Top 10 Free Alternatives to Google Chrome for Web Browsing

As of March 2024, Google Chrome is the most popular browser. It has about 65% of the market. The second biggest browser, Safari, has only 18.86%.

This shows how much Chrome leads. However, Chrome is not perfect. It uses a lot of computer resources. This is its biggest problem.

Google Chrome collects a lot of data. Google is very big in collecting data from users. When you use Chrome, Google gets your web data. Some people worry about this. If you want to stop sharing your data with Google, you can switch to a different browser.

Here is a list of 10 good alternatives to Google Chrome for 2024.

But before we list them, let’s talk about why you might want to use a different browser.

1. Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge is a web browser made by Microsoft. It’s built on the same engine as Google Chrome, so it works similarly but has some unique features. Edge is the default browser on Windows computers.

Pros:

• Fast and efficient: Edge uses less memory than Chrome, making it faster on many devices.
• Integrated tools: It has features like Cortana (voice assistant) and Office tools built in.
• Privacy and security: Edge has strong tools to protect your privacy and block trackers.

Cons:

• Windows-focused: While Edge works on other systems, it’s designed mainly for Windows users.
• Compatibility issues: Some websites may not work perfectly with Edge because it uses a different browser engine than Chrome.

Features:

• Chromium-based: Edge supports many Chrome extensions.
• Collections: You can organize your favorite websites in groups.
• Built-in PDF viewer: Edge lets you view PDFs directly in the browser.

2. Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox is a web browser known for focusing on privacy and being open source, which means anyone can improve it. It works on many devices, like Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Pros:

• Privacy-focused: Firefox has great tools to protect your privacy while you browse the internet, like blocking trackers.
• Open source: Firefox is built by a community of people, and its code is free for anyone to use or improve.
• Fast and light: Firefox runs well, even on devices with less memory.

Cons:

• Slower for some tasks: Firefox may be a bit slower than Chrome, especially for web apps or websites that use heavy graphics.
• Fewer extensions: Although Firefox supports many add-ons, it has fewer options than Chrome.

Features:

• Customizable interface: You can change how Firefox looks to suit your needs.
• Built-in password manager: Firefox helps you store and manage passwords safely.
• Tracking protection: It blocks ads and online trackers by default to keep your browsing private.

3. Brave Browser

Brave Browser is a web browser focused on privacy and speed. It blocks ads and trackers by default, which makes websites load faster. It also offers a unique reward system based on cryptocurrency.

Pros:

• Fast browsing: By blocking ads and trackers, Brave helps websites load quicker.
• Privacy-first: Brave keeps your data private by blocking trackers and ads that follow you around the internet.
• Earn rewards: You can earn cryptocurrency (BAT tokens) by choosing to see privacy-respecting ads.

Cons:

• Blocked ads can cause problems: Some websites may not work properly because Brave blocks all ads and trackers.
• Cryptocurrency system: The reward system based on cryptocurrency might not be for everyone.

Features:

• Built-in ad blocker: Ads and trackers are blocked automatically.
• Tor integration: You can browse privately using Tor for even more anonymity.
• Earn BAT tokens: You can choose to view privacy-friendly ads and earn rewards.

4. Safari Browser

Safari is a web browser made by Apple. It is the default browser on Apple devices like Macs, iPhones, and iPads. Safari is known for being fast and energy efficient.

Pros:

• Fast and smooth: Safari works quickly and efficiently, especially on Apple devices.
• Good privacy features: It has tools to block trackers and protect your data from websites.
• Energy-efficient: Safari helps save battery life on MacBooks and iPhones.

Cons:

• Limited on other devices: Safari is only available on Apple products, so it’s not a choice for Windows or Android users.
• Fewer extensions: Safari has fewer browser extensions than Google Chrome or Firefox.

Features:

• Built-in privacy tools: Safari blocks cross-site tracking and unwanted data collection.
• iCloud sync: You can sync your bookmarks, history, and tabs across all your Apple devices.
• Apple Pay integration: You can make payments directly through Safari using Apple Pay.

5. Tor Browser

Tor Browser is a special web browser that helps you stay anonymous while you browse the internet. It uses the Tor network, which routes your internet traffic through multiple computers to hide your location and activities.

Pros:

• High privacy and security: Tor hides your identity and location, making it very hard for anyone to track what you’re doing online.
• Access to the dark web: Tor allows you to visit websites that are not accessible through regular browsers.
• Free and open source: Anyone can use it, and it’s developed by a community of volunteers.

Cons:

• Slower speed: Because your traffic is sent through many different computers, browsing can be slower than with other browsers.
• Not for regular browsing: Some websites may block Tor traffic, and it can be challenging to use for regular tasks.

Features:

• Anonymity: Tor makes it difficult for anyone to trace your online activity.
• No tracking: It blocks cookies and scripts that can track your behavior.
• Access to hidden websites: You can browse websites that are only available on the Tor network.

6. Opera Browser

Opera is a web browser known for its unique features and speed. It offers extra tools that make browsing easier and more secure, such as a built-in VPN and ad blocker.

Pros:

• Built-in VPN: Opera includes a free VPN that helps protect your privacy by hiding your location and encrypting your internet connection.
• Ad blocker: It blocks ads by default, which speeds up browsing and reduces distractions.
• Unique features: Opera has tools like a sidebar for quick access to apps and social media, and a battery-saving mode for laptops.

Cons:

• Smaller extensions library: Opera has fewer extensions compared to browsers like Chrome or Firefox.
• Performance: It can be slower than some other browsers, especially when using multiple features.

Features:

• Free VPN: Protects your privacy by masking your location.
• Sidebar apps: Quick access to social media, messaging apps, and more.

7. Vivaldi Browser

Vivaldi is a web browser known for being highly customizable. It lets you change many things to suit how you like to browse. It is designed for users who want more control over their browser experience.

Pros:

• Highly customizable: You can change the look of the browser, the way tabs work, and many other settings.
• Built-in privacy tools: Vivaldi blocks trackers and unwanted ads, giving you more privacy.
• Good performance: It is fast and efficient, especially with lots of tabs open.

Cons:

• Can be overwhelming: With so many customization options, it may feel complicated for new users.
• Less popular: Some websites might not work as well with Vivaldi because fewer people use it.

Features:

• Customizable interface: Change how tabs, the address bar, and menus appear.
• Privacy tools: Blocks ads and trackers by default.
• Tab management: Group tabs, stack them, or use a sidebar to organize them better.

8. Arc Browser (from The Browser Company)

Arc is a new and modern web browser created by The Browser Company. It focuses on making browsing more organized and fun with a fresh, unique design.

Pros:

• Unique design: Arc has a modern look that makes it easy to use and more enjoyable. It organizes tabs and apps in a different way compared to traditional browsers.
• User-friendly: It’s designed to be intuitive, with easy access to your favorite sites and tools.
• Built-in tools: Arc has built-in features like a task manager and collaborative tools.

Cons:

• Still new: Because it’s a new browser, it may have some bugs or missing features.
• Not for everyone: Some users may find the new interface confusing or prefer more traditional browsers.

Features:

• Sidebar for organization: Arc uses a sidebar to organize tabs, apps, and tools for easy access.
• Collaborative tools: Share your browsing workspace with others.
• Customizable design: You can change the look and layout of the browser.

9. Ungoogled Chromium Browser

Ungoogled Chromium is a version of the Chromium browser that removes all Google services and features. It focuses on giving you a more private and secure browsing experience without relying on Google.

Pros:

• No Google tracking: Since it removes Google’s services, there’s no tracking or data collection from Google.
• Open source: Anyone can use and improve the browser, making it more secure and transparent.
• Faster and lighter: Without extra Google features, Ungoogled Chromium can be faster and use less memory.

Cons:

• Limited features: Some features, like syncing your data across devices or accessing Google services, are not available.
• More setup required: You may need to do more work to get it running and add useful features manually.

Features:

• Privacy-focused: No Google data collection or tracking.
• Open source: Anyone can inspect and improve the code.
• Chromium-based: It works like Chrome but without Google’s extra services.

10. Chromium Browser

Chromium is an open-source web browser that serves as the base for Google Chrome. It is developed by a community of contributors and is available to anyone who wants to use or modify it.

Pros:

• Open source: Chromium is free to use, and anyone can look at or change the code to improve it.
• Fast performance: It is quick and efficient, offering a smooth browsing experience.
• Supports extensions: Like Chrome, Chromium supports a wide range of extensions from the Chrome Web Store.

Cons:

• No automatic updates: Unlike Chrome, Chromium doesn’t update automatically, so you have to do it manually.
• Lacks some features: Chromium doesn’t come with some features found in Chrome, like Google’s sync and built-in Flash support.

Features:

• Chromium engine: Uses the same engine as Google Chrome, so it’s fast and reliable.
• Customizable: You can change settings and features to suit your needs.
• Privacy control: Offers more privacy control by removing some Google-specific services.