Unlike other platforms, Windows Phone is yet to get the love from popular browser maker. Of course, you may find ruck of browsers in the marketplace, but it would be a daunting task similar to finding out diamond from a coal mine. Although, the choice is limited, but it would be wise to not spend whole time finding out the right browser based on your need. Let us do the hard work for you instead.
In the past, we’ve covered some good Windows Phone browsers including Next browser, UC Browser, IE+ browser and so on. While later browser is still in the development phase, previously mentioned browsers are already out in the marketplace. The good thing about them is that they both are available for free from the marketplace. While UC Browser supports multiple locales like Chinese and English, Next Browser only supports English version. In near future, we may consider covering Windows Phone browsers for other locales.
Internet Explorer is the default browser cooked right into the OS. Although, IE is a gratifying browser, advanced users may find out some lackluster features in the browser. Limit to number of opened tabs, colors options, Google search engine provider, quick access to tabs, download option and many more features will coercion users to look for an alternative browser for their Windows Phone handsets.
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Best Browsers for Windows Phone
The browsers are listed haphazardly. We’re trying to combine both free and paid app in this list. To keep this post short we’re covering only 5 best web browser for Windows Phone.
UC Browser
Hailing from great China, UC Browser has been a darling of many Chinese users. In fact, UC Browser is available on almost all major mobile platform. It mainly aims to compete with Opera mini in low-end smartphone segment, but it does offer one of the best features on Windows Phone OS as well.
Developed by UCWeb firm, UC Browser for Windows Phone offers powerful mobile browsing experience on your handset. It has speed dials, background images, tabbed browsing, history, favorite, quick access option to give you a unique browsing experience. It doesn’t stop there. It has a inbuilt download manager and SkyDrive integration to quickly download and upload images, files from popular sites to your SkyDrive account. Moreover, Incognito mode will let you enjoy anonymous surfing experience on your handset. It is a must have Windows Phone browser for Chinese and English language users. The best part is about it that it is available for free in the marketplace.
Next Browser
Next Browser has been my favorite browser for quite some time now. Based on IE9 core engine, this browser adds extra features to default IE browser making it a worth companion. Instead of default 6 tabs, Next Browser will let you open 10 tabs at a time. It provides an effective way to navigate between tabs. Flicking from left to right will take you to the next tab. There is also a provision to change default search engine provider from Bing to Google. It niftily integrates switching tabs option. telerik RadControls and social sharing option. Unfortunately, it is a paid browser. However, you’re free to use ad supported version of the browser. The free version has all the features but it just adds ad to help developer continue his development.
Beyond Browser 2
Beyond Browser 2 is a self-proclaimed best browser available on Windows Phone platform. With tap-no-type design it will let you quickly navigate forward/backward between pages, open multiple tabs in background etc. It also smartly integrates shake-to-show feature to open floating toolbar, popular sites option to surf the popular sites quickly, bookmarks and much more. Overall, the UI of the browser is very pleasing and it has almost all the features you would want in your favorite browser.
Metro Web Browser
It is a powerful browser that also gives you a full screen browsing experience on your Windows Phone. Some of the features like orientation lock, full screen browsing, running under lock-screen, search option for marketplace app search, auto-completion of address, privacy mode option are worth checking out. Once again, this is a yet another browser that will win your heart with theme option which will let you customize the background color of the browser. The new version provides tweet option with URL shortening service from the browser makes it as a must have app for social zealot. Free version cut downs some of the functionality to encourage you to buy the full version.
Vable Browser
As an active user of XDA forum, I had an opportunity to get my hand of Vable browser. Initially, the development was slow but later it picked up the speed. It has some of the best features integrated right into the browser. Swipe from right to left edge to switch between tabs, search provider setting, compact view, swipe from top to bottom to show URL bar etc. The next version expects to bring speed improvement.
There are certain browsers which deserves the place in the list, but we have to keep the list short. Our next post will cover some more browsers for Windows Phone which deserves attention of the users. Feel free to suggest your favorite browser via comment section below. We would love to hear your opinion too.
Tags: next browser, ucweb, wp browser