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Microsoft Edge alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Microsoft Edge: pushes Bing, shopping and Microsoft services, and telemetry on by default. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Microsoft Edge, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Google Chrome currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Google Chrome logoGoogle ChromeFreeNoWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 466.5
2Brave logoBraveOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 562.6
3Vivaldi logoVivaldiFreeNoWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 459.6
4Firefox logoFirefoxOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 557.2
5Opera logoOperaFreeNoWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 455.3
  1. Google Chrome logo

    1. Google ChromeTop pick

    Best for: People who use Google services heavily and want the best site compatibility

    FreeWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Edge

    Same engine with fewer Microsoft upsells and Google account sync.

    Pros

    • Best compatibility, since sites are built and tested for it first
    • Largest extension catalogue
    • Seamless sync across devices with a Google account

    Cons

    • Collects more usage data than privacy-focused browsers
    • Newer extension rules limit some ad blockers
    • Can use a lot of memory with many tabs
    Visit Google Chrome Compare with Microsoft EdgeDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Google Chrome a good Microsoft Edge alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Password manager
    Google Password Manager built in
    Checked Oct 25, 2026google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    AI assistant
    Gemini in Chrome
    Checked Oct 25, 2026google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Download page lists
    Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Minimum Windows
    Windows 10 or later
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Brave logo

    2. Brave

    Best for: People who want Chrome compatibility with ads and trackers blocked by default

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Edge

    Chromium base with ads and trackers blocked and less service promotion.

    Pros

    • Strong ad and tracker blocking without extensions
    • Runs Chrome extensions
    • Free AI assistant with no account needed

    Cons

    • Crypto wallet and rewards features feel out of place to many
    • Some Brave services are upsold in the interface
    • Still depends on Google's Chromium engine
    Visit Brave Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Brave a good Microsoft Edge alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Ad blocking
    Built in (Shields)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026brave.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Engine
    Chromium
    Checked Oct 25, 2026brave.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Licence
    MPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    AI assistant
    Leo, free with a premium tier
    Checked Oct 25, 2026brave.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop platforms
    Linux, macOS, Windows
    Checked Oct 25, 2026brave.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Vivaldi logo

    3. Vivaldi

    Best for: Power users who want deep customisation and built-in mail, calendar and feeds

    FreeWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Edge

    Chromium browser with even more tab tools and no telemetry-driven ads.

    Pros

    • Tab stacking, tiling and vertical tabs built in
    • Mail, calendar, feed reader and ad blocker included
    • Independent company with no ad-tracking business

    Cons

    • Many options can overwhelm
    • Interface can feel slower than plain Chromium
    • Not fully open source
    Visit Vivaldi Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Vivaldi a good Microsoft Edge alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Ad and tracker blocking
    Built in
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vivaldi.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business model
    No tracking, independent
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vivaldi.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Licence
    Not under one open-source licence
    Checked Oct 25, 2026help.vivaldi.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Built-in ad blocker
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vivaldi.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Firefox logo

    4. Firefox

    Best for: People who want a mainstream, independent browser with strong privacy and ad-blocker support

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Edge

    Independent engine and stronger privacy defaults.

    Pros

    • Independent Gecko engine
    • Full support for advanced ad blockers
    • Strong tracking protection by default

    Cons

    • Some sites are tested less and occasionally break
    • Smaller extension catalogue than Chrome
    • No longer supports Windows 8.1 and older
    Visit Firefox Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Firefox a good Microsoft Edge alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Positioning
    Independent browser
    Checked Oct 25, 2026firefox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Extensions
    30,000+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026firefox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    PDF editing
    Built in
    Checked Oct 25, 2026firefox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026firefox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Minimum Windows
    Windows 10 (8.1 and older need ESR)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026firefox.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Opera logo

    5. Opera

    Best for: People who want a free built-in VPN, ad blocker and AI without extensions

    FreeWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Edge

    Chromium browser with a free built-in VPN and ad blocker.

    Pros

    • Free, unlimited browser VPN without an account
    • Built-in ad blocker and sidebar messengers
    • Runs Chrome extensions

    Cons

    • Free VPN covers browser traffic only
    • Start page includes promotions
    • Ownership raises questions for some privacy users
    Visit Opera Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Opera a good Microsoft Edge alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free VPN
    Built in, unlimited, no account
    Checked Oct 25, 2026opera.com(opens source in a new tab)
    AI assistant
    Opera AI, free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026opera.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mobile features
    Free VPN, ad blocker and AI
    Checked Oct 25, 2026opera.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop platforms
    Windows, Mac, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026opera.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Microsoft Edge alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Google Chrome logo

Best Microsoft Edge alternative for most people

Google Chrome

Same engine with fewer Microsoft upsells and Google account sync.

Brave logo

Best Microsoft Edge alternative for a free option

Brave

Chromium base with ads and trackers blocked and less service promotion.

Firefox logo

Best Microsoft Edge alternative for open source

Firefox

Independent engine and stronger privacy defaults.

Vivaldi logo

Best Microsoft Edge alternative for Mac

Vivaldi

Chromium browser with even more tab tools and no telemetry-driven ads.

Opera logo

Best Microsoft Edge alternative for Windows

Opera

Chromium browser with a free built-in VPN and ad blocker.

Google Chrome logo

Best Microsoft Edge alternative for Linux

Google Chrome

Same engine with fewer Microsoft upsells and Google account sync.

Google Chrome logo

Best Microsoft Edge alternative for iPhone and Android

Google Chrome

Same engine with fewer Microsoft upsells and Google account sync.

Microsoft Edge alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Microsoft Edge?

Google Chrome ranks first right now. Same engine with fewer Microsoft upsells and Google account sync. Brave and Vivaldi follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Edge?

Yes. Google Chrome (free), Brave (open source), Vivaldi (free) and Firefox (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Microsoft Edge?

Yes: Brave and Firefox.

Which Microsoft Edge alternatives work on Linux?

Google Chrome, Brave, Vivaldi, Firefox and Opera run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Microsoft Edge?

The complaints we hear most: pushes Bing, shopping and Microsoft services; telemetry on by default; interface can feel cluttered with extra features.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Microsoft Edge, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.