Microsoft Edge edges out Safari for second place in desktop browser market

By Sean Endicott
published

Edge just claimed the silver medal for desktop browser market share.

Edge Dev Hero 2020 Newfeature
Edge Dev Hero 2020 Newfeature (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft Edge is now the second most popular browser on desktops.
  • Edge's market share reached 9.65% in March 2022, which is just enough to surpass Safari's 9.57% share.
  • Google Chrome still sits comfortably in first place with a 67.26% market share.

Microsoft Edge has passed Safari and is now the second most used desktop browser. According to StatCounter, 9.65% of desktop users now use Edge, which is an uptick from the browser's 9.61% share in February 2022. Safari's market share fell from 9.77% to 9.57% in the same timeframe, allowing Edge to jump a spot in the rankings.

Earlier this year, we predicted that Edge would pass Safari. Microsoft's browser has steadily gained ground on Apple's since its launch.

Several factors may have contributed to more people using Edge. Microsoft revamped the browser back in 2020. The new version of Edge has received mostly postiive reviews, but it can take time for the word to get out about an app improving.

Microsoft also consistently adds new options to Edge, such as features for saving money and developer tools. Microsoft has also improved IE mode to persuade legacy users to make the switch.

Edge is the default browser on Windows 11 and Windows 10, which run on a combined 1.4 billion devices.

Source: StatCounter Global Stats - Browser Market Share

While Edge has gained ground and beat out Safari, it still sits far below Google Chrome, which has a desktop browser market share of 67.29%. Chrome saw a small dip in market share in February but has since returned to around its normal figure.

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Microsoft Edge

Microsoft has several versions of its Edge browser for testing new and experimental features. You can grab the stable version instead if you'd just like to use Edge as your everyday browser.

Sean Endicott
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott brings nearly a decade of experience covering Microsoft and Windows news to Windows Central. He joined our team in 2017 as an app reviewer and now heads up our day-to-day news coverage. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com (opens in new tab).

13 Comments
  • Edge is available on multiple platforms - iOS, Android, Windows & MacOS whereas Safari is only on iOS and MacOS as Apple discontinued the Windows versions many years ago
  • I think these are just desktop numbers, but you're right, Edge is on Windows and Mac, but Safar is just on Mac, and that matters.
  • These are just desktop numbers.
  • It looks as if Safari lost its users to Chrome as opposed to Edge beating Safari. Edge seams to be dead steady.
  • Remember the rants we used to see about how Edge was pointless and MS should give up? 10% browser share isn't that bad, is it? Anyway, as GM notes, it looks like a bunch of Safari users went to Chrome. Wonder what the story is there. Maybe just noise.
  • According to this article, "Edge is the default browser on Windows 11 and Windows 10, which run on a combined 1.4 billion devices." What kind of kool-aid is Google serving that even with those numbers the bulk of everyday Windows users are compelled to install and run Chrome. ?? I've been running Edge (trident & chromium) as my default for years now and rarely find a case where there is a reason to switch, especially lately. (or is it rather a case of what Isn't MS serving?)
  • Chrome is the default because it's the default. Someone finds out that Grandpa is still using Internet Explorer. A somewhat younger relative rolls their eyes and says, "Grandpa, you should use Chrome. That's what everybody uses." Grandpa does, and notices that things get better-ish. And as before, he has no reason to change. And no one says, "Grandpa, don't use Chrome," because why would anyone say that? It's a perfectly fine browser. No one would notice a real difference. For most of the story that's the beginning and the end. There's no meaningful quality or features difference to speak of between Edge and Chrome. This is about how small the differences are, not how big. It also doesn't help that the websites for Google services have nagware that poke your shoulder and tell you to switch to Chrome.
  • If you talk to regular humans people stick with what they know. People who use Chrome know Chrome. It's very hard to get people to switch browsers because of familiarity. You can argue about features all day, but people's browsing history, PWs, location/design, etc. are all right there. It's even more difficult if you use Chrome on desktop and on iPhone/Android, where you have to convince people to give up both or lose the sync.
  • It tells me there are just way too many sheeple out there.
  • Well, there was a time when you would get chrome chucked at you when you downloaded software and that is where a lot of people got it from, also Google stuck it on their search engine, download chrome for a better experience, I have no problem with that, any more than I have a problem with Ms doing it for Edge on their websites. I have used chrome on and off over the years, but then moved to other browsers, my favourite Chromium browser is Cent, but sadly it is not updated that much, a few weeks ago I decided to try Firefox again and have stuck with it. Chrome is ok, a bit heavy on the old memory sometimes. My problem with chrome and a lot of other browsers is that they are bloated, with far too much stuff added I don't need or want.
  • It's simple Google search. No matter what browser you use if you go to Google it shows Google better in Chrome. For me edge has been the best browser for me to use but it's because I'm very Microsoft in terms of windows, own duo, have 365 subscription, work for a Microsoft based MSP, use bing and game pass on my pc. Only thing I use Google for is Google home android on my duo and own a Google powerd TV.
  • Once again, these numbers are nothing to get excited about. Edge - which is the default browser on 75.7% of desktops (Windows) - barely Edged past (sorry, I couldn’t resist) Safari - which is the default browser on 15.3% of desktops (Mac). Given the sheer numbers of Windows desktops compared to Mac desktops, this is actually pathetic. Distant 2nd is no better than distant 3rd. The vast majority is still using Chrome. Not to mention that these numbers are for desktop only, which is but a small slice of overall internet usage today. When looking at the most popular sector - phones, of course - Edge is nonexistent. Chrome dominates there too, with Safari a somewhat respectable 2nd with 24.8%.
  • It is only a matter of time before a good chunk of enterprise customers start adopting Edge. Give it about two or three years. Of course, some enterprises that use Google Suite will likely stick with Chrome because of Google account integration within the browser, but that is the minority of enterprise users.