Puffin Web Browser

Lightning fast browsing with cloud power and Flash support

Puffin Web Browser takes a very different approach to surfing the web, offloading most of the heavy lifting to powerful cloud servers. The result is strikingly fast page loading, especially on resource-intensive sites full of scripts, images and animations. If you’re tired of sluggish performance on complex pages, Puffin can feel like a serious upgrade.

Because pages are rendered in the cloud and then compressed before they reach you, Puffin can drastically cut bandwidth usage. The developer claims savings of up to 80% for regular browsing, which makes it a smart option if you’re on a tight data plan or often tether. This same architecture also powers Puffin’s biggest party trick: built-in support for legacy Flash content, including a dedicated theater mode that makes old Flash videos and games surprisingly usable.

Security is another strong point. Traffic is encrypted between your device and Puffin’s servers, giving you an extra layer of protection on public Wi-Fi hotspots. The integrated ad blocker, desktop and standard viewing modes, virtual trackpad and gamepad, plus the ability to download files straight to the cloud (up to 1GB each), round out a feature set tailored to power users and gamers alike.

The trade-off is Puffin’s subscription model. The monthly plan is inexpensive and comes with a 7-day free trial, while daily and weekly prepaid options let you pay only when you need it. Still, moving away from a free, unlimited model may put off casual users who only browse occasionally.

Overall, Puffin Web Browser is an excellent choice if speed, data savings, Flash compatibility and extra security matter to you, and you’re comfortable with a low-cost subscription in exchange for that performance.