Which Web Browser Should You Run On Your Android Device?

Features
By Adam Overa
published

Today is our very first Web Browser Grand Prix on Android. Unlike iOS, Android-based tablets have real competition between browsers. So, how do Chrome, Dolphin, Firefox, Maxthon, Opera Mobile, and Sleipnir stack up against the stock Android browser?

JavaScript And DOM Performance

JavaScript Composite Score

The JavaScript composite is also a geometric mean of the different JavaScript benchmark results: RIABench JavaScript, Google's modified version of Apple SunSpider, Mozilla Kraken, Google Octane, FutureMark Peacekeeper, and RightWare BrowserMark.

Dolphin takes the lead in JavaScript performance, though it only has a small lead over second-place finisher Sleipnir. The stock Android browser is also close behind in third place, with fourth-place finisher Maxthon nipping at its heels. Surprisingly, Chrome's JavaScript score doesn't exactly live up to the reputation earned by its desktop version. Meanwhile, Firefox takes a big dive, winding up in sixth. Opera Mobile finishes dead last, earning barely half of the winner's score.

Drill Down

The charts below contain the individual results for each JavaScript benchmark.

Notes: The single RIABench score that goes into the final JavaScript composite score is derived from the geometric mean of all nine RIABench JavaScript tests. Opera Mobile suffers poor results in SunSpider and Kraken, while both Firefox and Opera have trouble in Octane and Peacekeeper. Dolphin is consistently a leader throughout JavaScript performance testing.

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RIABench
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Octane

DOM

The DOM Core subsection of Mozilla's Dromaeo DOM test is used to represent DOM performance in our final score. The Dromaeo score is an average of two iterations.

Chrome is the big winner here, with second place practically shared by Firefox and the stock browser. In third place are Maxthon and Sleipnir, close behind the second-place finishers. Dolphin winds up in sixth, with Opera Mobile taking a huge loss in this benchmark.

Adam Overa
65 Comments Comment from the forums
  • mayankleoboy1
    "Stock Android Browser" is a myth. There is NO "Stock" android browser.
    Each device manufacturer (Samsung, Asus, Lg, HTC) customise/modify the "stock" browser to match the SoC, the TDP, power saving, and specific browser benchmark targeted, for that device.

    So this "Stock" browser is actually a modified browser, customised by ASUS to work better with a Tegra3 SoC, in some specifc benchmarks which Asus thinks are more important than others. Its not a representative of all android devices.
    Reply
  • mayankleoboy1
    Sunspider and Kraken are crap benchmarks. All browsers target these benchmarks for specifc optimisations, that are never actually used on the web.
    Reply
  • aznshinobi
    9539316 said:
    "Stock Android Browser" is a myth. There is NO "Stock" android browser.
    Each device manufacturer (Samsung, Asus, Lg, HTC) customise/modify the "stock" browser to match the SoC, the TDP, power saving, and specific browser benchmark targeted, for that device.

    So this "Stock" browser is actually a modified browser, customised by ASUS to work better with a Tegra3 SoC, in some specifc benchmarks which Asus thinks are more important than others. Its not a representative of all android devices.

    When you're running a Nexus device, it's a stock browser...
    Reply
  • adamovera
    mayankleoboy1Sunspider and Kraken are crap benchmarks. All browsers target these benchmarks for specifc optimisations, that are never actually used on the web.SunSpider is the next to go for sure, but I haven't heard a ton of criticism regarding Kraken yet. Between BrowserMark, Peacekeeper, and RIABench, we could withdraw all the vendor-developed JS tests.
    Reply
  • tiret
    give me a browser with flash support then we'll talk
    Reply
  • mayankleoboy1
    ^ coming soon to firefox. Project Shumway.
    Reply
  • tiret
    ^ interesting. lets hope it works out... my gf is rather pissed that she can't play farmville on my galaxy tab.
    Reply
  • fwupow
    I've already figured out that Chrome isn't so hot, but the reason why Chrome still wins for me is that it synchronizes bookmarks, passwords, history and a bunch of other stuff across all my computers and devices. That is an indispensable feature for me.
    Reply
  • wildkitten
    tiretgive me a browser with flash support then we'll talkSince Adobe themselves has ended Flash development for all mobile platforms, I don't think you will see many browsers keeping support for it for long. Likely in a year, maybe 18 months, you won't see any support for Flash as, well, what's the point.
    Reply
  • Firefox Beta has flash support once you download and install the flash apk - I have it working well on my Nexus 7
    Reply