Puffin Browser: Everything You Need to Know [Updated 2024]

Currently, the most famous browsers are Google Chrome, Safari for iOS, and then UC Browser.

Developed by CloudMosa, this cloud-based browser promises fast browsing speeds, enhanced security, and a range of features that cater to both mobile and desktop users.

In this article, we are going to talk about another upcoming and rising browser known as Puffin Browser for mobile devices.

How does Puffin browser works?

It does not work like any other normal browser. Your typically normal browsers interact with the hosts directly when you hit enter after typing in the website URL.

Puffin Browser utilizes encrypted cloud servers for content processing. It renders webpages in the cloud, it could make page loading, content rendering, and JavaScript execution faster than local device processing.

Key Features of Puffin Browser

1. Fast Browsing Speeds

One of the standout features of the Puffin Browser is its incredible speed. By leveraging cloud-based rendering, Puffin can compress data and load web pages much faster than conventional browsers. This is particularly beneficial for users with slow internet connections, as it can significantly reduce loading times.

2. Data Compression

The Puffin Browser can compress data by up to 90%, which can save users money on their data plans. This feature is especially useful for mobile users who are often concerned about data usage.

3. Secure Browsing

Security is a top priority for the Puffin Browser. It uses a variety of security features to protect users from online threats, including encryption, malware blocking, and fraud protection. By processing web content in the cloud, Puffin isolates potential threats away from your device, providing an extra layer of security.

4. Compatibility

The Puffin Browser is compatible with a wide range of websites and web applications. Whether you’re accessing social media, streaming videos, or playing online games, Puffin ensures a smooth and seamless experience.

5. Adobe Flash Support

Unlike many modern browsers, the Puffin Browser includes Adobe Flash support over the cloud. This means you can enjoy Flash content without the need for additional plugins or software.

6. Unique Navigation Controls

The mobile version of the Puffin Browser offers additional navigation controls, such as a gamepad and a mouse cursor. These features are particularly handy for mobile gaming and provide a desktop-like browsing experience on your mobile device.

Now that we have mentioned all the awesome features of Puffin browser, lets move on to the other side of the coin.

Puffin Browser for Desktop Version

The Puffin browser defaults to Google as its search engine. It only offers a handful of search engine options – Google, Yahoo, Yandex, Bing, and NAVER, with no option to manually add other search engines.

Tab management in Puffin is also quite rudimentary. There are no options to stack or pin tabs, or to view a dropdown menu of open tabs.

However, Puffin does offer a unique file saving option. When you download a file, you get a choice to save it to your computer or directly to one of three cloud storage services: Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive.

Puffin’s PDF reader is quite similar to Chrome’s, with a basic set of document features and a sidebar for viewing document attachments and outlines.

Puffin Browser for Mobile Devices

The Puffin Browser shines on mobile devices.

It offers a free version with a limited data allowance and a subscription-based model for users who need more features.

The mobile version includes all the key features mentioned above, along with some additional perks like customizable data compression ratios and a virtual trackpad.

Extra Controls in Puffin

The mobile version of Puffin also offers some additional navigation controls. It features a gamepad and a mouse cursor – quite handy for mobile gaming. The gamepad offers customizable controls, while the mouse cursor provides a desktop-like browsing experience on your mobile device.

Puffin Browser: Strengths and Weaknesses

Before we dive deeper into Puffin’s features, let’s take a quick look at its strengths and weaknesses.

Pros:

• Fast browsing speeds: It uses cloud-based rendering to compress data and speed up browsing speeds. This can be especially beneficial for users with slow internet connections.
• Data compression: Puffin Browser can compress data by up to 90%, which can save users money on their data plans.
• Security: Puffin Browser uses a variety of security features to protect users from online threats, including encryption, malware blocking, and fraud protection.
• Compatibility: Puffin Browser is compatible with a wide range of websites and web applications.

Cons:

• Performance: It can sometimes be slow to load websites and web applications, especially on older devices.
• Battery life: It can drain battery life more quickly than other browsers.
• Features: There is a lack of some features that are found in other browsers, such as ad blocking and extensions.
• Price: It is paid app on some platforms.

Is Puffin Browser Secure?

Many users wonder, “Is Puffin Browser secure?” The answer is yes, but with some caveats. While the Puffin Browser does offer robust security features, it also redirects your data to its cloud servers for processing. This means that while your device is protected from direct threats, your browsing activity is still accessible to the Puffin servers. For those highly concerned with privacy, this might be a point to consider.

Puffin TV Browser

For those who enjoy browsing on their TV, the Puffin TV Browser is optimized for Android TV. It offers fast browsing speeds, a user-friendly interface, and is perfect for video watching, music listening, and internet surfing on your TV.

Puffin Browser Alternatives

You should check out other browsers to spot the perfect one for you even though Puffin Browser comes packed with its own cool stuff. Here are some you might wanna look at:

1. Google Chrome

Super famous across the globe, Google Chrome wins folks over with its snappy performance, dependability, and a huge collection of add-ons. For anyone hunting for an all-in-one browser, Chrome’s the way to go.

2. Mozilla Firefox

You’ve also got Mozilla Firefox, a top choice for users who put a premium on having their online presence under wraps. It packs features amped up for privacy, like cracking down on sneaky trackers and working well with a bunch of security-first add-ons.

3. Opera

Not as many folks know about Opera, but it’s got a cool built-in VPN, blocks ads for you, and also has a mode that saves data. So, if keeping things private and not wasting data matter to you, Opera could be a solid pick instead of Puffin.

4. Brave Browser

People are getting into Brave Browser cause it’s super strong on keeping your info safe and stopping those annoying ads from showing up. It zaps trackers and ads right off the bat so you surf the web way quicker and keep more of your stuff to yourself. Plus, Brave’s got this cool thing called Brave Rewards. You can get tokens by saying “yes” to see ads that play nice with your privacy.

5. Rocket Browser

If you want something that’s all about being fast and simple, you gotta check out Rocket Browser. It’s made to load pages at lightning speed and is super easy to use. For folks who just want to get online without any fuss, this one’s a no-brainer.

How to Get Started with Puffin Browser

If you’re interested in trying out Puffin Browser, getting started is simple.

This browser is already available on the various platforms : Android, iOS, and desktop operating systems. Here is how you can download it on your devices:

1. Download and Install

Visit the official Puffin website or your device’s app store to download and install Puffin Browser. The installation process is straightforward, and you’ll be up and running in just a few minutes.

2. Set Up Your Preferences

Once installed, take some time to explore the settings and customize the browser. You can enable or disable the ad blocker. You can also choose your preferred search engine, and set up cloud storage integration.

3. Start Browsing

Once everything is setup, you’re ready to start browsing the web with Puffin Browser. Enjoy the fast, secure, and efficient browsing experience that Puffin has to offer.

Final Verdict : Is Puffin browser worth trying?

The Puffin Browser offers a unique browsing experience with its cloud-based rendering, fast speeds, and enhanced security features.

However, it does come with some drawbacks, such as performance issues on older devices and a lack of certain features like ad blocking.

If you’re looking for a fast and secure browser and don’t mind the potential privacy trade-offs, the Puffin Browser is worth a try.

You can try the Brave Browser instead which rewards the user as well.