Google Chrome needs no introduction. For many of us, Google Chrome was our first browser. Credit to its simplicity and exceptionally high uptime, Chrome remains the #1 browser in searches, user base, integrations, and more.
As per its last report, Google's average uptime is 99.9%, which is around 8.77 hours of downtime per year. Ask yourself: how often have you seen Chrome down?
If you’re looking for an all-in-one browser that’s fast, secure, and easy to use, Chrome could be the best web browser for you. Read on for more details.
Google Chrome: Features
Google Chrome offers a built-in password manager that automatically asks if you want to save your passwords and then later offers to autofill when you log back in. While you might need to pay a third party for this service with other browsers, Google does it for free.
Its dark mode is perfect for night owls. If you don't want the pertinent blue light to hurt your eyes, this feature is for you. Google also lets you experiment with many other artistic themes along with the default and dark themes.
The Chrome browser is automatically integrated with other Google products such as Google Drive, Google Sheets, and Google Docs. If you look up something on the browser, all your files containing that keyword will pop up in the suggestions.
Tab management is a cakewalk with Google Chrome. To increase your productivity, Google lets you open and manage multiple tabs at once. You can also group tabs with similar topics so that you keep track of all of them in the crowd.
The best feature of Google’s tab management is that it lets you pin tabs that you use frequently. This way, the pinned tab or website will open automatically, saving you the hassle of starting the process from the beginning.
Managing your other Google accounts is also quite easy. All you have to do is click on your profile picture in the top-right corner, and it’ll roll down a list of your other Google accounts. Having separate accounts is a great way to keep your professional and personal life apart.
Google analyzes your searches to see what exactly you’re interested in. This data is then used to create a personalized news feed for you on your mobile.
For example, you might have noticed that if you research a new college course, all details regarding the best colleges and upcoming exam dates will pop up in your news feed — that’s Google Chrome’s doing.
Adding extensions like Google Translate or Google Keep (a tool that lets you save things in a click) further adds to its functionality.
Google Chrome: Privacy
Google Chrome has a built-in security system that protects you from malware and viruses even before they reach your device. It also uses high-level encryption to keep your data safe, especially during transit through emails.
However, despite all these claims of security and privacy, Chrome has often been accused of selling personal user data. Sure, almost every other browser does it, but Chrome does it more than anyone else. In fact, Google had many long-running consumer privacy lawsuits filed against it. One was settled just last year for a whopping $85 million.
So if you’re looking for a truly secure and private browser, you're much better off with Tor, Firefox, or Bravo.
Google Chrome: Ease of use
Google Chrome is undoubtedly an easy-to-use browser, at least on a basic level. Your first and most basic interaction with Chrome would be to look up things on the internet. Just open the app and type in your query in the search box located right in the center — it's impossible to miss it.
Next, you can access other Google apps via Chrome. Pretty straightforward again, Click on the dotted square next to your profile picture. All Google apps, such as YouTube, Drive, Contacts, Photos, Google Meet, etc., will pop right up. It won't take you long to learn your way around the app.
Google Chrome: Competitors
Google Chrome remains the number one choice of many users due to its wide availability. Unlike Opera or Firefox, a majority of devices and operating systems have Chrome as their default browser.
Google’s number one competitor these days is Microsoft Edge. Sure, Edge's market share is far below Chrome, but it has a few points over Chrome with its tab management feature that lets you stack them vertically. Chrome, on the other hand, has only one option, and that’s to line them up horizontally.
Another benefit of using Edge is its unique feature for readers called “Immersive Reader.” Here, Edge transforms the page you’re reading into an ebook format for a better experience. Unfortunately, Chrome has no similar feature.
However, on the flip side, Chrome is faster at pushing out updates and fixing vulnerabilities with security patches. Edge does it, too, but it's certainly not as fast as Chrome.
Also, Chrome’s extension store is much better than Edge, or any other browser. You have 150,000+ options that are easy to add and will drastically improve your experience.
Google Chrome: Final verdict
Google Chrome is the most popular browser in the world. Of the billion online searches happening every month, Google Chrome claims more than 93% of it. So it's needless to say that Chrome is certainly a reliable and worthy browser that should surely win you over.
Also, you won't have to go through too much trouble to get started with Chrome. The interface is quite simple, and while it offers enough options to maximize your experience, it doesn’t demand technical adeptness.
Once you settle in, have all your documents saved in the drive, upload your passwords to the password manager, and get your Gmail account — Chrome will offer an integrated experience and ecosystem that you’ll never want to leave.