Firefox vs Google Chrome
Updated October 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
Firefox
Mozilla's independent, open-source browser, built on its own Gecko engine with strong privacy defaults.
Google Chrome
The world's most used web browser, tied closely into Google accounts, services and Gemini.
The short answer
Chrome suits people who live in Google's services and want the widest site compatibility and extension catalogue. Firefox suits people who want a mainstream browser with stronger default privacy, full ad-blocker support and an engine independent of Google. The biggest difference is who makes it and what that means for privacy: Google's advertising business versus Mozilla's independent Gecko engine.
Firefox or Google Chrome: our take
Chrome is built on Chromium and the Blink engine, which also power Edge, Brave and Opera, so websites are almost always tested in it first. Signing in with a Google account syncs bookmarks, passwords, history and tabs, with Google Password Manager and Safe Browsing built in. Recent versions add Gemini for summarising pages and comparing tabs. Firefox is the main browser not built on Chromium or WebKit; Mozilla's Gecko engine keeps an independent voice in web standards. Firefox Sync encrypts your data end to end, and it includes a built-in PDF editor, picture-in-picture and vertical tabs.
Privacy and blocking are the main dividing line. Chrome is part of Google's advertising business, collects usage data by default, and its newer extension rules limit some ad blockers. Firefox blocks many cross-site trackers out of the box, isolates cookies per site, and keeps full support for advanced content blockers such as uBlock Origin.
On compatibility and ecosystem, Chrome has the largest extension catalogue, and Firefox has more than 30,000 extensions. Some sites are tested less in Firefox, so occasional breakage happens. Chrome can use a lot of memory with many tabs. Both are free, run on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, and require Windows 10 or later on Windows. Firefox is open source under the Mozilla Public License; Chrome is free but its additions on top of Chromium are Google's.
Choose Chrome if you rely on Google services, need the best compatibility for web apps, or want the biggest extension store. Choose Firefox if you want strong ad blocking and tracking protection without workarounds, or prefer a browser not run by an advertising company.
Which should you pick?
Choose Firefox if…
- People who want a mainstream, independent browser with strong privacy and ad-blocker support
- You want open-source software
- Independent Gecko engine
- Full support for advanced ad blockers
Choose Google Chrome if…
- People who use Google services heavily and want the best site compatibility
- Best compatibility, since sites are built and tested for it first
- Largest extension catalogue
About each app
What is Firefox?
Firefox is the main browser not built on Chromium or WebKit. It is made by Mozilla, a non-profit-owned organisation, and runs on its own Gecko engine, which keeps an independent voice in web standards. Out of the box it blocks many cross-site trackers, isolates cookies per site, and supports DNS over HTTPS. It also keeps full support for powerful content blockers such as uBlock Origin, which Chromium browsers have restricted. Other features include a PDF editor, container tabs via an add-on, a picture-in-picture video player, vertical tabs, and Firefox Sync with end-to-end encrypted data. Its extension catalogue is smaller than Chrome's but still large. Some sites are tested less in Firefox, so occasional breakage happens. It is free and open source under the Mozilla Public License, and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS (where Apple requires WebKit underneath). It suits people who want a mainstream browser that is not run by an advertising giant.
What is Google Chrome?
Chrome is Google's browser and the default choice for a large share of people on desktop and Android. It is built on the open-source Chromium project and the Blink engine, which also power Edge, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi and many others, so websites are almost always tested in it first. Signing in with a Google account syncs bookmarks, passwords, history and tabs across devices, and Google Password Manager, Safe Browsing and automatic updates are built in. Recent versions add Gemini features for summarising pages, comparing tabs and acting on what you are viewing, plus split view and tab groups. The Chrome Web Store has the largest extension catalogue of any browser. The trade-offs are privacy and resource use: Chrome is part of Google's advertising business, collects usage data by default, and limits some ad-blocking extensions under its newer extension rules. It is free and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Android and iOS. It suits people who live in Google's services and want maximum site compatibility.
Side by side
| Attribute | Firefox | Google Chrome |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Open source | Free |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Best for | People who want a mainstream, independent browser with strong privacy and ad-blocker support | People who use Google services heavily and want the best site compatibility |
| Status | Active | Active |
Verified facts, compared
Facts both apps publish, checked on each vendor's own site.
| Fact | Firefox | Google Chrome |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Windows | Windows 10 (8.1 and older need ESR) | Windows 10 or later |
Firefox vs Google Chrome pricing
Firefox: open source
We couldn't verify Firefox's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
Google Chrome: free
We couldn't verify Google Chrome's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
Platforms
| Platform | Firefox | Google Chrome |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android |
Firefox facts
5 of 5 verified- Positioning
- Independent browser
- Checked Oct 25, 2026firefox.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “The independent browser Built to protect you, not track you”
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux
- Checked Oct 25, 2026firefox.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Download Download Firefox Windows macOS iOS Android Linux”
- Minimum Windows
- Windows 10 (8.1 and older need ESR)
- Checked Oct 25, 2026firefox.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Try Firefox Firefox is no longer supported on Windows 8.1 and below.”
- Extensions
- 30,000+
- Checked Oct 25, 2026firefox.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Download Firefox ESR Firefox Privacy Notice Over 30,000 extensions”
- PDF editing
- Built in
- Checked Oct 25, 2026firefox.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Edit PDFs directly in Firefox”
Google Chrome facts
4 of 4 verified- Minimum Windows
- Windows 10 or later
- Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Intel processor Windows 10 or later”
- Password manager
- Google Password Manager built in
- Checked Oct 25, 2026google.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Chrome has Google Password Manager built in, which makes it simple to save, manage, and protect your passwords online.”
- AI assistant
- Gemini in Chrome
- Checked Oct 25, 2026google.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Gemini in Chrome is your partner in figuring it all out.”
- Download page lists
- Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android
- Checked Oct 25, 2026google.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “You can set Chrome as your default browser on Windows or Mac operating systems as well as your iPhone, iPad or Android device.”
Pros and cons of Firefox
- Independent Gecko engine
- Full support for advanced ad blockers
- Strong tracking protection by default
- Some sites are tested less and occasionally break
- Smaller extension catalogue than Chrome
- No longer supports Windows 8.1 and older
Pros and cons of Google Chrome
- Best compatibility, since sites are built and tested for it first
- Largest extension catalogue
- Seamless sync across devices with a Google account
- Collects more usage data than privacy-focused browsers
- Newer extension rules limit some ad blockers
- Can use a lot of memory with many tabs
Other apps to consider
Microsoft EdgeInstead of Google Chrome
Chromium-based too, with memory-saving features and built-in Copilot.
VivaldiInstead of Google Chrome
Chromium extensions plus far more customisation and built-in mail and calendar.
ungoogled-chromiumInstead of Google Chrome
Chrome's open-source base with Google services and data sharing removed.
Firefox vs Google Chrome: common questions
Is Firefox better than Google Chrome?
Chrome suits people who live in Google's services and want the widest site compatibility and extension catalogue. Firefox suits people who want a mainstream browser with stronger default privacy, full ad-blocker support and an engine independent of Google. The biggest difference is who makes it and what that means for privacy: Google's advertising business versus Mozilla's independent Gecko engine.
Is Firefox free?
Yes. Firefox is free, open-source software.
Is Google Chrome free?
Yes, Google Chrome is free.
Is Firefox or Google Chrome open source?
Firefox is open source; Google Chrome is not.
Which platforms do Firefox and Google Chrome support?
Firefox: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. Google Chrome: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.