When comparing Microsoft Edge vs Chrome, Edge wins on performance, memory efficiency, and privacy, while Chrome leads in extensions, syncing, and platform support. Your choice ultimately depends on whether you prioritize speed and resource management or a larger add-on library and seamless cross-device experience.
Microsoft Edge vs Chrome: at a glance
| Category | Winner | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Microsoft Edge | Edge scores higher in three of four benchmark tests, including JetStream, WebXPRT3, and Speedometer. |
| Memory usage | Microsoft Edge | Edge uses less RAM: 873MB vs 952MB with 10 pages, and 2.9GB vs 3.7GB with 60 tabs. |
| Design and features | Microsoft Edge | Edge offers Immersive Reader and Performance Mode, giving it an edge over Chrome's basic reader mode. |
| Default settings | Tie | Chrome defaults to Google; Edge defaults to Bing and Microsoft News; both are changeable. |
| Extensions | Google Chrome | Chrome's Web Store has around 200,000 extensions, while Edge's library is smaller and Chrome extensions show pop-ups. |
| Privacy and security | Microsoft Edge | Edge offers three tracking prevention levels; Chrome only blocks third-party cookies and personalizes ads. |
| Platform support and syncing | Google Chrome | Chrome supports Linux and Chrome OS, and syncs open tabs and history; Edge lacks these sync features. |
What is Microsoft Edge?
Microsoft Edge launched in 2015 as the replacement for Internet Explorer, but it initially failed to gain traction. Microsoft rebuilt Edge on the Chromium open-source engine, which improved speed and functionality. It now ships as the default browser on all new Windows computers and runs on older Windows versions as well as macOS.
What is Google Chrome?
Google Chrome launched in 2009 and quickly became the most popular browser worldwide due to its speed and ease of use. It integrates deeply with Google services like YouTube, Gmail, and Google Docs, and remains the market leader despite competition from other browsers.
Performance
Benchmark tests reveal clear differences in performance between the two browsers. JetStream measures how fast each browser completes calculations for running applications; benchmark scores vary by system and version. WebXPRT3 tests HTML5 and JavaScript performance; benchmark scores vary by system and version. Speedometer evaluates responsiveness when running many tasks and web apps; benchmark scores vary by system and version. Chrome excelled in graphical performance on the MotionMark benchmark; benchmark scores vary by system and version. Edge wins three of four tests, making it the faster browser for everyday tasks, so if you decide to switch you can move favorites from Chrome to edge to keep your most-visited sites instantly accessible, and import Microsoft edge bookmarks to Chrome without losing your saved sites.
Memory usage
RAM consumption directly affects system performance when multitasking. In a test loading 10 identical pages, memory usage varies by system, pages loaded, and browser version. When running 60 tabs, memory consumption varies by system, pages loaded, and browser version. Edge's lower memory usage means smoother performance on systems with limited RAM, especially for users who keep many tabs open simultaneously.
Design and features
Both browsers share a nearly identical layout, with the address bar, tabs, and extensions in the same positions. Common features include bookmarking, password saving, private browsing mode, and tab grouping with color-coding and renaming. Edge's Immersive Reader removes ads and distractions from web pages for a cleaner reading experience, while Chrome's reader mode is basic and not enabled by default. Edge also offers Performance Mode, which optimizes speed, responsiveness, and battery usage.
Default settings
Chrome defaults to Google as its homepage and search engine, with quick access to Google Images and Gmail when signed in. Edge defaults to Microsoft News stories and a Bing search box. Both browsers allow you to change these settings to your preferred search engine and homepage, so the winner depends on whether you prefer Google's ecosystem or Microsoft's.
Extensions
Chrome's Chrome Web Store offers a large library of extensions for tasks like ad blocking, note-taking, and video downloading. Edge hosts its own Edge Add-On Store and, because it is Chromium-based, can install extensions from the Chrome Web Store after enabling the option in settings. However, Chrome extensions installed on Edge display pop-ups encouraging you to switch to Chrome, and Chrome provides faster, easier access to its extensions. Chrome clearly wins this category.
Privacy and security
Both browsers include sandboxing technology, malware protection, and website security indicators. Edge provides three tracking prevention levels: Basic (blocks harmful trackers), Balance (recommended, blocks harmful trackers with less personalized ads), and Strict (blocks most trackers but may affect video playback). Chrome only blocks third-party cookies and uses your browsing activity to deliver personalized ads. Edge's more granular control over tracking gives it the privacy advantage.
Platform support and syncing
Chrome supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux (Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu), and Chrome OS, making it the default browser on Android devices and Chromebooks. Edge is compatible with all these operating systems except Chrome OS. Both browsers sync bookmarks and passwords across devices when signed into the same account. Chrome additionally syncs open tabs and history; Edge's sync capabilities vary by version and platform. Chrome's broader platform support and superior syncing make it the winner here.
Microsoft Edge vs Chrome: final verdict
Microsoft Edge wins in performance, memory usage, features, and privacy. Google Chrome wins in extensions, platform support, syncing, and graphical performance. If you value speed, lower resource consumption, and stronger privacy controls, choose Edge. If you need the largest extension library, support for Linux or Chrome OS, or seamless syncing of open tabs and history, choose Chrome. You can also install both browsers to use each for its strengths.
