While not as popular as Google Chrome, Chromium is becoming a talk these days. However, we understand that people often don’t understand the differences between Google Chrome and Chromium. Like any other pair, randomly picking one from the Google Chrome vs. Chromium duo won’t do you well. In this comparison guide, I will explore the differences between Google Chrome and Chromium from different viewpoints. So, you can choose what suits you the best.
What is Google Chrome?
Google Chrome does not really need an introduction these days. It is the most popular web browser in most regions, and for good reasons. As such, Google Chrome is a closed-source browser that Google develops and maintains. It means no one has access to the code of this proprietary app.
Google advertises Google Chrome as a fast and performance-friendly web browser. It gets regular updates from Google and offers top-notch security as well. Another reason users choose Google Chrome is its deep integration with Google accounts and Google services.
Google Chrome is known for its RAM-hogging behavior, making it difficult to use the browser on computers with 8GB of RAM or less. However, the problem does not seem to occur on Android devices. There are also some privacy-related concerns.
What is Chromium Web Browser?
Chromium, on the other hand, is an open-source project. It is the browser on which Google Chrome is built. As a result, you cannot find the same feature set on Chromium and Google Chrome. Instead, you must keep in mind that Chromium is an open-source project.
Since Chromium is an open-source project, its code is used by other browsers, including Microsoft Edge and Opera. Like Google Chrome, Chromium also uses the Blink rendering engine, offering the same performance, at least theoretically.
Compared to Google Chrome, Chromium lacks many options, such as DRM and cross-device sync. It does not offer the same level of integration with Google products, either. The lack of Google integration can be a boon or a curse based on what you need.
How is Chromium Better than Chrome?
Chromium is better than Google Chrome in many aspects. I don’t want to give you a complete list, but here are the most critical points.
- Unlike Google Chrome, Chromium is open-source, and it comes with an extra layer of transparency. It also means Chromium does not contain the optimizations that Google brings to Chrome. More so, the feature set on Chromium is audited by independent open-source contributors.
- The lack of Google’s involvement also means better privacy. As I said earlier, while Google Chrome may seem faster, you run some privacy risks. For instance, Chrome uses heavy tracking options to serve you targeted ads. This might be a serious privacy concern for many.
- Chromium is also better in that it is leaner and more customizable. For instance, it does not come with any pre-installed codecs. It also means you can install the codecs you need on the system as needed.
- Compared to Google Chrome, Chromium has a minimal software footprint as well. Therefore, even if Google Chrome struggles to run on your low-end or mid-end configuration computer, Chromium should work fine.
Difference Between Chrome and Chromium
Let’s also talk about the core differences between Google Chrome and Chromium. These differences would matter when picking one from the many options.
Source Code
Google Chrome is based on the Chromium system, but it contains many proprietary features, including multi-device sync. Therefore, the code for Google Chrome is closed, meaning that only Google has access to it.
Chromium, on the other hand, is an entirely open-source browser. It means anyone can access the source code for the web browser.
Security and Updates
In terms of security and updates, Google Chrome may seem a convenient option. You get on-time updates from Google, and they are automatic.
With Chromium, however, the user is responsible for updates. You will likely get updates from the open-source development channel, but they may not be as proactive as the ones from Google.
Features
With Chrome, you get many features you need for modern web browsing. It means you don’t have to install codecs on your own or try many extensions. But, many of these features are linked to your Google account and may cause some privacy concerns.
Chromium is barebones in that it packs only the rendering engine. So, if you need something like high-quality video playback, Chromium requires you to install a third-party codec. Depending on who you are, this can be an inconvenience or freedom.
User Interface
The user interface designs of Chromium and Google Chrome are pretty similar, if not identical, to an extent. This means you can quickly shift from one browser to another.
However, Google Chrome has left space for its additional features. Therefore, despite their similarity in terms of basic design, Google Chrome may consume more system resources to run.
Chrome vs Chromium: Which is Better for Security?
With Google Chrome, you get advanced security and automated patches from Google itself. Because Google offers a couple of additional security features, such as tracking prevention and fingerprinting protection, you do not have to worry about many things while you are using this web browser. So, from a convenience point of view, you may find that Google Chrome is a better option for security for everyday use.
Chromium, on the other hand, does not receive any proprietary security features. You get the same level of security that you can expect from the open-source project. This can be a little problematic if you are looking for up-to-date, everyday protection because the open-source community may take time to develop their patches and release them. You also have to update the browser manually.
Chrome vs Chromium: Which to Use When?
As one can imagine, Google Chrome is better suited for you when you are looking for a fast and convenient browser for your everyday tasks. Because Google Chrome is optimized to work with Google services and most of the web, you can have an uncompromised, out-of-the-box experience. You also have the convenience of a simple UI and a wider variety of extensions. However, there may be some privacy issues that you may have to tackle because everything is integrated with Google services.
On the other hand, if you are looking for advanced customization options and better privacy, you might want to choose Chromium. As I said before, you don’t have to worry about the deeper integration that Google Chrome focuses on, especially when it comes to Google services. Chromium allows you to have the flexibility of installing the features that you actually need and keeping it as light or as heavy as you want it. Therefore, I would recommend Chromium only if you are a hardcore privacy enthusiast or developer.
Popular Use Cases for Chrome
Because of how Google Chrome is designed and optimized, it is best used for mainstream users, especially if you are into the convenience of Google integration. Regardless of the device, Google Chrome is better integrated with the Google ecosystem, and you also get many management features that you won’t find on Chromium.
So, if you want a browser that you can easily manage for your organization or workspace, Google Chrome is the easiest choice. You can also not ignore the advantage of on-time updates and Chrome extensions. Google Chrome Web Store is a great place to find extensions that can turn your web browser into an operating system on its own.
Popular Use Cases for Chromium
As it must be clear, Chromium is better suited for privacy advocates and those who want the transparency of an open-source design. It also offers significant room for customization, which can be beneficial if you want to create a browsing experience tailored to your specific requirements. For instance, if you do not want to run a particular codec on your browser, you can avoid it as long as you are using Chromium.
Additionally, Chromium is a better option for Linux users, as using Google Chrome on Linux defeats the purpose from a privacy standpoint since you would be entering the Google ecosystem and tracking system again. Overall, you should prefer Chromium to Google Chrome in instances where you prioritize privacy and customizability over convenience.
Performance Comparison: Chrome vs Chromium
There are two aspects to the process of comparing the performance of Google Chrome and Chromium. Let me break this down. First, we need to consider speed performance. This is not going to be an issue because both browsers are based on the Blink rendering engine, which is likely the best choice for achieving maximum speed and optimization. You also don’t need to worry about compatibility, as both perform well with most web protocols and platforms.
However, when it comes to resource usage, the situation is different. Google Chrome is packed with features, and many of these features can consume a significant amount of resources, particularly RAM. Therefore, you might want to opt for Chromium if you are looking for a browser that uses fewer system resources. From that perspective, you may prefer Chromium over Google Chrome.
Lastly, you also need to consider battery life. This is particularly relevant when using Google Chrome or Chromium on a laptop, such as a MacBook or a Windows laptop. The key point is that since Google Chrome is packed with features, it tends to consume a lot of battery resources even when you are not actively running many extensions. On the other hand, Chromium is likely to limit resource consumption, providing a more suitable and resource-friendly experience in terms of battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
From a convenience viewpoint, Chromium is not safer than Chrome. On the contrary, Google Chrome receives up-to-date security patches from Google, which are proactive. In contrast, Chromium offers only standard security updates, and you are required to install them manually.
Yes, you can use Google Chrome extensions on Chromium. This is possible because Google Chrome is based on the Chromium web browser engine, and it uses the Blink rendering engine. As a result, you can use Google Chrome extensions on Chromium just like you can use them on other browsers like Opera and Arc.
Chromium is not as popular as Google Chrome because it does not offer a lot of convenience in many aspects. For instance, you do not get built-in codecs or proactive system updates. And these can be a problem when you want to use your web browser for day-to-day needs.
Final Thoughts: Chrome or Chromium?
As I have noticed, Google Chrome and Chromium have many similarities, sharing the same basic structure. However, the benefits and disadvantages of choosing one over the other depend on your use case.
For instance, if you are a developer or an enthusiast and don’t mind handling security on your own, Chromium could be a good choice as your primary web browser.
On the other hand, if you don’t mind the tracking and some privacy concerns associated with Google, Google Chrome might be a better option.
It is also clear that you won’t need to invest time or effort in manually updating the browser or managing media content.
