is safari owned by google

Google reportedly pays $18 billion a year to be Apple’s default search engine

Apple has long been afraid that google might try to crush safari if it lost search defaults — a new report says it was preparing to do so..

By David Pierce , editor-at-large and Vergecast co-host with over a decade of experience covering consumer tech. Previously, at Protocol, The Wall Street Journal, and Wired.

Share this story

Google pays Apple billions of dollars every year to be the default search engine in Safari on Macs, iPads, and iPhones. That, we’ve known for a long time. But exactly how many billions Google pays, what strings are attached to that money, and what might happen if it went away? Those have been the questions raised repeatedly in the ongoing US v. Google trial , and most of the numbers have been reserved for a closed courtroom.

But now, a New York Times report offers a specific figure: it says Google paid Apple “around $18 billion” in 2021. We’ve been hearing educated guesses and rumors during the trial as low as $10 billion and as high as $20 billion, so this number isn’t totally shocking. But it’s at the high end of expectations.

That money not only gives Google prime placement on Apple devices but it also has historically kept Apple from building its own search engine. John Giannandrea, a former Google executive who now runs machine learning and AI at Apple, testified during the trial that Apple had considered everything from buying Bing to building its own search engine but worried both about competing with Google and losing its deal.

When Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella testified , he posited another reason for Apple to keep the Google deal going: Google might cause trouble if it went away. Google could use its ultra-popular apps like Gmail, Maps, and YouTube to promote Chrome and the Google app, diverting people away from Safari and potentially submarining the value of Apple’s deal with any other search engine. In that sense, not only was the Google / Apple deal mutually beneficial but it may have also been something like a peace treaty.

Not only was the Google / Apple deal mutually beneficial but it was also something like a peace treaty

According to the Times report, Nadella was right. In recent years, threatened by improvements to Apple’s built-in Spotlight feature, Google apparently looked for ways to undercut Spotlight by building a similar feature into Chrome, which “presented users with quick facts and information from files, messages and apps on the device.” Google also began to explore how to use the new EU competition laws to get even more people to switch to Chrome.

The terms and effects of Apple’s deal with Google have become the centerpiece of the US v. Google trial. The Justice Department has argued it amounts to an anticompetitive monopoly, as witness after witness testifies that any search engine with access to Apple’s massive market share would immediately become a power player. (Nadella testified that Apple can effectively “king-make” with its choice of defaults and that he was willing to lose as much as $15 billion a year to get Bing in that spot.)

Google is beginning its portion of the trial on Thursday, and the company’s attorneys will spend the next few weeks making their case. So far, that case has been primarily that Google succeeds not because it forces out rivals but because it is the best search engine. It’s easy for people to switch, Google argues — but it apparently pays $18 billion a year in hopes that they won’t.

Razer made a million dollars selling a mask with RGB, and the FTC is not pleased

Elon musk goes ‘absolutely hard core’ in another round of tesla layoffs, fcc fines at&t, sprint, t-mobile, and verizon nearly $200 million for illegally sharing location data, binance founder’s sentencing hearing, the walls of apple’s garden are tumbling down.

More from this stream US v. Google: all the news from the search antitrust showdown

A google witness let slip just how much it pays apple for safari search, ‘android is a massive tracking device.’, here’s a rare look at google’s most lucrative search queries, sundar pichai argues in court that google isn’t evil, it’s just a business.

Search Search Please fill out this field.

Alphabet: An Overview

1. mandiant, 6. doubleclick.

Diversity and Inclusiveness

The Bottom Line

Company Profiles
FAANG and FAAMG Companies

7 Companies Owned by Google (Alphabet)

Smart-home products, ad management, cybersecurity, and more

Pete Rathburn is a copy editor and fact-checker with expertise in economics and personal finance and over twenty years of experience in the classroom.

Alphabet Inc. ( GOOGL ) was founded as a search engine company in 1998 under the name Google Inc. Since then, Google has become the world's most popular search engine, owning 92% of the global search market.

The company has diversified far beyond search engines in the past two decades. It reorganized in 2015 and created the holding company named Alphabet. The parent holds Google, its largest subsidiary, and several other companies. Some of these companies are subsidiaries of Google, while others are separately owned by Alphabet.

Key Takeaways

Alphabet, Google's parent company, is a tech giant with a $1.78 trillion market cap.
While Google is the flagship subsidiary, Alphabet has grown through a series of key acquisitions across the domains of hardware and software.
Here, we look at some of the most prominent companies owned by Alphabet, such as YouTube, Nest, and Waze.

Alphabet has become one of the world's largest technology conglomerates, with a market capitalization of $1.78 trillion as of Feb. 3, 2024. The company posted a net income of $73.80 billion on revenue of $307.39 billion for 2023. Revenue increased 8.7% from 2022, and net income increased 23.05%.

The majority of Alphabet's revenue is generated from advertising. The company offers performance advertising, which allows advertisers to connect with their users with measurable results. It also sells brand advertising, which aims to enhance users' awareness and affinity with brands. Advertising is thus a core part of Alphabet's strategy and has guided many of its acquisition decisions, such as the purchase of DoubleClick in 2008 (see below).

However, Google also generates revenue from other sources, including sales of apps, in-app purchases, hardware, and licensing and service fees, including those received from Google Cloud and other products. The company has made acquisitions to bolster these businesses.

Alphabet is constantly looking for novel technologies that can enrich its portfolio of businesses. Acquiring smaller companies often eliminates emerging rivals, thus reducing competition for Alphabet. This is one reason Alphabet has faced several antitrust lawsuits filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and several other entities.

Below, we look at seven of the company's major acquisitions in more detail.

Business type : Cybersecurity
Acquisition price : $5.4 billion
Acquisition date : Sep. 12, 2022

Google announced its intent to purchase publicly traded cybersecurity firm Mandiant, Inc. ( MNDT ) on March 8, 2022, for $23 per share—roughly $5.4 billion. The company, which focuses on cybersecurity testing and cyber-incident response, was folded into Google’s cloud computing business to help better secure cloud data.

Mandiant was purchased by FireEye in 2013 for roughly $1 billion. In June 2021, FireEye sold its FireEye branded products business and name to the private equity firm Symphony Technology Group for $1.2 billion—leaving the Mandiant Solutions software business in the publicly traded company. In October 2021, the company changed its name back to Mandiant.

In February 2022, Microsoft ( MSFT ) was reportedly interested in buying Mandiant. Google’s $23 per share offer was a 45% premium to the price shares traded for on Feb. 1, 2022 (prior to the Microsoft news). The deal was one of the largest acquisitions in the company's history—behind only Motorola Mobility, which it purchased in 2012 for $12.5 billion.

Business type : Wearable fitness devices and app
Acquisition price : $2.1 billion
Acquisition date : Jan. 14, 2021

Fitbit was founded in 2007 by James Park and Eric Friedman, whose goal was to create a wearable product that leveraged wireless technology to enhance users' health and fitness. The company's products include smartwatches, armband fitness trackers, a digital fitness tracking application, and related gear, accessories, and services.

Google closed the Fitbit buyout in January 2021 after the deal was first announced in November 2019, adding to its wearable device lineup following its acquisition of the Timex smartwatch technology in 2019.

The deal closed after antitrust regulators in the European Union approved the acquisition with conditions directed at protecting users' health data and preserving competition in the sector for wearable tech. Google stressed that the acquisition is about devices rather than data and made commitments that user data would not be used for Google ads.

Business type : Business intelligence software and data analytics
Acquisition price : $2.6 billion
Acquisition date : February 13, 2020

Looker, founded in 2011 by Lloyd Tabb, helps companies to easily extract and analyze data. Most legacy business intelligence systems at the time required users to have engineering and programming expertise to extract data and analyze it. Looker simplified the process by taking programming queries and modifying them to read more like natural languages, such as English. This allowed users to perform data analytics without having to "speak" code.

Google announced its planned buyout of Looker in June 2019, finalizing the purchase in 2020, leveraging its capabilities through the Google Cloud service. At Google Cloud, Looker helps customers accelerate their ability to analyze data, deliver business intelligence, and build data-driven applications.

Business type : Smart-home products
Acquisition price : $3.2 billion
Acquisition date : Jan. 13, 2014

Nest Labs was founded in 2010 by Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers. Both Fadell and Rogers left their positions at Apple's iPod and iPhone development division to start a technology company aimed at revolutionizing the thermostat: to transform it into a sensor-driven, Wifi-enabled, learning, and programmable device.

In 2014, Google acquired Nest and has since merged it with Google's Home division to create Google Nest, which offers a range of smart home products, including security alarm systems, security cameras, Wifi routers, and home assistance devices.

Business type : Mobile navigation app
Acquisition price : $966 million
Acquisition date : June 11, 2013

Waze was founded in Israel in 2008. The crowd-sourced mobile traffic advisory device and navigation service was acquired five years later by Google, whose own Google Maps app was already seven years old by that time. Acquiring Waze was one way to eliminate competition, but Google also saw Waze's traffic-updating features as novel enhancements to Google Maps.

Google has since been able to monetize the service by selling ad services to businesses, including ads that alert drivers when they are near participating businesses. Waze had over 140 million monthly active users in early 2021—up from 10 million when it was acquired.

Business type : Ad management and ad-serving solutions
Acquisition price : $3.1 billion
Acquisition date : March 11, 2008

DoubleClick was founded in 1996 and became one of the stock-market stars of the dot-com era as a leader in the first generation of online advertising during the 1990s. Private equity firm Hellman & Friedman paid $1.1 billion in a "take-private" transaction to become majority owners of the company in 2005.

Google then acquired DoubleClick in 2008 as a way to bolster the analysis and ad-targeting capabilities of its customers. In 2018, Google retired the DoubleClick brand name and folded it into Google's AdWords brand, making Google Ads the central tool for advertisers.

Business type : Online video-sharing platform
Acquisition price : $1.65 billion
Acquisition date : November 13, 2006

YouTube was founded in 2005 by three former PayPal employees who believed ordinary people would enjoy sharing their homemade videos online. By the summer of 2006, YouTube was already offering more than 100 million videos per day. Both technical problems that accompany rapid growth and lack of commercial success prompted YouTube to begin searching for a buyer.

Meanwhile, Google's own video platform, Google Video, which was also launched in 2005, had failed to generate much traffic. Google's acquisition of YouTube in late 2006 gave it a new, powerful video platform. YouTube has grown into a significant source of Alphabet's ad revenue, while also generating revenue through premium and YouTube TV subscriptions. In 2021, YouTube's ad revenue was $28.9 billion.

Google (Alphabet) Diversity and Inclusiveness Transparency

As part of our effort to improve the awareness of the importance of diversity in companies , we have highlighted the transparency of Google's (Alphabet's) commitment to diversity, inclusiveness, and social responsibility. The below chart illustrates how Google (Alphabet) reports the diversity of its management and workforce. This shows if Google (Alphabet) discloses data about the diversity of its board of directors, C-Suite, general management, and employees overall across a variety of markers. We have indicated that transparency with a ✔.

What Companies are Owned by Google?

Google (Alphabet) has acquired about 256 companies in its lifetime. Some recent Google acquisitions have set the stage for the company's journey into artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, and more.

Does Amazon Own Google?

Google is owned by a parent holding company, Alphabet.

What Are Some Google Spin-off Companies?

Some of Google's most recent spin-offs were Aalyria, Waymo, and Niantic Labs.

Alphabet, Google's parent company, owns several businesses that contribute to its overall success. The company's acquisitions have been so successful that it has become too influential in its chosen market segments, making it the target of antitrust accusations—some of which were decided in favor of Google's accusers.

StatCounter. " Search Engine Market Share Worldwide ."

Alphabet, Inc. " GOOG 10-Q Q2 2020 ," Page 9.

TradingView. " Alphabet (Google) Class C ."

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. " Alphabet Inc. Form 10-K ," Pages 52, 53.

U.S. Department of Justice. " United States, et. al., v. Google, LLC ."

Washington State Office of the Attorney General. " AG Ferguson Files Federal Antitrust Lawsuit Against Technology Giant Google ."

Mandiant. " Google to Acquire Mandiant ."

Mandiant. " Google Completes Acquisition of Mandiant ."

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. " Form S-1, FireEye, Inc ."

Mandiant. “ FireEye Announces Sale of FireEye Products Business to Symphony Technology Group for $1.2 Billion .”

Mandiant. “ Mandiant Confirms Name Change from FireEye, Inc. to Mandiant, Inc .”

Bloomberg. " Microsoft Considers Pursuing a Deal for Cybersecurity Firm Mandiant ."

Yahoo! Finance. “ Mandiant, Inc. (MNDT) .”

CNN Money. " Google seals $13 billion Motorola buy ."

Google. “ Google Announces Intent to Acquire Mandiant .”

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. " Fitbit to be Acquired by Google ."

Google. " Google Completes Fitbit Acquisition ."

Fitbit Inc. " Products ."

Fitbit. " Fitbot Joins Google ."

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. " Form 10-Q - Alphabet, Inc ."

Google Cloud. " Google Completes Looker Acquisition ."

Google Cloud. " Looker ."

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. " Acquisition of Nest ."

IEEE Spectrum. " Tony Fadell: The Nest Thermostat Disrupted My Life ."

Google. " Google's Connected Home Devices and Services ."

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. " Google Inc. Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2013 ," Page 19.

Google. " Google Maps and Waze, Outsmarting Traffic Together ."

Google. " Mapping your way ."

Waze. " Grow your business with Waze Ads ."

Reuters. " Waze's ex-CEO says app could have 'grown faster' without Google ."

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. " Google to Acquire DoubleClick ."

European Commission. " Case No. COMP/M. 4731 - Google/DoubleClick ."

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. " Schedule 14-A - DoubleClick ."

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. " Google Closes Acquisition of YouTube ."

Niantic Labs. " Reality Made Better ."

Aalyria. " Aalyria ."

Waymo. " Waymo ."

Washington State Attorney General's Office. " Washingtonian Google Play Store Users Eligible for Share of $700 Million as a Result of AG Ferguson Lawsuit ."

Terms of Service
Editorial Policy
Privacy Policy
Your Privacy Choices

Switch skin

Is Safari And Google The Same?

As someone who has spent most of their time on one browser or another, I know the workings of both Safari and Google. This makes me able to understand exactly what makes them similar as well as what makes them different from each other.  

Where Safari is a web browser, Google is a search engine that has a web browser named Google Chrome. Safari and Google are owned by different companies; Google is operated by a parent company named Alphabet, while Safari is managed by Apple. 

If you’re looking for greater insight on the essential workings of Google and Safari, you have come to the right place. Here is a thorough evaluation of both search engines and web browsers to help all those people wondering “Is Safari and Google the same thing?” This would help you decide exactly which one is right for you. Excited? Let’s go and check it out. 

Table of Contents

Safari and how it Works

It has been established that Safari is a web browser. On the face of things, this information may seem sufficient but there is a lot more to Safari than you might think. 

Designed by Apple, Safari is a graphical web browser which is based on WebKit engine. It works on the operating systems of Macintosh and windows, while also being supported by the iPhone, iPad , and the iPod touch devices. Safari’s WebKit engine expertly manages essential functions such as displaying the fonts, the graphics, JavaScript, as well as the overall layout of the page. 

There are many perks of using Safari as a web browser as it has a great reputation for speed, particularly on iOS devices. Its exceptional performances on Apple -specific operating systems is due to the fact that it was developed by Apple primarily for itself. 

Google and its many Workings

If you ask around there would be very few people who could truthfully claim as to not have heard the word ‘Google’ in their life. The Google LLC is a multi-national company whose internet-specific technology is responsible for providing a large array of services and products such as various advertising technologies, software, hardware, as well as an internet search engine. 

The word ‘Google’ typically indicates the internet search engine of the same name, which makes use of a proprietary algorithm to help find the most relevant results to internet searches. Google’s web browser is called ‘Google Chrome’, which was initially released specifically for Windows, but eventually became compatible with Android, MacOS, iOS, and Linux. 

Similarities between Google and Safari

As mentioned previously, Google is a search engine which offers a range of services including that of a web browser names ‘Google Chrome’. The Chrome web browser comes to par with Apple’s web browser ‘Safari’. 

Here is a quick list of some of the main similarities between Google Chrome and Safari. 

Surfing the Internet: since both Chrome and Safari are web browsers it does not surprise one to know how they both can allow users to access the internet and surf the web. 
Access from Various Devices: both Chrome and Safari give users the ability to make searches from a range of different desktop and mobile devices.
Synchronized Surfing: it is interesting to note how both offer the chance for users to synchronize their information across all their devices. Safari makes the use of iCloud storage whereas Chrome allows auto-sync through the Google Accounts services.
Google Safe Browsing database: as elaborated later in this article, it is fascinating to realize that both Google Chrome and Safari make the use of Google’s Safe Browsing database to ensure safe web surfing.

Main Differences between Safari and Google Chrome :

It is not surprising to wonder how different they are if both Safari and Google Chrome are renowned web browsers. Here are some aspects that make them distinct from one another. 

Easy to Use 

One of the prime things to consider while evaluating a web browser in terms of another is its overall usability. Certain things like tab control, interface design, layout and even visibility features play a large role in making web browsers friendlier for users. 

Safari is renowned for being easy to operate on a daily basis as it has great tab management abilities and can control the size of the text so that it isn’t illegible when minimized. It also has a horizontal scrolling option, and is able to assist in distinguishing one tab from another by the use of large icons. 

However, Safari has some flashy animations which detract from its practical purpose, and the fact that its settings are located outside the web browser itself makes it harder to manage. 

Google Chrome is also considered friendly for users as it has a simple and rather uncluttered user interface. Its go-to nature is also demonstrated by fact that it makes use of third-party extensions that makes it simple to navigate through searches. It is also interesting to note that Google Chrome can search for images as well as texts. 

Available Features 

As is the case with getting any piece of technology, it is a good idea to evaluate the number and kind of functions that both offer users. Though both Chrome and Safari do not have much in terms of features, Chrome provides users with a vast extension library.

Moreover, Chrome’s minimalist design is incredibly user-friendly, particularly in the way that allows users to choose features from an array of available extensions. The overall browsing experience is dictated by numerous options such as auto-sync across all your connected devices, browser history, open tabs, auto-fill material, and so on. 

Google Chrome also has many interesting services such as Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Translate to facilitate users in their daily tasks. These services are well-incorporated in Google Chrome while also being amongst the many ‘built-in’ services that Google has to offer. 

On the other hand, it is important to realize that Safari does not offer users much in terms of features, and even the extensions that it provides are very limited. Moreover, Safari reflects Apple’s tendency to reduce user control which means that the web browser itself does not offer users many customization options. 

Safari’s ability to auto-sync across all your devices isn’t as good as Chrome, generally asking users to opt for iCloud in order to synchronize information across devices. This particular web browser has some perks in its ability to imitate iOS devices, which is helpful if you want to test a service or a website.

Ability to Perform

It would not come as a surprise that Safari is superior to Chrome when it comes to performance. Its speed on iOS is unrivalled, primarily due to the fact that it was custom-designed by Apple for the iOS operating system.

Additionally, the fact that it uses very little RAM to function is an added boon. This trait is helpful for all those people who like to have many tabs open at one time. 

Google Chrome, on the other hand, makes heavy use of RAM for basic functionalities, and though it is faster on desktops, it is Safari which holds the rank of the fastest web browser on mobile devices. 

What is Safer: Google or Safari

In this age of rapidly advancing technology, privacy and security are major concerns for most users. One of the things that most people evaluate before choosing a web browser or a search engine is how safe it really is. Safety is primarily judged by the web browser’s ability to block content, have a safe browsing database, and provide frequent updates and warnings about poor internet connectivity. 

Safari interestingly makes the use of Google’s Safe Browsing database that helps protect users from suspicious and potentially harmful websites. Though it is largely effective in protecting users from phishing schemes, the use of Google’s Safe Browsing database is a privacy concern as it sends a lot of your browsing data to Google itself. 

Safari blocks pop-ups by default, and allows users to enable JavaScript for maximum protection, however for greater content blocking there is a need for users to download various extensions for maximum protection. 

A great concern for those browsing the web using Safari is how the web browser’s only warning regarding an unsecure connection is the absence of a green padlock. This can be easy to miss, making Safari safe only for the most vigilant of users.  

On the contrary, the Google Chrome web browser is a significantly safer option as it not just has amongst the best ad-blockers in the market but also makes it a point to send updates every few weeks.

It is also interesting to note that Google Chrome caters to those extremely zealous about their online safety as it also offers a range of extensions in its library that can be enabled for added protection against pop-up ads.

However, it can’t be ignored how like Safari, it makes use of the Google Chrome Browsing database, which is a threat for user privacy. 

At the end of the day, it is important to remember that both Google and Safari don’t exactly have a flawless reputation when it comes to privacy and online safety. Though Safari seems to have more loops in terms of security, it surpasses Google as it has a generally clean track record as opposed to Google’s privacy scandals. 

Should iOS users get Chrome?

One of major concerns of iOS users is whether they can use Chrome and all of its extensions. In our analysis of the major differences between Google Chrome and Safari we came to realize how there are some aspects such as number of features and security where Google Chrome has an edge over Safari. People who value these traits above others may want to switch to Chrome. 

It is important to remember that Apple does not give its users the option of making Google Chrome its default browser. However, fans can still use Chrome by downloading the Google Chrome app through the App Store. Here is a quick rundown of the steps to follow in order to use Google Chrome on an iOS device. 

Download via App Store: open the App Store and search for ‘Google Chrome’. After finding the Chrome app, press on the download option to load it onto your phone. 
Adjust Positioning: though this is an optional step, it is helpful as it makes the Google Chrome web browser readily accessible. Once the Google Chrome app has been downloaded simply tap and hold it for a few seconds and then shift it to your home screen where you can see it readily.

Since iOS devices usually refer to iPhones, iPads , and iPod Touch devices, all three of which are classified as mobile devices, it is a cause of concern and question for Apple device users who wonder if they can use Google Chrome on their Mac devices. People using Mac devices can simply download the Google Chrome app from the website itself. 

In order to improve accessibility and usability, iOS and Mac users can simply make a Google account for themselves and then use the account to access Google services such as YouTube, Google Maps, along with Google Chrome. Having one Google account can make it easier to synchronize information across various devices to ensure a better experience of the internet itself. 

Conclusion

As you have seen, Safari and Google are different as while Google is a search engine, Safari is a web browser that is similar to Google Chrome that is a service offered by Google itself. 

There are many similarities that link both Safari and Google Chrome such as how they allow users to access the web and protect them by using Google Safe Browsing databases. Additionally, both web browsers allow users to synchronize their searches across all their devices. 

However, there are some essential differences between Safari and Google Chrome such as their performance, the features they offer, the security they provide, etc. It is these differences that dictate the preferences of individuals when they decide which web browser is more suited to their needs. Hope this helps!

How to Pair Meta Quest 3 Controllers with Your Quest 3 Headset: A Quick Guide
How to Charge Meta Quest 3: A Guide to Powering Up Your VR Experience
How to Cast Meta Quest 3 to Samsung TV: A Step-by-Step Guide
How To Factory Reset Your Meta Quest 3: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Power On and Off the Meta Quest 3

Steven Carr

How to connect ps5 to samsung tv: a step-by-step guide, xbox series x gpu vs ps5 gpu: which is better, how long are the previews before a movie, what’s the meaning of amc digital , screenx vs. imax: the ultimate guide, what is an xd movie here’s what you need to know , what are the best seats in the imax theater , what is an rpx movie, are there cameras in movie theaters, can ring doorbell get wet (this is what happens if they do), related articles.

What Is the PS5 GPU Equivalent To? (Updated!)

PS5 vs the RTX 3070: Complete Breakdown

How to use Cronus Zen (Detailed Guide)

Elden Ring Summon Sign not Appearing? (Here’s Why)

Google Chrome vs. Apple Safari: Which browser is better on Mac

Picking an ideal web browser is an essential part of your workflow

Key Takeaways

Cross-platform availability can make the switch from Chrome to Safari seamless, with data and preferences intact across devices.
Safari's user interface impresses with a clean layout, while Google Chrome offers more customization options in its Material You makeover.
Safari's memory usage advantage over Chrome on Mac with 8GB of RAM is a key factor to consider if performance is a concern.

As the default web browser on Mac, Safari has received a steady stream of updates over the last few years. Apple releases new builds for all its apps and services with yearly OS updates. While we applaud Safari improvements on Mac, the burning question remains the same: is it good enough to prevent users from switching to Chrome? How does it compare to everyone’s favorite web browser out there? Read our comparison post before you change the default browser on your Mac , iPhone, or iPad.

Google Chrome vs Microsoft Edge: Which browser is better?

Cross-platform availability.

Before we pit Safari against Chrome, let’s check their cross-platform availability first. After all, you won’t want to leave your web bookmarks, history, quick links, and other preferences behind when you switch to another platform.

As expected, alternating is a breeze with Chrome, since the browser is available on most smart platforms you can think of. Whether you use Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, or ChromeOS, you are ready to surf the web with all of your personal data and a familiar interface. In contrast, Apple’s walled garden approach has limited Safari’s availability to the company’s devices only.

User interface and theme

Being the first-party app on macOS, Apple has nailed the esthetics of Safari. Let’s start with the homepage. It carries all the essential elements you need when you fire up the browser. You can check your favorites, recently closed tabs, reading list, privacy report, Siri suggestions, and even apply minimal wallpaper to the background. If it’s too busy for you, customize the entire homepage from the bottom menu. Overall, it’s not as busy as Microsoft Edge and doesn’t look as bland as Chrome’s homepage. Safari also offers a cool translucent effect at the top when you scroll through webpages. Unlike Chrome, there is no theme store to change the look and feel with a single click.

Google Chrome recently received a neat Material You makeover on the web. While Material You on Chrome matches the rest of Google services, it does look slightly out of place with other Mac apps.

Tab management

Do you often have dozens of tabs open during long research sessions? Managing and switching between them can be cumbersome after a while. Here’s where Chrome and Safari’s tab groups come into play, where you can organize relevant tabs under different groups. Safari does have a couple of additional tricks up its sleeve though.

When you create several tab groups on Safari, you can check the entire list from the vertical sidebar. Safari also lets you create different profiles to keep your browsing data separate, such as tabs, history, cookies and website data.

You can assign a different symbol, color, and separate extension list for Work, School, or Personal profiles. There is also an option to share a tab group with your iMessage contacts.

Chrome vs. Safari: Features

Let’s compare Safari and Chrome based on extension support, reading mode, and other novelty features.

Reading mode

Apple offers a seamless reading mode on Safari that you can customize with different backgrounds, fonts, and sizes. In comparison, Chrome’s reader mode leaves a lot to be desired. It opens the article in a sidebar and doesn’t necessarily hide all the distracting elements. Safari wins hands down here.

While Safari covers the essential extensions from top VPNs, password managers, and other third-party developers like Grammarly, Pocket, Raindrop, and Notion, the overall collection is still slim compared to Google Chrome.

If your workflow depends on dozens of extensions, think twice before switching from Chrome to Safari.

Seamless sharing

Shared with You is a niche Safari feature that is tightly backed in iMessage. Links shared with you in the Messages app automatically appear in the Share with You section in Safari. It is only useful for those who frequently exchange weblinks in iMessage conversations.

Instant conversion and translation

Both Safari and Chrome support instant currency conversion and basic math equations. For example, you can quickly get a final number when you type $1000 to INR or 45*3 in the address bar. Chrome goes a step further with Google Translate integration - you can simply type Hello in French and get results instantly.

Chrome vs. Safari: Password management

Both browsers offer basic password management to save your login credentials. Safari uses iCloud Passwords that can sync with all your devices. It supports autofill, Passkeys, verification codes, notes, and more.

Google Password Manager also supports notes and checkup. Like security recommendations on Safari, Chrome Password Manager’s checkup tool shows your leaked, reused, and weak passwords.

Privacy and security

The built-in standard protection on Chrome warns you of harmful files, extensions, and corrupt sites. Safari is a step ahead with iCloud Private Relay. It’s a privacy add-on for Apple One and iCloud+ subscribers to hide your IP address from websites you visit. The option is enabled by default and works silently in the background. When you visit a website in Safari, no one, including Apple, can see who you are or which sites you are visiting. It’s not as extreme as a VPN connection and doesn’t break your browsing setup. You can check out our dedicated guide if you'd like to learn more about iCloud Private Relay .

Safari also offers a privacy report that shows the number of trackers it has blocked from profiling you in the last 30 days.

Performance

When it comes to performance, you won’t find any major differences between Chrome and Safari on a high-speed internet connection. However, if your Mac has a slow network connection, you may notice that Safari can load webpages faster than Chrome, something that Avast confirmed in their dedicated speed comparison for major browsers .

While we are on the topic of performance, we should also factor in compatibility. Since Google Chrome (built on Chromium) is the most popular web browser out there, developers test and optimize their offerings for it. You may run into performance issues with specific websites (like Photopea, a web-based Photoshop alternative) on Safari.

Memory usage

Safari is a relatively lightweight web browser compared to Chrome. This is expected, since Chrome has been infamous for high RAM usage. We opened a couple of identical tabs on Chrome and Safari and checked their memory usage from the Activity Monitor. We will let the screenshot below do the talking.

Mac users with 8GB of RAM will surely appreciate Safari’s approach to memory usage.

Chrome vs. Safari: Mobile experience

Both Apple and Google have done a solid job with their iOS apps. They use a bottom bar with all the essential options. You can also use Chrome password manager as the default method to autofill login info. Chrome’s default Discover menu with news articles may irritate some users. Interestingly, Google has done a better job than Apple when it comes to widgets, as Chrome offers more widget options than Safari. Most notably, Chrome offers lock screen widgets which are missing from Safari.

Browse the web in style

Are you still unsure about the pros and cons of Chrome and Safari? Allow us to simplify the situation. Safari shines with better UI, low memory usage, and integration with other Apple apps. Chrome strikes back with cross-platform availability, rich extension support, and Google Translate integration. If you notice performance glitches while browsing the web, check CPU usage on Mac .

Why Is Safari Using Google

Software & Applications
Browsers & Extensions

Introduction

Safari, the sleek and innovative web browser developed by Apple, has garnered a loyal following due to its seamless integration with Apple devices and its commitment to user privacy and security. One of the key features that sets Safari apart is its default search engine, which plays a pivotal role in shaping the browsing experience for millions of users worldwide.

In the digital age, search engines have become the gateway to the vast expanse of information available on the internet. They serve as the compass that guides users through the virtual landscape, helping them find answers to their questions, discover new content, and connect with the world. For Safari users, the default search engine is the first port of call when embarking on a quest for knowledge, entertainment, or practical solutions.

Understanding the default search engine in Safari is crucial, as it influences the search results, suggestions, and overall browsing experience. Moreover, it sheds light on the strategic partnerships and technological integrations that shape the competitive landscape of the web browser industry.

In this article, we delve into the intricacies of Safari's default search engine, with a specific focus on the prominent role played by Google. We explore the reasons behind Google's prominence as Safari's default search engine, examine the alternatives available to users, and shed light on the implications of this choice for the browsing experience. By gaining insights into the inner workings of Safari's default search engine, users can make informed decisions about their browsing preferences and understand the dynamics of the digital ecosystem that shapes their online interactions.

Safari's Default Search Engine

Safari, the flagship web browser developed by Apple, comes equipped with a default search engine that serves as the primary tool for conducting online searches. This default search engine plays a pivotal role in shaping the browsing experience for millions of users who rely on Safari to navigate the digital realm. The default search engine is the compass that guides users through the vast expanse of the internet, helping them discover information, access services, and connect with the world.

The default search engine in Safari is the starting point for users' online explorations, influencing the search results, suggestions, and overall browsing experience. It serves as the gateway to a wealth of knowledge, entertainment, and practical solutions, making it a crucial component of the browsing journey. Understanding the default search engine in Safari is essential for users, as it empowers them to make informed decisions about their online interactions and preferences.

Safari's default search engine is deeply integrated into the browser's interface, allowing users to initiate searches directly from the address bar or dedicated search field. This seamless integration enhances the user experience, enabling swift and convenient access to information. Moreover, the default search engine influences the autocomplete suggestions and search predictions that assist users in formulating their queries and discovering relevant content.

The default search engine in Safari also plays a significant role in shaping the search results displayed to users. It utilizes sophisticated algorithms to index and rank web pages, presenting users with a curated selection of links, images, and other content based on their search queries. This process is instrumental in helping users find the most relevant and useful information, thereby enriching their browsing experience.

Furthermore, the default search engine in Safari reflects the strategic partnerships and technological integrations that underpin the browser's functionality. It embodies the collaborative efforts between Apple and leading search engine providers, shaping the competitive landscape of the web browser industry. By understanding the intricacies of Safari's default search engine, users can gain insights into the dynamics of the digital ecosystem that influences their online interactions.

In essence, Safari's default search engine serves as the cornerstone of the browsing experience, guiding users through the vast digital landscape and connecting them with the information they seek. Its seamless integration, influence on search results, and strategic significance underscore its importance in shaping the browsing journey for Safari users.

Google as Safari's Default Search Engine

Google, the tech giant renowned for its prowess in organizing the world's information, holds a prominent position as Safari's default search engine. This strategic partnership between Apple and Google has significant implications for Safari users and the broader digital landscape.

The choice of Google as Safari's default search engine reflects a multitude of factors that contribute to its widespread adoption and user preference. Google's unparalleled expertise in search technology, vast index of web content, and advanced algorithms for delivering relevant search results align seamlessly with Safari's commitment to providing users with a comprehensive and efficient browsing experience.

Google's dominance in the search engine realm is underpinned by its relentless pursuit of innovation and its ability to adapt to evolving user needs and technological advancements. This aligns with Safari's ethos of prioritizing user satisfaction and staying at the forefront of technological progress. By integrating Google as the default search engine, Safari leverages Google's cutting-edge capabilities to empower users with swift access to a wealth of information, services, and multimedia content.

Furthermore, Google's emphasis on user privacy and security resonates with Safari's core principles, as both entities prioritize safeguarding user data and ensuring a secure browsing environment. This alignment of values reinforces the synergy between Google and Safari, fostering a cohesive browsing experience that prioritizes user trust and protection.

The seamless integration of Google as Safari's default search engine underscores the collaborative efforts between Apple and Google to enhance the browsing journey for users. This partnership not only streamlines the search experience within Safari but also reflects a shared commitment to delivering excellence in the digital realm.

While Google's prominence as Safari's default search engine is undeniable, it is essential to recognize that users have the freedom to choose alternative search engines that align with their preferences. Safari offers users the flexibility to select their preferred search engine, allowing them to tailor their browsing experience according to their individual needs and inclinations.

In essence, Google's position as Safari's default search engine epitomizes a harmonious fusion of technological prowess, user-centric principles, and collaborative innovation. This partnership underscores the commitment of both Apple and Google to elevate the browsing experience, empowering users to explore the digital landscape with confidence and efficiency.

Alternatives to Google in Safari

While Google stands as the default search engine in Safari, users have the freedom to explore alternative search engines that cater to their specific preferences and priorities. Safari offers a diverse array of alternative search engine options, empowering users to customize their browsing experience according to their individual inclinations. These alternatives encompass a spectrum of features, including privacy-focused search engines, specialized content repositories, and innovative search technologies, providing users with a rich tapestry of choices to enhance their browsing journey.

DuckDuckGo : Renowned for its steadfast commitment to user privacy, DuckDuckGo has emerged as a compelling alternative to Google in Safari. With a focus on shielding user data from tracking and personalized targeting, DuckDuckGo offers a privacy-centric search experience that resonates with users seeking enhanced confidentiality and data protection. Its robust search capabilities and transparent approach to user privacy make it an appealing choice for Safari users who prioritize online anonymity and security.

Bing : Microsoft's search engine, Bing, presents itself as a formidable alternative to Google in Safari, offering a diverse range of search functionalities and multimedia content. With a visually engaging interface and seamless integration with Safari, Bing provides users with an alternative perspective on search results and access to a vast index of web content. Its integration with Microsoft's ecosystem further enhances its appeal to users who seek a cohesive browsing experience across different platforms.

Yahoo : Yahoo Search, with its longstanding presence in the digital landscape, remains a viable alternative to Google in Safari. Leveraging its comprehensive search index and multimedia offerings, Yahoo Search caters to users who appreciate a familiar and feature-rich search experience. Its integration with Safari enables users to access Yahoo's diverse content repository and explore a range of topics, from news and entertainment to finance and lifestyle, within the browser environment.

Ecosia : For users inclined towards environmental sustainability and social impact, Ecosia emerges as a compelling alternative search engine in Safari. Ecosia distinguishes itself by utilizing its search ad revenue to fund tree planting initiatives worldwide, aligning with the values of users who prioritize environmental conservation and ethical business practices. Its integration with Safari allows users to contribute to reforestation efforts while conducting searches, adding a meaningful dimension to their browsing activities.

Startpage : Positioned as a privacy-focused search engine, Startpage offers Safari users an alternative search experience that emphasizes anonymity and data protection. With its robust privacy features and unbiased search results, Startpage appeals to users who seek a search engine that respects their privacy rights and delivers comprehensive search results without tracking or profiling.

In essence, Safari presents users with a diverse array of alternative search engines, each catering to distinct preferences and priorities. By embracing these alternatives, users can tailor their browsing experience to align with their values, privacy concerns, and content preferences, thereby enriching their exploration of the digital landscape within the Safari browser environment.

In conclusion, the default search engine in Safari serves as the cornerstone of the browsing experience, guiding users through the vast digital landscape and connecting them with the information they seek. The strategic partnership between Apple and Google has positioned Google as the default search engine in Safari, reflecting a harmonious fusion of technological prowess, user-centric principles, and collaborative innovation.

Google's prominence as Safari's default search engine underscores its unparalleled expertise in search technology, vast index of web content, and advanced algorithms for delivering relevant search results. This strategic alignment with Safari's commitment to providing users with a comprehensive and efficient browsing experience highlights the seamless integration of cutting-edge capabilities to empower users with swift access to a wealth of information, services, and multimedia content.

While Google stands as the default search engine in Safari, users have the freedom to explore alternative search engines that cater to their specific preferences and priorities. Safari offers a diverse array of alternative search engine options, empowering users to customize their browsing experience according to their individual inclinations. Whether it's the privacy-centric approach of DuckDuckGo, the visually engaging interface of Bing, the comprehensive search index of Yahoo, the environmental impact focus of Ecosia, or the privacy-focused features of Startpage, Safari users have a rich tapestry of choices to enhance their browsing journey.

The availability of these alternative search engines underscores Safari's commitment to providing users with flexibility and choice, allowing them to tailor their browsing experience according to their individual needs and inclinations. This emphasis on user empowerment and diversity aligns with Safari's ethos of prioritizing user satisfaction and underscores its dedication to offering a browsing environment that resonates with a wide spectrum of user preferences.

In essence, Safari's default search engine, with Google at the forefront and a diverse array of alternative options, reflects the browser's commitment to delivering a browsing experience that is not only efficient and comprehensive but also tailored to the diverse needs and priorities of its users. By understanding the intricacies of Safari's default search engine and the array of alternatives available, users can make informed decisions about their browsing preferences and engage with the digital landscape in a manner that aligns with their values and inclinations.

Learn To Convert Scanned Documents Into Editable Text With OCR

Top mini split air conditioner for summer, related post, comfortable and luxurious family life | zero gravity massage chair, when are the halo awards 2024, what is the best halo hair extension, 5 best elegoo mars 3d printer for 2024, 11 amazing flashforge 3d printer creator pro for 2024, 5 amazing formlabs form 2 3d printer for 2024, related posts.

How Do I Delete Safari From My IPad

Why Won’t Safari Let Me Sign Into Google

How Do I Get To Safari Browser

How To Update My Browser On My iPad

How Do I Update My Browser On My iPhone

How Do You Block Safari On IPhone

How To Remove Safari From IPhone

How To Disable Browser Pop Up Blocker

Fintechs and Traditional Banks: Navigating the Future of Financial Services

AI Writing: How It’s Changing the Way We Create Content

How to Find the Best Midjourney Alternative in 2024: A Guide to AI Anime Generators

How to Know When it’s the Right Time to Buy Bitcoin

Unleashing Young Geniuses: How Lingokids Makes Learning a Blast!

Privacy Overview
Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

a. Send us an email
b. Anonymous form
Buyer's Guide
Upcoming Products
Tips / Contact Us
Podcast Instagram Facebook Twitter Mastodon YouTube Notifications RSS Newsletter

Safari Turns 20 Today: 'Fastest Web Browser Ever Created for the Mac'

Today marks the 20th anniversary of Apple's co-founder Steve Jobs introducing Safari on the Mac at the 2003 Macworld Expo in San Francisco. Apple advertised Safari as the "fastest web browser ever created for the Mac" at the time.

"Safari is the fastest browser on the Mac, and we predict that many will feel it is the best browser ever created," said Jobs, in a January 2003 press release . "We are bringing innovation back into this category with the first all new browser created in many years."

A public beta of Safari was made available for OS X Jaguar in January 2003, with key features including the WebKit rendering engine for faster browsing speeds, Google search capabilities integrated directly into the toolbar, improved bookmark management, optional pop-up ad blocking, a simpler file download process, and more.

A mobile version of Safari was released for the iPhone in 2007 and for the iPad in 2010. The browser continues to use WebKit across all of Apple's platforms.

Safari was eventually overshadowed by Google's Chrome, which was released in 2008 and is now the world's most popular web browser across all PCs and Macs. Nevertheless, Apple says Safari remains the world's fastest desktop browser and is 50% faster on average at loading frequently visited websites than Chrome on the Mac.

Get weekly top MacRumors stories in your inbox.