Microsoft Edge vs w3m
Microsoft Edge
microsoft.comw3m
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Microsoft Edge | w3m |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Web browsers | 9.1 (#9) | 7.5 (#122) |
| Supported platforms | both | desktop |
Plans
In their own words
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is a free web browser for desktop and mobile devices, available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and the web. It uses Chromium, supports extensions, and includes ad blocking and tracking prevention with selectable protection levels. Copilot can summarize pages, answer questions, compare options, and help with tasks using open-tab context. Other listed tools include AI-powered tab cleanup, theme creation from words, and a scareware blocker. Security features help block phishing and malware; Password Monitor can alert users if saved passwords appear in an online leak. Sleeping tabs pause inactive pages to reduce CPU and memory use. Energy Saver may provide an average of 25 more minutes of battery life, though results vary with settings and use. Mac features include Spotlight search, Touch ID, trackpad gestures, and macOS visuals. Edge also offers an in-game browser for PC gaming and access to free Microsoft 365 web apps. Feature availability and functionality may vary by device, market, and browser version.
w3m
w3m is a pager that also functions as a text-mode web browser. When reading HTML, it lets users follow links and open images through an external image viewer. Its internet message mode checks a document’s header and renders content marked text/html as HTML. Plain-text URL descriptions can be converted into links, supporting terminal-oriented browsing and document reading. w3m is free and open source, listed at free, with no paid plans or usage limits stated. Linux is a documented platform for desktop use. Building it on MS-Windows requires Cygwin and development tools. The installation notes require the GC library and describe a configure, make, and make install process. The project permits use, modification, and redistribution when copyright notices remain in copies, applications, and derived works. Documentation identifies poor online manuals as a current problem. The GitHub repository says the package is maintained for Debian and forked from the original SourceForge version, while its releases page lists no releases. The software is provided without express or implied warranty.