
- Customizable toolbars
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight
- Highly customizable
- Classic no-nonsense browsing
Cons:
- Legacy technology lacks new standards
- Minimal default settings
13. Torch
Torch offers Chrome-based browsing with built-in media features and torrent support. Torch Browser is based on Chromium but adds multimedia downloading tools for social media sites. It also integrates multimedia-sharing features along with a built-in BitTorrent client.
Key Features:
- Multimedia downloader
- Media sharing tools
- Integrated BitTorrent client
- Chrome-based browsing
Pros:
- Great for media handling
- Lightweight and fast
- Handy built-in tools
Cons:
- Too focused on BitTorrent
- Some bloatware during the installation process.
14. Google Chrome
Google Chrome lightest PC web browser delivers a no-frills browsing experience with speed optimizations. It is built using Chromium stripped down for maximum speed and minimalism. It forgoes unnecessary features to reduce memory usage. Chrome also implements site-specific browser functionality.
Key Features:
- Bloat-free Chromium
- Site-specific browser mode
- Nothing but pure browsing
Pros:
- Extremely fast and responsive
- The address bar doubles up as a search bar for fast web searches
- Very low resource usage
- Chrome has a huge library of extensions and add-ons for customization.
- Clean and distraction-free
Cons:
- Being by Google, it collects a lot of user data. Privacy controls are limited.
- Background updates happen frequently whether you want it or not.
15. Falkon
Falkon is an open-source, lightest PC web browser focused on speed and minimal resource usage. Falkon utilizes the QtWebEngine framework for speed and stability. It has a clean interface with support for themes and plugins. Falkon offers robust customization via config flags. It’s designed for Linux but runs well on Windows too.
Key Features:
- Qt-based browser engine
- Low on RAM usage
- Customizable interface
- Plugin support
Pros:
- Blazingly fast performance
- Very lightweight and portable
- Open source codebase
Cons:
- Smaller user base and extension library
- Limited feature set
Conclusion
When choosing the best light web browsers for your Windows 10/11 PC, it is important to assess your priorities. Factors like speed, customization, privacy, security, and features will help determine the best and lightest PC web browser as per your specific needs.
Those wanting breakneck speeds may prefer Nichrome or Falkon. Customization lovers can opt for Pale Moon or Vivaldi. Privacy-conscious users will benefit from Firefox or Brave. Casual users needing a well-rounded option can try Microsoft Edge or Opera.
With this diverse selection of the top 15 lightweight Windows browsers, you are sure to find one that ticks all the right boxes.
FAQs
Q1. Why use a lightweight browser?
These use up less RAM and CPU, resulting in faster response times. They are perfect for older PCs and ideal for a clutter-free browsing experience.
Q2. Are light web browsers less secure?
Not at all. Many lightweight browsers offer robust security and privacy-enhancing features. Some like Comodo Dragon even have enhanced security baked in.
Q3. Will lightweight Windows browsers work with extensions?
These support Chrome extensions to varying degrees. Some like Pale Moon cater specifically to legacy Firefox extensions. Only the most barebones options lack extension support.
Q4. What are the most customizable browsers?
Vivaldi and Pale Moon offer the most customization options for interfaces, themes, configurations, and extensions. Other honorable mentions include Basilisk, Waterfox, and Brave.
Q5. Which lite browser has the smallest resource footprint?
Falkon and Nichrome are the lightest on system resource usage. Other top options for low memory and CPU usage include CentBrowser, Maxthon, and Slimjet.
Just like other device components your web browser can also put unnecessary load on your system resources making it slow and sluggish. A heavyweight browser can eat your system memory and cause excess battery drainage.
What you need in such situations is a lightweight browser for Windows that can work as efficiently as a mainstream browser without draining system resources.
If you are struggling with your current web browser refer to our list of best lightweight browsers that promises full-fledged navigation experience at a lightning speed. Read the complete article to find the top 17 lightweight browser for PC and enjoy browsing without any compromises with the speed.
What Are the Best Lightweight Browsers for Windows in 2024?
Here, we have shortlisted some of the top-rated, resource-friendly and fast browsers that you can install on your windows device. Go through the list and find out the perfect lightweight browser for Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.
1. Midori Windows Browser
Highlight Features:
HTML5 support | Start-up Settings | Minimalist UI | Open-source | Incognito Browsing |
Enjoy an array of mainstream browser features with this light browser for windows. Midori is an open-source browser and is well known for its class apart functionalities like RSS support, bookmark, and spell checker capabilities.
Another beautiful thing about Midori is that its default search engine duckduckgo does not collect any user information. Minimalist and a straightforward UI also backs its worldwide popularity.
2. UR Browser
Highlight Features:
Safe Browsing | HTTPS Redirections | Customized Experience | Fast Downloading Speed | Removes ads & Cookies |
Next on our list of best lightweight browsers for Windows is the UR browser. This chromium-based browser is backed with a powerful-suite of multiple features. Privacy-focused search engine, built-in VPN connection along with an integrated virus scanner makes it an all-in-one lightweight browser that can perfectly suit all your requirements.
In addition to this, it also sends alert messages while visiting suspicious sites and blocks all annoying ads from your browser. Enjoy fast browsing seed with this highly customizable and lite browser for Windows.
3. Microsoft Edge
Highlight Features:
Browser Extension Support | Superior Privacy | Built-In Browser for Windows 10 | Highly Customizable | Edge HTML Engine Layout |
Microsoft is not a new name and is known as the trump card of Microsoft against Google Chrome. It is the default browser of Windows 10 and does not hog on your device resources. Although it is a light browser for Windows it does not compromise on loading speed.
Known for its superior privacy features it safeguards your device from suspicious websites and malicious ads. Microsoft Edge also comes with multiple customization options and can easily sync with various browser extensions.
Enjoy seamless working and modern web experience with its Edge HTML Engine Layout.
Read Also: Know About New Microsoft’s Chromium Edge Browser
4. Slim Browser
Highlight Features:
Ultra-fast Speed | Ad blocker Capability | Online safety | Easy Integration | Plug-in Compatibility |
Next on our list of lite browsers for PC is Slim Browser. If you are looking for a sophisticated, native, and fast browser then Slim Browser is what you need.
Enjoy 10x download speed and protect your digital life by blocking annoying ads. It also comes backed with a fully customizable toolbar and one-click Facebook integration. Fast downloading of Youtube videos in MP3 and MP4 formats, easy installation of extensions, browser plugin along with easy text translation are few other notable offerings of this lite browser for PC.
5. Opera
Highlight Features:
Free VPN | Cross-Device Data Synchronization | Private Browsing | Customizable features | Ad-Blocker |
Another light browser for Windows that you can pick is Opera. It promises optimal resource usage and fast downloading speed no matter how many extensions you download.
Its ad-blocker capabilities prevent annoying ads and trackers. To add on to the privacy levels it also comes with auto-upgrade features and a built-in VPN connection that can easily maintain your anonymity and encrypt your online activities.
It is simple to set up and use. Make Opera your browsing companion and enjoy a clean, efficient, and powerful browsing experience.
6. Comodo IceDragon
Highlight Features
Robust Security | Dns Server Integration | Lightning Fast Browsing | Web Page Scanning | Virtual Container |
If the above mentioned lightweight browser for Windows has not met your requirements then try our next pick. Comodo IceDragon is popular for its superior and robust security feature which keeps you protected from all possible viruses.
It is integrated with Comodo’s DNS server which ensures error-free conversion of website URLs to IP addresses. Apart from this it also scans your browsers crash and performance reports to scan your web-page for any threats.
It also uses a virtually created container that breaks all the contact of your device with the browser, this means no unwanted or harmful software gets installed on your device.
Read More: Best Lightweight Mobile Browsers For Android
7. SeaMonkey
Highlight Features:
Voice Interaction | Robust Password Manager | Easy to use HTML Editor | Easy Navigation | Open Source |
SeaMonkey is another light browser for Windows that promises optimized browser functioning and loading speed. A built-in email client and built-in editor helps you in easy navigation and also assists you in developing a web-page of your own.
It is also powered with a password manager tool along with voice interaction, mouse gestures and restore sessions functionalities. It is an open-source lightweight browser for Windows but can result in stability issues as time.
8. Vivaldi
Highlight Features:
End-to-End Encryption | Customizable Keyboard | Color Themes | Ad-Blocker | Stable Performance |
Vivaldi is one of the newest entrants in the category of lightest browser for Windows but has enough to give its competitors a big fight. It comes with greater customizable features including tab arrangement, color themes, and notes.
Vivaldi works on the Google Chrome engine and is well known for its reliability and stable performance. It also ensures the utmost privacy and helps you browse privately by blocking unwanted ads and trackers. All the data enchanted on the Vivaldi browser is protected with end-to-end encryption.
9. Lynx
Highlight Features:
Text-Based Browser | Easy Working | Oldest Browser | Keyboard shortcuts for easy Navigation |
Another smallest browser that you can pick for your Windows device is Lynx. It is one of the oldest Windows browsers and uses various command-line tools. Setting it up is fairly easy and its straightforward design adds on to its simple working.
It is a text-based browser and does not pressurize your system resources. So if you can barter a graphic user interface with a text-based interface then Lynx is a good choice.
10. Torch Browser
Highlight Features:
Integrated Sharing | Apt for hyper-active internet Users | Torch Facelift | Built-In BitTorrent | Embedded Player |
Next on our list of lite browsers for Windows PC is Torch. It is perfectly apt for heavily-active users and supports seamless loading at a lightning-fast speed. It is an open-source and media-oriented browser application.
It comes with an in-built BitTorrent feature which helps in easy management of downloads. Along with it you also get access to additional features like Torch Games and Torch Music which adds on to your browsing experience. You can also play online songs before their download is complete with its Torch Player feature.
Manage online media in a hassle-free manner with its integrated sharing and download accelerator feature.
11. Maxthon Cloud Browser
Highlight Features:
Dark mode | In-built Ad blocker | Screen capture facility | Note-Pad | Multi-engine web browser |
Maxthon Cloud Browser is an extremely great browser that offers some of the best features than other opponent tool does. It includes a built-in tool for blocking random ads, offers a screen capture facility, note pad, dark mode, reader form, and many other features. Apart from this, Maxthon Cloud Browser utilizes its own cloud services to sync the users’ data among the devices. And, Maxthon Cloud Browser has its own multi-account password administrator, named Magic Fill. If you want to make Maxthon sync your data on all other devices, then you are required to create an account on Maxthon-based cloud services.
12. Lunascape Orion
Highlight Features:
Auto-switch between engines | Full-screen mode | Fastest browsing speed | User friendly | Triple engine support | Quick access |
Have you ever wished to access Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox in one program? Now, you must be thinking about how it can be possible at all. Isn’t it? Then, you can access Internet Explorer’s Trident, Firefox’s Gecko, and Safari’s Webkit within one program. Yes, you have heard right! That’s exactly what Lunascape does. It has the support of the triple engine i.e., Gecko, Trident, and Webkit. It is designed with the latest technology parameters and algorithms hence comparatively it is faster than others. However, you can set one particular engine to be accessed whenever you open Lunascape Orion. But, switching between the engines is very quick as well.
13. K-Meleon
Highlight Features:
Feasible for beginners | Multiple tabs support | Amazing speed | Easy to use and navigate | Open-source | Extremely lightweight |
The Next name on this list of the best lightweight browsers for Windows is K-Meleon. The tool is quite amazing and offers an open-source structure for you. You can edit the coding base of the tool using this open source and use the tool as required. The tool is quite reliable. however, built for 32-bit operating systems only. k-Meleon respects your privacy and does not share any browsing data or surfing data with third-party websites or apps and otherwise. The interface of the browser is customizable as well and allows you to get the best out of the tool with ease.
14. Brave
Highlight Features:
Easy to use | Supports multiple tabs | Lightning fast speed | Easy to navigate | Freeware | Ultra lightweight |
The last name here on the list of the best lightweight browsers for Windows is Brave. This lightweight browser is available for both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems. While you use the browser, it will block all the ads to enhance your surfing experience. Moreover, the browser also blocks cross-site trackers for enhanced performance.
This is one of the best tools that prohibits phishing attacks and malicious files from getting into your computer. Moreover, the anonymized network routing by the browser using the Tor mode offers utter privacy to your data and surfing history.
15. Opera One
Highlight Features:
Utter Privacy | HTTPS Redirections | Personalized Experience | Fast Downloading and Uploading Speeds | Fewer ads |
In addition to this, it prohibits all irritating advertisements from Opera One and delivers warning messages if it detects that a user is visiting a website that may be malicious. Enjoy a lightning-fast surfing experience with this Windows browser that is both highly configurable and lightweight. The Opera One makes its way to the next spot in our list of the top lightweight browsers for Windows. This Internet browser, which is based on Chrome, is equipped with a robust collection of a variety of functions. It is an all-in-one lightweight browser that can fully meet all of your needs, complete with a search engine that prioritizes privacy, a built-in virtual private network connection, and an integrated virus scanning.
16. Falkon
Highlight Features:
Supports extensions | Customizable UI | Lightning fast | Safe to use for all | Fewer ads |
Here’s another addition to this list of the best lightweight browsers for Windows. Falkon, just like its name, is a very fast web browser that allows you to surf freely using the internet. The interface of the browser is quite basic yet offers lightning-fast operations. You can download this tool on Windows, Linux, and other operating systems.
17. GNOME
Highlight Features:
Super Lightweight | Easy to use | Fewer popups | Works with older OS | Open-source |
The next best lightweight browser for Windows is the GNOME browser. This is an open-source browser that allows you to surf the internet very easily. The browser can also run high-end websites on your device with ease. Also, the tool allows you to save yourself from annoying ads and retain privacy.
Faqs – Lightweight Browsers
Q1. What is the lightest browser for Windows 10?
In the sea full of options for different browsers available online we have fixed it for our users by listing the best lightweight browser for Windows 10, 11, or older version systems. Go through the list and find the one that matches your definition of lite browser for PC and download it from the official website.
Q2. Which browser uses least memory on your device?
Depending upon the size and other available data Opera uses the least resources of your Windows and still provides the best user-experience and speed.
Q3. Does Chrome use lot of the system’s RAM?
When compared to the above mentioned light-weight browser alternatives, Chrome indeed uses a significantly higher amount of RAM. In addition to this if we download and add multiple extensions to chrome it can get heavier.
Q4. Is Opera Lighweight browser?
Yes, Opera is a well know alternative in the list of lightweight browsers as it only consumes minimal resources of your device.
Q5. Is Brave Lighter Than Chrome?
Yes, Brave is a lighter web browser than Chrome. It puts less strain on your device’s performance than Google Chrome. Brave uses 66% less memory than Google Chrome.
Conclusion
So, this is folks, enjoy effortless and fast browsing experience with our lightweight browser for Windows. All the options mentioned above guarantee fast speed, robots working, less resource usage, and superior privacy.
Pick the best-suited lightweight browser for your windows device to trade-off with a mainstream browser.
Популярные веб-браузеры, вроде Firefox и Chrome, потребляют немало ресурсов и поэтому могут тормозить на слабых машинах. Благо для последних тоже существуют свои «облегченные» варианты. О десяти лучших мы расскажем в данной статье.
Brave Browser
Источник фото: Brave Browser / Brave Browser
Браузер с открытым исходным кодом, благодаря чему он полностью безопасен. Brave Browser работает на базе еще одного поисковика — Chromium. Этой программе для правильной функциональности необходим процессор с частотой от 2 ГГц, ОЗУ — не меньше 512 Мб, а количество видеопамяти — минимум 256 Мб. Места на компьютере этот поисковик займет не больше 120 Мб.
Browzar Black
Источник фото: Browzar Black / Browzar Black
Наиболее легковесная утилита для Windows, отличный выбор для ПК с маленьким объемом памяти. Подойдет для работы в 32-разрядной ОС. Тактовая частота процессора должна быть минимально 0,8 Гц. Минимум видеопамяти и ОЗУ — 64 и 128 Мб, соответственно. При этом на винчестере компьютера Browzar Black займет рекордные 2 Мб свободной памяти, чего не скажешь о других браузерах.
Google Chrome
Источник фото: Google Chrome / Google Chrome
Относится к числу популярных утилит для ОС Windows. Для нормальной деятельности ему необходимо минимум 512 Мб ОЗУ и 64 МБ видеокарты. Однако следует также учесть, что центральный процессор ПК должен быть, как минимум, Pentium 4 с технологией SSE2. Это современный браузер, поэтому чем мощнее будет техника, тем лучше, однако и для не очень мощных ПК он подойдет.
Lunascape
Источник фото: Lunascape / Lunascape
Японский браузер Lunascape действует на основе сразу трех движков — Gecko, Trident и Webkit. В процессе работы он может самостоятельно переключаться между ними, подбирая тот, который оптимально подходит для работы с определенным порталом. Ему нужны:
- 1 ГБ оперативки;
- частота ЦП — от 1,5 ГГц;
- 64 Мб видеокарты;
- на компьютере он займет около 160 Мб памяти.
Maxthon Nitro
Стоит отметить, что это lite-вариант утилиты Maxthon. Программа отличается обширной функциональностью при лаконичном дизайне. Она обеспечит стабильную работу, даже невзирая на сокращенные минимальные характеристики:
Источник фото: Maxthon Nitro / Maxthon Nitro
- ЦП Intel либо AMD с частотой минимум 300 МГц;
- ОЗУ — 128 Мб;
- 64 Мб видеопамяти;
- не меньше 50 Мб на диске.
Браузер полностью бесплатный.
Mozilla Firefox
Источник фото: Mozilla Firefox / Mozilla Firefox
Утилита работает на базе движка Quantum и входит в пятерку лидеров в рейтинге самых популярных в мире. Он отличается большим числом функций, но при этом еще и довольно скромными техническими требованиями:
- ЦП Pentium 4 с поддержкой технологии SSE2;
- 512 Мб ОЗУ для 32-разрядной ОС и 2 Гб — для 64-разрядной;
- 200 Мб места на жестком диске.
Функционал Mozilla Firefox точно порадует.
Opera GX
Источник фото: Opera GX / Opera GX
Имеет небольшое отличие от стандартного браузера Opera. Эта версия обладает широким функционалом, как и основной вариант утилиты, а также smart-опцией распределения памяти. Отлично подойдет для работы на ОС Windows 7.
Для стабильного функционирования необходимы такие минимальные требования:
- ЦП — Intel Pentium 4;
- ОЗУ — 512 Мб;
- свободное место на диске — 400 Мб.
Pale Moon
Утилита Pale Moon — это еще один браузер со свободным исходным кодом. Он разработан специально для ПК со слабым железом, поэтому отлично подходит для работы на ОС Windows 7.
Источник фото: Pale Moon / Pale Moon
Поисковик оптимизирован для работы с ЦП минимум седьмого поколения — с поддержкой SSE2 и 3. Подходит для многоядерных CPU. Для стабильной деятельности достаточно 256 Мб ОЗУ и 150 Мб памяти на винчестере.
Slim Browser
Утилита Slim Browser — это калька с проекта Chromium, обладающая открытым исходным кодом. При этом обеспечивается достойный уровень конфиденциальности.
Источник фото: Slim Browser / Slim Browser
Минимальные требования для работы таковы:
- процессор с тактовой частотой не ниже 1,6 ГГц;
- видеопамять — 64 Мб;
- ОЗУ — 256 Мб.
Утилита действительно «slim», ведь на жестком диске займет не больше 12 Мб памяти.
Vivaldi
Источник фото: Vivaldi / Vivaldi
Vivaldi хорош тем, что он подходит не только для Windows 7, но также для версий XP и Vista. Браузер работает на движке Blink. Он прост в применении, отличается лаконичным дизайном, без излишеств. Для работы ему необходим процессор с тактовой частотой не менее 1,8 ГГц. Кроме того, требуется минимум 256 Мб оперативки и 128 Мб видеопамяти. Места в памяти ПК он займет только 280 Мб.
Заглавное фото: freepik
Best Lite Browser for Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 and Browse the web will less resource-hungry Web Browser on your PC.
Browsers are the most powerful utility tool on any OS. They act as the bridge between the device and the web world. There are a number of Web Browsers for Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 but there are few situations when you may be in a need of lightweight browsers.
Lite Browsers consume low RAM, they generally compress the page and remove all unnecessary scripts which may eat the data thus reducing data consumption and increase the browsing speed. As lite browsers don’t much rely on the system resources they eat low battery.
Today in this post I will list some of the best lightweight browsers for Windows offering great browsing experience without consuming many resources on your PC.
Best Lite Browser for PC
Here are the Best Lightweight Browsers for Windows PC to Enjoy Browsing without much resource consumption.
1. Torch
Torch is the first choice of many users as it combines all the essential features the browser should have. Its interface looks very identical to Google Chrome. The website supports Torch Torrent that allows actions Like downloading media files, listening to music, and enjoying an HD viewing experience via Torch player.
It is basically a private browser that eliminates all the trackers and ads. The browser works across multiple platforms offering cloud sync and bookmark sharing keeping your work up-to-date. A simple yet powerful browser that does most of your work without consuming your Windows Power.
Features of Torch
- Simple, Lite, Clean and Uncluttered Interface
- Faster Page Loads without putting much pressure on PC
- Built-in Torrent support
Download Torch
2. Light Browser
Light is a web browser which is based on Mozilla Firefox’s source code. Light can open its web browser faster and use less memory/RAM because its components are slimmed down. It supports most of the Firefox themes, HTML5, JavaScript, Plug-ins like Adobe Flash, Java, and add-ons like NoScript.
The Light uses the same user interface as Firefox, it also has private incognito web browsing. The main user interface differences in Light’s user interface is its logo is a U instead of the Firefox Fox logo, and it has fewer buttons in its menus.
Download Light
3. Opera
The age-old browser which powered java backed feature phones is the best lite browser alternative for Windows. The tool has all the features which you expect from a full-featured browser. You get download manager, addon-support, fast page loading (Blink Engine), privacy and security, all this with a clean interface, and smooth page loading.
Opera browser works similar to Google Chrome, but it has a customizable sidebar where you can create shortcuts to favorite sites, emails, and chat platforms. The Opera helps in loading the pages quickly with its server-side compression technology which helps in reducing the load time by compressing the site elements.
Download Opera Browser
4. UC Browser
If you love UC Browser on mobile than you can have the same experience on your PC. You get all the popular features on UC Browser for Windows. The software comes with a fast page loading, a dedicated download manager, a custom video player, and a video downloader.
It has some of the very best features which you expect from such a kind of tool. It will give you the vibes of mobile browsing with a pinch of the desktop experience. If you are a fan of UC Browser then you can surely give it a try.
Download UC Browser
5. Maxthon
Maxthon is another cloud-based App which reduces the load on the App by implementing server-side compression. The App also won the ‘Best Browser’ award. The App helps in curbing data consumption by optimizing the image sizes on the web pages. The tool renders pages very fast by removing the render-blocking JavaScripts.
The Maxthon has a memo book to write notes, inbuilt Adblocker, Password Manager, multi-linguistic support, night mode viewing, and more. Max is a very reliable browser to go for.
Features of Maxthon
- Cloud Push, Cloud Share, Cloud Download, Cloud Sync
- Reader Mode, AutoFill, Ad Hunter
- Source Sniffer: Extract all photos, embedded videos, and audio files from a web page and download them.
- Do Not Track – privacy from ad networks and beacons
- Google Safe Browsing
Download Maxthon
6. Slim Browser
Slim Browser as the name suggests is a simple web browser that claims to be super fast. It comes with an adblocker and a multithreaded download manager. It also lets you download youtube videos and translate the web page or text. If you are looking for a simple web browser with only focus on browsing than Slim is the best option to go for.
Download Slim
7. UR Browser
A chromium-based browser which is must be included in the list. A less resource hogging browser that can do the job for you. UR browser is one of the browsers you need to look out for if you are willing to use a less resource-hungry fully-featured web browser. The browser is privacy centered and offers a 4x faster download engine.
Download UR Browser
8. Avast Browser
Avast Secure Browser is a Chromium Based Privacy Browser Developed by Avast. You get built-in Ad-Blocker which helps improve site loading by blocking all Ads Scripts. You will also get Banking Mode to protect yourself from potentially hijacked host or network. Bank Mode automatically activates when it detects that the user has reached a banking website or a payment page.
The Browser also has Password Manager, Anti-Phishing, and other privacy Features to Protect your data from the online breach. It also forces the websites to use TSL on supported websites for encryption to secure your data. Avast Secure Browser also blocks the user from accessing known malicious webpages and extensions.
Download Avast Browser
9. Yandex Browser
Yandex browser is a Chrome-based web browser that runs on Blink Engine. It is a freeware web tool developed by the Russian web search corporation The browser checks webpage security with the Yandex security system and checks downloaded files with Kaspersky anti-virus.
The browser also uses Opera Software’s Turbo technology to speed web browsing on slow connections. The software comes with some powerful security protocols which include DNScrypt, data protection while saving payment and password with DNS Spoofing. You also get protection over weak Wi-Fi and encrypt the data over HTTP sites.
Download Yandex
11. Comodo IceDragon
Comodo IceDragon is one of the most lightweight browsing solutions available for Windows. This browser is loaded with advanced features and fast browsing characteristics. While browsing using Comodo Icedragon, it protects you from potential viruses. While using this browser, you can expect secure and fast results.
Download Comodo IceDragon
Conclusion: Browser can be the most resource eating software on any PC. We have listed some of the best lite web browsers for Windows PC to enjoy the web without any hogging issues.
If you’ve any thoughts on 11 Best Lightweight Browsers for Windows, then feel free to drop in below comment box. Also, please subscribe to our DigitBin YouTube channel for videos tutorials. Cheers!
Earlier, browsers were considered only a medium through which we could access the internet. But now, the scenario has changed to a huge extent. These internet browsers have become a way to get into the middle of extensive knowledge and learn everything. You can find it with a few clicks and taps in your browser, no matter what you are looking for.
Everything seems perfect, but the main issue arises when your browser starts giving you some trouble. You might be getting the results, but they are not worth it if your browser takes ages to load them. This is when people search for some of the fastest browsers that can help them get quick and accurate results.
There are plenty of browsers available online from different creators. Every browser claims itself to be the fastest one with no issues. To make it easy for you to choose the right one, we have a list of the best light browsers for Windows.
If you are using a Mac computer, learn the best browsers for Mac here.
1. UR Browser
UR Browser is a light browser for Windows with enhanced privacy protection. The main aim of the UR browser is to protect your privacy with different techniques. Trackers, cookies, and ads can reduce your browser’s loading speed. With UR browser, your websites will be loaded with excellent speed and function at optimum performance levels.
Different websites might require different levels of privacy. UR Browser provides three levels of privacy – Low, Medium, and High Privacy. You are also allowed to adjust the privacy levels for different websites as per your preference. So, every specific website will always load in that particular state of privacy only in your browser.
Best for: maintaining specific privacy for different websites
Price: Free
Pros
- Enhanced online privacy protection
- Faster website loading
- Alerts for dangerous websites
- Built-in virus scanner
- Available for Android and iOS
Cons
- No frequent updates
- Limited customization options
2. Opera
Opera is the lightest web browser for Windows 10 that will take up pretty little space on your system. On top of performance and speed, you can also install different extensions on Opera without impacting your browsing performance. Opera is considered the perfect choice if you are looking for the maximum number of customization options.
This is why Opera is considered the best customizable and the lightest web browser for Windows 10. There are many features to look for in the Opera browser, like the built-in ad blocker, crypto mining prevention, battery saver, compression mode, and much more.
Best for: the highest number of customizations
Price: Free
Pros
- Built-in ad blocker
- In-built tools for detecting threats and malicious content
- Snapshot facility to take screenshots in the browser
- Best lightweight browser for PC
Cons
- Privacy and security concerns
- Updates are brought in after a very long time
3. Brave
Brave is an extended version of online privacy so that you are not followed anywhere online. You can browse privately with no one able to track your activities. Brave is the lightest browser Windows with online privacy made pretty simple. You can get enhanced privacy like private search, VPN, ad-blocking, and incognito window with a single click.
Switching from other browsers to Brave will only take less than 60 seconds of your time as you can quickly transfer all your bookmarks, extensions, and saved passwords from your previous browser. You won’t have to see any unnecessary pop-ups or advertisements while surfing the internet or watching anything.
Another excellent feature of the Brave browser is that you can earn crypto tokens for your attention. There is a browser-native wallet to store all your earned crypto assets.
Best for: safest browsing with crypto rewards
Price: Free
Pros
- Less data consumption as compared to other browsers
- Crypto reward system for browsing
- Open-source software
- Online privacy is made simple with a single click
Cons
- Several features are still in the beta stage and are being developed yet
- Limited number of extensions available
4. CCleaner Browser
CCleaner Browser is another lightweight browser that you can install on your devices for smooth and efficient surfing. You can use this lightweight browser for Windows 7 and above. The browser is a secure one to enhance privacy and efficiency brought to you by the makers of CCleaner.
The CCleaner Browser uses up to 50% less memory so that if certain tabs are not in use, then those tabs will be closed by the browser as per your RAM availability. The browser uses less CPU and RAM while the battery is low. This will extend your battery life up to 20%. Anti-fingerprinting will hide your browser’s information to avoid online tracking.
Best for: smooth browsing with no ads, no tracking, and no junk
Price: Free
Pros
- Uses approximately 50% less memory
- Extends your battery life by 20% when running on a low battery
- Mask your browser information and avoid online tracking
Cons
- Available only for Windows systems
- No themes are available
5. Torch
Torch is the best lightweight browser for PC that you can use to browse and do other internet activities. If you are looking forward to downloading torrents, you should consider using the Torch browser over any other browser available on the internet. If downloading more is what you are looking for, this is the perfect browser.
You will be amazed by the availability of tools in Torch, such as media grabber, torch facelift, built-in torrent downloader, and much more. This is what makes it one of the fastest browsers for browsing online. It is chromium-based software, which means that you can trust this browser when it comes to security. On top of that, the browser also has a download accelerator that will speed up all your downloads. The best thing here is plenty of add-ons and extensions you can add to the browser.
Best for: downloading torrent files and accelerating downloads
Price: Free
Pros
- Availability to listen to your favorite music for free
- Easy sharing with drag-and-drop features
- Plenty of built-in tools to explore
- Easy to download torrent files
- Download accelerator for speeding up the download speed
Cons
- Not built for cross platforms
- Media grabber faces several issues while functioning
6. Vivaldi Browser
Vivaldi is not a very well-known browser, but it is a worthy browser to be on this list of top lightweight browsers for Windows. The founders of Opera recently launched the Vivaldi browser. It started to gain a vast amount of popularity among users because of its adaptive UI, mouse gestures, chrome extension support, and several other prominent features.
Vivaldi is considered an excellent option for all Windows, Linux, and Mac users because of its privacy-oriented development. Being a lightweight browser, you will notice plenty of saved memory that was being eaten up by heavy browsers that you were using earlier. The best thing about Vivaldi is that you get complete control over management and customization of the appearance.
Best for: super-fast browsing with enhanced customization options
Price: Free
Pros
- Availability of various customization options along with various vivid themes
- Functionality of built-in notes
- Screen capture tool is also built-in
- Supports over 50 different languages
Cons
- No option is available for syncing bookmarks and passwords
- Too many features that might be unnecessary at some point
7. SlimBrowser
SlimBrowser is a robust and secure browser for Windows that helps you surf without any issue with ads. SlimBrowser is the lightest web browser for Windows 10 because of its lightning-fast engine. The browser is integrated with various virus scanners and password management techniques to prevent your data from being hacked online.
SlimBrowser can download YouTube videos at an enhanced speed in MP3 and MP4 format. The use of an ad-blocker built-in browser prevents all the annoying ads from popping up on your screen while surfing the internet. This browser is compatible with all the plugins that have been developed for Mozilla Firefox.
Best for: downloading YouTube videos at lightning speed
Price: Free
Pros
- Lightning speed for downloading YouTube videos
- Using the fastest engine for running
- Integration of techniques to prevent hacking
Cons
- Some basic features are missing
- Not able to save data and also consumes too much data
8. Maxthon
If you are a fan of the classic Internet Explorer, then the Maxthon browser is a lightweight version that you can install right now. Some of the features that make it perfect for you are parental controls, drag-and-drop functionality, and automatic filling out of credentials.
On top of that, if you are thinking about exploring the cyber world, then the Maxthon browser is a good choice for preventing your identity along with providing faster performance. Maxthon uses a dual rendering engine to display the URL immediately, which makes it a perfect light browser for Windows.
Best for: multilingual support with a dual rendering engine for fast surfing
Price: Free
Pros
- Available for multiple platforms
- Supports more than 10 search engines
- Allows split-screen browsing
- Supports 50+ different languages
Cons
- Ad-blocker is not very effective
- Not able to significantly stop malware downloads
9. Waterfox
Waterfox is another lightest browser for Windows 10 and other versions of Windows. This browsing platform is based on Firefox and provides control to the users to browse the web smoothly. You can add all the old and new Firefox add-ons in this browser.
You will get complete tracking protection in Waterfox, and you will also be able to sync with your regularly used Firefox account. On top of that, you will also receive frequent security updates brought up by the developers. With Waterfox, you won’t have to worry about privacy in this digital world.
Best for: users who are looking for the perfect Firefox alternative
Price: Free
Pros
- Super-speed web browsing
- Import plugins and history automatically
- Built-in language configuration
- Limited data collection
Cons
- Issues of lagging and freezing
- Slow security updates
10. SeaMonkey
As there are plenty of browsing programs to choose from, you might wonder which one to choose. If you are looking for a light browser for Windows, you should consider downloading the SeaMonkey browser that has been recommended even by developers.
The reason behind its extensive popularity in the market is the availability of various features like a chat room section, web page editing tools, contact book, and email client. Advanced users find these features to be some of the excellent ones because now they don’t have to utilize system resources.
Best for: advanced users who are looking for advanced browser features
Price: Free
Pros
- Completely compatible with all Firefox add-ons
- Options to customize toolbars and choose from different mouse gestures
- Built-in password manager, session restore, and voice control features
Cons
- Outdated interface
- Startup speed is pretty sluggish
11. Lunascape
There are plenty of browsers with different features available in the market. If you are looking for a lightweight browser for Windows 7 and other versions that have a combination of all the set of best features from different browsers, then you should have a look at the set of features offered by the Lunascape browser.
Lunascape is well-known for its fast speed and excellent browsing experience packed along with the browser. The most amazing thing about Lunascape is that it is a muti-engine browser. So, you can use Gecko from Firefox, Google Chrome’s Webkit engine, and even Internet Explorer’s Trident in one single place.
Best for: users looking to utilize multiple engines
Price: Free
Pros
- Option to switch between multiple engines with a click
- 5-25% faster display of websites as compared to typical browsers
- No browsing data is sent to the websites
Cons
- Lagging issues due to plenty of features
12. Slimjet
Slimjet is a completely customizable browser available for users looking forward to customizing the look and feel of their browser as per their choice. With Slimjet, you can expect a faster and ad-free surfing experience at lightning speed. On top of that, you don’t have to worry about your data being exploited in front of big companies because Slimjet doesn’t send any data back to its servers.
Slimjet is a powerful and lightweight browser with astonishing features like a high-speed download manager, intelligent form filler, fully customizable toolbar, online video recorder, advanced anti-tracking options, one-click Facebook integration, photo enhancement, and a few more. You can expect loads of features in this browser.
Best for: users who are looking for a feature-rich browser
Price: Free
Pros
- Built-in ad blocker
- Resumable downloads between different sessions
- Completely customizable new tab page
- Translate even a selected portion of text to any language
Cons
- Doesn’t support any other languages except for English
FAQs About Lightweight Browser for Windows
What is the best browser that you can use with Windows 10?
There are plenty of browsers available in the market to choose from. The best thing you can do is look for the lightest web browser for Windows 10 and see how it works for you. This is because lightweight browsers are often filled with all the features, and you can also save up a lot of space used by typical browsers.
Which is the safest browser for Windows systems?
There is no browser available that will claim itself to be unsafe. If you are thinking about finding out whether a browser is safe or not, all you need to check is whether they are sending the user’s data to other parties. On top of that, you can also check if there are protection features built-in in the browser or not.
Which browser makes use of the least resources?
If any particular browser uses fewer resources, you can expect it to run with excellent speed. As per user reports, it has been known that Opera is the most memory-efficient browser that is closely followed by Mozilla Firefox. Opera is said to use up only half the virtual memory that Google Chrome is using.
Which is the most widely used browser in the entire world?
Google Chrome has managed to stay at the top of the list of most used browsers in the world because of its connectivity on all platforms, as well as enhanced security. As the browser is linked with Google itself, there are no questions about its privacy and robustness.
Conclusion
With the era of the internet and browsing advancing further, new and efficient browsers are coming up very frequently in the market. If you are wondering which is the best lightweight browser for PC, you will be able to find the right answer very quickly by going through this list of best lightweight web browsers for Windows.
Also Read
- Best IPTV Players for Windows
- Best Ad Blocker for Microsoft Edge on Windows
- Best GIF Maker & Editor Software for Windows
- Best PC Cleaner Software for Windows
- Best Windows Password Recovery Tools