The Iridium Browser Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Iridium Browser in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Iridium Browser
The Insider’s Guide
Privacy-hardened desktop browser built on Chromium
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among browsers, read from Iridium Browser’s own pages.
Made by Red Cool Beans UG · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Iridium Browser’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Iridium Browser’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 23 of the 60 other browsers we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Iridium Browser, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It does not update itself, Google sign-in and Chrome sync do not work, and there is no phone version.
- 1
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.
- 2
It is free
Iridium Browser has no paid plan at all. Free to use. The site lists no paid plans.
- 3
It runs on 3 platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux.
- 4
Chromium base
Built from the Chromium code base, so it keeps the Chromium interface and extension model while changing privacy-related defaults.
- 5
Privacy defaults
Automatic transmission of partial queries, keywords and metrics to central services is blocked and only happens with the user's approval.
- 6
Reproducible builds
The project says all of its builds are reproducible and that its changes can be audited in a public Git repository.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 23 of 60
That is against the other browsers we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Iridium Browser is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Iridium Browser at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Made by
- Red Cool Beans UG
- Category
- Browsers
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
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.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
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 it 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
Good to know
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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Iridium Browser is free to use.
The whole browser is free, including an MSI package and a portable Windows zip, with no cap to reach.
Free
$0
Free to use. The site lists no paid plans.
The free plan
Free to use. The site lists no paid plans.
Read from iridiumbrowser.de on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: macOS, Windows and Linux
Privacy-hardened desktop browser built on Chromium. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, web browser.
It keeps the Chromium interface and extension model, but it lacks Google sign-in and Chrome sync because it ships without Google API keys.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Iridium Browser is made by Red Cool Beans UG.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
23/60
Other browsers it is graded above
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
- AFree plan and trialAbove 21 of 60
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 60
- CEase of useAbove 5 of 60
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 4 of 60
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 54 browsers. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Iridium Browser is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
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.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Chromium, Brave, LibreWolf and Vivaldi
The 4 tools Iridium Browser is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Chromium
Free
Open-source browser project, with builds for testing and development.
- 3.8GPA
Brave
Free plan · from $3.00/mo
Open-source browser that blocks ads and trackers by default.
- Only Brave lists Android and iOS apps.
- Brave also covers password manager and video calls.
- 2.8GPA
LibreWolf
Free
Free, privacy-hardened browser built on Firefox.
- LibreWolf also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- 3.8GPA
Vivaldi
Free
Customizable browser with built-in mail, calendar and feed reader.
- Only Vivaldi lists Android and iOS apps.
- Iridium Browser is open source, according to its own site.
- Vivaldi is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Iridium Browser free?
Yes. Iridium Browser is free to use.
How much does Iridium Browser cost?
Iridium Browser lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Iridium Browser work on?
Iridium Browser is available on Windows, macOS and Linux.
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.
Who makes Iridium Browser?
Iridium Browser is made by Red Cool Beans UG.
What are the alternatives to Iridium Browser?
The closest alternatives to Iridium Browser in our directory are Chromium, Brave, LibreWolf and Vivaldi.
How does Iridium Browser compare with other browsers?
Iridium Browser's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 23 of the 60 other browsers we grade, and level with 10.
Is Iridium Browser good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Iridium Browser A for value for money. Iridium Browser has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Iridium Browser?
Iridium Browser is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Iridium Browser’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. 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.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Red Cool Beans UG. Prices change, so check iridiumbrowser.de before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Iridium Browser, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/iridium-browser
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Iridium Browser: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/iridium-browser
Know someone choosing between browsers?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/iridium-browser/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded browsers after Iridium Browser, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Browsers Insider's GuideEvery one of the 61 browsers we grade, compared
- Brave Insider's GuideOpen-source browser that blocks ads and trackers by default3.8 GPA
- Firefox Insider's GuideFree, open-source browser from Mozilla with tracker blocking built in3.8 GPA
- Vivaldi Insider's GuideCustomizable browser with built-in mail, calendar and feed reader3.8 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Iridium Browser’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Iridium Browser is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Red Cool Beans UG. Prices and plans change: check iridiumbrowser.de before you buy.