Net Applications has released the internet browser usage statistics for October. While changes weren't dramatic, they do seem to indicate a continuing trend: more are using Chrome and Firefox, while fewer are using Microsoft Internet Explorer. Compared to September, Chrome and Firefox are up 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively, while IE is down a little over 1%.
Here's the full breakdown in some nice charts via Net Applications:
October 2009:
September 2009
Yet, these changes are far more drastic if you look back a year ago:
October 2008:
This shows around a 9% share loss for IE, a 4.5% share gain for Firefox and a 2.5% share gain for Chrome. While that Chrome increase might not seem too impressive, it is. That's a 250% increase from the mere 1% share it had a year ago.
Anyone who has tried Firefox or Chrome probably finds the reasons for this change as rather obvious. Firefox and Chrome, on several levels, are just better. In my experience, they load more quickly upon execution and bring up pages faster. And when it comes to internet surfing, speed matters.
I actually switched full-time from IE to Firefox recently. It just seems far superior for memory usage and speed. But I've also been tinkering with Chrome lately. I really like the interface. I also like how the address bar works as an auto search with suggestions as you type. Google innovation at work, no doubt.
Still, IE remains the clear leader. There are some pages that just work better through its interface, which makes it impossible to ignore entirely. If Windows 7 turns out to be as good as some early reports indicate, then that could result in some users switching back to IE. It's hard to overcome the huge market presence that IE has, but competitors do seem to be chipping away, little-by-little.
Why did this article conveniently ignore Safari? It's available for both Mac and Windows and it's far superior to IE, Chrome and Firefox. Yet, this article discusses the 1st, 2nd and 4th place browsers, while strangely ignoring the third. You'd expect that someone writing an article about the browser wars would at least acknowledge arguably one of the best browsers out there (for both platforms.) The subtle bias against Apple seems rather glaring when you look at the percentage increases of Safari as opposed to Firefox and the others. In October 2008, Safari had 2.87%, in October Safari has 4.42% -- that's a 54% increase. Firefox's percentage increase was 23%. While this story was useful in demonstrating the decline of IE, this story lacked objectivity. If you're going to be a cheerleader for Chrome.. fine, but don't disguise it in a story purporting to be an objective analysis. One must also consider that Chrome's market penetration would obviously grow by a huge percentage because it wasn't widely available a year ago. Going from 10 users to 5000 users is a 49900% increase.. but that isn't very impressive in raw numerical increase. Safari, in managing a 54% user increase in one year after being widely available for several years is showing that Safari is doing something right and IE and Firefox are doing something less right. Chrome is "hot" because it's brand new. Safari isn't brand new, yet it's gaining massively.
3/4% to 1% a month market share loss for Micresoft? Taking that off a dominant monopolist is some 'chipping away' in most markets.
@ Brian Dear
Had not realised Safari worked with Windows. Thanks.
In respond to Mr. Brian and his “why did this article conveniently ignore Safari?”
At first Safari is native of Mac Computers, although there is a Windows version. Two front runners among Browsers evidently are IE and Firefox. Opera could be probably third one, if authors would pay some attention to user’s wishes. Chrome is a nasty, sneaky browser, only for people who have no clue what it does. Safari is a heaviest BLOATWARE I ever seen. After I installed it, Windows 7 froze instantly; I did uninstall and routinely checked for remnants, there were more than 1,200 entries left in registry, it took whole hour for cleanup. Any software that creates and LEAVES such enormous footprint in system is problematical, particularly if it is just a browser. Look at Firefox, even no need to install it, you can copy a previous installation on any PC, it leaves just few entries in registry and works perfect. Not to mention access to its settings and huge Add-ons availability. With this option you get an Up Armored Browser equipped with what ever you wish.
To comment squeaking about Why not Safari, it is the same issue as an old Latin proverb: “De gustibus non est disputandum” (there is no disputing about tastes). Those that like safari will use it, other will not, period. It is interesting, how in general, users from Mac Community are offended if their SW or HW toys are not praised to heavens from any single spot on Earth. If Apple worshipers want to be kind of elitist, let it be, who cares, I am happy that I have alternatives.