One of the advantages of Android is the ability to choose another default browser. You have the most popular option in Google Chrome along with other Chromium-derived options like Microsoft Edge, Vivaldi, Brave, etc. However, if you have a cheaper (or older) device, you may find the top picks unsatisfactory and memory hungry.

Fortunately, several third-party browsers are designed to be as fast as possible, taking the performance of the hardware they’re running on to a minimum. BrowserVio​ by XDA Senior Member tipzrickycheung is one such browser and offers many useful features. Not only is the app free and open source, but it also uses Android’s built-in WebView component as a backend to reduce the footprint.

On any modern Android version, the WebView module is automatically updated through the Play Store. Of course, there are some differences between a WebView wrapper and a browser written based on Chromium’s Blink engine, but you probably won’t be able to tell. Browservio is not just a wrapper, as it has all the essentials for a regular user. You can enable desktop view for individual sites, opt for tabbed browsing, and even switch between light and dark mode. Ad blocking and Do Not Track features are also available.

Browservio also contains many advanced features. For example, there is an option to set a custom user agent when accessing a webpage. You can also disable JavaScript content to see what a site looks like without all the moving parts.

Here is an overview of the features offered by Browservio:

• Multi-tab (Android 5.0+)
• App Shortcuts (Android 7.1+, requires supported launcher)
• Desktop mode and custom UA support
• History folders
• Favorites
• Ad Blocker and Do Not Track
• Search Suggestions
• Better error page

If you’re looking for a lightweight browser to try, try Browservio. You can find the latest version on the project’s GitLab repository or grab the APK directly from the forum thread linked below.

Browservio: XDA download and thread || GitLab repository