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Head-to-head · Web Browsers

Google Chrome vs Safari

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Google Chrome #1 in Web Browsers 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Google Chrome
Safari #7 in Web Browsers 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Apple

Google Chrome leads on 0 checks, Safari on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGoogle Chrome · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth

Google Chrome scores higher on our rubric for web browsers: 9.3 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

On browser engine, Safari gives you Other where Google Chrome offers Chromium. On extension support, Safari gives you Own_store where Google Chrome offers Chrome_store.

Google Chrome is the better fit for most users wanting a complete free browser. Safari is the better fit for users committed to Apple devices.

  • Google Chrome fits best

    Most users wanting a complete free browser

  • Safari fits best

    Users committed to Apple devices

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Google Chrome 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Safari 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.7
Ranking #1 in Web Browsers #7 in Web Browsers
Best for Most users wanting a complete free browser Users committed to Apple devices
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android macOS, iOS
Support Community, Docs Docs, Community
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Google Chrome 1/3 · Safari 1/3
Built-in ad blocking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cross-device sync ✓ ✓
Open source Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Both Both
Browser engine Chromium Other
Tracking protection Not checked yet Not checked yet
Extension support Chrome_store Own_store
Our review
Pros
  • Free access across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
  • Syncs bookmarks, passwords, tabs, history, extensions, and settings
  • Combines extensions, translation, Safe Browsing, and automatic updates
  • Free on macOS and iOS
  • Privacy tools include tracking prevention and Privacy Report
  • iCloud sync, Keychain, and Handoff connect Apple devices
Cons
  • Proprietary components mean it is not fully open source
  • Cross-device synchronization is tied to a Google Account
  • Its broad feature set may be more than users seeking a narrow browser need
  • Not available for Windows
  • Limited to macOS and iOS coverage
  • Safari extensions come through its own App Store distribution
Our verdict

Google Chrome is a free web browser for accessing websites and web applications on desktop and mobile devices. It is aimed at users who want one browser across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, with familiar tools for tab…

Read the review →

Safari is Apple’s web browser for Mac, iPhone, and iPad users who want browsing tools closely connected to Apple’s platforms. It is free and includes Private Browsing, Intelligent Tracking Prevention, tab groups, profiles, web-page…

Read the review →
  1. Google ChromeWeb Browsers 9.3Free plan
  2. SafariWeb Browsers 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Google Chrome — where it wins

    • Free access across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
    • Syncs bookmarks, passwords, tabs, history, extensions, and settings
    • Combines extensions, translation, Safe Browsing, and automatic updates

    Where it doesn't

    • Proprietary components mean it is not fully open source
    • Cross-device synchronization is tied to a Google Account
    • Its broad feature set may be more than users seeking a narrow browser need
  • Safari — where it wins

    • Free on macOS and iOS
    • Privacy tools include tracking prevention and Privacy Report
    • iCloud sync, Keychain, and Handoff connect Apple devices

    Where it doesn't

    • Not available for Windows
    • Limited to macOS and iOS coverage
    • Safari extensions come through its own App Store distribution

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update