Google Safe Browsing
Google Safe Browsing: Free web-threat warnings across Google products, browsers and developer APIs. Ranked #1 of 36 in Anti-Phishing Software by our editors (9.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free, broad protection across browsers and services.
At a glance
- Editor score9.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree, broad protection across browsers and services
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Phishing URL blockingYes
- Founded2005
- Facts checked13 Oct 2026
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
Our verdict on Google Safe Browsing
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 well as developers checking URLs. Coverage spans web, desktop and mobile platforms, with integrations across Chrome, Gmail, Google Search and Android. Other browsers and applications also use the service, extending its reach beyond Google's own products.
Its scope is focused on unsafe web resources: phishing and social-engineering sites, malware, unwanted software and dangerous message links. Chrome and other browsers can warn about risky sites, while Gmail uses Safe Browsing to identify dangerous links in messages. Enhanced Safe Browsing adds real-time checks against known phishing and malware sites. Developers can use the API to check URLs against unsafe-resource lists, choosing local-list or real-time checking modes; notifications to webmasters about compromised websites are another part of the service. This breadth makes it relevant to people looking for protection across browsing and email rather than a standalone email security platform.
Safe Browsing is free, including its APIs, but the API terms matter: they are restricted to non-commercial use. Google directs commercial URL-threat detection use cases to Web Risk, so businesses building commercial URL checks should consider that alternative rather than treating Safe Browsing's API as a commercial service. For individuals and organizations using compatible browsers and Google services, the free warnings and integrations offer broad coverage without a listed charge. Choose it for web-focused threat warnings and non-commercial URL checks; look elsewhere for commercial URL-threat detection.
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Google Safe Browsing pricing
Google Safe Browsing fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Phishing URL blocking | Yes |
| Email phishing detection | Yes |
| Browser protection | Yes |
| Credential protection | Not verified |
| Real-time scanning | Yes |
| Threat detection dashboard | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: Chrome, Gmail, Google Search, Android |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | safebrowsing.google.com |
| Facts checked | 13 Oct 2026 |
Google Safe Browsing integrations
Google Safe Browsing lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- Chrome
- Gmail
- Google Search
- Android
Alternatives to Google Safe Browsing
- Avast Anti-PhishingA focused browser extension that scans URLs, blocks threats, and flags risky search results.9.2
- Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage)A free Chrome and Edge extension for real-time web protection, not email security.9.1
- Norton Safe WebA free browser extension for real-time URL filtering and AI-assisted phishing detection.9.0
See all Google Safe Browsing alternatives →
Google Safe Browsing vs the competition
- Google Safe Browsing vs Avast Anti-Phishing
- Google Safe Browsing vs Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage)
- Google Safe Browsing vs Norton Safe Web
- Google Safe Browsing vs Netcraft Browser Extension
- Google Safe Browsing vs Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
- Google Safe Browsing vs Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Compare Google Safe Browsing with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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