In this blog post, we’ll explore the key differences between cache and cookies, explaining their functions and how they’re used. You’ll also learn how cache and cookies work in your browser and discover simple steps to clear cache and cookies to improve your browsing experience.
Cache and cookies are the two essential components of web technologies that help websites improve their performance and enhance the browsing experience for their users. Cache stores website elements like images, HTML, and CSS files on your browser, which reduces loading times when you revisit a site.
Cookies, on the other hand, store information about users and their activities, such as login details, language preferences, and browsing sessions. This data helps websites to personalize user experience and track user behavior for analytics.
While both cache and cookies play important roles, there’s more to understand about their functions and management. In this post, we’ll delve into the technicalities of cache and cookies, how they work, and how to clear them from your browsers.
Key Takeaways:
- Cache stores temporary website resources (like images and scripts) to speed up loading times, while cookies store user-specific data (like login details and preferences) to personalize browsing.
- Cache enhances performance by reducing server load, whereas cookies enable user tracking and customized experiences but may raise privacy concerns.
- Regularly clearing cache resolves outdated data issues, while clearing cookies addresses login or privacy concerns, ensuring a smoother and safer browsing experience.
A cache is a temporary storage of website resources, such as images, HTML pages, CSS codes, etc. When a user accesses a website, the browser loads various graphical resources from it and saves them in cache memory. Upon revisiting the same website, the browser loads these resources from the cache to load the web page faster.
Why Is Cache Used?
Caches are used in various contexts, such as:
- Web browsers: Browsers cache web pages, images, and other resources to load websites faster when revisiting them. This prevents re-downloading the same content every time you visit a site.
- Servers and databases: Servers use cache to store frequently requested data, so they don’t have to fetch it from the database repeatedly. This reduces server load and speeds up response times.
- Applications: Software and apps cache data, such as configuration files, to speed up the startup process and operations.
- Hardware: In processors, caches store frequently used instructions or data in smaller, faster memory (L1, L2, L3 caches) to speed up access compared to the main memory (RAM).
Caches improve efficiency by reducing the need to repeatedly fetch data from a slower or more resource-intensive source. However, caches can sometimes cause issues if outdated data is stored and not refreshed.
How Does Cache Work?
When you visit a website, your browser will download some resources from the web server to display the page. These resources are stored temporarily on your device. When you revisit the website, the browser retrieves the resources to load the website.
The browser validates the cached files against the server. If it detects any changes, the updated resources are downloaded, and the cache is refreshed. By loading files from the local cache instead of downloading them every time you visit a website, the browsers improve loading speeds and provide a better user experience.
Quick Stats:
Page caching reduces server load by up to 80%, significantly improves load times, and lowers bounce rates.
Source: SEO Site Checkup
Where Is Cache Stored?
Cache is stored locally on your device, and its location depends on the browser and operating system you are using:
- Windows Devices:
Cached files are typically saved in hidden folders specific to the browser (e.g., Chrome’s cache in C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache).
- macOS Devices:
Cache is stored in similar browser-specific folders, such as Safari’s cache located in ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari.
- Mobile Devices:
On smartphones, cached data is stored in the app-specific directory of the browser, such as Chrome or Safari.
Cookies are small text files stored on your devices (browsers) by websites. It collects information about your web activities and saves login information and preferences on a website. Cookies are essential to improve user experience on a website and track user activities.
They help websites remember your actions, like staying logged in, and provide personalized content based on your preferences. However, they can also raise privacy concerns when used for tracking without consent.
What Are the Different Types of Cookies?
Below is a classification of cookies based on usage:
- First-party cookies: First-party cookies are created or stored by the website the user is visiting. It collects information such as login details, user preferences, items in the shopping cart, etc.
- Third-party cookies: Third-party cookies are set by third-party services or tools integrated into a website. These cookies are primarily used for advertising, analytics, or tracking purposes. They gather data about a user’s activities on the site and share this information with advertisers to display targeted ads and personalized recommendations.
How Do Cookies Work?
When you visit a website, the server loads the page on your browser and saves cookies on your device. The next time you visit the website, the browser sends the cookies back to the server, and it identifies you as the same user who visited before.
This allows websites to remember your preferences and settings. Once the server identifies you, it can deliver a more personalized experience, such as your language preferences, product recommendations, or other customized content.
Where Are Cookies Stored?
Cookies are stored on your device in a specific location determined by your web browser. These small text files are kept in the browser’s storage system, typically in a folder or database related to the browser’s user data.
Also Read: What are Cookies? All You Need to Know
| Cache | Cookies | |
| Definition | Temporary storage of website resources to improve speed. | Small text files storing user data and preferences. |
| Purpose | Speeds up website loading times by reusing stored resources. | Remembers user activities like login details and preferences. |
| Content Stored | Stores Javascript, CSS, HTML pages, media (images, videos), etc. | Stores temporary data for tracking, such as browsing sessions, history of using websites and apps. |
| Storage Location | Stored locally on your device in browser-specific folders. | Stored in the browser’s storage system. |
| Usage | Used by browsers, servers, and applications to cache data for faster loading. | Used by websites to personalize user experience and track activities. |
| Data Expiry | Cache data can become outdated and needs to be refreshed. | Cookies can have an expiration date set by the website. |
| Privacy Concerns | Generally does not track users, but outdated data may cause issues. | Can raise privacy concerns, especially third-party cookies for tracking. |
| Refresh Behavior | Browser checks for updates to cached resources before using them. | Cookies are sent back to the server with each visit, ensuring personalized content. |
| Pros | – Improves site load speed.- Reduces server load by using locally stored resources.- Speeds up user experience by loading elements from cache. | – Personalizes user experience (e.g., login, preferences).- Tracks user behavior for analytics.- Enables features like “Remember Me” for ease of access. |
| Cons | – Can store outdated or incorrect data, causing website issues.- Takes up local storage space.- Requires clearing cache to resolve performance problems. | – Can pose privacy risks if used for tracking without user consent.- Can accumulate over time and take up storage.- Some cookies are used for targeted advertising, leading to unwanted tracking. |
Now, let’s see how you can clear cache and cookies in the Google Chrome browser for different devices.
For Desktop:
- From the Chrome Home page, click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
- Go to Settings > Privacy and security.
- Click on the Delete browsing data.
- Choose a time range to delete the data.
- Select the Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files checkboxes.
- Click on Delete data button.
For iPhone:
- Open Google Chrome on your iPhone
- In the bottom-right corner of the screen, tap on the three dots and select Settings.
- Scroll down and tap on Privacy and security.
- On the Privacy and security page, tap on Delete browsing data.
- Choose the time range and select the Cookies, site data, and Cached images and files.
- Click on Delete browsing data.
For Android:
- Open Google Chrome on your Android device.
- Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner to open the menu.
- Select Settings.
- Scroll down and tap on Privacy and security.
- Tap on Delete browsing data.
- Choose the Time range (e.g., Last hour, Last 24 hours, All time).
- Check the boxes for Cookies, site data, and Cached images and files.
- Tap Delete data.
No, browsing history, cookies, and cache are not the same. Browsing history refers to the record of websites you’ve visited, including URLs, pages, and timestamps.
Cookies are small files stored by websites on your device to remember preferences, login details, or tracking information.
Cache, on the other hand, stores temporary data from websites (like images and scripts) to speed up future visits. While they all relate to your browsing experience, they serve different purposes in how websites function and track your activities.
Clear cache is when you’re experiencing problems like outdated website content or slow loading times, as it forces the browser to fetch fresh data. Clear cookies if you have issues with website logins, tracking, or privacy concerns, as cookies store session data and preferences.
However, clearing cookies will log you out of websites and reset your preferences. Generally, clearing the cache is less disruptive, while clearing cookies is more useful for privacy or login issues.
Session Cookie stores temporary data that is only needed for the duration of your browsing session, such as login information and preferences and is deleted once the browser is closed. Cache stores website resources like Javascript, CSS, HTML pages, and media (images and videos) to speed up the loading time of websites upon revisiting.
Yes, it is generally safe to delete cookies. Cookies store data such as login details, preferences, and browsing history, but deleting them will not harm your device or browser. However, keep in mind that deleting cookies will log you out of websites, reset your preferences, and might make browsing slower initially since the websites will have to reload resources.
Cache and cookies play crucial roles in enhancing your browsing experience. Cache improves the loading speed of websites by storing temporary website resources like images and scripts. In contrast, cookies store user-specific data, such as login credentials and preferences, for a more personalized browsing experience.
While these technologies work together to optimize site performance, it’s important to manage them effectively. Regularly clearing cache and cookies can help resolve browsing issues and improve privacy.
We hope this guide has given you a better understanding of cache and cookies, their functions, and the key differences between them. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
