Firefox 4 leads IE 9 in downloads and usage

Firefox 4 launched last week, has attracted considerable interest in technology enthusiasts. The browser was downloaded 7.1 million times in the first day alone. Its now passed 15 million downloads in 48 hours and is currently nearing 40 million downloads now.

By comparing, Microsofts launch Internet Explorer 9 it only got 2.5 million downloads in first 24 hours and Firefox 4 out pacing the IE9 in downloads and usage, statistics provided by StarCounter and Net Applications. Mozillas Asa Dotzler attributes and early popularity of Firefox 4 to strong grassroots support from the browsers vocal community of independent advocates. Firefoxs cross platform footprint and backwards compatibility with Windows XP, Which is not supported by IE 9. This may also have played in boosting Firefoxs momentum pout of the starting gate.