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Instead of following the crowd, choose a different browser with custom skins and video capabilities

Instead of following the crowd, choose a different browser with custom skins and video capabilities

Vote: (392 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: baidu

Version: 40.17.1000.248

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(392 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

baidu

40.17.1000.248

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Simple layout with an appealing design
  • Automatic Facebook integration
  • Download videos and capture screenshots by default
  • Custimizable layouts and sidebar

Cons

  • The privacy concerns regarding any small developer
  • Can install additional programs if you don't manually prevent it

Baidu Spark Browser is an alternative browsing solution that runs on the same code that powers Google Chrome. This means that existing Chrome users will feel right at home with the UI. However, there are a few unique features that make Baidu Spark well worth the download even if you already have another browser installed.

Social media users will love how Baidu seamlessly integrates with Facebook when you first log in. You have a host of options for customizing the layout of your web experience. There are tons of custom skins to choose from. You can even edit and upload your own if nothing tickles your fancy.

Blazing Fast Connection

One of the first things Baidu users realize is just how much quicker their internet speeds get. Baidu doesn't throttle your connection the way popular mainstream browsers do. This means that you can download videos and other large files way faster then you can with your existing browser. You can also snap screenshots without needing to download any add-ons. A still image is merely a click away when using Baidu Browser.

The same is true when your goal is to download videos. Instead of installing third-party software, Baidu allows you to download any video embedded into the pages you visit. By navigating to the sidebar, you can easily choose the video resolution and start the download. In most cases, it only takes a few seconds to download an HD video.

Mouse Gesture Control

Baidu can also save you tons of time when getting work done. The browser uses an innovative series of mouse gestures to access various shortcuts. You can close tabs, change windows, go backward, and tons of other things with a few precise mouse movements. While it takes a few browsing sessions to get used to, you will be speeding through each command in no time. If you still prefer the standard clicking model, Baidu continues to work using the traditional format as well.

Security Features

In this day and age, it is important to stay safe when going online. Baidu offers a suite of advanced security features to help you navigate the web without worry. There is a built-in virus blocker that scans every file introduced to your computer. In addition to blocking malicious downloads, it also warns you about visiting sites that try to plant spyware on your computer.

Baidu also includes an ad blocker with each download. This makes each webpage you visit load much faster. It also prevents you from clicking on shady pop-up ads that attempt to alter your browser settings. If there is a website or creator you want to support, you can whitelist certain websites in order to view their non-intrusive advertisements.

The Bottom Line

Baidu Browser is an excellent choice for those who want a superior browsing experience. You can download videos, block ads, and capture screenshots without the hassle of downloading additional software. You also get a blazing fast connection that makes browsing the wen even more enjoyable. Overall, Baidu is more than worth trying if you are fed up with your current browsing solution.

Pros

  • Simple layout with an appealing design
  • Automatic Facebook integration
  • Download videos and capture screenshots by default
  • Custimizable layouts and sidebar

Cons

  • The privacy concerns regarding any small developer
  • Can install additional programs if you don't manually prevent it

Pros

  • Customizable Skins
  • Gesture Integration
  • Facebook Integration
  • Download Videos
  • Capture Screenshots

Cons

  • No Gesture Customization

Baidu Spark Browser is now simply known as Baidu Browser, and the software uses the same foundation as Google Chrome. The Chromium engine powers Baidu Browser, and it features the same sleek design and appealing aesthetics as other world-class browsers. You can change the skin on the software so it better matches your personality, and Facebook has been integrated into the browser. Unlike other browsers, Baidu has a feature that allows you to easily download videos you find while surfing the web.

This browser features a sidebar that has all the most important tools and information you need. It shows your bookmarks, downloads folder, a Facebook widget, and a zoom function. The Facebook widget gives you a look at your Feed in real-time.

One unique feature of Baidu Browser is that you can perform specific tasks and actions through gesture control with the mouse. You can use these gestures to close or open tabs, change between tabs, and move up and down a page. If you want to learn all the gestures at your disposal, you can see them all under the Settings within the Tools menu. Unfortunately, it is not possible to alter these gestures or make new ones.

A dedicated Media button in the app lets you instantly download any video you view online from any source. You can also prevent annoying hidden music in a sea of open tabs by muting all tabs at once.

When you open a blank tab in Baidu Browser, you'll see a collection of the websites that you most commonly visit. This grid helps you access your most-visited sites quickly and efficiently.

Another unusual but useful feature of Baidu Browser is that the app can take screenshots. You can select to snap an image of the whole screen, or you can crop the area and select just a small portion to capture. If you want to edit the image, the software includes some rudimentary editing features to add text, retouch areas, and optimize colors.

Users of Chrome will instantly recognize the similarities between these two browsers, but Baidu Browser has a distinctly youthful appearance that seems fresh and new. The browser uses a light electric blue for the default color, but you can change it to one of the other pre-installed skins. Near the tab bar is a button that lets you make this change.

Whenever you aren't using the sidebar, it can be hidden to avoid blocking the screen. If you want to quickly download a video or take a screenshot, there are buttons for those functions beside the browser address bar.

If you want to find a legitimate browser that can replace Chrome, Safari, or Firefox, Baidu Browser is your best option. It offers the same speed and quality as those other premium browsers, and it includes some functionality those other apps don't have.

Pros

  • Customizable Skins
  • Gesture Integration
  • Facebook Integration
  • Download Videos
  • Capture Screenshots

Cons

  • No Gesture Customization