The name might not exactly roll off the tongue, at least not without a compulsive urge to follow it up with entendre, but the Dooble browser is one worth remembering. It doesn’t boast the flashiest interface, or indeed the fastest performance, but if security and privacy are things you take seriously then this indie browser will be of great interest. The signs of how important these features are to Dooble are evident from the first time you launch the program. While most modern browsers offer a private or incognito mode, Dooble is set that way by default. So much so that if you want the browser to remember anything at all from your time online you need to create a master password, otherwise everything is wiped when you exit the program. Roaming the web is also a stranger experience, as Dooble has Flash and Javascript disabled by default. This means that there are no ads, and a pretty lean supply of media content on sites where you might expect them to be. Now this could seem like heaven to some, but it can make the internet a pretty dull place at times. It’s also not that helpful in telling you why Youtube isn’t working, or providing you a link to download flash for broken videos. Several pages took a few attempts to load as well, or were rendered in an odd way that made using them virtually impossible. (Also see: How to delete cookies and browsing history.) The lack of documentation is also something of a problem, as advanced features like the FTP browser, file manager, and even the temperamental search box need further explanation to really get the best out of them. Security and convenience have never been easy bedfellows though, and for its intended use Dooble is a success. Navigation is swift, the functionality (when you understand it) can be quite impressive, and the knowledge that you’re safe from many of the worst hazards of the web is a comforting thought. You wouldn’t really want to use this as your daily driver though unless you were desperately trying to avoid detection. The compromises made in terms of safety really do have a dramatic effect on the quality of content available online, and even basic website functionality can be a challenge at times. When partnered with a more fully featured browser on the machine, we can see Dooble being a useful tool, but by itself it’s just too much effort. Read next: Best browsers for Windows and best alternative web browsers Martyn has been involved with tech ever since the arrival of his ZX Spectrum back in the early 80s. He covers iOS, Android, Windows and macOS, writing tutorials, buying guides and reviews for Macworld and its sister site Tech Advisor.
