Maxthon is a versatile browser that you can tailor to fit your web browsing needs. Customization options include the security settings, the interface layout, and useful plugins that you can download like a personal information management tool, decorative skins and the Google Toolbar.Maxthon lacks a few features higher–ranked browsers offer including thumbnail previews, parental controls, a smart toolbar, and anti-phishing technology.
Features Set:
With the Maxthon download comes some features that will increase your surfing speed. The convenient drag and drop feature allows you to drag a web address from an email, Word document or just about anywhere to the address window and Maxthon will take you there.
Mouse Gestures make it so you don’t have to find and click buttons on the tool bar. You can navigate the web through movements of the mouse.
Other nice features include the magic fill for forms, a built-in feed reader, and a url Alias.
Ease of Use:
At the end of each session, the browser prompts you if you want to save your session. This is handy if you’re interrupted while surfing the web—you can start right where you ended.
If you’re accustomed to Internet Explorer’s layout, you’ll have no problem finding your way around Maxthon. All of the buttons are well labeled and you can customize the browser bar to fit your needs.
Security:
Maxthon blocks pop–up ads and normal advertisements if you choose. Furthermore, you can clear the entire browser in one step making it easy to keep your personal information personal.
Maxthon protects from viruses and spyware, and includes a trusted website check, but doesn't protect against phishing.
Speed & Compatibility:
Maxthon boasts anti-freeze technology to make browsing as fluid as possible, as well as smart acceleration to improve speed of the pages you visit the most. Maxthon has similar compatibility to Internet Explorer.
Help/Support:
Maxthon offers online help, including FAQs, on their website. There are also a number of help options available from the browser bar. You can read the tip of the day, look through the user’s guides or search for a specific topic in the help database. If you have further questions, contact Maxthon by email.
Summary:
Maxthon has received various awards and we also rank it among the best. However, to be at the top of browser’s list the developers will have to add a few more features to keep up with the competition. Furthermore, Maxthon is not available for Mac computers.
To Download: http://download.cnet.com/Maxthon/3000-2356_4-10681895.html
Flock is the Internet browser targeted towards social butterflies. Flock is the Mozilla powered browser that specifically meets the needs of online social networkers by helping you keep informed when friends post or a favorite site is updated. It has a slick interface and plenty of features.Flock is equipped to keep you up to date with your contacts from Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, Twitter, etc.
Flock is a great browser for online social networking, but falls a bit short compared to some of our higher ranked browsers in regards to features and utility.
Features Set:
While Flock does include most of the standard features like tabbed browsing, an integrated search engine, and a spell checker, it doesn't have parental controls, a smart toolbar, or at a glance security.
Flock has plenty of tools built in to help you if you want to share photos, news, or simply your life story. Plus you can easily drag and drop to share videos, text, or favorite links.
Ease of Use:
Flock's slick interface is fairly intuitive and user-friendly. We had no problems navigating the Internet using Flock.
Security:
The Flock Internet browser is secure, with pop-ups, viruses, and spyware being blocked. You can also clear your browsing history quickly.
Speed & Compatibility:
Though a little slower to load, Flock does a good job of keeping your web movement quick and easy. There are no issues with compatibility.
Help/Support:
Flock has provided several ways to get help if you need it. You can get support online, and through tutorials, FAQs, and user forums.
Summary:
Flock is an ideal browser for keeping you up to date with your online social contacts, but for other browsing you may wish to use one of higher ranked internet browsers. You might consider using Flock as a secondary browser to keep in touch with friends, with Firefox or Google Chrome as your main browser.
To Download: http://download.cnet.com/Flock/3000-2356_4-10803251.html
Avant Browser is an Internet Explorer based, no-frills web browser. Avant includes basic mouse gestures, tabbed browsing with movable tabs, and a full 500% zoom. It falls short in comparison with our higher ranked Internet browsers, but is a fairly professional looking alternative.
Features Set:
Our only major complaint with the features of Avant Browser is the lack of parental controls and ability to synchronize. Avant does utilize tabbed browsing, an integrated search engine, and several other features.
Avant Browser allows you to enter a full screen mode, and also has a nice minimize button that removes the windows from everywhere except your bottom right toolbar.
Ease of Use:
We have no major complaints with the utility and simplicity of Avant Browser. The undo tab feature is appreciated.
Security:
Avant Security blocks pop-ups, but not phishing. You can remove your browsing history and cookies simply, just like in Internet Explorer.
Speed & Compatibility:
Avant claims to be the fastest web browser on earth, but time trials suggest otherwise. Avant Browser has the same compatibility as Internet Explorer.
Help/Support:
Avant Browser provides users with support through email or user forums, but has no tutorials or user guide.
Summary:
Avant Browser has some nice features and functionality, but doesn't impress in comparison to several of the other browsers. The basic mouse gestures are nice, but don't carry Avant Browser to greatness.
To Download: http://download.cnet.com/avant-browser/
Deepnet Explorer is a fair browser in that it has a handful of features, but nothing that overly impresses. Deepnet Explorer's primary focus is on facilitating P2P networking and RSS feeds. It offers several useful tools and features, but fails to deliver all that the best browsers do.
Features Set:
Deepnet Explorer aims to please with most of the features found in better browsers. This browser includes saved tabs, a limited zoom function, and some add-ons to customize. But
Deepnet Explorer falls a bit short when it comes to some additional features like spell checking, a password manager, or automatic updates.
The only stand-out feature is the at-a-glance security found on each tab.
Ease of Use:
Though not always as intuitive as higher ranked Internet browsers, Deepnet Explorer usually allows you to do what you want to do. Tabbed browsing is utilized, complete with a save session function. The at-a-glance security button on each tab is a nice addition, but there is no way to quickly delete a tab. The interface is customizable, but seems sort of clunky.
Security:
Deepnet Explorer does block pop-ups and has anti-phishing. It doesn't however, block spyware or viruses.
You can delete your Internet browsing history and saved passwords just like in Internet
Explorer.
Speed & Compatibility:
We had no problems viewing the web quickly and easily using Deepnet Explorer.
Help/Support:
Deepnet provides plenty of help for users with problems, from online and email support to a user's manual.
Summary:
Deepnet is not a very good alternative to higher ranked Internet browsers. I would like to see some additional features like a smart toolbar or parental controls.
To Download: http://www.deepnetexplorer.com/download/download.asp
PhaseOut is a flash-based shell for Internet Explorer. It adds some really impressive looking graphics and customizable skins to your web browsing experience. If futuristic looks and space inspired graphics are your thing, you might want to consider PhaseOut.
Features Set:
PhaseOut has most of the essential features, but still lacks some of the nice bonus features such as a password manager, feeds, or parental controls.
Ease of Use:
PhaseOut aims to be completely customizable and tailored to easy surfing. While the remote function is innovative, it seems unnecessary and doesn't add a lot of utility. PhaseOut provides most of the tools of a good browser, but they are not as easy to use as we would like.
Security:
PhaseOut comes with top-notch security features, including anti-phishing. Since it's Internet Explorer based you can also remove your browsing history quickly.
Speed & Compatibility:
PhaseOut is completely compatible with Internet Explorer, but on our computers ran a bit slower than we'd like. The futuristic look is neat, but not if you have to sacrifice speed. Refer to our Internet browser time trials to find the fastest browser.
Help/Support:
PhaseOut does not provide a whole lot of help for new users. There is a FAQ and email support, but no user manual, no online helps or tutorials, and no user forums.
Summary:
PhaseOut is a neat idea, but the browser seems a bit too distracting. The interface seemed just a little too busy and sacrificed speed. PhaseOut is interesting, but not very intuitive, and lacking in features.
To Download: http://download.cnet.com/PhaseOut/3000-2356_4-10168999.html
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