Secure Web Browser vs Sidefari
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Secure Web Browser
Browse the internet privately and securely on your Apple devices. This app prevents websites from tracking your activity by deleting browsing history, cookies, and cache upon exit. Enjoy peace of mind when visiting sensitive sites or sharing your device.
- Private browsing
- No history tracking
- No cookie storage
- Deletes cache on exit
- Full-screen video playback
- Pinch and zoom functionality
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Secure Web Browser is a fast and secure way to surf the Internet on your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch without worrying about leaving a trail of web sites you've visited or any web site cookies behind. That means you can go to sensitive web sites with peace of mind. Secure Web Browser is perfect for those who value their privacy or share their device with other members of the family. If you use a company-issued iPhone or iPad, you need Secure Web to ensure your personal privacy when going to your favorite sites. Some important features: 1.) Works on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. 2.) Uses the same browser technology as Safari. 3.) Supports landscape and portrait orientation (all 4 ways). 4.) You can pinch and zoom to see more details on the page. 5.) You can watch videos in full-screen just like in Safari. 6.) The Go button (green arrow) becomes an hourglass to let you know the page is loading. 7.) Does NOT remember web sites visited (no history). 8.) Does NOT keep cookies from web sites visited (no cookies). 9.) Does NOT keep HTML5 storage and file caches from web sites visited (no file/cache traces). 10.) Does NOT stay running in the background (peace of mind). 11.) EVERYTHING IS DELETED when the app exits, enters in the background or when it starts (ultimate privacy). Use Secure Web Browser and explore the Internet with more confidence, security and peace of mind!
Sidefari
This app acts as a companion to Safari, offering a "mini" version of the browser within other applications. It allows for convenient access to Safari features and content blockers, enhancing privacy and user experience.
- Safari View Controller integration
- Content blocker support
- Open Modally in Safari extension
- Side-by-side browsing on iPad
- Privacy-focused browsing
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Sidefari is a simple web browser that is designed to act as a companion to Safari. Sidefari uses a feature built into iOS called the Safari View Controller to display a "mini" version of Safari that shares many features of the full Safari app, like content blockers. How can this help you? In iOS 10.2 and newer: Sidefari features an extension called "Open Modally in Safari" that will enable you to bring a Safari-based window inside of other apps that enable ways to share website URLs. Why would you want to do this? Perhaps you prefer the convenience of having some Safari features inside the same app, or if you're conscious about your privacy perhaps you don't want to use the custom web browser many apps have. In iOS 9: When on an iPad, besides the "Open Modally in Safari" extension mentioned above, Sidefari shows as an extra Safari-based browser on the side of your screen when summoned to the side thanks to multi-tasking. Now you'll be able to have two websites simultaneously on the same screen. ** Please note that compatible iPads include the iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, and iPad Pro, or greater. Please refer to the "How to set up the extension" inside the app to learn more about how to enable Sidefari.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Sidefari at 4.0 against Secure Web Browser's 3.5. Sidefari also leads on review sentiment (66% vs 50%) and ratings volume (146 vs 8). Secure Web Browser's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 9.0). On price, update cadence, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Sidefari sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Secure Web Browser asks for nothing beyond the download.
Sidefari holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sidefari has 146 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Secure Web Browser's written reviews are positive against 66% of Sidefari's.
Secure Web Browser ships an update monthly, Sidefari every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Secure Web Browser | Sidefari |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (8 ratings) | 4.0 (146 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 65.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 | 146 — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 9.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 22 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | SinSoft, Inc. | Francisco Cantu |
Customer experience
Secure Web Browser
Sidefari
Bugs and requests
Secure Web Browser
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Sidefari
Reported bugs
10 issues- Won't do anything for iPad Gen/Air
- Flat out broken
- Unable to use
- Won't Install on iPhone
- Causes phone to reboot
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- Freezes and stops working
- Close animation is super annoying
- Keyboard input focus issues
- System crashes every time
- Makes Safari unstable
Requested features
6 requests- iPhone X update
- Ability to have two Safari apps open simultaneously
- Improve keyboard input focus
- Add bookmarks or a Safari homescreen
- Send Safari page to Sidefari as well as the other way
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- Dark mode option
In-app purchases
Secure Web Browser
No in-app purchases
Sidefari
- Tip$0.99
- Generous Tip$2.99
- Giant Tip$4.99
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Gargantuan Tip$9.99
Questions
Is Secure Web Browser free?
Is Sidefari free?
Which has better reviews, Secure Web Browser or Sidefari?
Do Secure Web Browser or Sidefari have ads?
Which is updated more often, Secure Web Browser or Sidefari?
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