Firefox vs. Google Chrome: Which browser should you choose?

The Chrome vs. Firefox debate has been going on for years. Both browsers are strong contenders, and choosing one clear winner isn’t easy. While Chrome is faster and offers a range of browser add-ons and extensions, Firefox focuses on user privacy, with built-in features that protect it by default. Both browsers take user security seriously, with built-in malware detection and sandboxing (i.e., isolating threats).

However, Chrome is generally speedier when it comes to patching up vulnerabilities, which is a big advantage in a fast-paced digital environment where threats are constantly evolving.

To evaluate the performance of each browser, let’s consider Firefox vs. Chrome RAM usage. As a reminder, RAM refers to random access memory or the place that stores data for short-term processing. Typically, the lower RAM usage, the more efficient the browser, leading to a smoother performance while browsing on multiple tabs and a better overall user experience.

RAM usage can vary based on many factors, which is probably why the debate over Chrome vs. Firefox memory usage continues. Generally, Chrome has a reputation for being resource intensive due to features like preloading and prediction. However, in recent years, users on Reddit have reported instances of Mozilla Firefox using more RAM than Chrome.

Ultimately, it’s difficult to tell which browser outperforms the other because the results vary. Both web browsers can sometimes be resource intensive, depending on several factors (e.g., open tabs or an uncleared cache).

While we don’t have a definitive answer, why not check how much RAM each browser uses on your machine? You can install both Firefox and Chrome in a few clicks on your device and use them interchangeably. To check each browser’s RAM usage, just open your Task Manager. How you do that will depend on your device, but once you’re in your Task Manager, information about memory usage, extensions, and processes will be available.

Another key aspect to consider when choosing the best browser is speed. A slow, sluggish browser is an internet user’s worst nightmare, and no one has the patience for that. Most of us browse with multiple tabs open most of the time — and that can significantly slow down your browser.

Both Chrome and Firefox are fast — but which browser is faster? Chrome has enjoyed the reputation of being the fastest browser on the market for years. If you ask people today, most will say that Chrome is still the fastest option.

That said, plenty of online reviews and speed tests show that Firefox can be just as fast as Chrome in some cases. With browser technology continuing to evolve and improve, it isn’t surprising that other browsers are catching up with Chrome’s impressive speeds.

Both Firefox and Chrome continue releasing regular updates to boost their speed and overall performance, leading to healthy competition between the two browsers and faster speeds for users.

Chrome and Firefox are among the safest web browsers on the market, offering many security features to boost user cybersecurity.

For instance, Chrome notifies users if any of their saved passwords have been compromised, alerts them about dangerous sites through Google Safe Browsing, and updates itself every six weeks to protect users from new threats.

Plus, it has a private browsing mode that doesn’t keep your browsing history. Additionally, Chrome utilizes sandboxing — a feature that separates processes to stop a malicious website from infecting other parts of your device.

However, while Chrome delivers some decent privacy and security features, Firefox outshines Chrome in this area. The Firefox browser puts user privacy at the forefront of its game — and is known for the extra steps it takes to keep users private.

When it comes to privacy and security features, Firefox offers everything Chrome does — plus more. Mozilla’s Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP) blocks intrusive trackers (e.g., cookies, fingerprints, and cryptomining scripts) by default. The feature also lets you block social media tracking on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, so you can use them with enhanced privacy. This secure browser lets you choose how much of the tracking you want to block and customize your protection in Firefox privacy settings.

It’s also important to note that while Chrome offers some user privacy features, the browser is part of Google services. Google is known for collecting large amounts of data from users, with the majority of its revenue coming from advertising (i.e., Google Ads). While it recently introduced The Privacy Sandbox — an initiative designed to “protect online privacy” — not everyone sees it as privacy preserving. Privacy enthusiasts claim it’s a new and sophisticated way to track you online, masquerading as a tool that improves user privacy. If you’re someone who values digital privacy and security, the Firefox browser may be a better choice because it’s considered more private by experts.

Is Firefox really private?

Yes. Firefox is a secure browser that protects your privacy with features like Private Browsing and Enhanced Tracking Protection. Private Browsing helps prevent your browsing history, site data, and cookies from being saved on your device, while ETP blocks various trackers and cookies.

Unlike many other popular browsers, Mozilla doesn’t collect your information for third-party advertising. Your browser history stays on your device and is not used by Mozilla — unless you actively opt in to provide insight into your web browsing. Mozilla has claimed a strong commitment to user privacy and a clear policy outlining how it handles user data.

Chrome and Firefox are among the world’s most popular web browsers. However, statistics show that most web users still choose Google Chrome over Firefox.

According to Statista, Google Chrome is the leading browser, with 61.80% of all users preferring it to other browsers. Safari is in second place, with 24.36% of all users choosing it as their primary browser. Edge (5.13%), Firefox (2.16%), and other browsers make up the remainder of the list. The data shows that Firefox is nowhere near as popular as Chrome.

Who still uses Firefox?

Firefox may not be as popular as Google Chrome, but millions of users still prefer it to Google’s browser for several reasons. According to StatCounter, Firefox has 5.96% of the user market share and is the fourth most popular browser for desktop browsing.

Firefox delivers excellent online privacy features, so a typical Firefox user is someone who cares about keeping their information and search history away from prying eyes. Because Firefox doesn’t integrate with the Google ecosystem as well as Google’s own browser, it’s likely that Firefox users don’t rely as much on other Google services (e.g., Google Docs or Google Drive).

As mentioned above, both Chrome and Firefox offer private browsing mode. The feature is similar on both browsers but has different names — Incognito Mode on Chrome and Private Browsing on Firefox.

When you activate private browsing mode on either browser, your browsing activity (e.g., websites visited, search queries, login sessions) is no longer saved on your device. If you’re sharing a device with someone and they use your browser and search engine for web surfing, they won’t see the previous searches made in private browsing mode.

Private browsing is helpful for avoiding some low-level tracking but doesn’t guarantee complete online privacy. Your searches are still visible to your internet service provider, browser, search engine, and the websites you visit — unless you’re using additional precautions to obscure this information (like a VPN). If you want to avoid third-party trackers, you can change your location in a browser with a VPN for enhanced security.

It’s worth noting that launching Incognito Mode on Chrome allows you to block third-party trackers (which is something Firefox does by default). Here’s how to use Incognito Mode.

Google Chrome is known for its simple user interface and ease of use. It’s clean and visually pleasing, making it a browser you don’t mind looking at all day long. Interestingly, when you open the two browsers, Chrome and Firefox look relatively similar, suggesting that Firefox has taken inspiration from its competitor’s minimalistic design.

Both Chrome and Firefox support multiple user profiles, meaning you can share devices without sharing your online activity, settings, tabs, saved passwords, and other browser data. Or you may want to set up multiple users that reflect how you use your device — for example, work vs. personal use. That way, you’ll have all your work tabs ready for you when you’ve finished streaming your show and are back to business. Creating a profile is simple on both browsers — just log in with your Google or Firefox account and follow the steps on the screen.

While both browser interfaces look similar, Mozilla Firefox handles browser tabs differently. Firefox uses a horizontal scroll on your open tabs, while Google Chrome prefers to shrink them smaller until just the favicon is visible. While some users may prefer this tab-handling method, it may get confusing if you have multiple tabs open on the same site. For example, if you have different YouTube videos open at once or are flicking between several articles on the same source for research, you may not know which tab is which. In this case, Firefox makes it easier to distinguish between tabs, improving ease of use.

Both Chrome and Firefox use the Google search engine by default, so your user experience will not be very different in this area, whichever browser you choose. Both browsers give you the option to search using images via Google Lens, too.

If browser customization is important to you, Firefox has much to offer. You can easily customize your browser to look completely unique by rearranging your UI elements and hiding the ones you don’t use. With Chrome, you can download themes, but Firefox gives you much more freedom and flexibility to change how it looks.

That said, Chrome is clearly in the lead when it comes to customizing your browser with extensions. While Firefox was the browser that introduced extensions even before Chrome was launched, Google Chrome has become the browser with the largest extension library (i.e., over 150,000 available on the Chrome Web Store).

Finally, the most obvious advantage of Chrome for user experience is that it easily integrates with the Google ecosystem, such as Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Drive. That won’t matter so much if you don’t use other Google services, but with billions of users worldwide, it’s a major advantage for many people.

The good news is that both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are compatible with a VPN, letting you add an extra layer of security to your browsing experience. Setting up a VPN extension on your web browser is an excellent way to secure your browser connections and prevent third parties from snooping on you online.

However, a VPN browser extension typically doesn’t offer as high protection as a VPN app. It’s a great solution for boosting your online security and privacy by hiding your IP, but it won’t encrypt your entire network traffic (just your browser traffic). Here’s how to set up a VPN extension on Firefox or add a VPN extension on Chrome.

Frequently asked questions

Should I use Firefox or Chrome on Mac?

While both browsers work well on MacOS, Google Chrome offers a faster browsing experience, a large library of extensions and add-ons, and an intuitive interface. Historically, Chrome was known to use up more system resources, but it still impresses Mac users with its speed — a crucial factor for ensuring an enjoyable browsing experience. It’s worth noting that Google has worked on optimizing Chrome’s resource consumption, which may have further contributed to its speed.

However, Firefox does more to protect Mac user privacy with built-in tracker blocking and other features that focus on keeping out data harvesters. That said, Mac users report that it is slower than Chrome — and you may also run into compatibility issues.

Should I use Firefox or Chrome on Android?

Whether you choose Firefox or Chrome for your Android device depends on your preferences. The additional privacy-focused Firefox features make it an excellent choice for those who want to enhance their digital privacy while browsing on Android.

However, Google Chrome offers a much larger variety of extensions and add-ons, plus an easy way to integrate with other Google services. Choosing between Firefox and Chrome will ultimately come down to what you value the most — privacy or convenience.

It’s worth noting that Chrome is the most popular browser on most devices, including Android. The fact that it’s chosen by most users suggests that the majority still prefer ease of use over privacy on their Android devices.

Should I use Firefox or Chrome on Linux?

Both Firefox and Chrome work well on Linux devices, offering a stable performance and great compatibility with Linux distros (especially Linux Mint). The best browser for your Linux device will depend on your needs and preferences. Firefox is an open-source software (just like Linux) that goes the extra mile to keep its users private online. It doesn’t collect as much user data as Chrome and allows you to block trackers by default. Chrome, on the other hand, offers a fast and streamlined experience with a clear and simple interface.

Linux users may also want to consider other browsers like Vivaldi, Brave, Chromium, or Opera. Because open-source Linux differs from other operating systems, users need a solution that offers flexibility and customization while aligning with Linux values (like freedom and community collaboration). Chrome and Firefox are great options, but Linux users shouldn’t limit themselves to these two browsers.

Chrome, Firefox, or Brave: Which browser is the best?

Chrome, Firefox, and Brave are all solid browser options with a great track record and user-minded features. The Brave browser is known for its strong focus on user security and offering users more control over online privacy. Firefox is also privacy oriented, with a range of default privacy and security features that allow users to shield themselves online.

Finally, Chrome offers fast speeds, smooth performance, and easy integration with other Google services, streamlining your overall browsing experience. Which browser you choose from these options will depend on whether your priority is enhancing your online privacy or enjoying a smooth and streamlined experience.