While Edge is a relatively new web browser from Microsoft, it’s a spiritual successor to Internet Explorer. IE is 13 years older than Chrome. However, both Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge used to get a bad rep for being significantly slow. That was until 2020, when Edge switched to Chromium as its base.
This means, Edge and Chrome’s performance should be similar, speed-wise. However, just because Edge is built on Chromium does not mean it’s just Chrome with another logo slapped on top of it. Microsoft has added many thoughtful features that make it its own browser. At the same time, there are some things that Chrome does better than most other browsers, even if they’re built on the same base. In our in-depth comparison, we will look at all these differences in terms of speed, performance, user experience, privacy, security, extensions, and more.
Quick Comparison Between Chrome and Edge
| Feature | Google Chrome | Microsoft Edge |
| Speed | Fast, highly optimised for Google services | Equally fast, slightly quicker on Windows |
| RAM Usage | High due to multi-process architecture | More efficient with sleeping tabs |
| User Interface | Familiar, clean, predictable | Sleek, modern with vertical tabs and Collections |
| Extensions | Massive Chrome Web Store | Uses same Web Store, with extra Edge-specific add-ons |
| Privacy & Tracking | Weak defaults, tied to Google account | Better tracker blocking by default, but still Microsoft |
| Security | Fast patches, sandboxing, Safe Browsing | Frequent updates, SmartScreen, password monitor |
| Cross-Platform | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Battery Efficiency | Power-hungry, especially on laptops | More efficient on Windows |
| Ecosystem Integration | Google services, Drive, Docs, Photos | Windows 11, Office, OneDrive, Copilot AI |
Speed & Performance
Which Browser Is Faster: Chrome or Edge?
Let’s get the benchmark results out of the way first. We tested the two browsers on Speedometer 3.0. Chrome got a 22.5 on Windows and 29.2 on macOS. On the other hand, Edge got a 17.6 on Windows and 25.9 on macOS. While these are different numbers and it may seem like Chrome is faster than Edge, in reality the difference is minimal. And raw speed isn’t everything. To a lot of users, Edge may seem like a faster alternative to Chrome. And there are other performance indicators than just speed.
In day to day browsing, Edge might be a better choice for as it has a slight edge (pun intended) on Windows. Microsoft has optimised it to work better on Windows. So it launches quicker, and uses system resources more efficiently. And we have seen the same optimisations carry over to Linux and macOS as well.
Does Edge Use Less RAM Than Chrome?
Yes, Edge uses significantly less memory than Chrome due to its advanced memory management features, optimisations, and tight integration with Windows 11.
Chrome is notorious for being a memory hog and that reputation isn’t entirely unfair. Its multi-process architecture runs every tab, extension, and background task as separate system processes. This is good for stability, but it adds up fast in RAM usage. If you’re juggling 20 tabs and five extensions, you’ll feel it. But Chrome has been working to optimise memory usage in recent years. The Memory Saver feature can now automatically snooze inactive tabs to free up system resources. It helps, but the core architecture is still heavy.
Edge does it way better. Built on the same Chromium base, it gets the same performance updates but adds a few clever tricks of its own. Sleeping Tabs is Edge’s most notable memory-saving feature. It puts unused tabs to sleep after a set time, freeing up RAM without closing anything. Microsoft has also rolled out Efficiency Mode to further reduce CPU and memory usage when your system is under load. It’s not a big difference for light browsing, but if you’re a tab hoarder or your machine has limited RAM, Edge manages resources better overall.
Which Browser Is Best For Battery Life: Edge or Chrome?
Edge easily wins when it comes to battery life. Especially on mid-tier Windows laptops. Microsoft has poured a lot of work into making Edge a lightweight browser that doesn’t burn through your battery for no reason. With features like Sleeping Tabs and Efficiency Mode, Edge reduces background resource usage, kills unused tabs and adjusts its performance to help save power. These optimisations are built into Windows so Edge has an advantage Chrome can’t match.
But that doesn’t mean Chrome isn’t trying. Google introduced a Battery Saver mode not too long ago which helps extend battery life by limiting background activity and disabling some visual effects when power is low. Chrome also recently started sleeping inactive tabs automatically. These changes have definitely made Chrome less hungry for power than it used to be but it still doesn’t match Edge’s efficiency, yet.
On macOS and Linux the difference between the two browsers is less pronounced. Chrome and Edge are about the same when it comes to energy consumption. But on Windows where Edge can tap into system-level optimisations, it’s the better battery life option.
User Interface & Experience
Which Browser Has the Better UI: Chrome or Edge?
Chrome’s UI has always been its strongest feature. It’s minimal, clean and does exactly what it needs to do. Nothing more, nothing less. And more importantly, it’s familiar. Almost all tab based browsers looked like this. The omnibox combines the address and search bar into one, your tabs are at the top and all the controls are where you’d expect. If you’ve used a browser in the last two decades you probably already know your way around Chrome. That’s part of the charm, it doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel.
Edge’s UI is a bit more modern and opinionated. It leans into Microsoft’s design language with curved tabs, sidebar panels and integration with Copilot AI and Bing. Collections, vertical tabs, split-screen view and quick access to Outlook, Word and OneDrive are all built right into the browser. If you live in the Microsoft ecosystem it all feels very natural. Like the browser is an extension of Windows itself. Now, all that extra stuff may be overwhelming for some users. But the good news is that Edge lets you remove almost all of it. Don’t like Bing suggestions or the sidebar? You can turn them off. Want a clean, distraction free setup? You can do that too. It can be very minimal, and it can look very bloated. That level of control is what makes Edge’s UI really shine once you start tweaking.
Chrome, on the other hand, feels more static. But that might be a good thing if all you want is something reliable and fuss free. Neither UI is better or worse. They just speak to different types of users.
How Customisable Are Chrome and Edge?
Chrome is simple. You can install themes, set a custom background for your New Tab page, tweak a few flags and that’s it. It’s designed to look and feel the same on every platform. Predictable, polished and minimal.
Edge gives you more to work with. The browser is full of UI components you can tweak, hide or swap out. The vertical tabs panel can be collapsed or pinned. You can even disable the top status bar with vertical tabs on. The sidebar can be disabled. Collections can be turned off. You can even customise widgets on the New Tab page. Edge also has built-in features like Split Screen and Immersive Reader without needing extensions. Chrome often relies on third-party tools for these things. And because Edge is updated with Microsoft 365 features and productivity tools, the browser itself can act as a total workspace.
For casual users, Chrome’s limited customisation means less setup and less to break. But for users who like control and want to shape the browser around their workflow, Edge is the better option. You get more knobs to turn without having to go extension hunting. To sum it up, Chrome offers simplicity. Edge offers flexibility. Both are great, but for different tastes.
Extensions & Add-Ons
Do Chrome and Edge Support the Same Extensions?
Yes. Since both Chrome and Edge are based on Chromium, they support the same extensions from the Chrome Web Store. However, Microsoft also has its own Edge Add-Ons Store. You can install pretty much all the same ad blockers, password managers, productivity tools, VPNs on both browsers. Everything from AdGuard to Grammarly and Bitwarden works just fine.
While Google’s Chrome Web Store is the largest browser add-ons store, there are a few reasons why Microsoft Edge Add-Ons Store may be worth looking into. Google filters out a lot of web extensions that don’t go with their policy. And Google’s policy often restricts ad blockers and many productivity tools, as Google is also an advertiser. Edge Add-Ons don’t have that many restrictions.
Manifest V3 and the Future of Extensions
Here’s where things get weird. Chrome has switched to Manifest V3, a new extension framework that limits what extensions (especially ad blockers) can do. For example, extensions’ rules have been set to a limit, so many ad blockers have fewer blocklists, and removed the ability to add custom user rules. Moreover, real-time blocklist updates are also a thing of the past. While Google’s excuse is that they did this for security, these restrictions seem to only affect ad blockers. Which isn’t a surprise ad Google controls the largest ad network in the world.
Now as a result of this shift to MV3 some of the best privacy tools (like uBlock Origin) have stopped working on Chrome. Their full functionality can no longer exist under the new system. Meanwhile Edge still supports Manifest V2 extensions (for now) which makes uBlock Origin one of the best ad blockers on Edge.
Are Browser Extensions Safe?
Both Chrome and Edge have safeguards in place. Google has automated and manual review processes for Chrome Web Store and Microsoft has the same with its Edge Add-Ons Store. But nothing’s foolproof. Malicious extensions still slip in occasionally especially in Chrome’s much larger ecosystem. Always check permissions and stick to trusted developers.
If you rely on extensions heavily, especially for privacy, Edge gives you more breathing room. But keep an eye out. While there is no end-of-life date yet, Microsoft is expected to follow Chrome’s lead and stop support for Manifest V2 eventually. So this window of flexibility may not last forever.
Privacy & Security
Privacy and security often come hand in hand. However, they are not the same thing. In easy words, privacy deals with who can see your data. And security measures keep your data safe from external threats. For example, cookie tracking is a privacy issue, whereas an illegal spyware on your system is a security issue.
Which Browser is More Private?
When it comes to privacy, both Chrome and Edge leave room for improvement. But Edge wins by default. Edge has built-in tracking protection. You can choose between Basic, Balanced, or Strict mode depending on how much you want to block. It stops websites from following you around with ads and limits third-party cookies. But Edge is made by Microsoft which, like Google, is in the data business. Your browsing activity and synced data can be tied to your Microsoft account. It’s not a privacy-first browser, just slightly more privacy conscious by default than Chrome.
Chrome has weaker privacy defaults. It allows more trackers, more cookies and more background data collection unless you change the settings yourself. That’s because Chrome is part of Google’s ad business. Your browsing habits are super valuable and syncing through a Google account only reinforces that loop. Google has introduced some privacy features like the Privacy Sandbox which eliminates third-party cookies in favor of a less invasive ad model. But the system still uses browser-based profiling which isn’t quite the privacy win it sounds like. Even the Incognito Mode doesn’t block trackers, it just doesn’t save your history.
If you care about privacy neither of these browsers are perfect. You should check our picks for the best private browsers of 2025. But Edge is the better of the two worse options.
Which Browser Is More Secure?
Both Chrome and Edge are very secure. They’re fast, up to date and packed with tools to protect you from malware, phishing and dodgy websites.
Chrome has Google’s Safe Browsing technology which warns you if you’re about to land on a dodgy site. It also has sandboxing and site isolation to contain threats and Google’s security team is one of the best in the world. Which means updates are frequent and mostly seamless.
Edge brings a lot more to the table. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is its version of Safe Browsing and does a great job of filtering out phishing sites and malicious downloads. It also has Kids Mode. Which is a secure, family friendly browsing environment. Moreover, the built in password monitor that alerts you if your credentials have been leaked in a data breach. Edge’s security is also tied to Windows Defender and Microsoft 365 so Windows users will get tighter system integration.
Edge may feel more security conscious simply because it surfaces these features in the UI. Chrome keeps most of them under the hood. But functionally they’re equal. If you’re just looking at security you’ll be safe with either browser. That said, Chrome’s quick update cycle is a slight advantage. Google is often first to patch zero day exploits and Chrome’s updates are fast and invisible. Edge isn’t far behind but it’s a bit slower.
Cross-Platform Availability & Compatibility
Which Browser Works Better Across Devices: Chrome or Edge?
Chrome is the best at syncing across devices. It works on Android, iOS, ChromeOS, Windows, macOS and even Linux. If you’re logged into your Google account all your bookmarks, passwords, extensions, autofill details and open tabs sync instantly. Whether you start browsing on your phone and continue on your laptop or vice versa, everything syncs seamlessly. This is especially handy if you use Android or any Google apps like Gmail, Google Docs or Drive.
Edge is available on all major platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. But syncing isn’t as smooth. It requires a Microsoft account and while it syncs passwords, history, bookmarks and even open tabs it’s not quite as seamless as Chrome. Edge is best used within the Microsoft ecosystem. If you use Outlook, OneDrive or Microsoft 365 tools Edge integrates better than Chrome ever could. You also get features like syncing your reading list or web captures directly to your Windows PC which is a nice productivity bonus.
On mobile Chrome works better on Android. But on iOS you get the same kind of experience whether it’s Chrome or Edge. On Android both browsers perform well but Chrome’s default status gives it a smoother experience out of the box.
How Well Do Chrome and Edge Integrate With Their Ecosystems?
If you’re comfortable in the Google ecosystem, Chrome is the obvious choice. Everything works together. Gmail and Calendar and Drive and Photos. Chrome is the default interface for Chromebooks. When you use Chrome, you can easily access the entire range of Google services with no friction. And because Google owns Android, the integration there is deeper.
Edge feels like a natural part of the Windows OS. It syncs beautifully with Microsoft 365 apps like Word and Excel and can open Office files right in the browser. The sidebar has instant access to Outlook, Copilot AI and other productivity tools. Even Windows features like web widgets, clipboard syncing and system wide password autofill feel more cohesive with Edge.
Edge’s integration is so deep it’s also the default PDF reader on Windows. You can annotate, highlight and sign PDFs without installing another app. And if you’re on Windows 11, Edge has been tuned to match the system UI perfectly. Even system search (via the Start menu or taskbar) opens links in Edge by default which is both a plus and a minus depending on your preference.
If you’re in the Microsoft ecosystem, Edge will give you a smoother workflow. But if you’re all Google, Chrome is the more seamless option.
Final Verdict
If you’re on Windows, Edge is the way to go. It’s built for the platform, closely tied to the OS and it shows. Better battery life, more thoughtful memory management, Edge makes the most of what Windows has to offer. It’s got useful features like vertical tabs, Collections, Split Screen mode and Copilot AI, all of which are good for productivity and multitasking. And if you don’t like the clutter, you can strip it all back and make Edge as clean as you want.
But if we’re talking overall, across platforms, ecosystems and for long term familiarity, Chrome still wins. It’s fast, simple and synced to the services we use daily. Chrome works everywhere and feels the same no matter what device you’re on. It’s not as efficient on Windows, and yes, it can be a bit of a RAM and battery hog. But extension support, cross platform syncing and seamless Google integration are still unmatched.
So here’s the verdict:
- If you’re on Windows and want something efficient, feature rich and customisable, Edge is your best bet. It runs smoother, lasts longer on battery and plays nicer with native apps.
- If you want a browser that works flawlessly across all your devices and integrates tightly with Google services, Chrome is still the overall winner.
Try them side by side. See which one fits your workflow better. See which one fits your workflow better.