2013 Readers' Choice Awards Winners: Web Browsers

Article last updated on March 27, 2013

In early 2013, About Web Browsers participated in the About.com Readers' Choice Awards for the fourth time. Readers nominated their favorite Web browsers and browser-related software in the following nine categories: Best Major Desktop Browser, Best Android Browser, Best iPad Browser, Best iPhone/iPod touch Browser, Best Small Market Desktop Browser, Best Privacy/Security Add-on, Best Overall Add-on, Best Browser Theme, and Best User Script.

After a four week nomination period that spanned parts of January and February, five finalists were selected in each of the aforementioned categories. Readers voted feverishly on a daily basis between February 19 and March 19, resulting in some very exciting races.

We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who took part in the process this year, and are proud to present the winners of the 2013 About.com Readers' Choice Awards: Web Browsers. Click Next to unveil the results!

Best Major Desktop Browser

While last year's voting saw Opera jump out to an early lead and never look back, the 2013 race for Best Major Desktop Browser stayed contentious throughout. In the end, it was 2011 winner Mozilla Firefox who snatched back the crown with 39% of the overall vote. Both Google Chrome and Opera came in a not-so-distant second, each garnering 26% of the final tally.

The readers have spoken, and Firefox is back on top in the Best Major Desktop Browser category!

Final Voting Results

• *Firefox - 39%
• Chrome - 26%
• Opera - 26%
• Internet Explorer - 5%
• Safari - 1%

*denotes winner
2012 Winner: Opera

2011 Winner: Firefox

2010 Winner: Opera

Best Android Browser

The Best Android Browser category entered its second year with much anticipation, after a hotly contested 2012 race that saw China-based UC Browser finish with first place honors. A repeat was not to be, however, as category newcomer Maxthon Cloud Browser took home the gold this year with an impressive 67% share of the vote.

Congratulations to our 2013 Best Android Browser, Maxthon Cloud Browser!
Final Voting Results

• *Maxthon Cloud Browser - 67%

• UC Browser - 15%
• Opera Mini - 10%
• Dolphin Browser HD - 6%
• Mobicip - 0%

*denotes winner
2012 Winner: UC Browser

2011 Winner: N/A

2010 Winner: N/A

Best iPad Browser

The Best iPad Browser category accepted nominations for any Web browsers that run on the popular Apple tablet. It was the third year running for this highly coveted title and, as was the case in 2012, this year's winner took control almost immediately after voting got underway.

Category rookie Maxthon Cloud Browser dominated from the gate, closing strong with 78% of reader votes. Runner-up Dolphin Browser finished a distant second with 11%.

2012 winner Opera Mini lacked support this time around, claiming a modest 6% of the vote.
Final Voting Results

• *Maxthon Cloud Browser - 78%
• Dolphin Browser - 11%
• Opera Mini - 6%
• Safari - 2%
• Mercury Browser Pro - 1%

*denotes winner
2012 Winner: Opera Mini

2011 Winner: Safari

2010 Winner: N/A

Best iPhone/iPod touch Browser

The Best iPhone/iPod touch Browser category accepted nominations for any Web browsers that run on both of these popular Apple portables. This included Apple's integrated browser as well as those available via the App Store, both free and paid.

This category, now in its third year, has been practically owned by Opera Mini since its inception in 2011. Things have changed, however, and there's a new iOS sheriff in town.

Dolphin Browser, which has been rapidly gaining popularity in the mobile realm, toppled the reigning champion with a formidable 46% vote share. Opera Mini did finish in second with a quarter of the overall ballots, followed by Google Chrome.

Let's congratulate the 2013 winner in the Best iPhone/iPod touch Browser category, Dolphin Browser!
Final Voting Results

• *Dolphin Browser - 46%
• Opera Mini - 25%
• Google Chrome - 16%
• Safari - 8%
• Photon Flash Browser - 4%

*denotes winner
2012 Winner: Opera Mini

2011 Winner: Opera Mini

2010 Winner: N/A

Best Overall Add-On

The Best Overall (Non-Security) Add-On category accepted nominations for any browser add-on, plug-in, or extension that wasn't related to privacy or security. Our finalists this year were once again quite diverse, each one offering very different features from the other.

In the end it was an add-on that provides online shoppers with the tools they need to find the lowest prices that won our readers over, earning 71% of the vote and the coveted title for 2013.

Congratulations are in order for Booly, this year's Best Overall Add-On!
Final Voting Results

• *Booly - 71%
• Turn Off the Lights - 20%
• DowmThemAll! - 4%
• Firebug - 2%
• Evernote Web Clipper - 1%

*denotes winner
2012 Winner: PriceBlink

2011 Winner: Adblock Plus

2010 Winner: Adblock Plus

Best Privacy/Security Add-On

Always a very active category, Best Privacy/Security Add-On welcomed some notable newcomers as finalists in 2013 as well as last year's champion - WOT (Web of Trust). In the end, it was a long-time fan favorite who won the battle.

Adblock Plus supporters certainly made their virtual voices heard, winning a tight battle over second place finisher Ghostery. Last year's victor, WOT, wound up in third place with 19% of the vote.

A round of applause for 2013's Best Privacy/Security Add-On, Adblock Plus!
Final Voting Results

• *Adblock Plus - 42%
• Ghostery - 37%
• WOT (Web of Trust) - 19%
• anonymoX - 0%
• Collusion - 0%

*denotes winner
2012 Winner: WOT (Web of Trust)

2011 Winner: NoScript

2010 Winner: NoScript

Best Small Market Desktop Browser

The title of this category can be somewhat deceiving, as each of this year's finalists boasts a sizable and loyal user base. Apparently none are more loyal than 2013's Best Small Market Desktop Browser, Maxthon Cloud Browser, who can now claim the rare three-peat after winning in both 2011 and 2012 as well.

Kudos to Maxthon Cloud Browser, the winner of this year's Best Small Market Desktop Browser category with a lion's share of the vote.

Final Voting Results

• *Maxthon Cloud Browser - 63%
• Pale Moon - 15%
• SlimBrowser - 11%
• Torch Browser - 9%
• Lunascape - 0%

*denotes winner
2012 Winner: Maxthon

2011 Winner: Maxthon

2010 Winner: K-Meleon

The Best Browser Theme category accepted nominations for any skins or themes that altered the appearance of your browser, whether it be simple icon changes or a completely fresh coat of paint. The five finalists ranged from a theme highlighting the inspirational leaves of the spring season to one designed to give your browser a "creamy silvery experience".

In the end, however, it was neither of these worthy add-ons that made the grade in the eyes of our readers.

Congratulations to Blue RP7, a favorite of Opera fans worldwide and 2013's Best Browser Theme.
Final Voting Results

• *Blue RP7 (Opera) - 69%
• Silvermel (Firefox) - 14%
• Fantastic Spring Foliage (Firefox) - 8%
• Beautiful Landscape (Chrome) - 4%
• Raindrops (Chrome) - 4%

*denotes winner
2012 Winner: Z-1 Glass (Opera)

2011 Winner: Z-1 Glass (Opera)

2010 Winner: NFL's Indianapolis Colts: Official Football Boom!

Last but not least is one of our more interesting categories, Best User Script, which accepted nominations for any browser scripts including those which run on multiple browsers and platforms as well as those only compatible with specific configurations.

Unlike last year's race, which was practically decided on day one, we had quite a competition for first place in 2013. When the polls closed, it was a script that helped users download YouTube videos that stood alone on top; with 2012 winner Social Fixer ending up in a close second.

Congratulations to this year's Best User Script, Download YouTube Videos As MP4!
Final Voting Results

• *Download YouTube Videos As MP4 - 38%
• Social Fixer - 28%
• Keep Tube - 19%
• GoogleMonkeyR - 9%
• FB Wall Manager - 4%

*denotes winner
2012 Winner: Social Fixer

2011 Winner: PS Wall Scrubber

2010 Winner: YouTube HD Ultimate