2012 Readers' Choice Awards Winners: Web Browsers
In early 2012, About Web Browsers participated in the About.com Readers' Choice Awards. Readers were asked to nominate their favorite browsers and browser-related software in the following categories: Best Major Desktop Browser, Best Android Browser, Best iPad Browser, Best iPhone/iPod touch Browser, Best Overall Add-On, Best Privacy/Security Add-On, Best Small Market Desktop Browser, Best Browser Theme, and Best User Script.
After a busy nomination period, five finalists were chosen in each of the aforementioned categories. From February 22 through March 21, 2012, readers cast a flurry of ballots each day, resulting in some hotly contested races as well as a few in which the winner dominated from the gate.
We would like to thank everyone that took part in the process and are extremely proud to present the winners of the 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards: Web Browsers. Click Next to unveil the winners!
Best Major Desktop Browser
As was the case in past years, the Best Major Desktop Browser category was one of our most active from day one. What differed from earlier campaigns, however, was its competitiveness. Opera jumped out to an early lead and never really looked back, snatching the crown from 2011 victor Firefox.
The readers have made their choice, and Opera is the clear winner of this year's Best Major Desktop Browser category!
Final Voting Results
2011 Winner: Firefox
2010 Winner: Opera
Best Android Browser
2012 was the inaugural year for the Best Android Browser category, and it did not disappoint. Garnering the most votes out of our nine categories by a wide margin, this race was an exciting one until its final days. In the end China-based UC Browser proved to be too much for the competition, finishing with a substantial lead over runner-up Dolphin Browser HD.
Congratulations to our 2012 Best Android Browser, UC Browser!
Final Voting Results
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. This included the device's integrated browser as well as those available via the App Store, both free and paid. It was the second year running for this highly coveted title, and this year's winner took control almost immediately after the voting got underway.
While runner-up Dolphin Browser received a formidable number of votes, it couldn't hold off the barrage of support shown for the browser that held onto the top spot for most of the voting period.
Join me in congratulating 2012's winner of the Best iPad Browser award, Opera Mini!
Final Voting Results
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.
Over the past 12 months a slew of new browsers have hit the scene for these devices, many offering unique features and visuals. It was an old mainstay, however, who takes the trophy for the second year running.
The people have made their voice heard, and Opera Mini remains the About.com Readers' Choice Best iPhone/iPod touch Browser.
Final Voting Results
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. With such a large number of quality add-ons in existence, the nomination period was rife with submissions. The result was five finalists sporting a diverse array of features designed to take your browsing experience to the next level.
What began as a hotly contested battle eventually became a one-sided race, with shopping assistant PriceBlink emerging victorious and knocking off perennial winner Adblock Plus.
Congratulations to PriceBlink for winning a well-fought battle and earning the Best Overall (Non-Security) Add-On prize!
Final Voting Results
2011 Winner: Adblock Plus
2010 Winner: Adblock Plus
Best Privacy/Security Add-On
Privacy and security while browsing the Web is important to all of us, as evidenced by the fervent voting in this category year in and year out. The five finalists featured an impressive selection of tools reminiscent of last year's award. In fact, only one newcomer advanced to the final voting phase in 2012.
Although the cast of characters may have been similar, the results differed quite a bit. While 2011 was essentially a two-horse race in this category, this year's winner passed the finish line with a very sizable lead.
In addition to being the only finalist with a double-digit percentage of the vote, the victor also unseated perennial winner NoScript. Congratulations are in order for this year's Best Privacy/Security Add-On, WOT!
Final Voting Results
2011 Winner: NoScript
2010 Winner: NoScript
Best Small Market Desktop Browser
Not everyone uses one of the "big five" when browsing the Web, as so-called small market browsers fill out an interesting niche. There was nothing small about 2012's finalists, however, as they each claim a loyal following.
Although it looked like there may be some competition early, in the end it was last year's winner who pulled it off once again by an impressive margin. Maxthon, a Windows browser which has been around since 2003 and boasts over 500 million downloads worldwide, is this year's Best Small Market Desktop Browser.
Congratulations!
Final Voting Results
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 created by a popular fashion designer to one that gives Firefox a "dark, hot look."
The first place finisher, for the second year in a row, has been a favorite of Opera users since its release.
Congratulations to Z1-Glass, the winner in the 2012 Best Browser Theme category.
Final Voting Results
2011 Winner: Z-1 Glass (Opera)
2010 Winner: NFL's Indianapolis Colts: Official Football Boom!
Rounding out the browser-related categories is 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.
Each of the five finalists offered its own unique modifications intended to improve upon existing websites and their default functionality. There was not much of a contest this year, as the winner left the other finalists in the dust from the commencement of the voting phase until the final day.
Congratulations to a Facebook favorite, Social Fixer, for winning this year's Best User Script category by a virtual landslide!
Final Voting Results
2011 Winner: PS Wall Scrubber
2010 Winner: YouTube HD Ultimate
In early 2012, About Web Browsers participated in the About.com Readers' Choice Awards. Readers were asked to nominate their favorite browsers and browser-related software in the following categories: Best Major Desktop Browser, Best Android Browser, Best iPad Browser, Best iPhone/iPod touch Browser, Best Overall Add-On, Best Privacy/Security Add-On, Best Small Market Desktop Browser, Best Browser Theme, and Best User Script.
After a busy nomination period, five finalists were chosen in each of the aforementioned categories. From February 22 through March 21, 2012, readers cast a flurry of ballots each day, resulting in some hotly contested races as well as a few in which the winner dominated from the gate.
We would like to thank everyone that took part in the process and are extremely proud to present the winners of the 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards: Web Browsers. Click Next to unveil the winners!
Best Major Desktop Browser
As was the case in past years, the Best Major Desktop Browser category was one of our most active from day one. What differed from earlier campaigns, however, was its competitiveness. Opera jumped out to an early lead and never really looked back, snatching the crown from 2011 victor Firefox.
The readers have made their choice, and Opera is the clear winner of this year's Best Major Desktop Browser category!
Final Voting Results
- *Opera - 65%
- Firefox - 14%
- Chrome - 12%
- Internet Explorer - 6%
- Safari - 1%
2011 Winner: Firefox
2010 Winner: Opera
Best Android Browser
2012 was the inaugural year for the Best Android Browser category, and it did not disappoint. Garnering the most votes out of our nine categories by a wide margin, this race was an exciting one until its final days. In the end China-based UC Browser proved to be too much for the competition, finishing with a substantial lead over runner-up Dolphin Browser HD.
Congratulations to our 2012 Best Android Browser, UC Browser!
Final Voting Results
- *UC Browser - 49%
- Dolphin Browser HD - 25%
- Opera Mini - 15%
- iBrowser - 7%
- Skyfire - 1%
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. This included the device's integrated browser as well as those available via the App Store, both free and paid. It was the second year running for this highly coveted title, and this year's winner took control almost immediately after the voting got underway.
While runner-up Dolphin Browser received a formidable number of votes, it couldn't hold off the barrage of support shown for the browser that held onto the top spot for most of the voting period.
Join me in congratulating 2012's winner of the Best iPad Browser award, Opera Mini!
Final Voting Results
- *Opera Mini - 65%
- Dolphin Browser - 26%
- Cloud Browse - 3%
- Terra Browser - 2%
- Mercury Web Browser - 1%
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.
Over the past 12 months a slew of new browsers have hit the scene for these devices, many offering unique features and visuals. It was an old mainstay, however, who takes the trophy for the second year running.
The people have made their voice heard, and Opera Mini remains the About.com Readers' Choice Best iPhone/iPod touch Browser.
Final Voting Results
- *Opera Mini - 74%
- Mobicip - 14%
- Safari - 7%
- Atomic Web Browser - 3%
- Skyfire - 0%
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. With such a large number of quality add-ons in existence, the nomination period was rife with submissions. The result was five finalists sporting a diverse array of features designed to take your browsing experience to the next level.
What began as a hotly contested battle eventually became a one-sided race, with shopping assistant PriceBlink emerging victorious and knocking off perennial winner Adblock Plus.
Congratulations to PriceBlink for winning a well-fought battle and earning the Best Overall (Non-Security) Add-On prize!
Final Voting Results
- *PriceBlink - 75%
- Adblock Plus - 12%
- InvisibleHand - 8%
- DownThemAll! - 1%
- WebMail Notifier - 1%
2011 Winner: Adblock Plus
2010 Winner: Adblock Plus
Best Privacy/Security Add-On
Privacy and security while browsing the Web is important to all of us, as evidenced by the fervent voting in this category year in and year out. The five finalists featured an impressive selection of tools reminiscent of last year's award. In fact, only one newcomer advanced to the final voting phase in 2012.
Although the cast of characters may have been similar, the results differed quite a bit. While 2011 was essentially a two-horse race in this category, this year's winner passed the finish line with a very sizable lead.
In addition to being the only finalist with a double-digit percentage of the vote, the victor also unseated perennial winner NoScript. Congratulations are in order for this year's Best Privacy/Security Add-On, WOT!
Final Voting Results
- *WOT (Web of Trust) - 75%
- NoScript - 8%
- FoxyProxy - 6%
- LastPass - 6%
- BetterPrivacy - 2%
2011 Winner: NoScript
2010 Winner: NoScript
Best Small Market Desktop Browser
Not everyone uses one of the "big five" when browsing the Web, as so-called small market browsers fill out an interesting niche. There was nothing small about 2012's finalists, however, as they each claim a loyal following.
Although it looked like there may be some competition early, in the end it was last year's winner who pulled it off once again by an impressive margin. Maxthon, a Windows browser which has been around since 2003 and boasts over 500 million downloads worldwide, is this year's Best Small Market Desktop Browser.
Congratulations!
Final Voting Results
- *Maxthon - 72%
- SeaMonkey - 14%
- RockMelt - 5%
- Lunascape - 4%
- iCab - 2%
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 created by a popular fashion designer to one that gives Firefox a "dark, hot look."
The first place finisher, for the second year in a row, has been a favorite of Opera users since its release.
Congratulations to Z1-Glass, the winner in the 2012 Best Browser Theme category.
Final Voting Results
- *Z1-Glass (Opera) - 58%
- FT DeepDark (Firefox) - 37%
- LavaFox (Firefox) - 1%
- Marc Ecko (Chrome) - 1%
- Office Black (Firefox) - 1%
2011 Winner: Z-1 Glass (Opera)
2010 Winner: NFL's Indianapolis Colts: Official Football Boom!
Rounding out the browser-related categories is 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.
Each of the five finalists offered its own unique modifications intended to improve upon existing websites and their default functionality. There was not much of a contest this year, as the winner left the other finalists in the dust from the commencement of the voting phase until the final day.
Congratulations to a Facebook favorite, Social Fixer, for winning this year's Best User Script category by a virtual landslide!
Final Voting Results
- *Social Fixer - 96%
- Facebook Chat Emoticons Bar - 1%
- Rapidshare Links Checker - 1%
- FB MafiaWars Addon - 0%
- KoC Power Bot - 0%
2011 Winner: PS Wall Scrubber
2010 Winner: YouTube HD Ultimate