Web Browser Grand Prix 2: Running The Linux Circuit

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Last week we showed Opera 10.60 to be the world's fastest Web browser. That was in the Windows world. But where do Chrome, Firefox, and Opera stand in Linux? Today we find out. Adding the Win 7 results, we'll also learn which OS has the speediest browser.

Benchmark Results: HTML5

GUIMark 2 HTML5 Vector Charting (1 pixel)

In the single-pixel variant of GUIMark's HTML Vector Charting test, Opera places first, outdoing its Windows 7 score by over four frames per second. Firefox takes second place, just a fraction of a frame behind its score in Windows. Chrome's poor performance in this test gets even worse in Ubuntu, falling to just 3.5 FPS.

GUIMark 2 HTML5 Vector Charting (2 pixels)

The placing of the original 2-pixel version of this test remains the same as the 1-pixel variant. Opera has a clear lead, with only a minor decrease in frame rate. Firefox holds onto the middle spot, but loses almost two frames. Chrome's terrible score remains terrible.

GUIMark 2 HTML5 Bitmap Gaming

Unlike the sporadic results in Windows 7, all of the Linux browsers do quite well, making for a very close race. Opera places first with just under 10 FPS. Firefox isn't far behind the leader, scoring under a half frame per second less than Opera. Google Chrome takes last place again, but still well within nine FPS. All of the browsers perform substantially better in Ubuntu 10.04 versus Windows 7.

GUIMark 2 HTML5 Text Columns

Opera doesn't relinquish the top spot, taking in 24.5 FPS. Chrome comes in second place, three full frames behind Opera. Firefox fills the third spot, barely over one frame behind Chrome, yet still in excess of 20 FPS. Ubuntu again seriously outperforms Windows on this test in all three browsers.

The results are actually reversed in Windows 7, making Opera's victory in Ubuntu a significant improvement over the Windows version.

Adam Overa
70 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Tamz_msc
    The article that I was waiting for.How the tables have turned!
    Conclusion:Firefox is quite capable in both Linux and Windows.
    I'm using Firefox 4 beta and I find it pretty quick.
    Reply
  • micr0be
    yes i would have loved to have seen the firefox 4 beta with the results. although great article.
    Reply
  • opmopadop
    Interesting how FireFox chose to sacrifice speed for memory.
    Reply
  • adamovera
    weirdguy99Why not put firefox 4 into the equation?micr0beyes i would have loved to have seen the firefox 4 beta with the results. although great article.When it's final, I'll test it.
    Reply
  • Tamz_msc
    DamdamanI'll get berated for this I'm sure but will we see an OSX article on browsers as well?You are kidding,right?
    Reply
  • arnweb
    Opera Turbo feature, is not mentioned here, it can boost speed in real surf. And also when we open a closed tab in Opera it opens them instantly, that's why Opera holds memory for closed, tab.
    Reply
  • Sihastru
    Opera still can't render pages properly, still can't print content properly, and we waste our time with senseless tests of imperceptible speed.
    Reply
  • The_King
    I dont think anyone using firefox will change to another browser even if it is Faster. I love my firefox :)
    Reply
  • Tamz_msc
    Wow, Chrome uses more memory than Crysis on my computer. :lol:
    Reply
  • Tamz_msc
    arnwebOpera Turbo feature, is not mentioned here, it can boost speed in real surf. And also when we open a closed tab in Opera it opens them instantly, that's why Opera holds memory for closed, tab.Opera Turbo increases page load times on slow connections.On my 2Mbps connection the time in which Opera Turbo connects to its servers is the time in which Google loads in Firefox.
    Reply