There are many things in common between Internet browsers for the iPhone and iPad, and in the end, they all allow you to browse websites in the same way. However, they have different additional or aesthetic functions that make us opt for one or the other. This is the case of Safari, Apple‘s native browser, and Google Chrome, the alternative par excellence.
There are many differences between using Safari and Chrome on iOS and iPadOS. It is not that they change the experience in an abrupt way, but they do have remarkable changes. For this reason, in this post we want to review the five main differences that, at least in our opinion, are fundamental when choosing one or the other.
Major Safari and Chrome Changes
- Privacy: although in the end it is true that one never browses the Internet safely, the truth is that these two browsers try to offer tools for it. Both offer options to block trackers, although the truth is that Safari goes further with much more concise tools against the limitations of Chrome.
- Translator: Starting with iOS and iPadOS 14, Safari offers a built-in translator for visiting websites in other languages. And although the operation of this is good and fast, the truth is that Chrome supports more languages and the translation looks more natural. Not surprisingly, Google has been developing its translator for years, being the most popular globally.
- Extensions: If Safari is used on iOS or iPadOS 15 (or later), all kinds of extensions can be installed: translators, ad blockers, force dark web mode, etc. However, there is still a much broader and more usable catalog of options in Google Chrome.
- Desktop version: although this is secondary on an iPhone, horizontal use is becoming more and more common on iPads. Hence the importance of being able to visit websites in desktop format, which always offers a broader and more complete view than mobile versions. Well, Safari on iPad offers the desktop versions of browsing as standard, while in Chrome you have to force it manually and it doesn’t always turn out as expected.
- Performance: for practical purposes they are two very well optimized browsers on both systems, but in various tests it has been shown that, with the same connection, Safari is faster in opening websites and in managing multiple open tabs. Although to tell the truth, there is not as much difference between one browser and another on these systems as what is seen on the desktop, where Safari is extremely more efficient than Chrome.
There is no browser better than another
Obviously, as we mentioned before, there are many more differences between both browsers. However, we believe that these are the most important points. But don’t get confused either, because although Safari has come out as “winner” in 3 of the 5 points discussed, in the end this is not decisive.
Choosing between one or the other will always depend on the importance you give to each section. If, for example, using extensions is critical to you, this might outweigh being able to use desktop versions on iPad by default. The same happens in reverse. And in any case, you should always remember the existence of other browsers that also integrate interesting functions for these two Apple devices.
