Firefox vs Safari

September 07, 2023 | Author: Adam Levine
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Firefox
The free, non-profit browser for your desktop and mobile devices. Firefox is created by a global non-profit dedicated to putting individuals in control online. We’ve always designed Firefox to protect and respect your private information. That’s why we’re proud to be voted the Most Trusted Internet Company for Privacy.
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Safari
Safari is faster and more energy efficient than other browsers. Innovative features make your experience on the web better than ever.
Firefox and Safari are two popular web browsers with distinct features and characteristics. Firefox, developed by Mozilla, is known for its strong emphasis on privacy and customization. It offers robust privacy features like Enhanced Tracking Protection and strict anti-tracking measures, giving users more control over their online privacy. Firefox also boasts a wide range of extensions and add-ons, allowing users to customize their browsing experience to suit their needs. Additionally, Firefox is available on multiple platforms, making it a versatile choice for users across different operating systems.

Safari, on the other hand, is Apple's default web browser, designed specifically for Apple devices. It is known for its smooth integration with the Apple ecosystem, offering seamless synchronization across Mac, iPhone, and iPad devices. Safari emphasizes speed and energy efficiency, optimizing performance and providing a smooth browsing experience. It also prioritizes user privacy, with features like Intelligent Tracking Prevention that prevent cross-site tracking and fingerprinting.

See also: Top 10 Web Browsers
Firefox vs Safari in our news:

2022. Mozilla brings free, offline translation to Firefox



Mozilla has introduced a new translation tool for Firefox that eliminates the need for cloud processing by conducting machine learning-based translations directly on users' computers. This significant advancement is a departure from relying on industry giants like Google and Microsoft for translation services. The tool, called Firefox Translations, can be easily added to the browser. Upon initial use, it may download necessary resources and potentially update models for improved translations, but the actual translation process occurs locally on the user's computer, rather than in a remote data center.


2020. Firefox gets a better password manager



Mozilla has released version 76 of its Firefox browser, introducing an enhanced password manager feature. With the updated Firefox Lockwise, users will now be prompted to enter their device password when attempting to copy and paste credentials from the "Logins and Passwords" page within the browser. Once the device password is confirmed, users can view and copy their credentials for a duration of five minutes. This additional layer of security makes it more challenging for unauthorized individuals to access password-protected websites, particularly on shared computers. Moreover, Lockwise now provides alerts for vulnerable passwords that have been compromised in known breaches, along with warnings if a website you frequent has experienced a breach where your logins and passwords may have been stolen. Furthermore, Lockwise's password generator feature has been expanded to support more websites and can assist in generating random combinations of 12 letters, numbers, and symbols for stronger password creation.


2019. Firefox gets enhanced tracking protection, desktop password manager


Firefox is introducing one of its most comprehensive series of releases designed to prevent advertisers and other entities from tracking your online activities. Additionally, these releases make it more challenging for Facebook to monitor your online behavior. By default, Enhanced Tracking Protection, based on the Disconnect list, will block all third-party tracking cookies. You have the option to choose a strict setting that may impact the functionality of certain websites, or you can customize your own settings. Furthermore, Mozilla is expanding its Lockbox password manager to include desktop support. Previously, Lockbox was only available as a mobile app, but Mozilla has now launched a Firefox desktop extension for it. The name of the password manager has also been changed to Lockwise. Currently, Lockwise provides a straightforward password management experience, although it may not offer the same extensive features as Dashlane, 1Password, LastPass, or similar alternatives.


2018. Firefox will now alert you when one of your accounts was hacked



Earlier this year, Mozilla introduced Firefox Monitor, a service designed to inform users if their online accounts were compromised in recent data breaches. By simply providing your email address, Firefox Monitor utilizes the Have I Been Pwned database to display any potential concerns and details regarding the compromised data. Today, Mozilla takes this initiative further by allowing users to sign up for alerts notifying them if their accounts appear in any future known breaches. Mozilla emphasizes that Firefox Monitor is just one of many upcoming data and privacy features planned by the organization in the coming months. With increasing user concerns about privacy and the extensive data collection practices of Google's Chrome browser, Mozilla positions itself as a neutral force in the browser market, and this approach has been well-received.


2018. Firefox ends support of Windows XP, Vista



Mozilla has made the decision to discontinue support for Windows XP and Windows Vista in its web browser, Firefox. This means that security updates for these outdated operating systems will no longer be provided. The termination of support for Windows XP and Vista took effect with the release of Firefox ESR 52.9 on June 26. Subsequently, Firefox ESR 60.2 was introduced on September 4. Mozilla offers Firefox ESR (Extended Support Release) specifically to cater to customers, primarily business users, who prioritize stability over the inclusion of new and flashy features. Unlike the regular Firefox version, each ESR release solely receives security updates throughout its lifecycle. Mozilla typically maintains both the previous and current ESR versions for approximately 12 weeks, with the transition occurring once a year. The overlap period between Firefox ESR 52 and ESR 60 started on May 7, coinciding with the launch of the latter, and concluded on September 4 when security patches were no longer provided for Firefox ESR 52. Currently, Opera remains the only top-five browser that continues to support Windows XP.


2017. Firefox released new ultra-fast web browser to take on Google Chrome


Mozilla's latest browser, Firefox Quantum, delivers an incredibly fast browsing experience. In a comprehensive test conducted by the open-source project WebPageTest, Firefox Quantum outperformed Chrome in loading numerous popular websites, including Yelp, Shutterstock, Ask.com, and even Google Search itself.  (Although Chrome remained faster in loading most Google and YouTube pages). Moreover, Firefox Quantum stands out by utilizing approximately 30% less memory compared to its competitors, such as Chrome, Edge, and Safari, on Windows operating systems, and only slightly more memory than Chrome on macOS. This means you can have significantly more tabs open without worrying about your browser crashing or slowing down. However, Mozilla's focus extends beyond speed and memory optimization. Extensive user research has influenced the browser's interface, resulting in Firefox Quantum incorporating several small yet significant features that cater to user browsing patterns.


2016. Mozilla launches Firefox Focus - private web browser for iPhone



Mozilla has unveiled a new mobile web browser for iOS called Firefox Focus, placing utmost importance on private browsing for users. This mobile browser takes a proactive approach by automatically blocking ad trackers and erasing browsing history, including passwords and cookies. By doing so, the browser aims to provide a streamlined browsing experience and potentially faster page loading times. The elimination of ads and web trackers can reduce page clutter and enhance overall performance, according to Mozilla's claims.


2015. Firefox for iOS is now available



Mozilla has globally launched the initial version of the Firefox browser for iOS. This release introduces advanced features such as intelligent search, a comprehensive private browsing mode (compatible with iOS 9), convenient access to favorites, and visually appealing tabs. Similar to Chrome and Safari, Firefox seamlessly synchronizes browsing history, tabs, and passwords with its desktop counterpart. Firefox for iOS is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, requiring iOS 8.2 or later. The journey to bring Firefox to iOS has been a lengthy and intricate one for Mozilla. Previously, the company opted for Firefox Home, a mobile app enabling access to Firefox bookmarks, tabs, and history. However, this approach was abandoned in 2012, leading to the current release.


2015. Firefox gets built-in video chat


The most recent release of Firefox (version 35) introduces an exciting addition: the WebRTC-based Firefox Hello video chat service. With this plugin-free feature, you can initiate video chats by sharing an automatically generated link with your desired conversation partner or by using contacts from your Firefox account to initiate calls. Previously, you had to wait for your contact to join the chat room, but now a convenient self-view window appears, allowing you to continue browsing the web until your contact joins the call. The great aspect is that your contacts can use Firefox, Chrome, or Opera for compatibility. Mozilla envisions expanding this project over time, incorporating additional functionalities such as screen sharing and online collaboration tools to enhance productivity and optimize video calls. In pursuit of this goal, Mozilla is collaborating with Telefonica's TokBox and its OpenTok service.


2014. Firefox 29 - the most important update in the history


According to a Mozilla executive, the new version of Firefox brings about significant changes. In essence, this update can be summarized as follows: "Firefox now bears a strong resemblance to Google Chrome." The interface has undergone a transformation, with menus, toolbars, and tabs occupying less space, and the menu itself migrating to a location similar to Chrome. Furthermore, Firefox has become noticeably faster, rivaling the speed of Chrome. Mozilla claims that this is the fastest and most secure version of Firefox to date. Additionally, the developers have introduced a new online service called Firefox Accounts, enabling users to synchronize their bookmarks, browsing history, and passwords across multiple devices. Notably, the update also incorporates support for WebRTC, a standard that facilitates browser-based video chat without the need for plugins.

Author: Adam Levine
Adam is an expert in project management, collaboration and productivity technologies, team management, and motivation. With an extensive background working at prestigious companies such as Microsoft and Accenture, Adam's in-depth knowledge and experience in the field make him a sought-after professional. Currently, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a thriving consulting and training agency where he imparts invaluable insights and practical strategies to individuals and organizations, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. You can contact Adam via email adam@liventerprise.com