As browser statistics would tell you, the demise of Internet Explorer quickly became a catalyst for Chrome. It remained the unofficial yet go-to browser for Windows for almost a decade. All this changed when Edge was introduced and later became the default browser on Windows. Now, Microsoft Edge is as big as Chrome, and that makes things a little tricky.
Here is a detailed comparison between Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome to help you choose the best.
Edge vs Chrome: Which is Better?
Edge is a better choice in terms of privacy, feature set, and overall performance. It also offers better cross-platform synchronization options than Chrome. While Chrome offers maximum speed, it does not work so well if you have a mid-range configuration device.
Edge vs Chrome: Overview
Microsoft Edge, as I said, has been the official default browser for Windows, starting from Windows 11. In addition, MS Edge is available for macOS, Android, and iOS. As such, Edge has become a strong competitor to Google Chrome and other browsers, including Safari. For a browser that is barely 10 years old, it achieved an impressive record of 5.24% browser market share worldwide.
Google Chrome, on the other hand, has been in the industry for almost two decades. This browser has a 65% browser market share globally, meaning that one out of two people use Google Chrome on their devices. Google Chrome is available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and Chrome OS. This Google product has been projecting itself as the fastest web browser, packing security-centric features.
Now that you know these basics, we shall see how Edge and Chrome fare in multiple aspects.
Edge vs Chrome: User Interface
Both Edge and Chrome use a similar User Interface design. One could say the Microsoft Edge UI has been heavily inspired by Chrome, but the multi-tab design used by Chrome had become the norm by the time of Edge’s release. However, the similarity in design does not mean they are identical.
You can quickly tell these two web browsers apart at the first look. For instance, you’d notice the difference in the placement of account actions. Edge lets you choose a theme, tab layout, and overall appearance when you get started. As of now, Google Chrome does not have native support for vertical tabs. You will also notice the toolbar on the right, where you can access many Microsoft services, including Copilot.
Chrome, on the other hand, embraces simplicity in terms of design. You can, of course, try third-party themes to step up your game, but that is optional. For instance, Chrome does not have content recommendations or interactive widgets. The best you can do is change the theme and wallpaper. But these are pretty light on the system.
Our Take: Edge and Chrome boast impressive and intuitive User Interface designs. While Edge offers a more flexible design, especially with vertical tabs, Chrome is pretty sweet too. But if you want vertical tabs, you’d have to choose Edge over Chrome.
Edge vs Chrome: Performance and Speed
Given that web browsers will soon replace our operating systems, you cannot understate the importance of performance and speed. Here is a comparative evaluation of Chrome and Edge in some specific areas.
Edge vs Chrome: Speed
When it comes to speed, you should pay attention to two factors: page loading speed and startup speed.
We cannot compare the startup speed since it depends on the device/configuration. But, compared to other browsers I have tried, both Edge and Chrome have impressive startup speeds. For instance, on a modern PC with 16GB of RAM, Edge and Chrome won’t take more than a second to start up. So, we have a tie.
The case of page loading speed is different. Even though the page loading speeds of Edge and Chrome may seem identical, Chrome has an edge, mainly when you use Google products. But we should also say that Edge offers almost the same as Microsoft products/services.
Yet, given the dominance of Google across the industry, one cannot deny the upper hand that Chrome has. You will notice that services like Gmail and Google Drive will work better when using Google Chrome. However, this also means Chrome has a high CPU consumption rate.
If you don’t mind compromising system-wide performance, you should choose Chrome for better speed.
Edge vs Chrome: Multitasking
Multitasking is also a concern when choosing between Edge and Chrome. There are two aspects to this multitasking.
First, the browser should handle multiple tabs without putting much strain on your computer’s resources, allowing you to manage them efficiently. Second, you should be able to run other applications and services on your computer or smartphone while using the browser.
- In-browser multitasking
In terms of in-browser multitasking, Chrome might retain its dominance. Even with tens of tabs open, you won’t have trouble setting things up and shifting between these tabs. However, I have noticed that Chrome tends to slow things down when you have open heavy-duty web pages in one of those tabs.
Microsoft Edge, on the other hand, retains its balanced approach. It uses algorithms to notify the user when a tab consumes too many resources, giving the user an option to sleep the tab. I find this option helpful many times, especially considering that I keep too many tabs open at once.
- General Multitasking
General multitasking is where Chrome takes a significant hit. Because it is designed to prioritize speed, it consumes a lot of RAM, making it difficult to run anything other than Chrome on devices with 8 GB of RAM or less. On a Mac/PC, you may face difficulties running Chrome alongside other heavy-duty applications. You cannot ignore Chrome’s impact on battery life either.
Microsoft Edge, on the other hand, is more accommodating to other applications on your computer. Thanks to its tab management features and resource-efficient technologies, you can efficiently run other applications even with multiple tabs open on Microsoft Edge. I’ve particularly noticed this when using Edge on a Windows PC, as the integration and resource optimization seems to be better in that environment.
Therefore, on both Mac and PC, Edge is a better choice if you want to work with other heavy-duty apps or services.
Edge vs Chrome: Extensions
Before we talk about extensions available for both Edge and Chrome, you have to understand that both web browsers use the same rendering engine called Blink.
It also means you get the same level of extensions on Microsoft Edge and Chrome. This is actually a better situation because Edge also has a more optimized add-on marketplace for its browser. So, we would say that both have a tie in this category.
However, the impact of extensions on in-browser and multitasking performance is different for Edge and Chrome. Edge handles the situation well, and you can enjoy a seamless browsing experience even when you have a few extensions. By the way, you may not need many Edge extensions in the first place (more about that later.)
Chrome, on the other hand, struggles when you use multiple extensions. Therefore, if you have constraints for system resources, you may want to avoid them. Instead, you can use built-in features like tab grouping to manage your browsing situation.
This problematic situation with extensions seems to happen on both Mac and PC.
Edge vs Chrome: Security and Privacy
How well do Edge and Chrome protect your security and privacy? You should consider this aspect, given that you use your web browser for a variety of transactions.
Security Features
In terms of security features, Edge and Chrome offer almost identical packages.
For instance, both browsers provide options for safe browsing and malware protection, powered by custom algorithms that can protect you from potential fraud while browsing.
They also include built-in features like password management and privacy-focused options. On a PC, Edge may offer deeper integration with Windows compared to what Chrome might offer.
Overall, the security features of both browsers are robust, and this aspect alone should not be the deciding factor in choosing between them.
Privacy Considerations
Privacy-centric features on Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are both impressive, but there are some aspects you may want to consider.
For instance, both browsers offer private browsing and tracking prevention, but it isn’t easy to fully separate yourself from Google when using Chrome. As mentioned multiple times, Chrome is deeply integrated with the Google ecosystem, and there have been instances of tracking even when additional privacy features are enabled.
Another consideration is how these browsers integrate with security features. Edge has an advantage over Chrome in this area, as it is more deeply integrated into the Windows system. In contrast, Chrome does not offer this level of integration on any device except for Chrome OS laptops or hybrids.
In short, while Chrome and Edge offer impressive security features, you may want to stick to Microsoft Edge on a PC. Doing so will help you stay away from Google’s tracking network as well.
Unique Features on Chrome and Edge
Here are a few unique features that may help you choose Chrome over Edge or vice versa.
- As far as tab management is concerned, Google Chrome offers tab grouping options, but it does not support vertical tabs or further tab arrangements. In contrast, Microsoft Edge allows you to enable vertical tabs right from the initial setup.
- Both browsers come with a built-in PDF reader, but the one in Google Chrome is quite essential and can be frustrating to use. On the other hand, Microsoft Edge offers a richer PDF reader experience.
- When it comes to browser performance, Microsoft Edge provides features like sleeping tabs, which help preserve system resources when you have multiple tabs open. In contrast, Chrome offers a feature called preload pages, which can actually increase system usage.
- Additionally, Edge offers better integration with Xbox, as both are developed by Microsoft. Chrome does not provide this, although it used to support Stadia, whose future is now uncertain.
- Edge also includes some handy features like a built-in screenshot utility and split-screen viewing, which are not available in Chrome. You can bring some of these features to Chrome using extensions.
As you understand, Microsoft Edge offers more features than Google Chrome. More importantly, all these features work across PC and Mac, making it easy to shift between devices. We shall talk about multi-platform synchronization in a second.
Tracking Technology & Tracking Protection
Tracking and fingerprinting have become the norm on the web, and you need a web browser that helps you stay away from them, at least partially.
Google Chrome
As I mentioned earlier, there is a limit to how much independent internet browsing you can expect when using Google Chrome. Even though the browser claims to offer protection from multiple tracking bots and third-party cookies, you are always under the surveillance of Google’s services. This is especially true when you use other services within the Google ecosystem.
More importantly, Google Chrome tends to use user data and cookies to create personalized ads, which are then served through the AdSense network. So, while there are some privacy-friendly features like sandboxing, which prevents third-party applications from affecting your system, privacy within the browser remains a concern when you choose Google Chrome.
Microsoft Edge
You might argue that the situation with Microsoft Edge is not so different since it is a Microsoft product. However, there are some counterarguments to consider.
First, Edge is available on multiple platforms, including macOS, where it does not have the same privileges as it would on a Windows PC. This means there is a better chance of protecting your privacy and preventing tracking issues when using Edge on non-Windows devices. Even within Windows, Edge appears to be less aggressive in terms of tracking and data collection.
More importantly, Edge allows you to choose between three modes of tracking prevention: basic, balanced, and strict. Additionally, since Microsoft generates most of its revenue from products other than its browser, there seems to be a more substantial commitment to privacy, which could incentivize many people to choose Microsoft Edge over Google Chrome.
Cross-Device Accessibility
Cross-device accessibility refers to how easily you can continue the browsing experience between multiple platforms and devices. Let’s talk about some of these features.
Both Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome are available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Here is how it feels to use the browser on these devices.
Synchronization Across Devices
- Edge
With Microsoft Edge, you get comprehensive closed-platform syncing options, allowing you to synchronize your settings, passwords, favorites, bookmarks, and other preferences across all your devices, including macOS and Android. However, you gain additional benefits when you are invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, such as integration with Microsoft Office or OneDrive.
More importantly, Edge offers a feature that lets you share workspaces between devices. This feature enables you to create virtual workspaces within the Edge ecosystem, which you can resume or access from any supported device. Overall, the synchronization options with Microsoft Edge are impressive, and you simply need to log in using your Microsoft account to take full advantage of them.
- Chrome
Google Chrome also offers synchronization features that are widely used and have been in place for a more extended period. For instance, you can synchronize your bookmarks, passwords, history, and even extensions when you log in with the same Google account. However, you always have the option to turn off synchronization if you prefer to have a separate browsing experience on each device.
The continuity features in Chrome are adequate, as you can resume some apps that you closed on another device. However, unlike Edge, Chrome does not offer a workspace system, nor does it sync the tab groups you have created in the browser. These are features that would be valuable in Chrome, especially if you frequently switch between multiple devices at home, at the office, or on the go.
User Experience on Different Platforms
The user experience that Edge and Chrome offer on multiple devices and platforms is also great and identical. Of course, Edge has the upper hand when it comes to Windows devices, but you wouldn’t notice that when shifting to Chrome, either.
Since both browsers use the same rendering engine, you expect the same set of features and performance on most devices.
Overall, if you can forego virtual workspaces, Edge and Chrome offer the same experience in this respect.
Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome Alternatives
While Edge may seem better than Chrome, you have options other than this duo.
Why Consider Alternatives?
If you haven’t noticed, the shift between Edge and Chrome essentially represents a choice between two big companies, raising concerns about privacy. You might also be seeking additional features that neither of these browsers fully provides. Therefore, it could be worthwhile to consider some of the other browsers we’ve covered below to see if they better suit your needs.
- Mozilla Firefox: This open-source browser offers better privacy-centric features.
- Safari: You can go for Safari on Mac if you need maximum privacy and performance.
- Brave: Brave packs a built-in ad-blocker and privacy-centric tracking prevention features.
- Arc: This new browser offers a balanced browsing experience with unique features.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want to reduce system usage and get some features like a split screen, you may consider shifting from Chrome to Edge. Doing so will also give you some privacy-centric features, such as tracking prevention.
Microsoft Edge offers a better set of utilities, support for vertical tabs, and tracking protection features. You can also expect better performance from Edge when using it on a PC.
Depending on your requirements, you can choose between many better browsers than Chrome. Firefox and Brave are great for privacy, whereas Opera offers a set of features. You can also try Arc, a new browser with amazing features.
Conclusion
As you can see, choosing between Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome depends on multiple factors. For instance, you need to consider the system you’re using and the services you primarily engage with.
For example, if I mostly used a Windows PC and Microsoft services like Office and Outlook, I would have every reason to choose Edge over Chrome. This choice has become even easier now that the macOS and Android versions of Microsoft Edge have also improved.
There should be a new set of articles dedicated to discussing the AI features of Edge, which we haven’t covered here. Overall, Edge seems to be the better option, but these are areas where Google could improve if it decides to move away from tracking users and collecting advertisement-oriented data.
So, while I expect Google to do it sooner rather than later, I’d stick to Edge.
