Iridium Browser review (2026): is it any good?
Privacy-hardened desktop browser built on Chromium
Iridium Browser report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for a privacy-tuned Chromium browser on desktop
Iridium is Chromium with defaults changed so partial queries and metrics are not sent out without your approval. It does not update itself, Google sign-in and Chrome sync do not work, and there is no phone version.
Who Iridium Browser is for
- Fits if you want a Chromium browser that holds back partial queries and metrics by default
- Makes sense if you roll out browsers to staff, since Windows comes as an MSI
Who Iridium Browser is not for
- Skip it if you want Chrome sync or Google sign-in, because neither works
- Not for you if you want automatic updates: you download each new build yourself
- Watch out: Google Safe Browsing is on by default and contacts iridiumbrowser.de and Google's servers
- Too light for phones: there is no Android or iOS version
Why Iridium Browser gets a 2.8
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree to use, with no paid plans listed, so under 60% of this category's cheapest quarter.
- AFree plan and trialThe whole browser is free, including an MSI package and a portable Windows zip, with no cap to reach.
- CFeaturesIt keeps the Chromium interface and extension model, but it lacks Google sign-in and Chrome sync because it ships without Google API keys.
- CEase of useNo rating on record. Updates mean downloading and installing the latest build by hand, which is more upkeep than a normal browser.
- CPlatforms and integrationsWindows, macOS and Linux only. The download page lists no Android or iOS version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Red Cool Beans UG's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
Make Iridium Browser? Put this grade on your site
Paste this where you want the badge. It links here and follows the grade if it changes. About badges
<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/iridium-browser#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/iridium-browser.svg" alt="Iridium Browser: 2.8 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Iridium Browser stands among browsers
Iridium Browser's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 23 of the 60 other browsers we grade, and level with 10.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 22 of 60) and worst on features (C, above 2).
Iridium Browser has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 61 browsers we grade, cut by the letter each got. Iridium Browser’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 22 of 60, level with 38
- AFree plan and trialAbove 21 of 60, level with 39
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 60, level with 46
- CEase of useAbove 5 of 60, level with 22
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 4 of 60, level with 34
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 54 browsers. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep Iridium Browser, or make your own?
Keep it
Iridium Browser is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
What you could not
- A web browser.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. Iridium Browser’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is Iridium Browser?
Iridium Browser takes the Chromium code base and changes its defaults so that partial queries, keywords and metrics are not sent to central services without the user's approval. The project publishes its source code and says its builds are reproducible. It is a desktop browser only, with no mobile versions.
Worth knowing
- Iridium does not update itself: updates mean downloading and installing the latest build manually.
- Signing in to Google and Chrome sync does not work, because the browser ships without Google API keys.
- Google Safe Browsing is on by default and contacts iridiumbrowser.de and Google's servers unless you turn it off.
- Not available for Android, iOS or other mobile systems. The download page lists only source code tarballs, and the FAQ describes Windows, macOS and Linux installs.
Key features
- Chromium base
- Built from the Chromium code base, so it keeps the Chromium interface and extension model while changing privacy-related defaults.
- Privacy defaults
- Automatic transmission of partial queries, keywords and metrics to central services is blocked and only happens with the user's approval.
- Reproducible builds
- The project says all of its builds are reproducible and that its changes can be audited in a public Git repository.
- MSI deployment
- The Windows installer is an MSI package, which the site presents as a way for administrators to roll the browser out across an organization.
- Portable Windows version
- A zip-file portable edition runs without installing and can keep its data in a folder of your choice.
Iridium Browser pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, Iridium Browser is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Free to use. The site lists no paid plans.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Free to use. The site lists no paid plans. |
Read from iridiumbrowser.de on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Iridium Browser before you buy.
Iridium Browser alternatives
- Iridium Browser vs Brave
Free plan · from $3.00/mo
Common questions
Does Iridium Browser have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Iridium Browser is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does Iridium Browser have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Iridium Browser is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is Iridium Browser open source?
Yes. Iridium Browser is open source, according to its own site.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.