CNET Editors' review
Based on Internet Explorer's engine, Maxthon is probably something of a curiosity for most North American users. It never really caught on there, but elsewhere--especially China--it's one of the most popular browsers around. It renders pages fast and comes loaded with features, as if Firefox came with 90 percent of its most popular plug-ins. Maxthon 2 features loads more customization ability, but sacrifices a bit of stability for the privilege. Its design is stylish compared to the old version, and its new approach to accessing functions makes this free browser more competitive.
All the basics are represented here, from tabbed browsing to skins to add-ons, and many of the rolled-in features make Maxthon hard to ignore. Some of our favorite features include rolled-in auto-form filling, the ability to set up bookmark groups that open on start-up--excellent for news or blogs, the ability to autoscroll Web pages, and pop-up and content filters for blocking ads and specific content formats you don't want. There are also customizable hotkey commands for such nifty features as auto-completing URLs, so if you type "download" and hold down the Ctrl key, it will auto-fill the "http://" and the ".com". The online favorites service is similar to that offered by other browsers, and works well.
We also like the super drag-and-drop feature, which lets you directly select and drag keywords to a current Web page or directly to the address bar. Maxthon is fast, small, flexible, and easy to use, and the extra features make it a browser we highly recommend for those looking for a change of pace.
Publisher's Description
From Maxthon International:
Maxthon comes with all the great features which will give you a comfortable, joyful and personal Web surfing experience. It has unique features, such as Advanced ADs blocker: support pop-up blocker and Web content filter, support regular expression; File sniffer: Downloading video/MP3 files have not been so easy. just select the file type you want to catch and Maxthon will reveal any hidden file in the page. Advanced tab management: Close all tabs, auto refresh tabs, lock tabs.
Maxthon is in the Web Browsers category of the Browsers section.
More Popular Web Browsers downloads
- Google Chrome
260,558 downloads
- Mozilla Firefox
111,314 downloads
- Internet Explorer
25,463 downloads
- Opera
15,050 downloads
- Internet Explorer
14,436 downloads
-
All versions:
3.9 starsout of 208 votes
-
Current version:
4.5 starsout of 11 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Could be lighter."
Version: Maxthon 2.5.18.1000
Pros
- Fast
- Nice UICons
- Heavy!!!
- i hate it when Maxthon opens a new tab when i click a link on my favorites bar.Summary
it's a nice browser but it's bloated.
i hate it when Maxthon opens a new tab when i click on a link.
Updated on Jan 9, 2012 -
"AWESOME!!!!!"
Version: Maxthon 2.5.18.1000
Pros
Everything, I really like this browser and have been using it more and more everyday. It beats firefox and in my opinion Chrome too. It's very function friendly and has alot of easy to use additions!
I love it!!Cons
It's doesn't spit money out at you :(
Summary
Perfect and awesome and really cool browser, sure to be #1 soon!
-
"A Different Browser."
Version: Maxthon 2.5.18.1000
Pros
- It has pretty much all the features of IE8, but the accelerators. You can highlight and search though.
-You can download embedded videos, like YouTube, etc.
-It asks you if you want to save password/name after the fact so you know if it's the correct password which is nice.
-When you open a new tab it shows your choice of web pages (like Opera) in a 3x4
- Can view split-screen (though I have had problems with one side of a page being cut off)
- Loads Adobe flash video when IE tells me I need to update (I don't know why that is)
-Multi-search tab. You can pick which search engine you'd like to use, without having to download every different search/toolbar
-Auto spell check with everythingCons
These are not MAJOR cons, pretty much just annoyances.
-The favorites bar displays ALL your favorites, unlike IE where you choose which ones to show. I find this very frustrating/cluttered.
- Maybe not a con, but it would be nice if there was a scheduler for the download Manager.
- Doesn't color code tab groups (Really like that feature in IE) but you get used to it
-Sometimes the highlight&drag search command happens accidentally when you highlight to copy, but can always disable the motion command.
-Search bar doesn't list "suggestions" (though that may be a plus for some).Summary
Maxthon is an excellent browser.
There are many features, which I'm sure I haven't even discovered all of.
The simplified layout is hard to get used to, but once you do it's quite awesome. -
"Fantastic browser."
Version: Maxthon 2.5.18.1000
Pros
Tabs & other browser processes are sandboxed like Google Chrome & IE8/IE9. Very good smooth speed. Uses the Webkit Engine, but also uses IE's Trident engine. When browsing, it doesn't feel like like a clunky experience. Initially for a first time user, everything looks weird, until you realize it has the typical features of what a good browser should have, just with it's own personality. This is no copy cat of Chrome with the GUI like other browsers has followed through with. If you use Apple Safari, forget about that browser, you might as well get Maxthon. It uses the same Apple Webkit, but without the bugs, and better performance.
Cons
Doesn't seem to support extensions like the other browsers do, like Firefox for instance.
Summary
Simply put it's a well built browser. It's very fast, I didn't think anybody could compare to the more popular speed king Google Chrome. Though I haven't not tested this browser in comparison for Chrome on benchmarks, it's definitely comparable to Chrome, if not faster. The authors claim it is, but I don't have the benchmark numbers. Simply put, this is a legit browser. A gem that is overlooked. Just don't get put off by it's interface. Icons have their own meaning and such, but I am sure the performance of this browser will sure give incentive to familiarize themselves more with this fine browser. CNET review of this gem of a browser is seems seriously outdated.
-
"BEST BROWSER OUT THERE"
Version: Maxthon 2.5.18.1000
Pros
ABSOLUTELY LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT
Cons
NOTHING AT ALL WRONG
Summary
We are working together and working harder to make the most powerful browser than ever.
2011- Maxthon forges new distribution partnerships with Fuhu and Kingston.
2011- Maxthon Android Browser for Tablets is released.
2010- Maxthon for Android reinvents touch screen mobile browsing. Maxthon browser reaches 500,000,000 downloads.
Go with Maxthon 3 200x times faster then firefox want speed you have it with this browsers absolutely love it no white pages and works with all games all 4 other browsers firefox,google ,safari,and Opera either quit or had white pages real **** off staying with Maxthons forever !!!!!!! :) :) -
"The Best amng the smart browsers avlble in d markt"
Version: Maxthon 2.5.18.1000
Pros
Very fast!! sometimes i found this faster than the chrome.. Has got two browsing modes... Firefox and IE mode... Firefox mode has got lightening speed while IE mode is compatible with all webpages containing java applets and scripts etc. So there is no tension that you will b unable to view a page properly..
Cons
I found difclty in integrating Download Managers. FDM kdnt monitor properly while IDM is working fine.
Moreoevr it has gt an inbuilt download manager which is nt dat bad. -
"This one is fast, nice and have lot of features"
Version: Maxthon 2.5.18.1000
Pros
It is light, fast and have a lot of features
Cons
I have not cons
-
"The Greatest Web Browser Ever!!!"
Version: Maxthon 2.5.18.1000
Pros
Loads pages millions times faster then Chrome, IE 8/9 or Firefox ever dreamed of. Its an Amazing browser that warrants much more attention then it gets credit for.
Cons
They haven't implemented the Add on feature yet to Maxthon 3 yet. Hopefully they will sooner then later, its a much needed feature in order to compete with its competitors.
Summary
All in all its by far the smoothest running web browser you'll find. Themes are probably the coolest looking I've seen yet on a web browser next to Opera's, which are cool as well. The speeds for loading pages are second to none. With features like Feed Reader, Online Notepad,Translate,Snap,Resource Sniffer, and by far my favorite the External tools; which allows you to add or remove desktop shorts right from the browser's mini pop out window. You can add any application to the window via a (+)symbol, which then gives you the option to browse for the program or already made shortcut and add it to the window for ease of use.
In short its sad that Maxthon hasn't garnered the attention it deserves. Maxthon is a stunning browser with neat functions and features, heck it even comes with Ad Hunter (its Ad block + for Maxthon for those that didn't know!)it works the same and blocks all the ads. One of Maxthon's biggest strength's is its Passport feature. Like Opera's Unite, it allows you to essentially make a Passport which includes User ID, Password, Avatar image, and other neat stuff. Though not on the same level as Unite its still neat to have Passport as it makes your browser feel like its yours and not just something you downloaded off the net to use. -
"Brilliant!"
Version: Maxthon 2.5.18.1000
Pros
Good speeds for page loading, easy to use blah blah
Cons
The built in download manager is in japanese and it has slow times to download videos on sites such as youtube.
Summary
Really good and fast browser, optimal for slow internet connections. (less than 3 mb/ps (when used with a broadband speedtest))
-
"Best So Far"
Version: Maxthon 2.5.18.1000
Pros
Fast,stable and reliable. Great download manager that never fails. It has auto fill that really works, bookmark that's smooth quick and easy. It has numerous add ons although perhaps not as many as Firefox.
Cons
There are none worth mentioning.
Summary
The best browser I've used so far and I've tried dozens.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
See more CNET content tagged:
Previous Versions:
