Safari comes pre-installed and optimized for macOS, but many developers and testers prefer using alternative browsers for specific tasks or performance reasons. If you’re using a MacBook, especially in a dev or testing workflow, which browser are you using apart from Safari—and what led to that decision?
In 2024, Chrome is still my top choice for development. Its comprehensive DevTools, extension support, and constant updates make it indispensable. I rely on Chrome when debugging JavaScript, checking localStorage/sessionStorage, and diagnosing network issues. Plus, the seamless sync across devices is a huge productivity boost.
Experience Insight: The only downside is that it can be quite RAM-hungry, so I reserve it primarily for development tasks. For cross-browser testing, I upload my scripts to LambdaTest to check how my work performs on Chrome and other browsers across different platforms.
While Chrome is my go-to for heavy-duty dev work, Firefox has won me over for specific tasks like performance audits and accessibility testing. Its CSS Grid debugging and design tools are top-notch, offering better insights into layout flow and contrast compared to Chrome. It’s also light on the system, making it a breeze to use for front-end work.
Experience Insight: Firefox feels snappy on my Mac and doesn’t weigh me down. For compatibility checks, I use LambdaTest to test Firefox on different versions of macOS and Windows, ensuring my projects look great across the board.
Arc has really grown on me as a productivity-focused browser. Built on Chromium, it’s designed for multitasking with a vertical tab system, split view, and customizable “Spaces” for organizing different projects. While it’s not my primary browser for coding, it’s excellent for managing documentation, GitHub issues, and Slack all in one place.
Experience Insight: I still prefer Chrome and Firefox for testing my code, but Arc has been a game-changer for managing my workflow. And for cross-browser testing, I rely on LambdaTest to see how my sites perform across Chrome, Edge, and Safari without having to install them all locally. It’s like having the best of all worlds!