Top 6 Browsers for Windows 7: Speed-tested & Ranked

If you’re still using Windows 7, saving system resources as much as possible is extremely important, hence why choosing the best browser for Windows 7 can have a considerable impact.

If that’s the case, look no further! This comprehensive guide dives into all aspects of the browsers and their impact on your Windows 7 system, and our team of expert testers used benchmarks to measure the actual browsing speeds.

Whether you’re a casual internet explorer or a dedicated researcher, we’ve got you covered with these browser options. We chose to test the speed of the browsers in this list using the Speedometer 2.0 benchmark.

Each of the browsers was tested under the same conditions to ensure the validity of the benchmark results:

• Six tabs open (Facebook, Instagram, a YouTube video playing at 720p, Gmail, the MS Power User website, and the Speedometer benchmark)
• All other software was turned off to save system resources
• The tests were performed on Windows 7 OS and the same PC

Below you can see the results of our benchmark tests and some extra information about the respective browsers. Regarding the speed section, the higher the number, the better the browsing speed.

To dive even deeper into this information, explore the descriptions for each software by scrolling down on the page.

Comparison Table

Let’s contrast and compare different browsers for Windows 7:

Browser	Browsing Speed	Security Features	User Interface	Extensions and Add-ons	Resource Consumption
Opera One	216 Runs/Min	Built-in VPN, ad-blocker	Sleek and intuitive	Moderate variety	Lightweight
Mozilla Firefox	151 Runs/Min	Tracker prevention, strong privacy	Flexible, active user community	Wide range	Resource-intensive
Microsoft Edge	213 Runs/Min	Windows Defender, Reading mode	Minimalist design	Moderate variety	Efficient
Vivaldi	196 Runs/Min	Standard security, customizable	Sleek design, tailored features	Moderate variety	Moderate
Midori	149 Runs/Min	Basic privacy, minimal data collection	Simple and straightforward	Limited variety	Very lightweight
Google Chrome	165 Runs/Min	Sandboxing, automatic updates	Minimalist design	Wide range	Moderate

Now that we have covered these browser options’ overall features, we can dive into the details for each. Read on for more helpful information.

1. Opera One – Best browser for Windows 7 overall

As a browser for Windows 7, Opera One is designed to be lightweight and energy-saving.

During our benchmark tests, Opera One has proven that it’s the fastest browser for Windows 7, capable of processing 216 task Runs/Min. This makes it even faster than Microsoft Edge, our next contender.

Opera One has a plethora of features like a VPN, ad-blocker, and enhanced privacy features, which don’t affect the browsing speed in any way.

Pros

• Energy-efficient browsing
• Powerful built-in VPN service
• Ad-blocker enhances loading times
• Easy-to-use interface
• Regular updates are released

Cons

• The extensions library is limited compared to other browsers

2. Microsoft Edge – Seamless Windows Defender integration

Microsoft Edge is the second fastest browser for Windows 7, scoring 213 runs/minute on our benchmark tests. Even though Edge was usually at the top of lists when it came to speed, it has been dethroned by the Opera One browser. This Windows 7 browser is still worth considering, though.

It provides users with a very stable and fast browsing experience, and the integration with Windows Defender gives it an edge regarding security.

Pros

• Low impact on system resources
• Integrates with Windows Defender
• The reading mode feature helps reduce eye strain
• User-friendly interface

Cons

• The level of customization is limited compared to other options

3. Vivaldi – Tailored browser experience

Vivaldi is the last contender to reach the browser podium, with a benchmark score of 196 task runs/minute, which is also a great result. This browser was built with user customization in mind and delivered on that promise.

The browser uses innovative ideas like tab grouping and note-taking, making it stand out while ensuring fast page loading. It’s the best browser for Windows 7 if you value personalization and extensions.

Pros

• Great customization options
• Improves multitasking with the tab grouping feature
• A note-taking option is integrated into the browser
• Excellent design with easily-accessible options

Cons

• The number of features could be overwhelming for beginners
• It could require a learning process before using advanced features

4. Google Chrome – Efficient and versatile

Google Chrome is one of the most popular browsers on the market and for good reason. This powerful app has incredible page-loading speeds and a fantastic number of extensions available and ensures cross-platform syncing, including all Google-related accounts.

Regarding the browser’s speed on a Windows 7 PC, Chrome takes 4th place in our list, scoring 165 task runs/minute. This doesn’t mean the browser is slow, but if your aim is browsing speed, then going with one of the podium options will help.

Pros

• Good page-loading speeds
• Regular updates are provided
• A large number of extensions in the Chrome Web Store
• Cross-platform syncing for bookmarks and passwords

Cons

• It has the potential to impact your Windows 7 performance negatively

5. Mozilla Firefox – Great customization and privacy

Firefox is another excellent browser option for Windows 7, and it is well-known as the open-source champion. That said, Firefox scored 151 runs/minute during our benchmark speed test, making it the 5th browser in the list.

Even though its speed is lower than that of Chrome, Firefox has a lower impact on system resources, thus, making it better for Windows 7 devices.

Pros

• Great customization features
• Enhanced privacy features, including tracker prevention
• A large number of extensions that can extend the functionality
• Fully compatible with the requirements of Windows 7

Cons

• It can be resource-intensive when compared to lightweight browsers

6. Midori Next Generation – Lightweight and fast

Midori is a light browser for Windows 7 for users keen on saving as many system resources as possible, ensuring decent speeds.

Even though it scored just 149 runs/minute in our benchmark test, the balance between the impact on system resources makes this value acceptable and recommended for lower-end PCs.

Pros

• Extremely lightweight, perfect for Windows 7
• Decent page-loading speeds
• Minimal data collection
• Simple interface

Cons

• The advanced features included are limited when compared to other browsers
• Smaller user-base which may imply slower updates

How To Choose the Best Browser for Your Windows 7 PC

You should consider these factors while making your pick:

• Compatibility and low resource consumption – You’ll need a lightweight option that won’t put too much strain on your older Windows 7 system.
• Speed – Some browsers are faster than others. You can check out our recommendations for the swiftest loading times if speed is important to you. Opera One is the fastest browser for Windows 7.
• Security – You should choose services with transparent privacy policies, with minimal data collection. Additionally, tracker prevention, ad-blockers, and VPN protection are a plus.
• Add-ons and customization – Extensions let you tailor your browsing experience to your liking.
• UI design and ease of use – The less clutter, the better.

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Choosing the right browser for your Windows 7 device requires us to look at a few specific factors, including speed, security, customization, and compatibility.

Opera One is the clear leader in the speed department while offering a stable, secure, and private browsing experience. Edge is in the second position and offers versatile integration with your built-in security system, and Vivaldi gives you a great set of customization features with incredible browsing speeds.

Feel free to share your browser choice using the comment section below.