Google Chrome vs Microsoft Edge
Updated October 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
Google Chrome
The world's most used web browser, tied closely into Google accounts, services and Gemini.
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft's Chromium-based browser, built into Windows, with Copilot and memory-saving features.
The short answer
Chrome suits people who use Google's services and want sync and Gemini built around a Google account. Edge suits Windows users and Microsoft 365 organisations that want memory-saving features, Copilot and detailed IT management. Both are free Chromium browsers that run the same extensions, so the biggest difference is which company's account, AI assistant and services each is built around.
Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge: our take
Since 2020 Edge has been built on Chromium, the same base as Chrome, so the two render sites alike and run most of the same extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Both are free and run on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. The choice is mostly about ecosystem and extras.
Chrome is centred on a Google account, which syncs bookmarks, passwords, history and tabs, with Google Password Manager and Safe Browsing built in. Gemini can summarise pages, compare tabs and act on what you are viewing, and it offers split view and tab groups. Its trade-offs are data collection by default, newer extension rules that limit some ad blockers, and heavy memory use with many tabs.
Edge is the default on Windows and leans on Microsoft accounts, Microsoft 365 and work identity. It adds sleeping tabs and efficiency mode to save memory and battery, vertical tabs, split screen, a PDF reader with inking, collections, an immersive reader and Copilot in the sidebar. IT departments can manage it in detail, which is why many companies standardise on it. On the downside, Edge pushes Bing, shopping features and Microsoft services fairly hard, collects telemetry by default, and its interface can feel cluttered.
Neither is the privacy-focused option; both collect data by default. Choose Chrome if your mail, documents and phone run on Google and you want Gemini. Choose Edge if you work in Microsoft 365, want Copilot, care about memory and battery savings on a laptop, or your organisation manages browsers centrally. Because they share an engine and extensions, switching between them later is easy.
Which should you pick?
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
Choose Microsoft Edge if…
- Windows users and Microsoft 365 organisations that want a managed Chromium browser
- Sleeping tabs and efficiency mode save memory and battery
- Runs Chrome extensions
About each app
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.
What is Microsoft Edge?
Edge is Microsoft's browser and the default on Windows. Since 2020 it has been built on Chromium, so it renders sites like Chrome and runs most Chrome extensions, while adding Microsoft's own features. Those include sleeping tabs and efficiency mode to save memory and battery, vertical tabs, split screen, a built-in PDF reader with inking, collections, an immersive reader, and Copilot in the sidebar for summarising pages and answering questions about what you are viewing. It integrates with Microsoft accounts, Microsoft 365 and work identity, and IT departments can manage it in detail, which is why many companies standardise on it. On the downside, Edge pushes Microsoft services, Bing and shopping features fairly hard, and collects telemetry by default. It is free and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. It suits Windows users and organisations already on Microsoft 365 who want a Chromium browser that fits their setup.
Side by side
| Attribute | Google Chrome | Microsoft Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Best for | People who use Google services heavily and want the best site compatibility | Windows users and Microsoft 365 organisations that want a managed Chromium browser |
| Status | Active | Active |
Verified facts, compared
Facts both apps publish, checked on each vendor's own site.
| Fact | Google Chrome | Microsoft Edge |
|---|---|---|
| AI assistant | Gemini in Chrome | Copilot |
Google Chrome vs Microsoft Edge pricing
Google Chrome: free
We couldn't verify Google Chrome's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
Microsoft Edge: free
We couldn't verify Microsoft Edge's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
Platforms
| Platform | Google Chrome | Microsoft Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android |
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.”
Microsoft Edge facts
4 of 4 verified- Memory saving
- Sleeping tabs
- Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Energy saver Startup boost Sleeping tabs Get an average of 25 more minutes of battery life with energy saver.”
- AI assistant
- Copilot
- Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Copilot works across your tabs”
- Desktop platforms
- Windows, Mac, Linux
- Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Download Microsoft Edge | Windows, Mac & Linux”
- Mobile platforms
- Android, iPhone
- Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Download Microsoft Edge | Android & iPhone”
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
Pros and cons of Microsoft Edge
- Sleeping tabs and efficiency mode save memory and battery
- Runs Chrome extensions
- Strong enterprise management and Microsoft 365 integration
- Pushes Bing, shopping and Microsoft services
- Telemetry on by default
- Interface can feel cluttered with extra features
Other apps to consider
FirefoxInstead of Google Chrome
Independent engine and stronger privacy defaults, with full ad-blocker support.
BraveInstead of Google Chrome
Same Chromium base and extensions, with ads and trackers blocked by default.
VivaldiInstead of Google Chrome
Chromium extensions plus far more customisation and built-in mail and calendar.
Google Chrome vs Microsoft Edge: common questions
Is Google Chrome better than Microsoft Edge?
Chrome suits people who use Google's services and want sync and Gemini built around a Google account. Edge suits Windows users and Microsoft 365 organisations that want memory-saving features, Copilot and detailed IT management. Both are free Chromium browsers that run the same extensions, so the biggest difference is which company's account, AI assistant and services each is built around.
Is Google Chrome free?
Yes, Google Chrome is free.
Is Microsoft Edge free?
Yes, Microsoft Edge is free.
Is Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge open source?
Neither is open source.
Which platforms do Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge support?
Google Chrome: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. Microsoft Edge: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.