With Internet Explorer being phased out in June 2022 and Windows focusing on improving Microsoft Edge, users are left wondering which browser is superior. Are there any differences in the two browsers? While on the outside, they look pretty similar, upon closer look you’ll find that that the features reveal notable differences between the two.

Chrome and Edge are both Chromium-based browsers, which are free software developed by Google. Chromium is the foundation for many browsers, including Brave and Opera. Edge, which replaced Internet Explorer, switched to Chromium in 2020 in order to compete with Chrome.

In the past, Microsoft dominated with Internet Explorer, but it lost ground to Chrome. Chrome is now the default choice for many users, while Edge initially struggled to gain traction. This was due to the lack of features, giving insufficient reasons for users to switch from Chrome. However, with the recent introduction of Chromium and a steady increase in features, Edge has gained some attention.

In this blog, we discuss the pros of cons of each browser, and also how to decide which browser is best for you.

Google Chrome:

Pros:

• Extremely compatible: Google Chrome is the most widely supported browser, especially for consumer devices. Its adaptability is demonstrated by its compatibility with nearly every operating system, allowing it to be used on Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android platforms.
• Syncing: Chrome offers seamless syncing, allowing users to synchronise their browsing history, bookmarks, and settings across various devices. This functionality enables seamless device transitions, whether it's a phone, laptop, iPad, or any other device with Chrome installed. On the other hand, while Edge does offer synchronisation features, they’re quite limited in comparison to chrome.
• Minimalist interface: Chrome has a familiar and minimalistic design that many users love. The simple design increases user experience, contributing to a positive browser experience. This design choice makes it easy for users to navigate the browser and find what they're looking for.
• Ease of use: Due to the popularity of chrome, many users have gotten used to the way the browser works. They’ve also figured out ways on how to find the right answers to their questions. This leads to a much higher ease of use for users.
• Powerful search bar: Chrome can perform instant calculations, conversions, and translations right from the address bar. This means you'll get answers to your questions right away.

Cons:

• Privacy issues: Google is known for it’s privacy issues and when using Chrome you put your data at risk. This is because the organisation collects tons of user data as a way to increase the performance and usability of the browser. It also allows for the browser to send out more personalised content such as ads. So, when using Chrome, you’re putting your data at risk.
• Resource Usage: Chrome is extremely resource-extensive, especially when multiple tabs are open. This can lead to higher RAM usage and potentially slowing down your system.

Microsoft Edge:

Pros:

• Enhanced Security: Edge offers users three levels of protection from tracking – basic, balanced, and strict. This gives users the flexibility to choose the level of tracking prevention that aligns with their preferences. The browser also provides transparency by presenting a list of blocked trackers, giving users insights into the entities they are protected from. Edge also uses Microsoft Defender SmartScreen to defend users against phishing and malware. This feature scans webpages for potential signs of suspicious behaviour and displays a warning page when it identifies a site as potentially malicious.
• Vertical tabs: Microsoft Edge includes the vertical feature which is perfect for business. Vertical tabs mean your tabs are neatly listed on the left side instead of being crammed at the top, offering a more organized and clear view. You can switch through your tabs seamlessly, speeding up your work day.
• Customisable Interface: Edge's customizable start page is a standout feature, providing a convenient way to access frequently visited websites. Users can customise this page to display their favourite websites, news articles, and the Bing search engine, resulting in a more personalised and efficient browsing experience.
• Microsoft Shopping: Microsoft Shopping is another excellent addition to the Edge browser. It opens in a side panel and allows you to browse through incredible ongoing deals and product discounts. It also finds website-exclusive coupons and vouchers to help you save money.

Cons:

• Extensions: While Microsoft Edge does support Chrome extensions, it's worth noting that the Chrome Web Store isn't directly integrated into the browser. This may make the extension installation process less seamless for some users. Users can download extensions from Microsoft Edge's own store. Also due to the transition from Internet Explorer to Microsoft Edge, developers may need to recode extensions, resulting in a limited selection of Edge-compatible extensions.
• Compatibility Issues: Microsoft Edge also comes with compatibility issues for certain platforms, especially when compared Chrome.

Choosing the right browser:

Reasons for choosing Chrome over Edge:

• If you’re looking to use the same browser on multiple devices
• If you’re looking for a minimalist browser with simple features
• If your default search engine is Google

Reasons for choosing Edge over Chrome:

• If you’re a business who is looking to protect their data
• If you’re looking to improve your security
• If you’re looking for a browser with customisable features