Cookies in Web Browser: How Different Browsers Handle Cookies

Cookies in web browsers quietly power much of the browsing experience, remembering preferences, personalising content, and keeping sessions running smoothly.

But not all cookies are the same. And more importantly, not all browsers treat them the same way.

Some block trackers by default, others do not. These differences can affect user privacy, how websites work, and how developers build for compliance.

In this article, we explore how major browsers handle cookies and why this matters for users and developers.

Cookies are fundamental to how the web works. These small text files are created by web servers and stored on a user’s device via their browser. They help websites remember actions, preferences, and sessions—bridging the stateless nature of HTTP and enabling a smoother, more personalised browsing experience.

Beyond convenience, cookies also play a key role in advertising and analytics by tailoring content based on user behaviour. But while they enhance functionality, they also raise important privacy concerns, especially in the context of modern data protection regulations.

Cookies serve different purposes based on type:

• Session cookies are temporary and disappear when the browser closes. They support actions like keeping items in a shopping cart during a visit.

• Persistent cookies remain on the device after a session, storing preferences and login info to personalise repeat visits.

• Third-party cookies are set by external domains, mainly for advertising. They track users across sites and raise privacy concerns.

In web development, cookies are essential for creating seamless and personalised user experiences. From e-commerce to social media and interactive apps, they enable websites to remember user preferences, store session data, and support critical functions like authentication.

This versatility makes cookies a powerful tool for building functional, user-friendly websites. But with that power comes responsibility. Developers must handle cookies with care, ensuring transparency, securing data, and complying with privacy regulations like the GDPR. Failing to do so can lead to compliance risks and loss of user trust.

Effective cookie management ensures privacy compliance and builds user trust. Clear consent options, easy withdrawal, and purpose-based grouping improve transparency. 

But there’s another layer developers must account for: the browser.

Each browser handles cookies differently—blocking, storing, or limiting them in unique ways. Developers must also consider how each browser handles cookies differently, as this affects user experience and consent tracking across websites.

Different browsers manage cookies uniquely, affecting how users experience the web. This variability complicates both user experience and web development. Developers must consider each browser's specific handling rules. Here, we will explore how popular browsers manage cookies, focusing on their default settings, user controls, and privacy features.

Allowed by default

Chrome permits websites to store cookies that match the domain shown in the address bar. These cookies enable core site functionality such as maintaining sessions, remembering preferences, and keeping users logged in.

Still allowed by default

Google Chrome continues to allow third-party cookies. Although Google initially planned to phase them out as part of the Privacy Sandbox initiative, it has delayed and reconsidered full deprecation. Users can still manage how third-party cookies behave through Chrome’s privacy settings.

Chrome gives users several cookie management options:

• Block all cookies or only third-party cookies through Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies.
• Clear cookies and site data for individual websites via the site settings interface.
• Set exceptions to allow or block cookies for specific domains.
• Enable additional controls through advanced features like “Clear cookies and site data when you close all windows.”

Allowed by default

Firefox permits cookies from the sites users are actively visiting. These cookies help remember user preferences, login status, and browsing behaviour on that site.

Blocked for known trackers by default

Firefox uses Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP) to block third-party cookies from known tracking domains. Other non-tracking third-party cookies are allowed under the default settings.

Firefox gives users extensive control over how cookies are managed:

• Clear cookies and site data easily through Settings > Privacy & Security. Users can delete all cookies or only those from specific sites.

• Granular privacy settings let users block or allow cookies and trackers on a site-by-site basis. Options include clearing data on exit, managing exceptions, and reviewing all saved cookies.

First-party cookies

Allowed by default

Safari accepts cookies and website data only from websites that the users visit by default. This includes first-party cookies and select third-party cookies embedded within sites the users have previously visited. This setting helps preserve functionality while reducing unwanted tracking.

Third-party cookies

Effectively blocked by default

Safari limits third-party tracking using a combination of default cookie policies and Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP). ITP uses on-device machine learning to classify and restrict tracking capabilities of third-party domains, including blocking their cookies or capping their lifespan.

Although Safari’s default setting allows cookies from “websites I visit,” third-party cookies from unknown or unvisited domains are blocked, effectively preventing many advertisers and third-party trackers from storing cookies.

User controls

Edge includes several tools for managing cookies and tracking:

• Users can view and adjust their tracking prevention settings from Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services.
• Cookies and site data can be cleared individually or in bulk from Settings > Cookies and site permissions.
• A tracking prevention dashboard shows which trackers have been blocked.
• Users can send “Do Not Track” requests to websites, although compliance depends on the site.

CPRA and cookie preferences

Under the CPRA:

• Users must be informed about what data is collected
• Websites must offer a ‘Do Not Sell or Share My Data’ option
• Cookie dashboards should allow users to manage data preferences

Both laws have driven the adoption of user-first privacy practices across websites and browsers.

Understanding how browsers handle cookies is essential for both users and developers. Each browser takes a different approach to balance privacy, functionality, and compliance with regulations like GDPR and CCPA. Staying informed helps users protect their data, while developers can build more privacy-compliant experiences.

Cookie management is shifting toward stricter privacy controls and smarter tracking prevention. Browsers will likely use AI to enhance protection, offering greater transparency and personalised yet secure browsing.