The Thorium Browser Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Thorium 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.
Thorium Browser
The Insider’s Guide
Chromium fork tuned with compiler optimizations
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among browsers, read from Thorium Browser’s own pages.
Made by Alex313031 · 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 Thorium Browser’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Thorium 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
3.0
GPA, above 34 of the 60 other browsers we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Thorium Browser, taken from its own pages and our grades.
The site says it is under construction, and you pick a build for your CPU from separate GitHub pages.
- 1
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.
- 2
It is free
Thorium Browser has no paid plan at all. Free to download. The site lists no paid plans.
- 3
It runs on 4 platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
- 4
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.
- 5
Patches to Chromium
UI changes and patches for Linux and Windows aimed at fixing bugs, improving usability and strengthening privacy and security.
- 6
Multiple CPU profiles
The GitHub repository lists build configurations for SSE2, SSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2 and AVX-512 processors.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 34 of 60
That is against the other browsers we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Thorium Browser is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Thorium Browser at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux, Android
- Made by
- Alex313031
- Category
- Browsers
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
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.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free to download, with no paid plans listed, so under 60% of this category's cheapest quarter. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Every build is free, and the separate GitHub repositories carry no paid edition. |
| Features | C | Chromium plus UI and privacy patches, CPU-specific builds and Windows 7 and XP builds. The speed figures are the developer's own claim. |
| Ease of use | C | No rating on record. The site says it is under construction, and you pick a build for your CPU from separate GitHub pages. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Windows, macOS, Linux and Android builds are listed, so computers and a phone, with no iOS version and no list of integrations. |
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 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 it 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
Good to know
Good for
- Linux and Windows users who want a faster Chromium build
- People running older Windows versions
- Tinkerers who are comfortable downloading releases from GitHub
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.
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
Thorium Browser is free to use.
Every build is free, and the separate GitHub repositories carry no paid edition.
Free
$0
Free to download. The site lists no paid plans.
The free plan
Free to download. The site lists no paid plans.
Read from thorium.rocks on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
4
Places it runs: macOS, Windows, Linux and Android
Chromium fork tuned with compiler optimizations. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, web browser.
The speed figures are the developer's own claim.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Thorium Browser is made by Alex313031.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
34/60
Other browsers it is graded above
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
- AFree plan and trialAbove 21 of 60
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 60
- CEase of useAbove 5 of 60
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 39 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. Thorium 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
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.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Chromium, Brave, Vivaldi, Iridium Browser and Google Chrome
The 5 tools Thorium 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.
- Only Thorium Browser lists an Android app.
- 3.8GPA
Brave
Free plan · from $3.00/mo
Open-source browser that blocks ads and trackers by default.
- Only Brave lists an iOS app.
- Brave also covers password manager and video calls.
- 3.8GPA
Vivaldi
Free
Customizable browser with built-in mail, calendar and feed reader.
- Only Vivaldi lists an iOS app.
- Thorium Browser is open source, according to its own site.
- Vivaldi is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- 2.8GPA
Iridium Browser
Free
Privacy-hardened desktop browser built on Chromium.
- Only Thorium Browser lists an Android app.
- 3.6GPA
Google Chrome
Free
Google's free browser for desktop and mobile, with Gemini built in.
- Only Google Chrome lists an iOS app.
- Thorium Browser is open source, according to its own site.
- Google Chrome also covers password manager and passkeys.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
10
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 Thorium Browser free?
Yes. Thorium Browser is free to use.
How much does Thorium Browser cost?
Thorium Browser lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Thorium Browser work on?
Thorium Browser is available on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
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.
Who makes Thorium Browser?
Thorium Browser is made by Alex313031.
What are the alternatives to Thorium Browser?
The closest alternatives to Thorium Browser in our directory are Chromium, Brave, Vivaldi, Iridium Browser and Google Chrome.
How does Thorium Browser compare with other browsers?
Thorium Browser's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 34 of the 60 other browsers we grade, and level with 9.
Is Thorium Browser good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Thorium Browser A for value for money. Thorium Browser has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Thorium Browser?
Thorium 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 Thorium 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 Alex313031'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 Alex313031. Prices change, so check thorium.rocks 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
- Thorium Browser, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/thorium-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, "Thorium Browser: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/thorium-browser
Know someone choosing between browsers?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/thorium-browser/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded browsers after Thorium 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 Thorium 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. Thorium Browser is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Alex313031. Prices and plans change: check thorium.rocks before you buy.