Apple's Safari Again Overtakes Microsoft Edge as Second Most Popular Desktop Browser

[MacRumors]

Apple's Safari has retaken the lead over Microsoft Edge to become the world's second most popular desktop browser, based on data provided by web analytics service StatCounter.

According to the data, Safari is now used on 11.87 percent of desktop computers worldwide, 0.87 percent ahead of Edge, which stands at 11 percent. Google Chrome remains in first place with a dominant 66.13 percent share, and Mozilla's Firefox stands in fourth with 5.65 percent. Here's how the latest full rankings look:

• Chrome 66.13%
• Safari 11.87%
• Edge 11%
• Firefox 5.65%
• Opera 3.09%
• IE 0.55%

The stats look favorable for Apple compared to the same time last year, when Edge trumped Safari for second place by a small sub one-percent margin, owing to broadly positive reception of Microsoft's reimagined default browser for Windows 11.

Apple's resurgence in the browser wars corresponds to a marked increase in global Mac sales in 2022, despite supply constraints throughout the course of the year. Interest in the ‌M1‌, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, and M2 chips saw Apple's Mac revenue hit $11.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022, up $2.5 billion year over year.

In fiscal 2022, Macs earned a total of $40.1 billion, up $5 billion from the $35 billion that Macs earned in fiscal 2021. In Q4 2022, half of Mac buyers were new to the product line, giving macOS and Apple's default Safari browser significantly more exposure.

Despite Safari's surge, it has made virtually no progress in catching up to first-placed Google Chrome, which retains an iron-clad grip on the market, with its share down just 0.51 percent compared to the previous year. Chrome's popularity on both macOS and Windows platforms continues largely unabated.

Article Link: Apple's Safari Again Overtakes Microsoft Edge as Second Most Popular Desktop Browser

 

[andrewxgx]

given how aggressively MS tries to push users to use Edge on Windows, thats kind of success
and turns out Edge is still mostly used to download Chrome lol

 

[Eddy Munn]

I use Safari, Chrome and Firefox daily—but Safari is my main browser. On occasion it has its quirks, but it's a solid browser. The WebKit team have been working at an incredible pace to add features in the past two years. Each 'point' update has been full-featured.

Here's my list of the best Safari extensions if you plan to use it daily:

* Stop the Madness (Currently half price)
* AdGuard (Free, hands down the best content blocker)
* Noir (Dark mode styles for sites)

Also worth nothing that Orion is currently development, which uses WebKit, but also has support for Firefox and Chrome extensions.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I only use Safari.

 

[DarkPremiumCho]

Edge had a decent reputation at one point, but in my opinion, Microsoft is killing it out of greed.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

I pretty much only use Safari, and have done so for several years now. Things like the tab sync between devices, shared history, etc, all makes it really great to use.

Also lets me avoid the Google and Microsoft tentacles that are all over their respective browsers.

 

[killhippie]

I only use Firefox, with its API for uBlock Origin and and container tabs (I use the facebook container as well by Mozilla) which blocks facebook trying so snatch info all over the web as well so it cannot follow you around and cookie sandboxing which Mozilla implemented so other sites cant dip into your cookie jar, its the better browser for my needs.

 

[timber]

Edge is pretty good but nobody cares.

If you are going to use a privacy invasive product from a soul crushing company might as well use the real thing.

 

[Will Co]

Safari. Ease of use across Apple platforms, Key chain integration. Privacy, or at least as much as I can get.

 

[Sean J]

I’m just astonished there are people using Edge! I’m guessing it’s made up of MicroSoft employees and masochists… and there’s probably a high degree of overlap there

 

[contacos]

Safari - Private
Chrome - Work*

*only because Apple still has not added Profiles to Safari. I cannot have everything in the same "Browser" so to speak

 

[StellarVixen]

Edge had something going on for it, people even started to like it.

Then Microsoft turned it into ad dispenser and nagware.

 

[hiloyt]

I’m just astonished there are people using Edge! I’m guessing it’s made up of MicroSoft employees and masochists… and there’s probably a high degree of overlap there

Edge is Chromium. How is different from Chrome?

given how aggressively MS tries to push users to use Edge on Windows, thats kind of success
and turns out Edge is still mostly used to download Chrome lol

Downloading Chromium-based browser to use another Chromium-based browser. From MS to Google. Clever!

 

[maflynn]

With MS adding more "features" where it reports back to the mothership, bloat and pushing ads in all of their products - I'm not surprised.

Edge is decent, but what enticement is there for me to drop chrome? There's less and less reasons

 

[xxray]

Good. I hope more people continue to use Safari and Firefox to prevent Chromium from taking over completely.

 

[StellarVixen]

Google Chrome, which retains an iron-clad grip on the market

Not just the market, the Web as a whole. Google is one who decides how things are done now and there is no one to challenge them.

See recent Manifest V2 and JPEG XL fiasco

 

[Seanm87]

Use Edge for work. Works well for me. No issues.

 

[Marbles1]

I use Google Chrome for some shopping websites and anything where Safari doesn't seem to render it properly (which is probably the fault of the site not following standards). Safari is always my first choice though.

Edge for work and anytime I need to use Microsoft services (obviously rock solid when you're using office.com).

 

[djplong]

I came for the ability to use Apple Pay with Touch ID on some websites when I bought an M1 Max Mac Book Pro.

I stayed for the password keychain, reduced memory footprint, speed, ecosystem, etc.

 

[maflynn]

prevent Chromium from taking over completely.

too late

 

[Bustycat]

I use Google Chrome for some shopping websites and anything where Safari doesn't seem to render it properly (which is probably the fault of the site not following standards). Safari is always my first choice though.

Edge for work and anytime I need to use Microsoft services (obviously rock solid when you're using office.com).

Or those websites require tracking.

 

[MindYourMind]

For me it is only Safari, on iOS and macOS. Excellent browser. I see no need for another.

 

[frou]

MS pushes the Edge Browser crazy hard on Windows desktops. Virtually every time you update the OS there will be a full-screen takeover trying to get you to change your default browser and search engine. Last time I looked at a relative's computer there was also a random interactive Bing search bar overlaid on top of the desktop wallpaper.

 

[xxray]

too late
View attachment 2196386

Not too late until Apple gives up on WebKit and Firefox gives up on Quantum.

 

[andrewxgx]

Edge is Chromium. How is different from Chrome?

browser engine is the same, not the browser wrapper - ie. MS services and Windows integration
problem is, MS tries very hard to get you to consent to sending all your browsing data to MS - even from other browsers! (first thing the Edge is trying to do when you fire it up first time is ask you whether you want to import all other browser data into Edge - continuously, not one time import - and its recommended settings so you can turn in on accidentally when it will ask again - and it will ask again)