When it comes to browsers, you really are spoiled for choice. You can go with Big Tech or smaller independent companies. Is customization important to you? How about built-in safety features like password managers and breach alerts?
If you’re concerned about privacy, your head is in the right place. The big names in browsers have pros and cons when it comes to how they handle your data. Tap or click here to check out our roundup of the best browsers for privacy.
Google and Microsoft have competed for some time, and each wants you to scour the web with their browsers. Though they constantly try to one-up each other with new features and updates, they are more alike than you may know. We’ll show you why and give you a breakdown of what each has to offer.
Chromium bond
Google developed Chromium as the foundation of its Chrome browser. Last year Microsoft released a rebuilt version of its Edge browser, now based on Chromium. Though the open-source Chromium lacks some features found in Chrome, its use by both browsers means they share some features. They look and function in a similar fashion and Edge supports many of Chrome’s extensions.
Let’s go over what sets these browsers apart.
1. Privacy
Edge has more privacy settings than Chrome. Tracking Prevention, for example, identifies trackers used by websites and blocks them from viewing your activity. You can select from three levels of protection. Tap or click here to see the three types of apps that collect the most data from your phone.
By default, Google does not limit tracking in its services. You can tinker with settings to block cookies and install third-party extensions to limit tracking, but this is not as clear-cut as it is in Chrome. If you want to use Chrome’s “Enhanced protection” feature, you’ll have to agree to share your browsing data with Google.
2. Syncing
Chrome can easily sync most of your browser settings across any device. Pick and choose from bookmarks, apps, extensions, history, settings, themes, passwords, contact information, payment information and even open tabs. You can sync these between your smartphone, computer, laptop, tablet and anywhere else you install Chrome.
Edge is more limited in what you are able to sync and the process is somewhat slower.
3. Design differences
There is not much difference between Chrome and Edge on the surface when it comes to browsing. You’ll notice that the search bars between the two are similar, and if you can find the extensions, add-ons, bookmarks and settings in one, you can find them in the same place in the other. Right-click on a tab in Edge or Chrome, and you’ll get a similar list of options.
You’ll find the most obvious difference on the homepage for each browser. Edge uses Bing and Google uses Google, of course. You can easily change this to your liking in either browser, so this clash is no big deal.
Edge has a built-in dark mode, while you’ll have to change this setting in Windows or use third-party extensions if you want Chrome to go dark. Google has customized themes to make up for this, however.
4. Strain on CPU
Edge uses less of your device’s resources when compared to Chrome. Where Microsoft’s browser nibbles at your system memory, Chrome takes large bites.
If your PC is low on RAM, you’ll find a significant lag in performance when using Chrome over Edge. Tap or click here for tips on speeding up your PC or Mac.
5. Extensions
If you can run an extension in Chrome, you can very likely use it in Edge. You can add more extensions to Edge from the Windows Store as well as the Chrome Web Store.
6. Edge Editor
Edge’s built-in Editor helps you learn and maintain good writing habits. You get suggestions and corrections for spelling, grammar, punctuation and other writing elements through an artificial intelligence network. If you’ve used Grammarly, then you already have a good idea of how it works.
The Editor extension can be used with social media sites, email programs and word processing apps. You can install Microsoft Editor on Chrome, though you’ll need a Microsoft account for this.
7. Shopping with Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge can automatically scan for and apply coupons and discount codes while you shop online. You also get price comparisons and can find cashback options. You can find extensions for Chrome with similar features, but Edge has it all baked into the system.
