Browsers - Free Software Downloads and Software Reviews

Browsers

If you're looking for browsers or browser extensions, CNET Download.com has you covered. We feature all the latest versions of Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, and more, as well as Firefox extensions, Internet Explorer add-ons, even RSS readers. If you want to surf the Web, CNET Download.com is the place to start. See all 3,563 products in this category.

for the week of: July 05Downloads

1.
Mozilla Firefox
Web Browsers111,735
2.
Flash Player
Other Browser Add-ons & Plugins76,053
3.
Avant Browser
Web Browsers54,522
4.
Internet Explorer
Web Browsers43,245
Memeo Share

Share photos and videos directly to the desktop.

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5.
IE7Pro
Internet Explorer Add-ons & Plugins16,766
6.
Google Chrome
Web Browsers13,179
7.
Opera
Web Browsers9,563
Enterprise Architect

Design, document, construct, and manage object-oriented software systems.

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8.
ieSpell
Internet Explorer Add-ons & Plugins8,890
9.
FreeZ TV Toolbar
Internet Explorer Add-ons & Plugins7,463
10.
Apple Safari
Web Browsers7,191

See all most popular software

CaptureWizPro

Capture screen images, video and audio

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Release date

TheWorld Browser Jul 10
Web Browsers
Microsoft Silverlight Jul 10
Other Browser Add-ons & Plugins
SilverSoft NetGlider Jul 10
Web Browsers
Connection Meter Jul 10
Web Browsers
Apple Safari Jul 09
Web Browsers
Munnin Jul 09
Web Browsers
yDecode Jul 09
Newsreaders & RSS Readers
SlimBrowser Jul 08
Web Browsers
Social Communications Community Toolbar Jul 08
Firefox Add-ons & Plugins
IE7Pro Jul 08
Internet Explorer Add-ons & Plugins

See all new releases

1.
Mozilla Firefox
Surf the Web, block pop-ups, and keep spyware at bay with a lean and fast open-source browser.
2.
Internet Explorer
Browse the Web with tabs, improved RSS support, and robust security features.
3.
Opera
Browse with a multiple-document interface, mouse gestures, keyboard shortcuts, zooming functions, and integrated search.
4.
Maxthon (Classic)
Surf the Net with pop-up filtering, tabbed navigation, and automatic page-scrolling.
5.
SlimBrowser
Browse multiple Web sites in one window with a pop-up blocker, ad filter, and quick-search features.
6.
Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer
Update your IE browsing experience with Google gadgets, AutoFill, translation, saved settings, and synchronized bookmarks.
7.
Yahoo Toolbar with Anti Spyware
Search the Web from anywhere, block pop-ups or spyware, and get one-click access to your mail.
8.
Xnews
Try this NewsXpress-like newsreader.
9.
McAfee SiteAdvisor for Internet Explorer
Add safety ratings to sites and search results to protect against adware, spam, and online scams.
10.
McAfee SiteAdvisor for Firefox
See safety ratings for the sites and search results to protect yourself against online scam.

See all editor's picks

from the download blog

Chrome OS for the clueless: What it means for real people

Posted by Rafe Needleman on Jul 09, 2009

Google's new operating system is certainly something to get excited about, but don't put a new laptop purchase on hold because you want a Chrome Netbook.

an introduction to Browsers

Browsers, often called Web browsers, are software clients that allow users to navigate to sites on the World Wide Web. The majority of these Web sites use the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), but many browsers can also interpret other protocols, including FTP, RSS, and P2P protocols such as BitTorrent. Hypertext pioneer Tim Berners-Lee created the first ever Web browser, WorldWideWeb, in 1990, but the software didn't become popular until the release of NCSA Mosaic, the first graphical client.

Browsers truly hit the mainstream with the launch of Netscape Navigator, which was later shortened to simply Netscape, though the free client's popularity was radically affected by the 1995 release of Internet Explorer, Microsoft's entry into the browser market. In the years since, IE has completely dominated the market, only recently losing ground to alternative browsers such as Mozilla Firefox and Opera.

Aside from general Web browsers, various subsets of the category offer special services. Offline browsers cache content from the Internet for future reference when you're not connected to a network. Newsreaders manage content from Usenet newsgroups and syndicated feeds.

In recent years, the open-source browser Mozilla Firefox has earned praise for the ability of third-party developers to easily create extensions that add functionality. Among the thousands of home-brewed add-ons for Firefox, we've narrowed down our favorites in a collection of the best. The Microsoft browser also allows for IE add-ons, but its closed framework makes it a bit more difficult for developers.