Google Chrome has long been a favourite web browser after its release back in 2008. It’s known for its clean design and fast performance and is still considered the most popular worldwide, but that might be changing very soon.

This is where Microsoft Edge comes in. Edge came out in 2015 and was designed to replace the legacy of the previous Internet Explorer. The browser initially was HTML-based but in 2020 Microsoft changed it, releasing the newest version to be based on the same open-source software as Chrome called Chromium. Since then Edge has become a competitor of note.

With information from Google, Microsoft and tech provider TechQuarters, who are trusted IT Support Services in London, we’ve compiled a list of the important features you should look out for in your web browser and which company is doing it better.

Browser breakdown – who does it better?

User Interface

Edge and Chrome have very similar user interfaces however there are some key differences you might prefer.

Chrome is known for its minimalist layout that is relatively clean and simple. The tabs are located horizontally at the top and the browser allows users to customize the interface with a plethora of themes and extensions.

When it comes to Edge, users might find the interface slightly more complex with more options and features built in. Tabs can be found horizontally by the address bar, similar to Chrome, however, Edge gives you the option to manage tabs vertically which can make it easier to group multiple tabs.

Edge also has a feature for you to group “collections” which is similar to groups but is for thematic ideas like shopping lists.

Speed and Resource consumption

Both Chrome and Edge claim to be fast and they both are but it looks like Edge has a slight advantage here. Testing sites show Edge to be faster than Chrome but only by slight margins.

Where Edge really outshines Chrome is when it comes to RAM usage. Over the years of Chrome being a favourite, many have come to notice and dislike how resource heavy it is. It’s gained quite a reputation which has caused many to start looking elsewhere.

This reputation has given Edge an angle that makes it a browser worth actually switching to. Microsoft has improved Edge by working on features such as sleeping tabs which significantly improve memory usage. 

Less RAM usage will also result in less battery drain making Edge the superior web browser in this regard. This particular feature is one of the reasons that providers of Office 365 Consultancy would suggest Edge over Chrome.

Extensions

A big selling point for Chrome is the large selection of extensions available on the Chrome Web Store but technically they are not exclusive to Chrome since all of them are compatible with Chromium-based browsers.

This means that although Edge technically has significantly fewer Edge-exclusive extensions, you can actually install Chrome extensions on Edge. This is not the case for Chrome where you cannot install any of Edge’s add-ons.

Security and Privacy

Neither Chrome nor Edge has any major issues when it comes to security or privacy. Both browsers have made an effort to ensure that they have at least some level of security and privacy. Both have basic malware and malicious site detection features.

Where the browsers are different is in small ways. Edge is better for privacy as it gives the user more control and is overall easier to use.

Chrome on the other hand is better for security as they have more consistent updates for malware and exploits.

One thing that has given Edge an advantage though is Chrome’s history of selling user data such as search history, location and user preferences. When it comes to privacy this is a massive issue and a good reason for you to move to Edge.

In conclusion, at this point Edge and Chrome are similar but Edge is starting to show that it has the potential to dethrone Chrome as the best and most popular web browser. A lot of it comes down to preferences but if you’re looking to make the move to another default browser that better suits your needs then asking a reputable IT Support Company for advice can make the decision easy and simple.