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Head-to-head · Anti-Phishing Software

Google Safe Browsing vs Netcraft Browser Extension

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Google Safe Browsing #1 in Anti-Phishing Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Visit site
Netcraft Browser Extension #5 in Anti-Phishing Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Visit Netcraft

Google Safe Browsing leads on 0 checks, Netcraft Browser Extension on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGoogle Safe Browsing · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth

Google Safe Browsing scores higher on our rubric for anti-phishing software: 9.4 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

Google Safe Browsing is the better fit for free, broad protection across browsers and services. Netcraft Browser Extension is the better fit for free Chrome protection with credential-leak detection.

  • Google Safe Browsing fits best

    Free, broad protection across browsers and services

  • Netcraft Browser Extension fits best

    Free Chrome protection with credential-leak detection

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. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Google Safe Browsing 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Netcraft Browser Extension 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.9
Ranking #1 in Anti-Phishing Software #5 in Anti-Phishing Software
Best for Free, broad protection across browsers and services Free Chrome protection with credential-leak detection
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Browser extension Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS Chrome extension
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Google Safe Browsing 4/6 · Netcraft Browser Extension 4/6
Phishing URL blocking ✓ ✓
Email phishing detection ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Browser protection ✓ ✓
Credential protection Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Real-time scanning ✓ ✓
Threat detection dashboard Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Warns before visits to dangerous sites or downloads of harmful files
  • Checks Gmail links and works with Chrome, Search and Android
  • Offers real-time and local-list URL checks through its API
  • Blocks or warns about known malicious websites, phishing sites, and fake shops
  • Detects credential leaks sent to a different domain
  • Lets users configure protection by attack type
Cons
  • Safe Browsing APIs are restricted to non-commercial use
  • Protection is centered on web threats, not a broader security suite
  • Real-time checks are associated with Enhanced Safe Browsing
  • Coverage is limited to a Chrome extension
  • Protection relies in part on Netcraft’s malicious-site data
  • The risk rating for new sites is not a definitive classification
Our verdict

Google Safe Browsing is a web-threat protection service that warns people before they visit dangerous sites or download harmful files. It is suited to individuals and organizations seeking browser and service-level phishing protection, as…

Read the review →

Netcraft Browser Extension is a free anti-phishing add-on for Chrome, intended for people who want browser-level warnings about malicious websites without a paid plan. It checks sites against Netcraft’s malicious-site data and can block or…

Read the review →
  1. Google Safe BrowsingAnti-Phishing Software 9.4Free plan
  2. Netcraft Browser ExtensionAnti-Phishing Software 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Google Safe Browsing — where it wins

    • Warns before visits to dangerous sites or downloads of harmful files
    • Checks Gmail links and works with Chrome, Search and Android
    • Offers real-time and local-list URL checks through its API

    Where it doesn't

    • Safe Browsing APIs are restricted to non-commercial use
    • Protection is centered on web threats, not a broader security suite
    • Real-time checks are associated with Enhanced Safe Browsing

  • Netcraft Browser Extension — where it wins

    • Blocks or warns about known malicious websites, phishing sites, and fake shops
    • Detects credential leaks sent to a different domain
    • Lets users configure protection by attack type

    Where it doesn't

    • Coverage is limited to a Chrome extension
    • Protection relies in part on Netcraft’s malicious-site data
    • The risk rating for new sites is not a definitive classification
  • Google Safe Browsing9.4/10 · Free plan

    Free web-threat warnings across Google products, browsers and developer APIs.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • Netcraft Browser Extension8.9/10 · Free plan

    Free Chrome protection combines malicious-site warnings with credential-leak detection.

    Visit NetcraftFull verdict →

More comparisons

All Anti-Phishing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update