Pick Safari if
You want the browser that is already on your Mac, easiest on the battery and tied into iCloud.
The catch. It has no vertical tabs or split view, a smaller extension catalogue, and no Windows version.
Safari vs Edge
Safari is best for battery life and Apple devices. Edge is best for Windows and Microsoft 365.
Pick Edge if
Your work runs on Microsoft 365 or you want sleeping tabs that save memory.
The catch. It nudges you toward Microsoft’s services and Copilot, and it blocks trackers but not ads.
Safari vs Edge, feature by feature
| Safari | Edge | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | WebKit | Chromium |
| Vertical tabs | No | Yes, one click |
| Sites on screen at once | One per window | Two, in Split screen |
| Separate workspaces | Profiles and Tab Groups | Workspaces and profiles |
| Ad and tracker blocking | Trackers, not ads | Trackers, not ads |
| Extensions | Safari extensions | Edge Add-ons and Chrome Web Store |
| Platforms | macOS, iPhone, iPad | macOS, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android |
| Open source | No (WebKit is) | No |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Development | Active | Active |
Questions
Is Safari better than Edge?
Neither wins everywhere. Safari is best for battery life and Apple devices; Edge is best for Windows and Microsoft 365. Pick Safari if you want the browser that is already on your Mac, easiest on the battery and tied into iCloud. Pick Edge if your work runs on Microsoft 365 or you want sleeping tabs that save memory.
Do Safari and Edge block ads?
They block the same way: trackers, not ads.
Which extensions do Safari and Edge run?
Safari: Safari extensions. Edge: Edge Add-ons and Chrome Web Store.
Where do Safari and Edge run?
Safari: macOS, iPhone, iPad. Edge: macOS, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android.
Are Safari and Edge free?
Both are free.