Fastest iOS Browser

Since the iPhone's introduction in 2007, and the iPad in 2010, every iOS device has shipped with the mobile version of Apple's Safari Web browser. Safari is by no means the only choice, though; the App Store has a plethora of third-party browser options, offering a variety of different features and advantages. Regardless of the features available, for many users speed is still the primary concern when choosing a mobile browser. There are several browsers that earn a place among the fastest iOS browsers available, either in raw speed or improved workflow.


Based on the desktop version, the iOS version of Safari is a powerful browser, with tabbed browsing, privacy controls, pop-up blocking, autofill, iCloud integration and more. As the default iOS browser, and the only one that can be set as the default, Safari is one of the fastest iOS browsers in terms of raw speed and JavaScript performance. Apple blocks third-party access to the iOS Nitro JavaScript engine, giving Safari a significant advantage when loading JavaScript-intensive websites.

ICab Mobile

Like Safari, iCab began its life as a desktop browser for the classic Mac OS, eventually migrating to OS X and iOS. iCab has a number of advanced features, including ad blocking, advanced tabs, download management, Web filters and the ability to customize almost every aspect of the browser. Some of these features, such as the ability to disable images, help give iCab a significant speed boost. With images disabled, a website's text loads much faster.

Opera Mini

Opera Software has built a reputation creating an independent, standards-compliant Web browser that runs on multiple desktop and mobile platforms, including iOS. One of Opera's main features is data compression. When you navigate to a website, Opera Mini sends the request to Opera's servers. The servers then retrieve the website data, compress it and send it to your copy of Opera Mini. Opera claims the process compresses data up to 90 percent, reducing data usage and increasing speed.

Mercury Web Browser Pro

Mercury Web Browser Pro is an advanced browser designed to fill the holes in Safari's feature set. One of its biggest advantages is its tab implementation, reminiscent of a full-fledged desktop browser, instead of the limited tabbed browsing many iOS browsers offer. While Mercury Web Browser Pro is slower than Safari in raw speed, its advanced feature set, workflow and interface make it very responsive, creating a user experience that is faster and more streamlined than its competitors.