Microsoft finally loses its crown as Chrome becomes number one web browser

Internet Explorer 11 about page
Internet Explorer 11 about page (Image credit: Windows Central)

It has finally happened. Microsoft has been dethroned in the competitive web browser market. Google's Chrome has taken the number one spot, according to latest marketshare figures released by Net Marketshare. Microsoft's own Internet Explorer has gradually been losing shares of the pie as the browser became more unpopular due to lack of innovation and strong competition from the likes of Firefox and Chrome.

Net Marketshare

While the company is clearly reacting to this current trend with the release of Edge, Microsoft still has some way to go before it is able to go head to head against Chrome. Extensions, improved usability and more will need to be packed into Edge to make it the Internet Explorer we always so desperately wanted. As noted by LifeHacker, it's quite the sudden change too, with Chrome only sitting on 27% last year, while IE had a comfortable 54%.

Fast forward to 2016 and Chrome now has 41.66%, just tipping over Microsoft at 41,35%. Sure, there's really nothing between the two web browsers but many still rely on Internet Explorer due to legacy platforms and applications that are still compatible with only specific versions of the software package. Microsoft will be looking to improve Edge in Windows 10 to attract web users back to its own offerings, but as touched on already the company has some way to go.

How are you finding Microsoft Edge, and do you see it going up against Chrome anytime soon?Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.