TL;DR
- Safari is fast, efficient, and private but lacks extensions and updates.
- Chrome is customizable and fast but resource-heavy.
- Safari is simple, Chrome offers more features.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
Wondering which browser suits you best in the Safari vs. Chrome on Mac debate? Chrome is versatile like a Swiss Army knife, while Safari is the fast, privacy-focused hometown hero. This guide compares their pros and cons to help you pick the winner for your Mac!
Google Chrome vs. Safari: A Quick Comparison
Before we dive into Safari vs. Chrome on Mac, here’s a quick table comparing their key features and differences.
| Feature | Google Chrome | Safari |
| Developer | Apple | |
| Speed | Fast, especially for web apps | Optimized for speed on Mac devices |
| Extensions | Extensive library of available extensions | Limited compared to Chrome |
| Privacy | Good, with various customizable settings | Excellent, with strong privacy features |
| Cross-Platform Sync | Available across multiple platforms | Primarily syncs with Apple devices |
| Resource Usage | Can be resource-intensive | More energy-efficient on Mac |
| User Interface | Customizable and user-friendly | Sleek and integrated with macOS |
| Updates | Frequent and automatic | Updates with macOS updates |
| Security | Strong security features | Robust security with Apple integration |
| Bookmarks & Tabs | Easy bookmarking and tab management | Seamless bookmarking and tab view |
| Multimedia Experience | Supports a wide range of formats | Enhanced multimedia support on Mac |
Safari vs. Chrome: Pros & Cons
Here’s a quick rundown of the advantages and disadvantages of using Safari and Chrome on a Mac:
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Safari
Pros:
- Optimized for smooth and fast browsing on Mac
- Consumes less battery and system resources
- Strong privacy features and protections
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem
- Enhanced multimedia support
Cons:
- Infrequent updates can affect performance
- Limited cross-platform synchronization
- Limited availability of extensions
Google Chrome
Pros:
- Regular updates ensure optimal performance
- Syncs seamlessly across multiple platforms
- Customizable privacy settings
- A wide array of extensions and customization
- Excels in running web applications
Cons:
- Can be resource-intensive, affecting performance
- Tends to consume more battery life
- Privacy settings can be less robust than Safari
- Not as integrated with macOS as Safari
The choice between Safari and Chrome depends on your needs. For extensions, Chrome is best; for light browsing, Safari is the better pick.
Safari vs. Chrome on Mac: A Detailed Comparison
Both Chrome and Safari bring their unique strengths to the table. In this section, I’ll offer a detailed comparison of Safari vs. Chrome on Mac, diving into their features, performance, user experience, and more.
1. User Interface
Safari offers a simple, clean interface that integrates seamlessly with Apple devices. Chrome, packed with features like profiles and themes, is versatile but can feel cluttered, while Safari keeps things straightforward for hassle-free browsing.
Verdict: Choose Safari for simplicity or Chrome for customization and features.
2. Features
Safari excels for Apple users with smooth performance, iCloud sync, and Touch/Face ID. Chrome is versatile across platforms, integrates with Google apps, and offers 175,000+ extensions, surpassing Safari’s 350.
Verdict: Chrome wins with endless features and personalization for a fun browsing experience.
3. Speed and Performance
Safari uses less RAM, handles many tabs smoothly, and is great for high-res gaming. Chrome’s tab isolation ensures stability and pauses idle tabs to save energy, but it’s heavier on battery and slows other apps.
Now, let’s talk speed!
Benchmark Test Results
When browsing the web, speed is key. I put Safari and Chrome to the test to see how they perform in terms of speed and overall performance, focusing on these factors:
- How they handle lots of use
- How they deal with websites full of graphics
For my test, I used three tools: JetStream 2, MotionMark, and Speedometer, running them on a MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM and an Apple M1 processor.
Here are the results:
| Test Type | Browser | Score |
| Javascript (JetStream) | Chrome | 98.5 |
| Safari | 95.3 | |
| Graphics (MotionMark) | Chrome | 365.5 |
| Safari | 435.7 | |
| Responsiveness (Speedometer) | Chrome | 93.2 |
| Safari | 68.5 |
Experts shared Speedometer 2.0 test results on Twitter, showing the MacBook Pro M1 Max scored 277—twice as fast as the top iMac and 20% faster than the standard M1 MacBook.
Analysis
- Javascript (JetStream): Chrome edges out Safari, but only slightly.
- Graphics (MotionMark): Safari leads for smoother graphic performance.
- Responsiveness (Speedometer): Chrome excels in quick interactions.
Verdict: Safari excels in graphics, while Chrome leads in JavaScript and responsiveness, offering versatility on an M1 MacBook Air.
4. Privacy and Security
Safari ensures privacy by blocking trackers and running seamlessly on Apple devices. Chrome offers customizable security and speed but raises privacy concerns due to data collection. Its popularity makes it a hacking target, and its password manager is limited on Apple devices.
Verdict: A draw! Safari is ideal for Apple users with iCloud, while Chrome offers more security control.
5. Extensions
Choosing Safari or Chrome depends on your needs. Chrome offers 175,000+ extensions but may slow some sites, while Safari focuses on quality and works with iPhone and iPad.
Verdict: Chrome wins for variety, but Safari suits Apple users seeking quality and mobile-friendly extensions.
Should I Use Safari or Chrome on Mac?
For privacy and Apple integration, choose Safari. For customization, extensions, and speed, go with Chrome. Your choice depends on your needs and preferences. Your choice depends on your needs and preferences.Here are a few more tips for you:
- If you have a slow internet connection on your Mac, it can interfere with your browser’s performance.
- If Safari is crashing on your Mac, disable unnecessary browser extensions, clear Safari cache, and delete Safari history to prevent random crashes.
- You can improve your browser’s performance by regularly clearing the browser cache on your Mac.
