Comparison

Desktop Browser vs Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Desktop Browser

Access full desktop versions of websites on your mobile device, overcoming content limitations and enhancing productivity. Enjoy a customizable browsing experience with tabbed browsing and bookmarks, seamlessly integrated with other apps.

Highlights
  • View desktop website versions
  • Tabbed browsing
  • Bookmarks
  • Customizable settings
  • Seamless app integration
  • Enhanced productivity
Features
Read full description

Desktop Browser displays the mobile or the desktop version of a website. In their mobile version some websites hide content, display different content or event present a payable content to the user. Desktop Browser let you surf the web the way you want. Desktop Experience on Mobile: With Desktop Browser, say goodbye to limitations. Enjoy the full desktop browsing experience on your iPhone, complete with tabbed browsing and bookmarks. Whether you're researching, shopping, or simply browsing the web, you'll have all the features you need at your fingertips. Enhanced Productivity: Boost your productivity with the ability to access desktop versions of websites on your iPhone. No more struggling with mobile-optimized layouts that lack functionality. With Desktop Browser, you can work more efficiently, seamlessly switching between tabs and accessing all the tools and features you need to get things done. Customization Options: Tailor your browsing experience to suit your preferences. Desktop Browser offers customizable settings, allowing you to adjust everything from font sizes to default search engines. Make your browsing experience truly your own with personalized options that enhance usability and convenience. Seamless Integration: Desktop Browser seamlessly integrates with other apps and services on your iPhone. Whether you're sharing links with friends, saving articles for later, or accessing web-based resources within other apps, Desktop Browser ensures a smooth and cohesive user experience. Continuous Updates and Support: Rest assured that you're always getting the best experience possible. Desktop Browser is regularly updated with new features, performance enhancements, and security patches to ensure optimal performance. Plus, our dedicated support team is always available to assist you with any questions or issues you may encounter. Experience the future of mobile browsing with Desktop Browser. Download the app today and unlock a world of possibilities right from your iPhone. --- Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser

A powerful, private web browser designed for customization and control. It offers desktop-style tab management, built-in ad and tracker blockers, and sync capabilities across devices. Personalize your browsing experience with themes, wallpapers, and dark mode.

Highlights
  • Ad Blocker
  • Tracker Blocker
  • Desktop-like tabs
  • Encrypted Sync
  • Customizable Themes & Wallpapers
  • Dark Mode for Webpages
  • Notes & Bookmarks
Features
Read full description

Vivaldi Browser is a powerful, personal, and private web browser. It comes packed with built-in features including desktop-style tabs, an Ad Blocker, tracking protection. Designed to put you back in control. Trusted by millions of users across the world. FEATURES: - Ad Blocker: Browse with minimal distractions. - Tracker Blocker: Stay protected with leading privacy and security features. - Custom Wallpapers & Themes: Pick a theme and background that matches your style. - Dark Mode for all webpages: Force Dark Mode to every website you visit. - Desktop-like tabs: Efficiently manage multiple websites at once. - Encrypted Sync: Seamlessly sync data across your mobile and desktop devices. - Notes: Jot down thoughts and ideas while browsing. - Bookmarks: Organize your favorite sites effortlessly. - Reading Lists: Save articles for offline reading. - Custom App Icon: Personalize Vivaldi's appearance on your home screen. - Switch Search Engines: Choose your preferred search engine on the fly. POWERFUL Packed with flexible features, all built in. PERSONAL You make it your own, Vivaldi adapts to you. PRIVATE We don't track you, or your behavior. DESKTOP-LIKE TABS Bring the robust tab management from your desktop to your iOS device. Vivaldi on iOS features a unique Tab Bar akin to the desktop browser. To activate or deactivate the Tab Bar, head to Vivaldi menu > Settings, and tap on "Show Tab Bar" to toggle the setting. SYNC ACROSS DEVICES Never feel out of touch. Sync your data across devices with end-to-end encryption. From open tabs and saved logins to bookmarks and notes, everything is seamlessly available wherever you go. Add an extra layer of security with an encryption password. SET AS DEFAULT BROWSER Ready to make the switch? Set Vivaldi as your default browser and experience the web like never before. Here's how: Go to Settings, scroll down to Vivaldi, and select it as your Default Browser App. It's that simple! ABOUT VIVALDI With millions active users and a vibrant community of over 1.4 million members worldwide, Vivaldi is redefining what a web browser can be. At Vivaldi, we believe a browser should be powerful, personal, and private. With our unique philosophy of "respect, question, create, and deliver," we're crafting a browsing experience that adapts to you, not the other way around. Some of the links in this app are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the development of Vivaldi and keeps the web browser independent. Thank you for your support! By downloading Vivaldi, you are agreeing to the End User License Agreement at https://vivaldi.com/privacy/vivaldi-end-user-license-agreement/. Learn more about how Vivaldi handles and protects your data in our Privacy Policy at https://vivaldi.com/privacy/browser/.

Screenshots

Desktop Browser4 screens
Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser at none against Desktop Browser's 6. Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (77% vs 52%). Desktop Browser's advantage is ratings volume (16K vs 4.4K). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Desktop Browser sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per 7 days. Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16K and 4.4K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Desktop Browser's written reviews are positive against 77% of Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. Both last shipped on September 30, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Desktop Browser versus Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDesktop BrowserVivaldi Powerful Web Browser
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (16K ratings)4.7 (4.4K ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.3% of reviews77.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings16K — better4.4K
Update frequencyFortnightlyFortnightly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB241 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperSpicy AppsVivaldi Technologies

Customer experience

Desktop Browser

All ratings16,020 ratings
Positive85.5%
Neutral3.3%
Negative11.2%
Written reviews664 reviews
Positive52.3%
Neutral3.5%
Negative44.3%

Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser

All ratings4,368 ratings
Positive93.5%
Neutral2.4%
Negative4.1%
Written reviews1,128 reviews
Positive77.5%
Neutral7.6%
Negative14.9%

User reviews

Desktop Browser

From 16K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Useful for desktop browsing on mobile
  • 🚀 Reliable in forcing desktop mode
  • 💡 Helpful for accessing desktop-only features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent performance on some websites
  • 💸 Aggressive monetization with ads and in-app purchases
  • 🔍 Cluttered interface with too many toolbars

Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser

From 4.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Highly customizable
  • 🔒 Strong privacy and security features
  • 🚀 Fast and responsive
  • 💡 Innovative features like tab stacking
  • 👍 Seamless cross-device sync

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and performance issues
  • 🔋 Battery drain concerns
  • 🔒 Lack of support for third-party password managers
  • 👎 Missing some basic mobile browser features (e.g., reader mode, bottom address bar)

Bugs and requests

Desktop Browser

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes when trying to upload images
  • Reloads pages unexpectedly when interacting with text fields
  • Fails to properly display desktop versions of certain websites

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add PDF export/download functionality
  • Improve tab management and background browsing
  • Provide more customization options

Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Issues with ad blocker not working consistently
  • Problems with tab syncing between devices
  • Text input lag and delays
  • Forced review prompts

Requested features

6 requests
  • Option to move address bar and navigation buttons to the bottom of the screen
  • Ability to set custom search engines
  • Implement a reader mode
  • Add support for browser extensions
  • Improve tab closing/management gestures
Show 1 more
  • Provide more customization options

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Desktop Browser

Subscriptions3
  • weekly3 Days trial$1.497 Days
  • monthly3 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • yearly3 Days trial$7.491 Year
One-time3
  • remove ads$1.99
  • browse plus$1.99
  • all features pack$2.99
None

Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Desktop Browser free?
Desktop Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser free?
Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Desktop Browser or Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser?
Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser is rated higher. Desktop Browser averages 4.4 out of 5 from 16K ratings, while Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser averages 4.7 from 4.4K ratings.
Do Desktop Browser or Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser have ads?
Desktop Browser shows ads; Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser does not.
Which is updated more often, Desktop Browser or Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser?
Desktop Browser ships an update fortnightly, and Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser fortnightly. Most recently, Desktop Browser was updated on September 30, 2026 and Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser on September 30, 2026.

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