Best Google Chrome Alternatives in 2026
The top Google Chrome alternatives are Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox and Brave Browser: 15 web browsers our editors would look at instead of Google Chrome, in our ranking order.
Google Chrome: A complete free browser with broad platform coverage, sync, extensions, and built-in security. Where it falls short: proprietary components mean it is not fully open source.
Switching from Google Chrome? For most web browsers buyers the best Google Chrome alternative is Microsoft Edge, built for microsoft users needing a full-featured browser.
Why People Look for a Google Chrome Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallMicrosoft Edge9.2
Microsoft users needing a full-featured browser
Visit Microsoft Edge - Best free optionMicrosoft Edge9.2
Has a free plan
Visit Microsoft Edge
All 15 Google Chrome Alternatives, Ranked
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.
-
Best forMicrosoft users needing a full-featured browser
A free, cross-platform browser suited to Microsoft users who want broad compatibility.
- Cross-device sync
- Built-in ad blocking
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Microsoft Edge -
Best forOpen-source privacy-conscious everyday browsing
A mature, privacy-focused browser for everyday browsing across desktop and mobile.
- Cross-device sync
- Open source
- Built-in ad blocking
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Firefox -
Best forPrivacy-focused users wanting broad compatibility
A privacy-first Chromium browser with broad platform and extension compatibility.
- Cross-device sync
- Open source
- Built-in ad blocking
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Brave -
Best forUsers wanting built-in tools and many integrations
Opera combines privacy controls, syncing, AI, messaging, and workspaces at no browser cost.
- Cross-device sync
- Built-in ad blocking
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Opera -
Best forPower users who want extensive customization
Vivaldi suits power users who want deep control over tabs, tools, and interface design.
- Cross-device sync
- Built-in ad blocking
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Vivaldi -
Best forUsers committed to Apple devices
A free Apple-platform browser with strong privacy tools and iCloud integration.
- Cross-device sync
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Apple -
Best forUsers seeking strong anonymity online
A free, open-source browser built for anonymity and censorship circumvention.
- Open source
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Tor Browser -
Best forOpen-source users wanting strong privacy controls
Waterfox offers open-source browsing with detailed privacy controls at no cost.
- Cross-device sync
- Open source
- Built-in ad blocking
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Waterfox -
Best forUsers prioritizing private search and blocking
A free browser for privacy-focused users who want blocking and private search built in.
- Cross-device sync
- Built-in ad blocking
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit DuckDuckGo -
Best forUsers seeking hardened private desktop browsing
A privacy-focused desktop browser with strong anti-fingerprinting controls and no paid tier.
- Open source
- Built-in ad blocking
8.2/10★★★★☆Try Mullvad Browser -
Best forAI-assisted browsing and search
A free, cross-device browser for AI-assisted search, commands, and page help.
- Cross-device sync
- Built-in ad blocking
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Comet -
Best forUsers wanting strong private browsing defaults
A free Chromium browser focused on blocking ads, trackers and fingerprinting.
- Built-in ad blocking
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Epic -
Best forOpen-source users wanting a focused Gecko browser
A focused, open-source Gecko browser for privacy-conscious desktop users.
- Cross-device sync
- Open source
- Built-in ad blocking
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit LibreWolf -
Best forUsers wanting antivirus-linked browser security
A Chromium browser with useful privacy tools and an optional VPN upgrade.
- Cross-device sync
- Built-in ad blocking
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit AVG Browser -
Best forUsers wanting banking and security protections
A free, security-focused browser with banking protection and an optional VPN.
- Cross-device sync
- Built-in ad blocking
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Avast
Google Chrome Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Google Chrome?
Microsoft Edge: #2 in our Web Browsers ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A free, cross-platform browser suited to Microsoft users who want broad compatibility.
Is there a free alternative to Google Chrome?
Yes. Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Brave Browser, Opera and Vivaldi have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Google Chrome alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from Google Chrome?
Export your data from Google Chrome (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Google Chrome.
How to Switch from Google Chrome
- Export your data from Google Chrome (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Google Chrome.
Google Chrome vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | Browser engine | Built-in ad blocking | Extension support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google Chrome | Yes | Free | Both | Chromium | Chrome_store | 9.3 | |
| 1 | Microsoft Edge | Yes | Free | Both | Chromium | Yes | Both | 9.2 |
| 2 | Mozilla Firefox | Yes | Free | Both | Gecko | Yes | Own_store | 9.1 |
| 3 | Brave Browser | Yes | $59.99 one-time | Both | Yes | Chrome_store | 9.0 | |
| 4 | Opera | Yes | Free | Both | Chromium | Yes | Both | 8.9 |
| 5 | Vivaldi | Yes | Free | Both | Chromium | Yes | Chrome_store | 8.8 |
| 6 | Safari | Yes | Free | Both | Other | Own_store | 8.7 | |
| 7 | Tor Browser | Yes | Free | Both | 8.6 | |||
| 8 | Waterfox | Yes | Free | Both | Gecko | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 9 | DuckDuckGo Browser | Yes | $99.99/yr | Both | Yes | 8.3 | ||
| 10 | Mullvad Browser | Yes | Free | Both | Gecko | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 11 | Comet | Yes | Free | Both | Chromium | Yes | Chrome_store | 8.1 |
| 12 | Epic Privacy Browser | Yes | Free | Both | Chromium | Yes | Chrome_store | 7.9 |
| 13 | LibreWolf | Yes | Free | Both | Yes | 7.8 | ||
| 14 | AVG Secure Browser | Yes | Both | Chromium | Yes | Own_store | 7.7 | |
| 15 | Avast Secure Browser | Yes | $49.99/yr | Both | Chromium | Yes | Chrome_store | 7.6 |
Head-to-Head
- Google Chrome vs Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome vs Mozilla Firefox
- Google Chrome vs Brave Browser
- Google Chrome vs Opera
- Google Chrome vs Vivaldi
- Google Chrome vs Safari
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update