Chrome
Google's mainstream Chromium browser with broad compatibility, sync, and web-app support.
Published by Google (United States) · Verified
Runs on
- macOSmacOS: Available
- WindowsWindows: Available
- LinuxLinux: Available
- AndroidAndroid: Available
- iOSiOS: Available
Choose it when
Choose Chrome when compatibility, managed-device support, and the largest Chromium extension ecosystem matter more than aggressive default blocking.
Avoid it when
Avoid it when you want tracker blocking by default, minimal Google integration, or a privacy-first configuration without tuning.
Quick answers
Read straight off the verified record - every one of these is expanded with its source below.
- Which platforms does Chrome run on?
- Documented on macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.
- Can I install Chrome extensions?
- Yes - the Chrome Web Store is supported.
- Does it block trackers out of the box?
- No - nothing blocks trackers by default. No general third-party tracker blocker is enabled by default.
- Does it have built-in AI features?
- Yes - 7 of 9 documented AI capabilities are built in.
- Is it open source?
- Chromium open-source components with Google-distributed proprietary services
- Is it still being developed?
- Active - Actively developed and distributed for major desktop platforms.
What Chrome does
Open any row for the wording and the source behind it
Privacy and tracking
2 built in · 2 not available
Blocks trackers by defaultBlocks trackers by default: Unavailable
No general third-party tracker blocker is enabled by default.
Anti-fingerprintingAnti-fingerprinting: Built in
Privacy controls include anti-fingerprinting-related settings, but not a hardened anonymity profile.
Telemetry postureTelemetry posture: Built in
Usage statistics and diagnostics are controlled in Chrome settings.
Built-in VPN or proxyBuilt-in VPN or proxy: Unavailable
No general browser VPN is included.
Private windowsIncognito windows reduce local history but do not make browsing anonymous.
Incognito windows reduce local history but do not make browsing anonymous.
- Default search engineGoogle
Extensions and blocking
2 built in · 3 not available
- Chrome Web StoreChrome Web Store: Supported
- Firefox Add-onsFirefox Add-ons: Unsupported
Native content blockingNative content blocking: Unavailable
Use an extension for general content blocking.
Manifest V3Manifest V3: Built in
Chrome extensions use the current Manifest V3 model.
Manifest V2Manifest V2: Unavailable
Manifest V2 support has been removed from current Chrome channels.
Known limitationsChrome Web Store policies and Manifest V3 API limits affect extension choices.
Chrome Web Store policies and Manifest V3 API limits affect extension choices.
Workflow
8 built in · 3 not available
Vertical tabsVertical tabs: Built in
A native Show Tabs Vertically option rolled out to stable Chrome in 2026.
- Tab treesTab trees: Unavailable
- Workspaces or spacesWorkspaces or spaces: Unavailable
ProfilesProfiles: Built in
Profiles or equivalent browser identities are available.
Split viewSplit view: Built in
A native Split View showing two pages side by side shipped in early 2026.
SidebarSidebar: Built in
Chrome's side panel hosts reading mode, bookmarks, and tools; vertical tabs use a side rail.
Reader modeReader mode: Built in
Reading Mode is a native side-panel and full-page feature.
- Command paletteCommand palette: Unavailable
Sync across devicesSync across devices: Built in
Sync is provided by the browser or its upstream project.
TranslationTranslation: Built in
A built-in translation feature is documented.
Progressive web appsProgressive web apps: Built in
Progressive web apps are supported by the Chromium install flow.
AI features
7 built in · 2 undocumented
Built-in assistantBuilt-in assistant: Built in
Gemini in Chrome provides a built-in assistant surface.
Page summarisationPage summarisation: Built in
Gemini in Chrome documents page or multi-tab summarisation.
Acts on pages for youActs on pages for you: Built in
Gemini in Chrome documents multi-step actions taken on the user's behalf.
AI answer engineAI answer engine: Built in
Gemini in Chrome documents AI-assisted answers in search or the address bar.
Works across open tabsWorks across open tabs: Built in
Gemini in Chrome documents awareness of multiple tabs or history.
Text or image generationText or image generation: Built in
Gemini in Chrome documents text or image generation.
Choice of modelChoice of model: Unknown
Model selection is not documented.
Retention or training controlsRetention or training controls: Unknown
AI privacy controls are not documented.
Voice or image inputVoice or image input: Built in
Gemini in Chrome documents voice or image interaction.
On a phone
2 built in · 8 undocumented
Undocumented is not the same as absent - it means the publisher does not state it.
Extensions on mobileExtensions on mobile: Unknown
Extension support on mobile is not documented.
Can be the phone defaultCan be the phone default: Unknown
Default-browser capability is not documented.
Biometric lockBiometric lock: Built in
Android can lock Incognito windows when you leave Chrome.
Offline readingOffline reading: Unknown
Offline reading is not documented.
Desktop-site modeDesktop-site mode: Built in
Google documents a desktop site and default site view control on Android and iOS.
Download managerDownload manager: Unknown
A built-in download manager is not documented.
Background playbackBackground playback: Unknown
Background or picture-in-picture playback is not documented.
Web pushWeb push: Unknown
Web push support is not documented.
- Data saverData saver: Unknown
Address-bar placementAddress-bar placement: Unknown
Address-bar placement is not documented.
Under the hood
- Rendering engine
- Chromium
- JavaScript engine
- V8
- Upstream project
- Chromium
- Release channel
- stable
- Code and licence
- Chromium open-source components with Google-distributed proprietary services
- Install method
- Official installer, package repositories, or app stores.
- Hardware support
- Desktop builds have documented architecture-specific installers.
Active. Actively developed and distributed for major desktop platforms.
Editorial view
Chrome is the default answer for a reason, and the reason is not speed or privacy. It is that the web gets tested against Chrome. Sites, extensions, enterprise tools, and school platforms all assume it, so choosing Chrome is choosing the configuration everyone else already debugged.
Where it runs
Official builds cover macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS, installed from an official installer, a package repository, or an app store, on a stable release channel with frequent updates.
The Google layer
Under the product is Chromium and V8, plus the part that makes Chrome Chrome: Google's account, update, and web-service integrations. The Chromium source is public; the Google service layer on top of it is not, and a plain Chromium package is not a drop-in substitute. If your working life runs through a Google account, that integration is convenient. If you want distance from Google, it is the whole problem, and no setting fully removes it.
Privacy, read honestly
This is where the sum turns against it. A privacy-minded alternative in this directory would tolerate none of the following defaults.
- Telemetry is on by default, with controls in settings.
- No general tracker blocker, and third-party cookies work out of the box.
- Documented fingerprinting-related controls exist, but nothing close to a hardened profile.
- No VPN, and Incognito only clears local history. It does not hide you from sites, your network, or Google.
- Search defaults to Google.
Extensions and workflow
Extensions come from the Chrome Web Store under Manifest V3. Manifest V2 is gone from current releases, which killed or weakened some old content blockers, and store policy plus V3 API limits shape what an extension can still do. The workflow side has caught up with the forks it used to trail: vertical tabs, split view, a side panel, Reading Mode, profiles, sync, translation, and web-app installs are all native now, and Gemini adds an assistant with summarisation, AI answers, generation, cross-tab awareness, and voice input.
The verdict
Pick Chrome when compatibility, managed devices, and the biggest extension catalogue outweigh default privacy. Pick something else if you want blocking without configuring it, or a smaller Google footprint. And before rolling it out to a fleet, test the sites and extensions that actually matter to you, because a compatibility reputation is not a guarantee about your stack.
Where these facts come from
Every capability above is read from a primary source and dated. 0 of 30 fields stay recorded as unknown rather than assumed.
- Chrome official product pageVerified
Product and platform scope.
Alternatives to Chrome
- FirefoxMozillaGeckoActive
Mozilla's independent Gecko browser with strong customization, privacy controls, and a separate extension ecosystem.
View profile - BraveBrave SoftwareChromiumActive
A Chromium browser with native Shields blocking, optional privacy services, and Chrome extension compatibility.
View profile 
ChromiumThe Chromium AuthorsChromiumActiveThe open-source upstream project behind many browsers, useful for testing and a self-managed browser setup.
View profile
Reviewed comparisons featuring Chrome
- Chrome vs Firefox
Choose Chrome for Chromium compatibility and Chrome services; choose Firefox for an independent engine and stronger built-in tracking controls.
Compare head-to-head - Brave vs Chrome
Choose Brave for native blocking and fewer default tracking conveniences; choose Chrome for Google's first-party integration and the least surprising Chromium baseline.
Compare head-to-head - Chrome vs Edge
Choose Chrome for Google's ecosystem and baseline compatibility; choose Edge for Microsoft integration, Tracking Prevention, and Workspaces.
Compare head-to-head - Chrome vs Vivaldi
Choose Chrome for a restrained, widely managed Chromium baseline; choose Vivaldi for extensive tab, workspace, tiling, and sidebar controls.
Compare head-to-head - Chrome vs Safari
Choose Safari on Apple hardware for platform integration and battery behaviour; choose Chrome for cross-platform continuity and the larger extension library.
Compare head-to-head 
Chrome vs Samsung BrowserChoose Samsung Browser (formerly Samsung Internet) on a Galaxy phone for its tracking controls and add-on catalogue; choose Chrome when you need the same browser on every device you own.
Compare head-to-head- Chrome vs Opera Mini
Choose Opera Mini when data cost or a slow connection is the binding constraint; choose Chrome for full rendering fidelity and cross-device sync.
Compare head-to-head 
Chrome vs Yandex BrowserBoth are Chromium with Chrome extension support; the decision is which company's services and jurisdiction you want your browsing tied to.
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