Thorium Browser review (2026): is it any good?
Chromium fork tuned with compiler optimizations
Thorium Browser report card
Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for a faster-built Chromium fork on desktop
Thorium is a Chromium fork built with extra compiler optimizations, with builds for Linux, Windows, macOS and Android. The 8 to 38% speed gain is the developer's own claim, and the site says it is under construction.
Who Thorium Browser is for
- Fits if you want a Chromium build compiled for your CPU
- Makes sense if you still run Windows 7 or XP and need a Chromium build
Who Thorium Browser is not for
- Skip it if you want one-click downloads, as links go out to separate GitHub repositories
- Not for you if you need iOS, since no version is listed
- Watch out: the 8 to 38% speed gain is the developer's own claim
- Tight if you want a finished site: its author describes the website as under construction
- Watch out: release availability varies by platform and CPU profile
Why Thorium Browser gets a 3.0
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree to download, with no paid plans listed, so under 60% of this category's cheapest quarter.
- AFree plan and trialEvery build is free, and the separate GitHub repositories carry no paid edition.
- CFeaturesChromium plus UI and privacy patches, CPU-specific builds and Windows 7 and XP builds. The speed figures are the developer's own claim.
- CEase of useNo rating on record. The site says it is under construction, and you pick a build for your CPU from separate GitHub pages.
- BPlatforms and integrationsWindows, macOS, Linux and Android builds are listed, so computers and a phone, with no iOS version and no list of integrations.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Alex313031's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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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/thorium-browser#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/thorium-browser.svg" alt="Thorium Browser: 3.0 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Thorium Browser stands among browsers
Thorium Browser's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 34 of the 60 other browsers we grade, and level with 9.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 22 of 60) and worst on features (C, above 2).
Thorium Browser has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 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. Thorium 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
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 39 of 60, level with 18
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 Thorium Browser, or make your own?
Keep it
Thorium 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, Linux and Android that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. Thorium 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 Thorium Browser?
Thorium is a Chromium fork that is built with extra compiler optimizations and a set of patches for usability, privacy and security. Its developer lists builds for Linux, Windows, macOS, Android and Raspberry Pi. The website is described by its author as under construction, and releases are served from GitHub repositories.
Worth knowing
- The site says it is under construction, and downloads link out to separate GitHub repositories for Linux, macOS, Windows and Android.
- The performance figures on the site are the developer's own claim.
- Release availability varies by platform and CPU profile, according to the GitHub repository.
- No iOS version is listed.
Key features
- Compiler optimizations
- Builds use SSE4.2, AVX and AES instruction sets, thinLTO and PGO among other compiler flags. The site claims an 8-38% speed gain over vanilla Chromium depending on benchmark and OS.
- Patches to Chromium
- UI changes and patches for Linux and Windows aimed at fixing bugs, improving usability and strengthening privacy and security.
- Multiple CPU profiles
- The GitHub repository lists build configurations for SSE2, SSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2 and AVX-512 processors.
- Old Windows versions
- Separate builds are linked for Windows 7 and Windows XP, in addition to the regular Windows and Windows on ARM builds.
- Companion extensions
- The developer publishes extensions and apps for Thorium, such as a theme, a scroll-speed tweaker and a system monitor.
Thorium Browser pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, Thorium Browser is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Free to download. The site lists no paid plans.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Free to download. The site lists no paid plans. |
Read from thorium.rocks on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Thorium Browser before you buy.
Thorium Browser alternatives
- Thorium Browser vs Brave
Free plan · from $3.00/mo
Common questions
Does Thorium Browser have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Thorium Browser is listed for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
Is Thorium Browser open source?
Yes. Thorium 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.