Comparison of Web Browsers: Chrome/Firefox

Google Chrome Vs Mozilla Firefox Frederickson 1
Comparison of Web Browsers

Chrome/Firefox
Samuel Frederickson ([email protected])

University of Idaho
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Methodology 3
Equipment and Environment 3
Tasks 3
Metrics 4
Likert Scale……………………………………………………………………………………………...................................... 4
Results 5
Task 1: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Task 2: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6
Task 3: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7
Task 4: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8
Task 5: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9
Task 6: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………10
Task 7: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………11
Task 8: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………12
Task 9: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….13
Task 10: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
Recommendations and Conclusion…………………..………………………………………………………………………………15
Appendix: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..15
Introduction
Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are two of the most popular web browsers around
currently. Both are free software’s able to be used by any person whether they are
technologically fluent or new to modern browsing technology. This white paper represents the
usability of each web browser. The test will consist of 10 different tasks that will be
encountered by both new and old users.
Methodology
Equipment and Environment
This test is performed on a custom build desktop computer running Microsoft Windows 10. In
the computer there is a I5-9600K processor, MSI GTX 1060 graphics card, and a 500GB Samsung
SSD. The network being used for this testing is First Step Internets 50 Mb upload and download
speed connected via ethernet to the computer.
These tasks are all to be performed with no other tabs open as well as no other major programs
open. These tasks will be run one after the other to ensure that there is no major increase or
decrease in speed from one test to the other.
Tasks
The performance of each word processing platform was evaluated in ten different tasks:
1. Change look of browser home page

2. Change browser appearance to dark/light mode.
3. Create Incognito Window
4. Change Security Settings.
5. Change privacy settings
6. Access help or information on the browser.
7. Bookmark a webpage and access it again.
8. Access Search History.
9. Change Search Engine
10. Allow Microphone/Headphones from browser.
Metrics
The following metrics were used to evaluate the five components that define usability:
Effective: Was I able to complete the task?
Efficient: Was I able to complete the task with a reasonable amount of time?
Engaging: Does the style of appearance of the product enhanced my experience?
Error Tolerant: Does the Web Browser correct potential errors?
Easy to Learn: Is the web Browser easy to learn for beginners?
Likert Scale
Each of these metrics was evaluated using a six-point Likert scale. The higher the score, the
higher chance one will be the preferable web browser. These will all be judged based on the
metrics above.
Table 1. Likert Scale
Strongly Disagree Disagree Slightly Disagree Slightly Agree Agree Strongly

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Results
Task 1: Change look of browser home page
Google Chrome allows for easy
appearance changes to your
homepage. Changing appearance is
one of the first options granted
They didn’t allow for many
appearance change options but the
ones that are offered allow for easy
switching on and off.
Above: Google Chrome | Below: Firefox
With Firefox, its even easier to change you

home page appearance. When you click the
settings icon on Firefox, the first thing to come
up is appearance changing and with many more
options than Chrome.
Overall Scores Based on the 6-Point Likert Scale and

all the metrics:
Google Chrome: 28/30
Mozilla Firefox: 29/30

Task 2: Change browser to light / dark mode.

Google Chrome allows for you to change your theme to generally anything you want on the
Google Chrome Web Store. Changing to just basic themes like light and dark seem to be a little
more complicated than one would expect. Even switching to these basic color schemes and
themes, you still must navigate to the chrome store.
Above: Google Chrome | Below: Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox allows you to change you
theme in a variety of ways as well. Mozilla has
built in basic themes for you to quickly change
through including light and dark mode. It also
allows you to find more themes if you would
prefer a custom setting.
Overall Scores Based on the 6-Point Likert Scale

and all the metrics:

Task 3: Open an Incognito Window

Google Chrome allows for easy opening of an incognito window. All you must do is navigate to
the three dots in a vertical line and the top right of your web browser and click open new
incognito window.
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox is just as easy. All you must do is navigate to the topright to the three horizontal
lines and then you will see open private window.
Mozilla Firefox
Overall Scores Based on the 6-Point Likert Scale and all the metrics:

Task 4: Change Security Settings

Google Chrome allows for simple
changing of security settings. It has
different options that give you security.
In order to get more secure, you are
required to send more info to google
so you will relinquish some privacy in
order to do so.
Mozilla Firefox also allows for simple

chaning of secuirty settings. They do
not give you as many options as google
chrome does but they do not require
that you relinquish privacy to increase
secuirty.
Above: Google Chrome | Below: Firefox
Overall Scores Based on the 6-

Point Likert Scale and all the
metrics:

Task 5: Change Privacy Settings

Google Chrome does not have a whole lot of broad privacy settings. Most of their privacy settings or
more so based on certain site you visit. There are a few things that can be changed such as cookies and
browser data but other than those. It is all site specific.
Firefox allows for more personal

settings when it comes to
privacy. They make it very easy to
change settings as it is one of the
first tabs you see when you open
settings in Firefox. Firefox goes
into the specifics of privacy.
Overall Scores Based on the 6-Point

Likert Scale and all the metrics:

Task 6: Access Help or Info on the Browser

Google Chrome allows for easy
opening of help and info. All you
must do is navigate to the three
dots in a vertical line and the top
right of your web browser, hover
over help and select whichever
option wanted.
Firefox is just as easy. All you must do is navigate to the topright

to the three horizontal lines and then you will see help. You can click
help and get a menu much more intuitive than Google Chromes
with many tabs to chose from.

Task 7: Bookmark a webpage and access it again

Google Chrome allows for easy addition of
bookmarks to your most visited webpages. On
every webpage there is a URL at the top of the
screen. All the way to the right of that URL
there is a star and if you click it, it
automatically adds a bookmark. Bookmarks
can be accessed again when opening a blank
browser. All your bookmarked websites will
show up at the top of your homepage and you
can click on the one you want to travel to.
Firefox has a similar system. They also have the star in the
URL but unlike google. Mozilla requires a little bit more to get
back to those pages. Instead of having all your bookmarks at
the top, they have a separate button you press to see your
bookmarks. While it doesn’t take too much more time
compared to Google Chrome, it can get confusing for those
who don’t know where to look.
Overall Scores Based on the 6-Point Likert

Scale and all the metrics:

Task 8: Access Search History

Google Chrome makes it easy to
access your search history. If you
click the three vertical dots in the
top right, you will have drop down
that has a tab called history.
Clicking this brings you to your
history where you can find
something you may have closed, or
even to permanently delete
websites from your history
Firefox also allows for easy access to search history.

There is one extra step, but it is not to complicated.
First you must click the icon in the top right which is 3
vertical lines and it will drop down a menu where you
will have to click library and then from there you can
see your history. If you were brand new to this
software you may get lost looking for these icons.

Task 9: Change Search Engine

Google Chrome allows you to change your search engine to an engine other than google. They
allow you to swap to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo!, and Ecosia. It is very easy to switch as well.
Under the settings button for google chrome there is tab called search engine and you can
easily swap.
Similarly, Firefox also allows for search engine switching. If you click the cog in the top right,
you will go straight to settings and from there. You can click search and then choose your
Default Search Engine. They have a few different option for you to search from.

Task 10: Allow Headphone / Microphone is browser.

Google Chrome allows for the use
of headphones and microphone
in browser. In order to change
these settings you must go to
your privacy settings and then to
site settings where you will get
the ability to change the
permission for certain sites and
application to use these devices.
Firefox also allows for the

same thing but it is a lot
more simple to change
these settings. Under the
privacy and security tab of
Firefox settings you will
have the permission listed
and you can change them
in any way you feel
Overall Scores Based on the

6-Point Likert Scale and all
the metrics:

Conclusion and Recommendation

Overall Scores:

Overall the higher score was given to Mozilla Firefox. Both programs have many features which
help with everyday web browsing, but Firefox seemed to have the tools laid out in a more
streamline fashion to make things easier.
Appendix:
Task 1: Change Look of browser home page Google Chrome

Metric 1: Was I able to complete the task?
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Metric 2: Was I able to complete the task within a reasonable time?
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Metric 3: Does the style and appearance enhance my experience
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Metric 4: Does the web browser correct potential errors?
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Metric 5: Is the web Browser easy to learn for beginners?
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 1: Change Look of browser home page Mozilla Firefox

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 2: Change Browser appearance to light/dark mode. Google Chrome

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 2: Change Browser appearance to light/dark mode. Mozilla

Firefox
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 3: Create Incognito Window Google Chrome

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 3: Create Incognito Window Mozilla

Firefox
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 4: Change Security Settings Google Chrome

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 4: Change Security Settings Mozilla

Firefox
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6

Firefox
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6

Firefox
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 5: Change Privacy Settings Google Chrome

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 5: Change Privacy Settings Mozilla Firefox

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 6: Access Help or Info on the Browser Google Chrome

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 6: Access Help or Info on the Browser Mozilla

Firefox
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 7: Bookmark a page and access it again Google Chrome

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 7: Bookmark a page and access it again Mozilla Firefox

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 8: Access Search History Google Chrome

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 8: Access Search History Mozilla

Firefox
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 9: Change Search Engine Google Chrome

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 9: Change Search Engine Mozilla Firefox

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 10: Allow Headphone / Microphone in Browser Google Chrome

Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Task 10: Allow Headphone / Microphone in Browser Mozilla

Firefox
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6
Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6

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Google Chrome Vs Mozilla Firefox Frederickson 1

Comparison of Web Browsers

Samuel Frederickson ([email protected])

Task 10: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14

Recommendations and Conclusion…………………..………………………………………………………………………………15

1. Change look of browser home page

Effective: Was I able to complete the task?

Engaging: Does the style of appearance of the product enhanced my experience?

Error Tolerant: Does the Web Browser correct potential errors?

Easy to Learn: Is the web Browser easy to learn for beginners?

Table 1. Likert Scale

Strongly Disagree Disagree Slightly Disagree Slightly Agree Agree Strongly

Above: Google Chrome | Below: Firefox

With Firefox, its even easier to change you

Overall Scores Based on the 6-Point Likert Scale and

Google Chrome: 28/30

Mozilla Firefox: 29/30

Task 2: Change browser to light / dark mode.

Above: Google Chrome | Below: Mozilla Firefox

Overall Scores Based on the 6-Point Likert Scale

Google Chrome: 27/30

Mozilla Firefox: 29/30

Task 3: Open an Incognito Window

Google Chrome: 30/30

Mozilla Firefox: 30/30

Task 4: Change Security Settings

Mozilla Firefox also allows for simple

Above: Google Chrome | Below: Firefox

Overall Scores Based on the 6-

Google Chrome: 28/30

Mozilla Firefox: 28/30

Task 5: Change Privacy Settings

Firefox allows for more personal

Overall Scores Based on the 6-Point

Google Chrome: 27/30

Mozilla Firefox: 28/30

Task 6: Access Help or Info on the Browser

Firefox is just as easy. All you must do is navigate to the topright

Google Chrome: 28/30

Mozilla Firefox: 29/30

Task 7: Bookmark a webpage and access it again

Overall Scores Based on the 6-Point Likert

Google Chrome: 30/30

Mozilla Firefox: 28/30

Task 8: Access Search History

Firefox also allows for easy access to search history.

Google Chrome: 30/30

Mozilla Firefox: 29/30

Task 9: Change Search Engine

Google Chrome: 30/30

Mozilla Firefox: 30/30

Task 10: Allow Headphone / Microphone is browser.

Firefox also allows for the

Overall Scores Based on the

Google Chrome: 28/30

Mozilla Firefox: 30/30

Conclusion and Recommendation

Google Chrome: 286/300

Mozilla Firefox: 290/300