# Iridium Browser review (2026): is it any good? > Privacy-hardened desktop browser built on Chromium Checked Nov 13, 2026 ยท graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA. 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. - **Category:** Browsers - **Made by:** Red Cool Beans UG - **Website:** https://iridiumbrowser.de - **Runs on:** Windows, macOS, Linux - **Who should skip it:** Skip it if you want Chrome sync or Google sign-in, because neither works. - **Facts last checked:** Nov 13, 2026 ## Pricing As of Nov 13, 2026, Iridium Browser is free to use. - **Pricing model:** 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 https://iridiumbrowser.de/about on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Iridium Browser before buying. ## 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. ## Good for - People who want a Chromium browser with fewer calls to Google - IT administrators who want an MSI-deployable privacy-focused browser - Users comfortable updating a browser by hand ## 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. ## ToolGPA grades **GPA: 2.8 out of 4**, graded Nov 13, 2026. 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. - **Value for money: A.** Free to use, with no paid plans listed, so under 60% of this category's cheapest quarter. - **Free plan and trial: A.** The whole browser is free, including an MSI package and a portable Windows zip, with no cap to reach. - **Features: C.** It keeps the Chromium interface and extension model, but it lacks Google sign-in and Chrome sync because it ships without Google API keys. - **Ease of use: C.** No rating on record. Updates mean downloading and installing the latest build by hand, which is more upkeep than a normal browser. - **Platforms and integrations: C.** Windows, macOS and Linux only. The download page lists no Android or iOS version. These are ToolGPA's own grades. 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. ## Where it 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. The category's chart of price against score: https://toolgpa.com/charts/browsers ## Keep it, 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. - You could not: A web browser. - You could not: Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other. A judgement by ToolGPA from this listing, by rules that are the same for every tool. Nothing was built to test it. **Tags:** Web browser, Open source ## Alternatives - [Chromium](https://toolgpa.com/tools/chromium): Open-source browser project, with builds for testing and development. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/chromium-vs-iridium-browser) - [Brave](https://toolgpa.com/tools/brave): Open-source browser that blocks ads and trackers by default. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/brave-vs-iridium-browser) - [LibreWolf](https://toolgpa.com/tools/librewolf): Free, privacy-hardened browser built on Firefox. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/iridium-browser-vs-librewolf) - [Vivaldi](https://toolgpa.com/tools/vivaldi): Customizable browser with built-in mail, calendar and feed reader. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/iridium-browser-vs-vivaldi) ## Sources The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026: - https://iridiumbrowser.de - https://iridiumbrowser.de/about - https://iridiumbrowser.de/faq - https://iridiumbrowser.de/downloads/ Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/iridium-browser Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).