Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Surf VS Ghost Browser

Compare Surf VS Ghost Browser and see what are their differences

Surf logo Surf

A simple web browser based on WebKit2/GTK+

Ghost Browser logo Ghost Browser

Ghost Browser improves your productivity with built in tab management and multi-session browsing so you can log into multiple accounts from one window.
  • Surf Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-08-25
  • Ghost Browser Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-23

In addition to Ghost Browser's productivity sidebar and built-in multi-session browsing, you can assign a different proxy to each tab for maximum identity protection.

Ghost Browser is used by customer support teams, web developers, QA testers, marketing professionals and social media managers to cut up to hours off of their day. See how Ghost is being used by these departments and more on our case studies page: https://ghostbrowser.com/case-studies/

Surf features and specs

  • Minimalism
    Surf is extremely lightweight and focuses on offering a minimalistic web browsing experience, which can result in faster performance and lower resource usage.
  • Customizability
    Users can tailor Surf to their specific needs through patches and configuration. This makes it highly adaptable for those who are comfortable with a bit of coding.
  • Integration with Suckless Tools
    Surf fits seamlessly into the Suckless ecosystem, integrating well with other minimal and efficient tools like the DWM window manager.
  • Privacy
    By default, Surf doesn't include many of the tracking features found in mainstream browsers, potentially offering a more privacy-conscious browsing experience.
  • Compliance with UNIX Philosophy
    Surf adheres to the UNIX philosophy of doing one thing well, focusing solely on web browsing without additional, potentially unwanted, features.

Possible disadvantages of Surf

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Customizing and configuring Surf can be challenging for users who are not familiar with programming or the command line.
  • Limited Features
    Due to its minimalistic design, Surf lacks many modern features like extensions, tabs, and a built-in password manager that are standard in other browsers.
  • Manual Updates
    Users need to manually update the browser, which can be a hassle compared to automatic updates provided by mainstream browsers.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Surf may have trouble rendering some modern web pages correctly, as it lacks some of the compatibility layers found in more feature-complete browsers.
  • Community Support
    Being a niche and minimalist browser, Surf does not have as large a user base or as much community support compared to more popular browsers.

Ghost Browser features and specs

  • Multi-Session Browsing
    Ghost Browser allows users to simultaneously log into multiple sessions of the same website using different tabs, which is particularly useful for tasks such as social media management and QA testing.
  • Project Management
    The browser supports the organization of tabs into projects, making it easier to manage various workflows and switch between different tasks without losing context.
  • Chromium-Based
    As a Chromium-based browser, Ghost Browser supports all Chrome extensions and enjoys similar security and performance benefits, providing a familiar and robust user experience.
  • Efficiency and Productivity
    Ghost Browser enhances productivity by reducing the need for multiple browser profiles and windows. Users can handle various accounts and projects more efficiently in a single interface.
  • Security Features
    The browser includes various security features such as sandboxing, which isolates each tab to prevent website errors or malware from affecting other tabs or the operating system.

Possible disadvantages of Ghost Browser

  • Cost
    While there is a free version, many advanced features of Ghost Browser are locked behind a subscription paywall, which may be a barrier for some users.
  • Performance Impact
    Running multiple sessions in several tabs can be resource-intensive, potentially leading to slower performance, especially on older or less powerful computers.
  • Learning Curve
    Users accustomed to traditional browsing experiences may find Ghost Browser's interface and features initially challenging to navigate, resulting in a learning curve.
  • Limited Support
    Being a niche browser, Ghost Browser has limited community support and troubleshooting resources compared to more mainstream browsers like Chrome or Firefox.
  • Privacy Concerns
    As with any browser that handles multiple sessions and accounts, users may have concerns about privacy and data security, especially in terms of how their data is managed and stored.

Analysis of Surf

Overall verdict

  • Surf can be considered 'good' for users who value simplicity, minimal system resource usage, and the ability to customize their browsing experience via external scripts or patches. However, it might not be suitable for those who rely heavily on modern web features and extensions available in mainstream browsers.

Why this product is good

  • Surf is a minimalist web browser created by the Suckless community, known for developing software that adheres to the philosophy of simplicity and clarity. It is designed to be lightweight and efficient, making it suitable for users who prefer minimalism and are comfortable using a browser without a graphical user interface (GUI) for settings or extensions.

Recommended for

  • Users who are familiar with Unix-like operating systems and command-line interfaces.
  • Individuals who prefer lightweight and efficient software.
  • Those willing to customize their browser through external tools and scripts.
  • Minimalists who do not require a plethora of features and extensions.

Analysis of Ghost Browser

Overall verdict

  • Ghost Browser is generally considered a good tool for those who need to manage multiple accounts or projects simultaneously. Its unique features can significantly boost productivity for users who deal with complex web-based tasks. However, its niche focus might not make it the best choice for casual users who do not require session management.

Why this product is good

  • Ghost Browser is a specialized web browser designed to enhance productivity by allowing users to manage multiple accounts and tasks within a single window. With features like session isolation, users can effortlessly switch between different login sessions for various websites without any conflicts. Additionally, Ghost Browser is built on the Chromium engine, ensuring compatibility with Chrome extensions and a familiar interface for Chrome users. Freelancers, digital marketers, and social media managers often appreciate its capabilities for streamlining workflows.

Recommended for

  • Digital marketers managing multiple client accounts
  • Social media managers who need to access various accounts simultaneously
  • Web developers and testers who require isolated browsing sessions
  • Freelancers handling multiple projects

Surf videos

Pro Surfer Reviews Surf Movies, from 'Blue Crush' to 'Point Break' | Vanity Fair

More videos:

  • Review - Noel's "2021 Favorite Finds" Surfboards & Surf Product Must Haves
  • Tutorial - Surf Tip "How to Surf Faster in Small Waves" Part 1

Ghost Browser videos

Meet Ghost Browser

More videos:

  • Review - Ghost Browser Review
  • Demo - Ghost Browser Demo - The Productivity Browser for Tech Pros

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Surf and Ghost Browser)
Web Browsers
43 43%
57% 57
Web Development Tools
51 51%
49% 49
Customisable Web Browser
0 0%
100% 100
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Surf and Ghost Browser

Surf Reviews

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Ghost Browser Reviews

6 Alternative Browsers That Aren't Chrome or Firefox
Tabbed projects are also available, which is very useful when you're working on a project and want to bring up all relevant bookmarks in a single click. Plus, Ghost Browser is a Chromium browser, so it's compatible with the Chrome Web Store.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Surf seems to be a lot more popular than Ghost Browser. While we know about 45 links to Surf, we've tracked only 1 mention of Ghost Browser. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Surf mentions (45)

  • How to build a circular LCD clock
    Interesting, surf is based off WebKit2. https://surf.suckless.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 9 days ago
  • Ladybird browser spreads its wings
    What about surf? https://surf.suckless.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • A peculiarity of the X Window System: Windows all the way down
    Another awesome aspect of X11: Xembed. Since it's "windows all the way down" you can have apps (rather than the window manager or root window) be the parent of other app windows. Two nifty examples of this: * https://tools.suckless.org/tabbed/ * https://surf.suckless.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • The Ladybird Browser Project
    Don't forget WebKit. It leads to project such as https://surf.suckless.org. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Tampermonkey: Dev Mode will become mandatory for running userscripts in Chromium
    I would assume surf[0], I don't know if suckless has any other browser. [0]: https://surf.suckless.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
View more

Ghost Browser mentions (1)

  • Help! I want to listen in the browser without signing into chrome.
    If none of that will work, I think you're looking at getting permission to use something like GhostBrowser or Wavebox on your work computer, or to be allowed to use the SessionBox Chrome extension, which might be the easiest sell if you offer to eat the cost yourself. This is a first-world problem for sure, but I feel for you all the same; few things can make my workday shittier more quickly than bad music or no... Source: over 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Surf and Ghost Browser, you can also consider the following products

Sidekick Browser - The fastest browser for work ever made

Vivaldi - Vivaldi is a free, fast web browser designed for power-users. You decide how you browse. Download Vivaldi's fully customisable browser now and browse your way.

Pale Moon - Pale Moon is an Open Source, Mozilla-derived web browser available for Microsoft Windows and Linux, focusing on efficiency and ease of use.

Houseparty - Brining empathy to online communication.

Midori - Midori is a lightweight, fast, and free web browser.

Coindive - Stay effortlessly updated on your favorite crypto projects.