Has Microsoft Edge just slipped up in the browser wars?
Firefox claims ground on Edge as browser wars heat up
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The battle forweb browsersupremacy continues to rumble on asMicrosoft Edgeand Firefox scrap for users across the world.
The latest global browser market share figures for August 2021 fromStatcounterclaim that Firefox has clawed back ground on its main rival, with its 3.55% share just behind Edge on 3.57%.
Perhaps unsurprisingly,Google Chromestill leads the way with users across the world, taking 64.94% of the total market share, withSafariin second place on 18.75%.
Edge vs Firefox
The news marks the latest point in the tightly-fought battle between Mozilla andMicrosoftas both scrap for market share.
Microsoft Edge finally overtook Firefoxback in June 2021 after months of growth, but the gap between the two browsers has closed in recent weeks.
Safari, which dominatesApple’s macOS devices, has seen a steady growth in recent months, perhaps aided by consumers and business workers alike upgrading their hardware and software ahead of a return to the office. The browser has now seen its market share increase for three months running.
Elsewhere, Opera rounded out the top five, taking 2.17% market share in August 2021, and Internet Explorer’s grim decline continued - although Statcounter found that 0.58% of users are still using the now incredibly outdated browser.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
Microsoft will now be hoping to pull away from Firefox as 2021 continues, with the launch ofWindows 11in October possibly set to send usage of Edge (which will ship as the pre-installed browser on the platform) to greater numbers than ever before.
The browser is set to get amajor makeover for the launch of Windows 11, with a redesigned interface bringing it into line with the new software’s stripped-back design.
Microsoft has also given Edge a host of upgrades for the browser, including a securepassword generator, in-builtprice comparison tool,vertical tab barand more.
Mike Moore is Deputy Editor at TechRadar Pro. He has worked as a B2B and B2C tech journalist for nearly a decade, including at one of the UK’s leading national newspapers and fellow Future title ITProPortal, and when he’s not keeping track of all the latest enterprise and workplace trends, can most likely be found watching, following or taking part in some kind of sport.
7 myths about email security everyone should stop believing
Best Usenet client of 2024
Smeg Combi Steam Oven review: a multi-functional countertop oven that looks stunning and cooks well
