7 Best iOS Browsers to Save Battery Power

Safari is by far the most popular browser for iOS, but you won’t find it on this list — or Chrome. Why? Popularity has nothing to do with how battery-efficient a browser is. 

Chrome is hungry for data and constantly collects information in the background, while Safari runs individual scripts and ads for all the browser windows you have open. This makes both of these browsers terrible for your battery. You can always choose another browser — one a bit more battery friendly. So, what’s available? Read on to discover the 7 best iPhone browsers to save battery.

Why Are Some iOS Browsers So Power Hungry?

An iPhone or iPad’s basic system resources consume much of the device’s battery power during use. These resources include the device’s central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU), which both draw off of your memory (RAM). While you should expect this, specific tasks and apps use more system resources than others. 

The browsers and websites you use are filled with graphics and may store browsing history and other data. Many browsers keep running in the background long after you close the window. They also use previously saved data to make recommendations based on past searches. The sheer amount of graphics, interactive content, video, cookies, extensions, and other web content generated in browsers make your system work overtime — reducing your battery power.

Additionally, the more browser windows you leave open, the harder your CPU has to work — creating more strain on your battery. The CPU’s design allows it to reach optimum efficiency quickly, but the immediate boost needed significantly reduces battery power and may cause your device to overheat.

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The 7 Most Battery-Friendly iOS Browsers

Let’s check out some battery-friendly browsers to keep you online for longer.

1. Edge

✅ Pros: Efficiency Mode, tracking prevention, and InPrivate tabs

⛔ Con: Adding extensions can decrease battery life

Edge is one of the best iPhone browsers. It offers InPrivate tabs, which means it doesn’t store your browsing data. Efficiency Mode allows you to reduce the amount of power you use while browsing. You also get in-browser tracking prevention and plenty of extensions to help reduce power usage — including AdBlock. 

The extension stops ads, pop-ups, trackers, and malware — all of which clog up your device, slow load times, and can eventually drain your battery. Bear in mind, though, the more extensions you download and install, the harder your device has to work. Using fewer browser extensions on iOS, or any operating system, helps save battery power.

2. Firefox

✅ Pros: Anti-ad tracking technology and uses fewer battery resources

⛔ Cons: Large visual tabs and some features are battery-intensive

Mozilla’s classic browser is available for iOS and it includes its famous anti-ad tracking technology. The tracking tech reduces the amount of system resources needed to generate web pages, so it helps conserve battery power.

Firefox is designed to use fewer battery resources without losing speed, but some of its features are power-hungry. The option for large visual tabs makes browsing a bit easier, but it’s worth keeping in mind that larger visuals require your GPU and CPU to work harder — which is a drain on your battery.

3. Opera

✅ Pros: Fast page loading, Battery Saver feature, and an ad blocker

⛔ Cons: Runs in the background after exiting, limited built-in VPN

Opera is a lightweight browser with fast load times, an ad blocker, and optional VPN. Its simplistic design makes it a good choice for iOS users because developers created the browser to reduce data usage without sacrificing efficiency. It even has a Battery Saver feature to extend your battery when your device is unplugged.

Server locations on the VPN are extremely limited and speeds aren’t the best. Opera VPN only provides regional IPs in Asia, North and South America, and Europe. If you want fast browsing speeds in a designated country, consider downloading an iOS VPN with a high-speed and large server network.

4. Firefox Focus

✅ Pros: Anti-ad tracking technology and Trash Can icon

⛔ Con: Using Focus Mode can drain resources 

Focus includes the original Firefox anti-ad tracking technology and a few new tricks, including the ability to use it like Apple Focus. The Trash Can button in the browser allows you to erase your browser history and other temporary files like cookies with one click — freeing up much-needed space.

When you use Apple Focus with Firefox’s Focus compatibility feature, you take up more system resources (e.g. CPU and GPU). Using one over the other, instead of both, will reduce battery use. 

5. DuckDuckGo

✅ Pros: No search tracking or monitoring, Fire button, and tracker blocker

⛔ Con: Browser actions are animated

DuckDuckGo has several tools you can use to extend the battery life on your iOS devices. Its Fire button automatically closes all the browser tabs you have open and clears your browsing history, making it a quick way to take pressure off your CPU and GPU. 

The browser also blocks third-party trackers and doesn’t track or monitor searches, meaning it uses fewer resources. On the downside, DuckDuckGo uses animations to illustrate various browser actions (e.g. deleting browsing history and closing multiple tabs), which require more power to generate.

6. Orion

✅ Pros: Low Power Mode, and ad/tracker blocker

⛔ Cons: Biometric data locks and too many advanced modes

Orion’s Low Power Mode can reduce battery usage by up to 90%. The Low Power Mode suspends tabs you haven’t used in the last five minutes, reducing the pressure on your system resources without having to close every browser window. 

The browser has an ad and tracker blocker to prevent malicious software from infecting or slowing down your device. 

You also have the ability to use biometric data to lock tabs. While this is definitely an interesting concept, these types of tools require a fair amount of system resources to operate. Only use biometric tools when absolutely necessary to help conserve your battery.

7. Dolphin

✅ Pros: Ad/tracker blocker, and ability to control the browser with speech or motion

⛔ Con: Too many enhanced features rely on battery power

Dolphin browser includes an ad and tracker blocker, which reduces the system resources it takes to generate web pages. It’s a simple browser overall, but it does have a couple of interesting features. For example, it allows you to control the browser by shaking the device or using basic voice commands.

Unfortunately, using the browser’s enhanced features require more system resources (e.g. voice commands and motion activation), so your battery might drain faster. If you’re low on power, it’s best to limit the number of features you use until you can charge your device.

Browsers Don’t Have to Be A Drain on iOS

Just because Safari is iOS’s default browser doesn’t mean it’s the best option for saving battery power. Similarly, Chrome is a data and battery drain despite its overall popularity. Luckily, you have other browser options — many of which use fewer system resources and offer unique battery-saving features.

Check out any of the best iOS browsers we mentioned above to start reducing your battery usage and stay connected longer. Who knows? You may find a new favorite.

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