SmartFox

This alternative browser based on the Mozilla engine has its fair share of pluses, but could use work on other fronts. One of the biggest benefits of SmartFox is you can greatly extend its functionality via numerous plug-ins available on the Web. Users with coding skills can even make their own plug-ins using XML, CSS, JavaScript, and C . Though SmartFox boasts a handy, tabbed interface, the browser doesn't automatically open a new window when you type a URL. To activate tabs, you must open a new one through the File menu item. Although this utility consumes fewer resources than Internet Explorer, it didn't appreciably speed up Web surfing. The built-in pop-up blocker works as well as most dedicated programs and includes a white list for allowing ads from certain sites. The developer claims this browser also can protect you from spyware, but we could never figure out how to access that feature's settings. Though SmartFox doesn't appear to be developed enough to be your only browser, it can't hurt to try this flexible and free program.