In the field of web browsers on iPhone and iPad we always have two great options available to choose from: Safari and Google Chrome. But for many people the following question may come to mind: which is better? Obviously, between these two software there are important differences to take into account, and in this article we are going to tell you about them.
The most general aspects
When comparing two different software, it is important to highlight two aspects that are general and fundamental: the design and the performance that they have on iPhone and iPad. Below we break down these two aspects.
Application design
This is undoubtedly one of the most crucial aspects when we talk about any type of application. The first thing is that it is attractive to the eye, because sometimes when it is unsightly you can have a very bad experience. Having the information expressed in a clear and even organized way is vital to working with high productivity methods.
If we compare both browsers, Safari stands out for having a really minimalist design. This is something that is extrapolated from the rest of the system’s native applications that stand out for having a fairly similar design line. As soon as you access Safari you can have access to the bookmarks and the search bar, but without being saturated. In order for the different sharing or search options to appear, it is necessary to make a movement with the touch screen on the screen. Otherwise it will be completely hidden to keep the aesthetics as clean as possible.
But in Chrome this changes a lot, since simply entering the main view you can see differences with Safari. At the bottom is the constantly forward or backward view of the controls, the ability to open a new tab, and also access to options. Likewise, under the options you can find access to Discover in order to have the latest news that is personalized to your personal tastes. This is something that is not available in Safari.
This is something that can also be applied to the iPad experience. In both cases it seems that it acts like a computer version, thanks to the fact that a fairly similar distribution is maintained. Such is the similarity that similar structures are also maintained in both browsers on iPad. For example, all websites can be requested with a desktop version with a simple touch. Obviously, it is still prioritizing that the iPad has a much cleaner and more orderly aesthetic than in Chrome. In this case, all the most important elements are always at the top and not as crowded as on the iPhone, but it can still be overwhelming.
Performance
This is a vital point to take into account in any application that we use on a daily basis. Over the years we have become accustomed to always wanting everything almost immediately. By pressing a simple button we seek that the response is not made in a delay, and if it takes a few seconds more, the nervousness arises. This also occurs in browsers, where immediacy is sought and also that navigation is comfortable, avoiding poor performance.
In actual use of both browsers, we have to say that Safari performs slightly better than Chrome on iPhone or iPad. And this is something completely expected due to the developers of each of the browsers. In the case of Safari, it is developed by Apple itself and that is why it is done with the hardware it has in mind . It’s a browser that shouldn’t work on a wide variety of different hardware like Chrome does. It is optimized for iPhones that have hardware already known to the company’s engineers. And this is something that also happens with the general performance of iOS, macOS or iPadOS, which is quite good because it is developed for very specific hardware.
This does not mean that Chrome is malfunctioning. The performance becomes quite good, although it is true that the consumption of resources is quite high. When you want to have many tabs open simultaneously, a certain delay can be created in the system that prevents a correct scrolling. But in general it also works well and can be used without any problem. Although as with everything, it is always better to use native applications to enjoy much better performance.
Specific functions
Once performance and design are taken into account, the rest of the options that can be found in the different browsers must be highlighted. Among these, the tab system, information synchronization or security itself stand out.
tab system
Any browser should have the ability to perform different actions in a simple way. This is what is achieved with the tabs that are highly characteristic of any software of this style. In both browsers it can be found as is logical, although it must be recognized that in Safari it works much better. One of the great limitations that any mobile can have is its size. In this way it is more complicated to have a good view of the tabs you have open to switch between them easily as if it can be done comfortably on a Mac.
And it is that although both browsers have this feature, in Safari the change is much simpler. With a simple slide on the address bar at the bottom you will be able to go between all the tabs you have open. This does not happen in Chrome where you must open the overview with all the tabs you have open to be able to change. And also, going back to performance, in this transition to all open windows you can see a certain delay that can become uncomfortable. This does not mean that the overview of the tabs cannot be accessed in Safari, since it is also possible. And in both cases there is the option of activating private browsing to have the maximum security guarantees.
password management
When browsing the internet, it is quite common that you have to make different logins. All security experts recommend that a password completely different from the one used in other services be used in each of the logins . This can be a big problem, since when the passwords are complicated and complex, it will be difficult for you to always remember them. In these situations, it is advisable to use the high-quality keychains that are integrated into browsers. In this way we are facing another differentiating point to take into account.
In the case of Safari, iCloud keychain itself is used. This is synchronized with all devices and also offers keys that are safe, randomly generated following the best security standards. This means that you always have everything stored in one place and have passwords saved, stored and protected through Face ID facial recognition technology.
Chrome, as in the rest of the multi-device versions, also has a keychain that is linked to the Google account itself. It also detects logins in a fast and comfortable way to start at any time with your passwords . It’s ideal especially when you have a Windows PC and don’t have access to iCloud Keychain. In this way, the passwords you use on your computer with this operating system will also be available on your iPhone or iPad with a simple click. It is undoubtedly a great advantage over Safari that will always be taken into account.
Information Synchronization
Beyond the security of the keychain in each of the browsers, the presence of other types of information must also be remembered. Here enters, for example, the history of searches that have been carried out or also the autocomplete information. The latter refers to functions that simplify the process of filling out a simple form or payment details. This way the browser can quickly detect where the name, address or your credit card should be placed.
In both cases, you can save the information linked to both the Apple ID if we talk about Safari, and the Google account in Chrome. Although, the integration as expected is much better done in Safari. This is because this information, in addition to Safari, also applies to other applications and that is why it is very internalized in the operating system. If this is a feature that matters a lot to you, on iPhone and iPad it works best with Safari.
But as we have mentioned before, there is also a quite important synchronization problem. If you have entered this information on a Windows PC, you will always be interested in using Chrome to access all this data. This is something that you will not be able to find in iCloud due to limitations in exporting information.
Security
When browsing through one of these two browsers, security is given a high priority. And in this field, without a doubt, Apple comes out as a clear winner with the features that have been integrated into iOS and iPadOS. As a user, we always seek that no one can know what we are looking for, and Apple does not do business with this data. In other words, the Cupertino company does not focus its business on selling its users’ information, something that Chrome does.
This is also added to the possibilities of hiding your own IP address so that when you are browsing, no one can know that it is you. This significantly improves security in every way while you are browsing. This feature is not integrated as such in Chrome, where you must rely on the use of a VPN system in order to have a private address system.
Use of extensions
Sometimes the quality of the browser’s functions may not be the most correct, and that is why add-ons have to be added. These are tools from third-party developers that try to enrich the experience that you get to have with this software. In the case of desktop browsers it is quite common to have a translator or a spell checker, but in mobile versions it can be something more strange.
And it is that here you can find a big difference between both browsers on both iPad and iPhone. Safari has the ability to install plugins through the App Store. Although there are few options available, there are different plugins such as translators or cookie blockers. But in Chrome this is something completely non-existent, since it does not integrate with the app store and the installation of plugins is not allowed.
And as we say, it is a feature that is used on a laptop or fixed computer. That is why where it will be used the most is on the iPad, and it should also be noted that it has quite optimal performance. It is certainly a big surprise, and we must bear in mind that in Chrome we are not going to see this type of feature in the short term.
desktop version
In many occasions we seek to have the best possible experience with an iPad or an iPhone, and sometimes the mobile version of the web pages is not the most appropriate. That is why it can be interesting to have access to the desktop version to have the best experience if you are using a simple computer. Obviously this is something that is interesting to use on an iPad since it has a much larger screen as if it were a laptop.
Note that this is a feature available in both Safari and Chrome on iPhone and iPad. Use on small screens such as those of a mobile phone is uncomfortable because a lot of zoom must be removed in order to have an adequate experience. The only difference between the two browsers is that in Safari you can constantly activate this feature so that you always access a website in its desktop version. In the Google option this is not possible.
Integrated translator
When accessing a web page in another language than the native one, it is always appreciated to have a translation system available. In this case, both Safari and Chrome have this and it can be used in a very simple way. Keep in mind that Google’s translator has accompanied many users throughout their lives and is of great quality . This means that many people may end up opting for Chrome in a timely manner due to this integration, which the truth is that it works really well.
But after carrying out different tests, it should be noted that the Apple translator also works really well. It is integrated into Safari and with a simple touch you can access the web page with the translated text overlaid. In this way you will not have any kind of problem with these pages that you may not understand at first.
Tracking lock systems
Beyond security, privacy is also a really important point. In this case, what has been controlled the most in recent years is the use of cookies and trackers that follow your trail on the Internet. Through these data it is possible to have clear information about your tastes as a result of the pages you visit. This is something that has been very controlled in Safari with iOS, since different blockers of the tracking systems that are in Safari have been integrated. In addition, there is also data about everything that has been blocked as you have browsed and used the iPhone.
Chrome in this sense is much shorter. It has options to avoid tracking but that becomes quite limited. It can be said that they are limited to complying with the legislation on data protection and privacy. But they do not go further with periodic reports of the blockades that have been carried out to verify that it is really being done.
