Desktop Browser Statistics By Demographics, Gender, Market Share, Country, User, Devices, Privacy And Developments

Saisuman Revankar
Written by
Saisuman Revankar

Updated · Jan 19, 2025

Rohan Jambhale
Edited by
Rohan Jambhale

Editor

Desktop Browser Statistics By Demographics, Gender, Market Share, Country, User, Devices, Privacy And Developments

Introduction

Desktop Browser Statistics: Desktop browsers play a crucial role in how people access and interact with the internet. Understanding browser usage statistics is the most effective criterion for developers, businesses, and marketers to tailor and manage websites and applications to meet user needs. Those elaborated statistics reveal the most popular browsers used for desktops in 2024, along with several trends in user preferences and emerging technologies. For instance, browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox dominate the desktop landscape, each offering unique features and user experiences.

This article also provides insights into browser performance, security updates, and compatibility with modern web standards. All data are essential for creating seamless and user-friendly web experiences, ensuring websites function efficiently across different platforms.

By staying updated on browser statistics, organizations can make informed decisions to optimize their digital presence.

Editor’s Choice

  • Desktop Browser Statistics in 2024 show that Google Chrome maintains a leading position with a market share of approximately 65%.
  • Meanwhile, Microsoft Edge is the second most popular browser, with 13%. Safari has 9%, Firefox 6%, and Opera holds 3%.
  • In 2024, most Google Chrome users will be young people aged 18 to 34, around 55%.
  • About 85% of users say they choose Chrome because it has strong security features built right in.
  • Moreover, 58% of people like desktop browsers, and they can customize them easily to match their needs.
  • Due to rising privacy concerns, 65% of desktop users prefer browsers with strong privacy protections.
  • Desktop Browser Statistics further states that in recent years, Chrome uses 15% less memory, and Edge is 10% faster with AI.
  • As of 2024, about 74% of people said security was the most important factor in choosing a browser.
  • Speed and efficiency are crucial, as 70% of users say performance impacts their browser choice.
  • The desktop browser market is competitive, with changes affecting users’ choices and browser popularity trends.

General Desktop Browser Statistics

  • Recently, Chrome and Edge added AI tools to give better searches, suggestions, and faster performance.
  • Chrome is popular because 85% of users value its Safe Browsing and sandboxing security features.
  • On macOS, Chrome holds a 52% market share, showing tough competition with Safari.
  • In 2024, 5.31% of desktop users globally will prefer Firefox for its strong privacy features.
  • Desktop Browser Statistics also show that, given growing concerns about data leaks, 65% of users prefer browsers with strong privacy protections.
  • Opera, with a 4.08% market share, offers customization and a built-in VPN for a personalized experience.

Market-share-held-by-leading-internet-browsers-in-the-United-States-from-January-2015-to-October-2024 (Source: statista.com)

  • In October 2024, Google Chrome was the most popular internet browser in the United States, used by more than 54% of people.
  • Apple’s Safari came in second, with 31% of users.
  • Microsoft’s Edge browser was used by 7% of people in the United States.

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Desktop Browser Demographics Statistics By Age Group

  • About 68% of people aged 18 to 24 use Google Chrome as their main browser on their desktop.
  • In comparison, fewer in this age group prefer Safari (around 12%) or Microsoft Edge (about 10%).

Furthermore, other age groups shared by all desktop browsers in 2024 are mentioned in the table below:

Age Group (years) Google Chrome Edge Safari Firefox
25 to 34 64% 11% 15%

35 to 44

60% 14% 13% 8%
45 to 54 55% 20% 12%

10%.

55+

50%, 25% 12%

12%

By Gender

  • As mentioned in Desktop Browser Statistics 2024, 55% of Google Chrome users are men, while 45% are women.
  • Safari, commonly linked to Apple devices, has a more even split, with 52% men and 48% women.
  • Microsoft Edge users are also mostly men, at 54%, compared to 46% women.
  • Firefox, popular for its privacy features, has 58% men and 42% women in its user base.

By Time Spent

  • In 2024, people spend about 6.7 hours a day using desktop web browsers.
  • Among them, Google Chrome users browse the longest, with an average of 3.2 hours daily.
  • Microsoft Edge users spend around 2.4 hours, while Firefox users average 1.8 hours each day.

Top Desktop Browser Market Share

(Reference: statcounter.com)

  • A report published by Statcounter shows that in November 2024, Chrome had the highest market share of desktop browsers, 66.31%.
  • Meanwhile, the other browsers' market share is followed by Edge (12.91%), Safari (9.13%), Firefox (6.45%), Opera (2.79%), and 360 Safe (0.84%).

The table below includes all other monthly market share analyses of desktop browsers:

Month Desktop  Browsers
Chrome Edge Safari Firefox Opera

January

64.84% 12.96% 8.83% 7.57% 3.23%
February 65.38% 12.76% 8.71% 7.25%

3.05%

March

65.77% 12.7% 8.63% 6.61% 3.16%
April 65.65% 12.97% 8.44% 6.73%

3.09%

May

64.87% 13.14% 8.79% 6.64% 3.23%
June 64.69% 13.35% 9.03% 6.53%

2.91%

July

64.72% 13.75% 9.1% 6.64% 2.46%
August 64.54% 13.78% 9.4% 6.65%

2.43%

September

64.88% 13.78% 9.21% 6.56% 2.93%
October 65.24% 13.56% 9.06% 6.39%

3.2%

November

66.33% 12.87% 9.13% 6.44%

2.81%

Desktop Browsers Market Statistics By Country

In the United States

(Reference: statcounter.com)

  • According to Desktop Browser Statistics, Google Chrome is the dominant browser in the United States, with a market share of 62.84% as of November 2024.
  • Safari, now using a Chromium engine, holds a 14.27% market share, ranking second overall.
  • Microsoft Edge is the third most popular desktop browser for macOS users in the U.S., holding 13.96%.
  • Furthermore, others are followed by Firefox (6.95%) and Opera (1.36%).

In China

market-share-of-leading-desktop-browsers-in-china-as-of-august-2024-based-on-traffic (Reference: statista.com)

  • In February 2024, Chrome and Edge dominated the desktop browser landscape in China, commanding a substantial market share of 31.71% and 26.58%, respectively.
  • Furthermore, other browsers' web traffic share is followed by 360 Safe (19.29%), QQ Browser (9.35%), Safari (5.93%), and Firefox (3.5%).

Furthermore, other countries desktop browser’s market share in November 2024:

Country Chrome Edge Safari Firefox Opera
United Kingdom 54.15% 21.83% 16.1% 5.36%

2.15%

India

87.91% 5.24% 1.3% 3.84% 1.5%
Canada 60.14% 13.74% 17.55% 6.35%

1.42%

Germany

48.98% 15.35% 9.22% 19.41%

6.35%

By Region

In North America

(Reference: statcounter.com)

  • As mentioned in Desktop Browser Statistics, in November 2024, Google Chrome remains the leader, with approximately 62.47% of the market share.
  • Meanwhile, Safari follows with around 14.81%, mainly due to the widespread use of Apple devices.
  • Microsoft Edge captures 13.85% of the market, while Firefox holds 6.77% and Opera (1.47%).

In Africa

  • Google Chrome is also dominant in Europe, with a market share of about 79.07%.
  • Moreover, Microsoft Edge comes in second at 10.62%.
  • Furthermore, other desktop shares are followed by Firefox (4.86%), Opera (2.78%) and Safari (2.19%), respectively.

In Asia

  • As of November 2024, Google Chrome had an even larger market share in Asia, accounting for 70.57%.
  • In addition, 12.55% of desktop users used Microsoft Edge, and 6.15% used Safari.
  • In the same period, Firefox and 360 Safe Browser have shares of 4.26% and 2.39%, respectively.

In Europe

  • Desktop Browser Statistics also show that Google Chrome dominates in Europe, holding a share of 62.38% in November 2024.
  • On the other hand, the second and third desktop browser market share is Microsoft Edge (13.06%) and Firefox (9.49%)
  • Others are followed as Safari (8.48%) and Opera (4.74%).

Desktop Browser Market Statistics Desktop By User

  • As of 2024, Google Chrome remains the leading web browser globally, with an estimated user base of approximately 3.45 billion individuals.
  • The number of people using other desktop browsers includes 263 million for Microsoft Edge, 178 million for Mozilla Firefox, and 138 million for Samsung Internet.

By Devices, 2024

Devices Google Chrome Microsoft Edge Firefox Safari Opera
Windows 58.4% 26.3% 7.2% -

-

Mac

29.4 - 4.1% 65.5% -
Linux 35.8% - 55.7% -

6.4%

Google Chrome Statistics

  • Desktop Browser Statistics by June 2024 show that Chrome had been downloaded over 10 billion times on Google Play.
  • Other Google apps like YouTube, Maps, and Gmail also hit this milestone.
  • Chrome rewards up to USD 150,000 for reporting security issues.

Microsoft Edge Statistics

  • Microsoft first made Edge with HTML but changed it to a Chromium-based browser in 2020.
  • By 2024, it gained 12.96% of desktop browser users.
  • However, only 0.3% of them use it on mobile.
  • The switch improved its speed and compatibility.

Safari Statistics

  • Safari is the top browser for mobile users in the U.S., with over 55% market share.
  • Steve Jobs wanted to call it ‘Freedom,’ but developers preferred ‘iBrowse.’
  • By mid-2024, it’s been used by 1 in 5 people online.

Mozilla Firefox Statistics

  • The Firefox app for Android has been downloaded more than 100 million times.
  • A non-profit group makes it, and over 20% of users block tracking cookies.

Best Secured Desktop Browser For Privacy in 2024

Types of Browser Specification
Brave Best browser for overall privacy
Mozilla Firefox For tracking protection, this is the most secure browser
The Tor Best for anonymous browsing
DuckDuckGo Best for private searches
Mukkvad Best with the use of a VPN

Desktop Browser Statistics By Recent Developments

  • Google Chrome: In September 2024, Google announced new AI features to improve browsing, including tools for comparing products and retrieving previously viewed websites.
  • Mozilla Firefox: As of July 2024, Mozilla began testing AI functionalities in its Nightly build, allowing users to enable features such as chatbots and text summarization.
  • Arc Browser: Developed by The Browser Company, Arc has integrated AI tools to assist users. It positions itself as a reimagined operating system for enhanced productivity.

Demand Influencing Factors for Desktop Browsers

  • User Experience: Browsers offering intuitive interfaces and seamless navigation attract more users.
  • Performance: Speed and efficiency in loading web pages are critical for user retention.
  • Security and Privacy: Enhanced security features and robust privacy controls are increasingly important to users.
  • Integration of Advanced Features: The incorporation of AI and other innovative tools can significantly influence user preference.

Conclusion

Currently, several different desktop browsers are available, each with unique features. Popular browsers include Chrome and Firefox; both are reliable and widely used. Alternative browsers are Edge, Opera, Brave, and Vivaldi, which offer great options for specific needs, such as better privacy, customization, or speed. Choosing the right browser depends on your preferences, like security, extensions, or performance.

It's always a good idea to explore different browsers to find the one that works best for you. A good browser can improve your online experience and help you work more efficiently.

FAQ.

How much time do people spend browsing on desktop devices?

People often spend several hours a day browsing on desktop devices, especially for work, study, shopping, or entertainment.

How does usage compare to other browsers?

Browser usage varies widely, but popular options like Chrome dominate, while others like Firefox and Edge hold smaller shares.

Why do people spend so much time on desktop browsers?

People use desktop browsers a lot because they offer a big screen, better tools, and are great for work or browsing.

Why is Google Chrome so popular?

Google Chrome is popular because it is fast, easy to use, supports many features, and works well with Google’s services.

Are there other desktop browsers worth mentioning?

Yes, besides popular browsers like Chrome and Firefox, others like Opera, Brave, Vivaldi, and Edge offer unique features worth exploring.

Saisuman Revankar
Saisuman Revankar

Saisuman is a talented content writer with a keen interest in mobile tech, new gadgets, law, and science. She writes articles for websites and newsletters, conducting thorough research for medical professionals. Fluent in five languages, her love for reading and languages led her to a writing career. With a Master’s in Business Administration focusing on Human Resources, Saisuman has worked in HR and with a French international company. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and singing classical songs. At Coolest Gadgets, Saisuman reviews gadgets and analyzes their statistics, making complex information easy for readers to understand.

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