Web Browser Grand Prix 2: The Top 5 Tested And Ranked

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Final Results: Placing

Just as we promised in the introduction, we separated the complete standings from the speed-only standings. So we could potentially have two winners today!

Total Placing

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Header Cell - Column 0 1st2nd3rd4th5th
Chrome106643
Firefox566102
Internet Explorer237512
Opera114526
Safari110684

The overall winner, when including the non-speed benchmarks, is Google Chrome. Opera is very close on Google's heels, actually bagging more first-place finishes, but it's Chrome's excellent memory management and standards compliance scores (both non-speed tests) that keep Google the slight overall point leader.

In an unexpected upset, Mozilla Firefox fills the third place spot instead of Apple's “fastest browser in the world", despite Safari earning the most second place finishes. Safari 5 falls solidly behind Firefox 3.6.6, which places last the least out of any browser. IE8 once again gobbled up most of the losses, relegating Microsoft's offering to last place.

Speed Placing

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Header Cell - Column 0 1st2nd3rd4th5th
Chrome76343
Firefox34682
Internet Explorer135311
Opera113323
Safari17663

When focusing purely on speed, Opera screeches past the competition to take the speed crown away from Google. Unlike last time, it isn't really a photo-finish. Chrome grabs second, but it's not enough to give Opera a run for the money. Firefox and Safari are in a dead heat for third, with a ever so slight edge in Mozilla's favor. As we all already knew, Internet Explorer owns last place.

178 Comments Comment from the forums
  • The Lady Slayer
    July 7th - Firefox 4 beta released.
    Tom's impending road test STILL BEHIND THE TIMES
    Reply
  • I agree. Firefox 4 was supposed to have the major speed up (especially in startup time.)
    Reply
  • But you know what, apple said they have the world's fastest browser. I think we should just pack up and call it a day. The spoken word of god is indisputable...
    Reply
  • makotech222
    FF4 also has hardware acceleration
    Reply
  • Tamz_msc
    I'm very happy to see my beloved Firefox's performance.Whatever people say about Opera and Chrome, Firefox is the best IMO.And Apple is proved to be a liar from this article.
    Reply
  • Poisoner
    Honestly, does browser speed matter?
    Reply
  • Tamz_msc
    Forgot to add:I cant wait for the final release of FF 4!
    Reply
  • Maziar
    Great review,
    Have to wait for FF4 release to see how it performs compared to others
    Reply
  • mx2138
    I've been using Firefox for about to two years now. I can't get enough of adblock plus. One of my favorite plug-ins.
    Reply
  • wittermark
    lmao @ FFfanboys other review sites posted FF4 numbers, its performance is pathetic to say the least.
    Reply