There are many reasons UC Browser has been popular with mobile users worldwide: fast page-loading speeds, lightweight applications, and a unique customized experience. Having said this, the browser has been facing flak in various countries. For example, India banned the app due to data privacy concerns. For Indian and other users seeking decent UC Browser alternatives, we have shared a list of its best alternatives.
The following list has all the finer points of UC Browser with a genuine focus on user privacy.
1. Samsung Internet Browser
Probably the closest thing to UC Browser when it comes to interface and features, Samsung Internet Browser is user-friendly, reliable, and provides an uncluttered browsing experience. You can easily change search engines (Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google), sync bookmarks between devices, and access Samsung Cloud.
There are many privacy and security features, such as protected browsing, which warns you about malicious sites stealing data and blocking unwanted webpages which take you to other sites, as well as content blockers and anti-tracking.
Beyond that, Samsung Internet Browser offers standard features such as functional battery- and data-saving functions, the ability to download and read pages offline, and the all-popular dark theme.
2. DuckDuckGo Browser
DuckDuckGo is one of the best web search engines for genuine anonymity and privacy. Its Android browser does not disappoint, either, when it comes to privacy. It blocks trackers and operates only secure connections with HTTPS everywhere. Each site you visit gets a Privacy Grade (A-F), so you can verify how secure you are at a glance. We know how unsafe it can be when your personal data keeps building up on your browser. DuckDuckGo offers a handy “fire” option, which instantly clears your tabs and browsing history.
Unlike many other browsers, DuckDuckGo’s interface is minimal and uncluttered. It is a founding member of Global Privacy Control (GPC,) a newly found global consortium which aims to protect users by asking advertisers to limit the sale of personal data.
However, cookies can be important for visiting safe and trusted frequently-visited sites. Therefore, DuckDuckGo offers a unique option called “fireproofed” websites, which do not delete cookies once you clear everything. This makes it a versatile browser for all your needs.
3. Brave Browser
Brave for Android is a security- and privacy-focused browser, making it a good alternative to UC Browser. Additionally, the Brave browser can automatically redirect unsecured pages to HTTPS using HTTPS Everywhere, while also blocking ads and other trackers. Brave also has built-in data optimization techniques to minimize data consumption. Other features of Brave include, but are not limited to, private browsing, personalized private search, script blocking, third-party cookie blocking, private bookmarks, and saving data and battery. Brave is a technical member of Global Privacy Control (GPC).
If you are looking for a full-fledged web browser with no compromises, then give the Brave browser a try and see how it works out for you.
4. Puffin Web Browser
If all you need is super-fast web browsing, then Puffin is the way to go. Compared to all other browsers in this list, Puffin seems to load web pages really fast, thanks to its in-house compression algorithms. The workload is shifted from the user device to the cloud servers. This way the resource-hungry web pages can load really fast on your phone. Do keep in mind that this deep compression comes at a cost – when there are multiple tabs, Puffin eats up a lot of memory.
The speeds of Puffin can be very fast, and it claims to save up to 90 percent of your bandwidth on your browsing activities. While we may not agree with such figures, the browser does feel very fast. For security and privacy, Puffin has an incognito tab which auto-cleans your browsing activity.
The other interesting feature of Puffin is that it supports Adobe Flash via its cloud server. This enables you to access Flash-only content, like old browser games, right in your mobile device. Other features include a game mode for flash games, customizable UI, private browsing, built-in video player, etc.
5. Maxthon Browser
Maxthon browser is not just a browser that loads web pages faster – it has several other useful tools built into it. Some of those useful tools or features include a password manager, note-taking tool, email manager, web clipper, and night mode. While Maxthon compresses the web pages to save data consumption, you can save more data by enabling the Smart Image Display feature. When enabled, Maxthon loads images in low quality or only when needed. A customizable speed dial adds your favorite websites to be accessed at anytime. With a smart image display, you can control your mobile data consumption and save money.
For most regular users, Maxthon’s user interface is clean and customizable. If you are a heavy mobile web browser user, then Maxthon is a pretty good choice.
6. Firefox Focus
Firefox Focus by Mozilla is a very basic and lightweight browser that purely focuses on your privacy, nothing more and nothing less. In fact, Firefox Focus doesn’t even have basic features like bookmarks, form filling, homepage shortcuts, etc. The Mozilla group of browsers are members of Global Privacy Control (GPC.)
When browsing through Firefox Focus, all your browsing history is completely erased when you exit the browser. Additionally, the app won’t let you or other apps take screenshots, hides the browsing page when switching between apps, blocks ads and tracking scripts, blocks third-party cookies, etc.
If all you need is a reputable and secure browser that protects your privacy and don’t mind the lack of features, then Firefox Focus is the way to go.
7. Firefox Lite
If you want slightly more features than Firefox Focus, give Firefox Lite (no longer available) a spin. In terms of privacy, you can’t go wrong with traceless browsing and no passwords being recorded. Using a “turbo mode,” you can browse at lightning speed similar to Puffin browser. The browser is extremely lightweight compared to the regular Firefox browser (only 7 MB), yet it does the heavy-lifting work such as syncing Firefox bookmarks.
There is an image-blocking feature to save mobile data costs. The night mode helps conserve battery, and a screenshots feature helps take useful screenshots.
8. Go Browser
Are you an Indian user looking for a “Made in India” mobile browser which delivers on privacy? You should try out Go Browser, which is small, bite-sized and works on all kinds of networks including slower 3G networks. The search and download speed is fast, and there are easy ways to erase browsing history without any hassles. The browser works across multiple tabs and allows you to change your search engines according to your daily needs.
9. Microsoft Edge Browser
The new Microsoft Edge has made a name for itself among the best desktop browsers and is the second most popular browser in that segment today. Its mobile version recreates many of those capabilities to bring a high speed, secure and privacy-centric experience. The browser works well with all Microsoft apps such as Office, Skype, Bing, and has been optimized for Android.
In terms of privacy, you get a clear choice not to associate your Microsoft account with the browser. Microsoft Edge has introduced a search privacy function with built-in InPrivate search in Microsoft Bing. Basically, your search history will never be saved to Microsoft Bing or associated back to your Microsoft account. Of course, there are ad blockers and Microsoft Rewards points for those who want to benefit from them. Edge is a clean, clutter-free decent mobile browser for all needs.
Once you have found the best UC browser alternative for you, you may want to restore some privacy to your social networks, too. See our list of the best Facebook alternatives. Or, if you want to get your white hat on, check out the best hacking apps for Android.