Why You Should Stop Using Safari (Even If You Love It)

Safari is clean, fast, and privacy-friendly. But it’s holding your Mac back.

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Safari feels like the perfect browser for macOS — polished, battery-efficient, and gorgeous.

But the moment you step beyond basic browsing, its limitations start to show.

Those limitations aren’t minor, and here is why:

#1: Extensions?

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Safari’s extension library is practically non-existent compared to the other browsers. You might be fine if you only need a password manager or a basic ad blocker, but once you want advanced tools, there are very few.

The problem: Many extensions — tab managers, powerful ad blockers, developer tools — simply don’t exist for Safari. Apple’s strict approval process keeps the ecosystem tiny.

Why it’s a problem: You can’t tailor Safari to your exact workflow. You’re stuck with what Apple allows, even when better solutions exist.

The solution: Switch to a browser with an open extension ecosystem, like Arc, Brave, or Firefox. You’ll unlock thousands of add-ons and can customize your browser to fit your exact needs.

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#2: Web Compatibility Issues Are Real

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Some sites just don’t work properly in Safari. For example, complex web apps from Adobe like Illustrator or Photoshop.

The problem: Safari is behind in adopting new web standards. Advanced websites or apps can break or straight up not work at all.

Why it’s a problem: If you rely on web tools for work, you’ll end up switching to another browser mid-task anyway — killing focus and wasting time.

The solution: Keep an up to date browser as your daily driver which is compliant with the latest web technologies.

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#3: Sync Isn’t as Perfect as You Think

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iCloud syncing sounds like magic — tabs, reading lists, and passwords across all your devices. But in practice, it’s less reliable than you’d hope.

The problem: Tabs don’t always sync, reading lists can stall, and passwords sometimes duplicate or vanish. Syncing is also limited to Apple’s ecosystem. Furthermore you either get syncing or you don’t. There arent any flexible options to choose what to sync and what not.

Why it’s a problem: If you own even one non-Apple device, you’re out of luck. Competing browsers offer faster, cross-platform sync with fewer hiccups.

The solution: Use a browser that syncs instantly across macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Safari’s sync is smooth only if you never leave Apple’s walled garden.

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#4: Performance Isn’t Always the Best

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Safari has a reputation for battery efficiency — but efficiency doesn’t always mean speed.

The problem: Heavy workloads and real-time complex projects can lag. Safari also throttles your system under heavy load. Maybe not as much as Chrome, but still an awful amount.

Why it’s a problem: You can lose progress, miss updates, or have to babysit your browser just to keep it from timing out important tasks. All of this while also experiencing lag in your system.

The solution: For heavy work, use browsers that manage background tabs without putting so much strain on your system. Battery life means little if your browser can’t handle the work you throw at it.

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#5: Apple Decides What’s Best for You

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Apple’s privacy-first stance is admirable — until it starts blocking features you actually want. It’s a curated experience whether you like it or not.

The problem: APIs and customization options are restricted. You only get the browsing experience Apple envisions. Additionally, privacy on the web depends much more on the third party tools you are using rather than the browser itself.

Why it’s a problem: This limits your ability to shape your tools and adapt them to your needs, especially as a power user.

The solution: Use a browser that offers similar security but also full control over privacy settings. Brave, for example, so you can decide how your browsing works.

Safari gives you Apple’s version of the web, not your own.

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Final Thought: Comfort Isn’t the Same as Capability

Safari is comfortable. Its smooth and blends into the apple ecosystem flawlessly.

But if you want a browser that grows with your needs, it might be time to look elsewhere. There are a plenty of browsers which offer high security features, flexible extensions options and do not memory hog your system.

These browsers — Arc, Brave, Zen just to name a few give the user a private experience which doesn’t limit them to things that safari would.

Give them a shot!