Alternatives · Browsers
Google Chrome alternatives
Google Chrome compared with 12 alternatives: Microsoft Edge, Safari, Firefox, Brave, Opera and 7 more.
Google Chrome is free to use. All 12 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 5, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google ChromeThis tool | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Microsoft Edge | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Safari | Free | Free | macOS, iOS |
| Firefox | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Brave | Free plan · from $3.00/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Opera | Free plan · from $4/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Arc | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Comet | Free plan · from $20.00 | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Dia | Free plan · from $20/mo | Yes | macOS |
| DuckDuckGo Browser | Free plan · from $9.99/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Shift | Free plan · from $19.99/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows |
| Vivaldi | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Wavebox | Free plan · from $8.33/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux |
How each one differs from Google Chrome
- Free
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft's browser with the Copilot assistant built in
- Microsoft Edge is free. Google Chrome is free.
Suits: Windows users who want Copilot inside the browser
- Free
Safari
Apple's built-in browser for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro
- Safari is free. Google Chrome is free.
- Only Google Chrome lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Safari also covers read later.
- Google Chrome also covers password manager.
Suits: People who use a Mac, iPhone and iPad together
- Free
Firefox
Free, open-source browser from Mozilla with tracker blocking built in
- Firefox is free. Google Chrome is free.
- Firefox is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Google Chrome also covers passkeys.
Suits: People who want tracker blocking switched on by default
- Free plan · from $3.00/mo
Brave
Open-source browser that blocks ads and trackers by default
- Brave starts at $3.00 per month, or $29.99 per year (Search premium). Google Chrome is free.
- Brave is open source, according to its own site.
- Brave also covers video calls.
- Google Chrome also covers passkeys.
Suits: People who want ads and trackers blocked without installing extensions
- Free plan · from $4/mo
Opera
Browser with a built-in ad blocker, free VPN and sidebar messengers
- Opera starts at $4 per month (VPN Pro; billing term for this rate not stated). Google Chrome is free.
- Opera also covers screenshots.
- Google Chrome also covers password manager and passkeys.
Suits: People who want an ad blocker and a VPN without installing extensions
- Free
Arc
Chromium-based browser with Spaces, Profiles and Split View
- Arc is free. Google Chrome is free.
- Only Google Chrome lists a Linux app.
- Google Chrome also covers password manager and passkeys.
Suits: People who keep work and personal browsing in one window
- Free plan · from $20.00
Comet
Perplexity's AI browser with an assistant that acts across tabs
- Comet starts at $20.00 (lowest Perplexity Pro in-app purchase; billing basis not shown). Google Chrome is free.
- Only Google Chrome lists a Linux app.
- Comet also covers chat assistant, AI search and AI agents.
- Google Chrome also covers password manager and passkeys.
Suits: People who want an assistant to carry out multi-step web tasks
- Free plan · from $20/mo
Dia
AI browser for work that answers questions across tabs and tools
- Dia starts at $20 per month (Better Answers). Google Chrome is free.
- Only Google Chrome lists Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- Dia is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Dia also covers chat assistant.
- Google Chrome also covers password manager and passkeys.
Suits: Mac users whose work is spread across Slack, Notion, Google Workspace and Teams
- Free plan · from $9.99/mo
DuckDuckGo Browser
Free browser that blocks trackers, ads and cookie pop-ups by default
- DuckDuckGo Browser starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Plus subscription). Google Chrome is free.
- Only Google Chrome lists a Linux app.
- Google Chrome also covers passkeys.
Suits: People who want tracker and ad blocking with no setup
- Free plan · from $19.99/mo
Shift
Build-your-own desktop browser for multiple inboxes, apps and Spaces
- Shift starts at $19.99 per month, or $199.99 billed annually (Advanced). Google Chrome is free.
- Only Google Chrome lists Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- Google Chrome also covers password manager and passkeys.
Suits: People juggling several email accounts and app logins
- Free
Vivaldi
Customizable browser with built-in mail, calendar and feed reader
- Vivaldi is free. Google Chrome is free.
- Vivaldi is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Vivaldi also covers notes, calendar, email client, screenshots and rSS reader.
- Google Chrome also covers password manager and passkeys.
Suits: Power users who keep dozens of tabs open
- Free plan · from $8.33/mo
Wavebox
Desktop browser that keeps many web apps and accounts signed in
- Wavebox starts at $8.33 per month, paid annually (Wavebox Pro). Google Chrome is free.
- Only Google Chrome lists iOS and Android apps.
- Google Chrome also covers password manager and passkeys.
Suits: Virtual assistants and agencies working across many client accounts
Limits worth knowing in Google Chrome
- Auto browse, where Gemini carries out multi-step tasks, is available only to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S.
- Gemini in Chrome needs a signed-in, eligible account in a supported country, and Google's FAQ says it is not available on Android yet.
- Enhanced Safe Browsing requires browsing data to be sent to Google.
- Desktop requirements start at Windows 10, macOS 13 Ventura, and 64-bit Ubuntu 18.04, Debian 10, openSUSE 15.5 or Fedora Linux 39.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Google Chrome?
The alternatives to Google Chrome in this directory are Microsoft Edge, Safari, Firefox, Brave, Opera, Arc, Comet, Dia, DuckDuckGo Browser, Shift, Vivaldi and Wavebox. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Google Chrome.
Is there a free alternative to Google Chrome?
Yes. Microsoft Edge, Safari, Firefox, Arc and Vivaldi are free to use. Brave, Opera, Comet, Dia, DuckDuckGo Browser, Shift and Wavebox have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Is there an open-source alternative to Google Chrome?
Firefox and Brave are described as open source on their own sites.
When were these prices checked?
Every listing on this page was checked on Oct 5, 2026, against the pages it cites. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.