Baidu Browser

Baidu Browser is a Chromium-based web browser that provides an exciting alternative to Edge, Firefox and even Chrome.

Baidu Browser, which was originally named Baidu Spark Browser, is based on the Chromium engine, which is the same browser engine that Google uses for its Chrome browser. Chrome has earned a reputation as a very fast and stable web browser, and Baidu does nothing to upset that balance. Chrome is also known as being highly customizable, and where Baidu differs — although it can still be customized — is in carrying out a vision for what Chrome can be.

One way that the developers have distinguished Baidu is through excellent out-of-the-box support for Facebook and other social media platforms. With Facebook, for instance, the browser makes messaging more convenient and takes advantage of services that Chrome wouldn’t without extensions installed. This social media integration is highly customizable and can even be extended further.

This Chrome alternative also provides extensive mouse gesture support. You can close tabs, open new tabs and even mute all tabs with an appropriate flick of your wrist. This is one of the best gesture implementations among any web browsers. One issue that some users may have is the lack of personalization. Gesture creation isn’t possible, and if you want to use a gesture, you have to get used to what’s provided rather than tailor it to your preferences.

In a design approach that complements the social media integration, Baidu is very youthful in its aesthetics and UI configuration. It’s a very attractive browser and even has skinning support. There are a number of built-in skills to choose from if you don’t like the default skin, and you can also choose from a wide selection of custom skins that have been designed by the Baidu community.

Baidu Browser also has a number of built-in tools that separate it from Chrome and other browsers. The ability to download video or capture screenshots from practically any website are built right in. You can also mute individual tabs or all tabs at once. The browser also features a handy sidebar that you can customize, and this sidebar hosts your bookmarks, a zoom tool for enlarging and shrinking aspects of a webpage and all of those Facebook and other social media tools mentioned earlier.

Pros

• Chrome alternative
• Attractive UI and supports skins
• Excellent mouse gesture support
• Social media integration

Cons

• No gesture creation