Before we talk about the Top 5 web browser apps for smart TV let me bring you attention to something incredible.
One wonder that we are experiencing in the technologically advanced world we are living in, is how seamlessly everything is getting integrated.
Not long Apple boasted an airtight ecosystem where only Apple devices were allowed to be configured and operational.
With the advent of technology like AirPlay 2, devices outside of the Apple ecosystem like Sonos, are finding their way into these closely knit borders.
Do you know why that is?
If you are able to look past the business sense of it, it all comes down to incorporating more tasks that can be done out of a single outlet.
This increases convenience, multi-tasking, makes you look cool and the company gets a new talking point about their products.
Smart TVs for example, the one thing every company whether it be LG, Samsung, Sony, TCL has been targeting is enhanced viewing experience.
Now no one really knows what that means. But we can of course lay out the gist of it.
Today you can stream your favorite web shows, movie shows, documentaries from streaming apps of your choice like Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime and what not directly into your smart TV.
Not just that most Smart TVs now come with integrated internet and Web 2.0 features that lets you do things like browsing the internet, social media and even let’s you game.
I think relaying the different acrobatics smart TVs can do today, deserves its different post.
Today let me quench a few queries that I have been actively receiving across my social media profiles regarding the best web browser apps for smart TV.
So, first things first,
Can You Browse Internet On Your Smart TV?
The answer is yes, there are smart TVs out there that lets you browse the internet. But please be aware that not all TVs labelled as smart TVs allow you to specifically browse the internet. So, it really depends on what smart TV you have or are going to buy and if it inherently has a browser installed by default or let’s you install a browser app.
Most smart TV’s come preinstalled with specific apps that the manufacturer deems fit to be included with the model.
Prominent ones being streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Accuweather etc. and may and many not have an additional capacity to let you download specific apps from an app marketplace.
So, it really depends on the make and model of the smart TV you have chosen to invest in.
Usually, not always, Android Smart TVs offer the capability to download your favorite apps.
One very convenient way to convert your “dumb TV” into a “smart TV” is by using a device like Amazon Fire TV stick.
Recently, Amazon announced that users with Amazon Fire TV and the Fire TV stick will be able to browse web in their TVs using apps like Firefox or Amazon Silk browser.
Although, I haven’t found users getting too satisfied with the overall browsing experience of the setup.
But hey, you at least have the choice to have it if you want it.
Anyways, if you have the option to have browser of your choice in your Smart TV, I am pretty sure you will wonder what are the best web browser apps for smart TV you can possibly have.
Here are the top 5 web browser apps for smart TV you can look forward to using,
- Puffin TV Browser
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Samsung Internet Browser
- TV Bro
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Top 5 Web Browser Apps For Smart TV
Now that I have quickly relayed the best 5 web browser apps for smart TV, let me give you little insights and details about every single one of them so that you can pick up the one that you think will suit you the best.
Note that these aren’t the only web browser apps for smart TV available out there.
However, these are the top ones out of the many available that I have picked up using factors such as user inputs, ease of use, UI, familiarity and applicability.
Plus, I hope you are aware of the fundamental fact that you won’t have the same experience of browsing the web using these apps as you have with your smartphone or your PC.
Therefore, I have chosen
So here is the list of best 5 web browser apps for smart TV with description and advantages that you can use to browse the internet from of the comforts of your sofa.
1. Puffin TV Browser
With an inbuilt native Android TV support, the Puffin TV browser is probably the best smart TV web browser that you can get for free.
With the innate capacity to be able to stream web shows, TV, and music, Puffin TV browser also presents excellent browsing speeds when compared with the other smart TV browsers on the list.
It is also worth noting that many web browser apps for smart TV do not operate using your Smart TV’s remote.
More often than not you will have to use a gaming controller or maybe an app to open, operate and navigate the web.
That however, is not the case with Puffin Smart TV browser.
It has the native support as already mentioned for your Smart TV’s remote, which really opens up the domain so that most smart tv users will be able to use it.
Another thing to note about the Puffin TV browser is the fact that it isn’t just a repurposed version of an original Android app.
The browser is specifically designed for Android smart Tv boxes.
This implies the app development has happened to keep subtle yet important factors like ease of use, UI, speed and usability in mind.
In addition to all these it also comprises of Adobe Flash and JavaScript support that helps browse dynamic websites featuring high end web features easily.
To add some cherry to an already good list of features, you can easily get the browser from your Android TV’s play store completely removing the need to sideload the app.
2.Google Chrome
No surprises here, isn’t it?
Google chrome is without any doubt the most popular web browser among the masses for its easy of use, availability of handy extensions, speed and reliability.
Therefore, Google Chrome forms the top of the list of the best browser apps for smart TV.
Unfortunately, even after being the most popular web browser, there is no specific smart TV version of Google Chrome available on the app store that you can download and install on your smart TV.
You will have to sideload Chrome in order for it to work with your smart TV.
You will find that the UI is very similar to what you experience in in the mobile version of chrome.
Some people find it convenient while the ones who enjoy a broader and more functional experience of google chrome aren’t too pleased with the experience.
Here is a quick look at the pros and cons of the smart TV google chrome as it were.
3. Mozilla Firefox
If you are familiar with Google Chrome, I am pretty sure you are familiar with Mozilla Firefox as well.
As was the case with google chrome, there isn’t a specific version of Firefox for smart TV boxes.
But you can most definitely sideload it in your smart TV and enjoy perks that come along with Firefox like the use of extensions to enhance its capabilities.
Additionally, if you use Mozilla Firefox as your day-to-day browser, you will be able to sync all your data up like history, bookmarks, passwords etc., if you decide to use it on your Smart TV as well.
I have seen many Firefox users report that they found browsing YouTube on Firefox web browser feels faster when compared with the YouTube app.
This however may not necessarily be your experience as things may change with updates etc., but I urge you to try and see if that’s true with you as well.
Here are the pros and cons listed for you for a quick glance,
4. Samsung Internet Browser For Smart TVs
At the initial versions and developmental stages of this app, it was specifically developed to cater to browsing needs of Samsung Android TVs.
But eventually the developers modified it to make it compatible to work with other smart TV brands as well.
Looking at the Samsung Internet browser with reference to other browser apps, I think it’s safe to say that this browser is probably the most ignored.
Well, it’s not surprising given the fact that it started out as a web browser app for Samsung android TVs.
And the fact that other names are just too big in the browser space.
But this web browser app for smart TV comes with its perks like dedicated ad-blockers, contrast mode and the fact that you can modulate the font size directly from withing the browser.
Some users also admit to enjoying the secure browsing experience they get via this app thanks to the different privacy and security extensions.
To sum up here are the ups and downs you get when choosing this web browser app for smart TV.
5. TV Bro
I came across this web browser for your android smart TV pretty recently, and I have to say I am impressed.
TV bro is surprisingly well built and offers a wide variety of tools for a satisfying web exploring experience.
As I said, I found the browser recently and it is still in development, but it works quite well.
The browser isn’t available in Play Store and therefore, as was the case with Firefox and Chrome you will have to sideload it.
Some prominent aspects that stand out are is open-source development and the presence of Android’s built in web rendering unit (WebKit).
Once again you won’t have to use an external accessory to do the browsing here. It is fully compatible to work with your Smart TV’s remote.
The browser also supports all additional tools and features that enhance the functionality of a browser like bookmarks, tabs, shortcuts and voice search.
In terms of browsing experience, you will see that it matches the likes of Firefox, which is actually really incredible.
Worth a shot if you ask me.
Smart TV Web Browser Vs Traditional Computer Browser
I really don’t think that is a valid comparison to be honest.
As of now, and things may go different in the future but I don’t think you should expect heavy performance from smart TV web browsers.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s always a handy feature to have and can on most occasions be very useful.
In addition, with new and improved solutions finding their way into smart TV tech, I feel improvements in web browser will eventually reel in too in areas where they currently lack.
For smart TVs, most important streaming apps come incorporated and you will find they are much easier to access compared to your PC.
That is precisely where the appeal for Smart TV relies.
Contrasting that with web browsing, that of course isn’t the case, and opposite holds true.
One main reason being, most smart TVs have processors whose speeds are in the range of 1 – 1.2 Ghz which when compared with that of an average processor (minimum 2 Ghz) is just way too less.
That’s why when you try and access certain complicated websites using web browser apps for smart TV, more often than not you experience lags, stutters and interface issues.
So, its important that for web browser apps for smart TV to operate properly, they must be specifically designed and aptly updated.
Which of course isn’t the case right now as most of them need to be sideloaded.
I am pretty optimistic a lot is going to change, but in the meantime, I am pretty confident that the best web browser apps for smart TV that I have discussed here will serve your purpose just fine.
You don’t need to look any further.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do Android TVs Or Smart TVs Come With A Web Browser?
Android TVs usually do not come with a preinstalled web browser. You can however choose to install a web browser for your Android TV or smart TV.
All the web browser apps for smart TV I discussed above will work well with your smart TV.
Mozilla Firefox, Puffin TV Browser and TV Bro are my personal recommendations.
You can have a look at the description of 5 best web browser apps for smart TV I have discussed above and have your pick.
- How To Browse Internet On My Android Or Smart TV?
You can browse internet on your smart TV by sideloading one of the web browser apps for smart TV discussed here.
Go ahead and give a glance to all the web browser apps for smart TV discussed here and choose the one that appeals to you the most.
Once you have done that, install the chosen web browser and start browsing internet on your smart TV right away.
In Conclusion,
There are a lot of web browser apps for smart TV that you can look forward to having in order to browse the internet.
However, all the options I have relayed above are probably the best of the bunch and I hope you give them a try.
Let me know in the comments below which one you decided to go with and also if there is another web browser for smart TV that deserves a mention.
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Take care of yourselves and I will see you in the next one 😊
BBye!
