Without any doubt, Google Chrome for Mac is the most widely-used Web browser out there (yes, even on Apple’s desktop OS). However, just because it’s hugely popular - this doesn’t mean that it’s suitable for every type of user. There are many options out there, even for those who are trapped in Google’s ecosystem.

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We have to admit - this Web browser is super useful for some stuff. However, it does have certain limitations. So, let’s talk about Google Chrome for Mac - its benefits, downsides, and a possible alternative that we think you’ll be thrilled to try.

Pros of Google Chrome for Mac

First, let’s check out the reasons why you’ll want to use Google Chrome on your Mac. There’s plenty to talk about here, but it all comes down to the following three things.

It’s Easy to Use

Chrome has been around for a long time now - and it grew into a mammoth of today’s Web browsers. This means that it comes with a highly streamlined UI, you can customize its appearance via themes, and you can use it on plenty of devices.

This also leads us to another thing - Google Chrome is across-platform browser. You’ll get a unified interface, no matter which platform you use it on. And we’re talking about Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and plenty of other platforms.

It Packs Plenty of Useful Features

Want to fine-tune your experience of watching YouTube videos? Looking for a way to create spreadsheets? Want to quickly check your email? Interested in translating Web content? Google Chrome can help with all this - via numerous extensions that are free to install.

You Can Rely on Its Security

Google understands the importance of providing a safe Web browsing experience. That’s why Google Chrome users get plenty of automated security features. You can count on its built-in systems to prevent you from visiting dangerous websites. This browser also works wonders on detecting unwanted software and preventing malware from reaching your device.

Cons of Google Chrome for Mac

It would be a mistake to look at Google Chrome through rose-colored glasses. Therefore, let’s face the harsh truth of the Web browser’s limitations.

It Prevents You From Using Multiple Accounts

How To Download Google Chrome Browser On Mac

No, we’re not talking about multiple Google Chrome accounts here. We’re talking about multiple accounts you might have on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Asana, Slack, or Trello.

Using multiple accounts on Chrome means having to log-in and log-out all the time. This switching between accounts can be a time-consuming and tedious process. Talk about a productivity setback, right?

It Slows Down During Active Web Browsing Sessions

Google Chrome does many things admirably. However, when faced with a large number of tabs - you better hope that you Mac is strong enough to handle this. Chrome is notorious for eating up all your RAM, which can be a major problem.

If you care about keeping your Mac running at its best, you should definitely consider switching to a different Web browser. The same applies to those looking to extend their notebook’s battery life.

It Doesn’t Let You Categorize Opened Tabs

One of the biggest cons of Google Chrome is its lack of organization. Let’s say that you’ve opened a bunch of social media websites, along with news and productivity sites. Sadly, this browser can’t help you organize those tabs. Instead, it all comes down to switching between them manually.

So, Is There an Alternative Solution for Mac Users?

Well, yes - there’s an alternative that will most definitely meet your every need. Allow us to introduce you to Stack, one of the hottest apps used by thousands of Mac users worldwide.

Stack is a Multitasking Powerhouse

Want to open multiple Twitter accounts at the same time? Or Instagram profiles? Maybe you’re into LinkedIn, Facebook, Reddit, or Pinterest? Stack allows you to open many Web apps at the same time - and this includes multiple instances of the same app.

It Elevates Your Productivity To a Whole New Level

In terms of productivity Stack is a great tool for Mac. You can check your Gmail, access your Google Drive, Google Calendar, create spreadsheets, documents, and slides. And all of this can be done simultaneously - while still allowing you to use your Google account as you normally would. All in all, you can still use Google chrome for browsing and enjoy stack for applications that you use on a daily basis.

You’ll Never Miss a Message Again

As you start using a number of Web apps, Stack can channel their notifications. This means that you’ll easily stay on top of the latest notifications, no matter how many Web apps you plan on using. And if things get overwhelming - you can mute all those, at once.

So, dear Google Chrome users, are you willing to try something different on your Mac? If you are, go ahead and try Stack straight away. It comes free of charge, and it’s waiting on you to rediscover ‍the joys of using the Web!

Safari is the default browser in macOS and has been ever since Apple first built its own web browser. Before that, for a while, it was Internet Explorer — but the less said about that the better, and before that, it was Netscape Navigator. Remember that?

Safari is a perfectly good web browser and offers most of the features of its competitor web browsers, including autofill for forms and credit card details, secure password storage, and the ability to request that websites do not track you. Given Apple’s recent focus on privacy, it’s not unlikely that Safari will soon be the best option all around for Mac users who want to surf the net securely.

However, there are perfectly good reasons why you might want to use a different browser. Performance is one of them. While Safari is pretty speedy, for some users in some circumstances it’s slower than Chrome or Firefox. Or it might be that there are extensions you need that are only available in Chrome, or perhaps a website you use regularly doesn’t work properly in Safari. So, here's how to open a different browser on Mac and set it default.

What is a default web browser?

Before we get to how to change your default web browser, it’s worth considering what a default web browser is and does. Put simply, it’s the web browser that opens a link when you click on it in an email or other document. If you use Spotlight and click on a result from the web, it will open in your default browser. In fact, any task that opens a URL will be performed in that web browser. It doesn’t mean, of course, that you can’t use other browsers to surf the net.

So, if you just need to access specific sites in Chrome or Firefox, you don’t need to change your default browser. Even if Safari is your default browser, you can open any link in another browser, by holding down the Control key when you click on it and selecting Copy Link, then paste it in the address bar of any browser you like.

Clearing cache and cookies can remove outdated information and fix possible bugs on websites. CleanMyMac X automates the cleanup: it lets you clear all browsing data at the touch of a button. Additionally, you can run a full system scan to optimize and maintain your macOS. It's free to try the app, so you don't lose anything!

How to set the default browser on Mac through System Preferences

Apple changed the way you set the default browser in OS X Yosemite and it has remained the same since then. Previously, as you’ll see below, you had to open Safari to, say, make Google Chrome the default browser. As Apple realized, eventually, that’s plain daft. Here’s how to do it now.

1. Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
2. Choose the General tab.
3. Just over halfway down, there’s a menu next to the “Default web browser.” Click on it and choose the browser you want to set as the default.

How to change the default web browser from the browser's settings

Every browser wants to be the default — it’s the most obvious way to increase user numbers. And so whenever you open a browser that’s not the default, you’ll see a pop-up window asking if you want to set it as your browser of choice. If you choose so, it will change the System Preferences setting and position itself as the default.

If you refuse and later decide you want to make it the default, after all, that’s easy too. Here’s how you do it in some of the more popular browsers for macOS.

Safari

1. Launch the Safari browser.
2. Go to the Safari menu and choose Preferences.
3. In the general tab, press the Set Default button.
4. Press Use 'Safari' to confirm.

Chrome

1. To make Chrome the default browser, first of all, launch it.
2. Click on the Chrome menu and select Preferences.
3. On the web page that opens, scroll down until you see the 'Default browser.'
4. Click 'Make default' and confirm.

Firefox

1. Launch Firefox.
2. In the Firefox menu, click Preferences.
3. At the top of the page, you should see “General” and underneath it, a message saying that Firefox isn’t currently your default browser. To the right of that, click Make Default.

If you want to change your default browser to any other browser not mentioned in this article, you can take a similar route: browser menu > Preferences > Make (Set) default.

3 quick tips to make your browser faster

Whichever web browser you use, there are some tips you should remember in order to keep it running optimally.

1. Always use the most up-to-date version.

Safari updates with macOS system updates, so make sure you install system updates when they become available. Most browsers automatically update themselves when you close and reopen them. But if you keep them open permanently, they won’t update. So the easiest way to keep them updated is to quit them every now and again.

2. Don’t keep lots of tabs open at once.

Google Chrome Browser On Macbook

Open tabs, even those that are hidden, consume RAM, processor cycles, and energy. The more you have open, the slower your Mac will become. So close tabs you no longer need.

3. Keep your Mac clean of junk

Google Chrome Browser Hijacked Mac

Unnecessary files, including cache, cookies, language files, and old updates can slow down your whole system, as they take more and more space. The simplest way to get rid of them is to use a dedicated app like CleanMyMac X. To quickly delete useless files on your Mac, follow the steps:

1. Download CleanMyMac X and launch it.
2. Click Smart Scan.
3. Click Run.

Google Chrome Browser On Macbook

As you can see, setting your default web browser in macOS is very easy — choosing which browser to use maybe less so. Whichever browser you choose, you should maintain it to keep it running optimally, CleanMyMac X can help do that easily.