However, it doesn’t have to be that way. You can get the same Chrome experience from Chromium-based browsers like Brave, Edge, or Vivaldi. They give you better battery life and more control over your privacy without sacrificing the Chrome features you love.
Chromium vs Chrome
Chromium is an open-source project that was created by Google to power the Chrome web browser. It is still in development today. Chromium forms the foundations of Chrome, but Google adds its own proprietary code on top of that to create the number one web browser on the planet.
3 Best Chromium Alternatives to Chrome
However, because Chromium is an open-source project, anyone can use it to build a browser of their own, and several companies have done just that. These browsers look like Chrome, they load websites the same way Chrome does, and they share a lot of the same functionality. Bookmarks, profiles, automatic updates, and even Chrome extensions are all available on all of the Chromium browsers. So, without further ado, here are three of the best Chromium alternatives to Google Chrome.
1. Brave Browser
Brave is a great choice if you value your privacy. The Brave Shields block ads and trackers automatically without the need for any additional browser extensions. Brave also gives you the option to browse with Tor in a private window to hide your history and mask your location so that the websites you visit don’t even know the country that you are in when you visit their site. If that’s not enough for you, Brave claims to be three times faster than Google Chrome. It also uses up to 35% less battery. That’s an improvement that anyone can appreciate. It also has all the usual features that you have come to enjoy on Chrome, including Tab Groups, password management, and user profiles. In short, Brave is a robust and worthy contender if you are looking to replace Google Chrome. I use it daily and have no problems at all with it.
2. Microsoft Edge
After years of making its own proprietary browser, Microsoft finally decided that if you can’t beat them, join them. The latest version of Microsoft Edge is built on Chromium, which means you can install Chrome extensions on Edge while browsing the web quickly and efficiently. Like Google, Microsoft has added a number of useful features like vertical tabs, text-to-speech, a screenshot tool, dark mode, and even a QR code generator. If you haven’t used Edge in a while, you owe it to yourself to give it another try. The new Microsoft Edge is a great alternative to Google Chrome and is available for Mac or Windows computers. There is also a mobile app that will sync your stored passwords, bookmarks, and collections to and from your desktop computer.
New Features in Microsoft Edge
3. Vivaldi Web Browser
Vivaldi is perhaps the least well-known of the three browsers on this list, but it is also among the most interesting. The latest version includes a built-in translation tool. It also boasts an email client, a calendar tool, and an RSS reader. You don’t have to use any of those if you don’t want to, but it is good to know that they are there if you need them. Vivaldi is also very customizable. You can change the theme, layout, and even feature set to match your preferences. You can view multiple tabs at once in split view, add websites to the pop-out sidebar, and create keyboard shortcuts for anything you want. Like Brave, Vivaldi is also committed to maintaining your privacy while you browse the web. A built-in ad and tracker blocker comes as standard to stop people snooping on your web traffic. When you’re on the move, there is a Vivaldi app for Android and iOS that syncs with your laptop. Vivaldi is a very compelling choice. It looks less like Chrome than Brave or Edge, but for many people, that’s a good thing. It’s a fast and reliable browser that is on the cutting edge of web-based technologies. In short, it might be the best browser you have never heard of.
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This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. © 2021 Jonathan Wylie
