Like Firefox, Google Chrome is also a browser based on an open source code that, in theory, anyone can take to create a new browser. This code is part of a project called Chromium, the basis not only of Chrome, but also of other alternative web browsers that have nothing to do with Google. All those who like to use Chrome, but are annoyed by the fact that Google, even if not in an obvious or specific way, can monitor and influence internet browsing, may prefer the greater privacy and security of these browsers, alternatives to Chrome, independent from Google and based on Chromium . In several cases, these browsers are compatible with the original Google Chrome extensions and are built with controls and functions that make them suitable, for example, to use Facebook, to have greater security, to have a portable browser or for greater speed and lightness.
1) Chromium is the open source heart of Google Chrome, an identical browser which, however, lacks all the features added by Google in its browser.
Therefore missing: the sending of navigation statistics to Google, the reporting of crashes, the built-in Flash Player and PDF viewer, multimedia codecs (MP3, AAC) and automatic updating. If the lack of the Flash Player inside is not a problem since the Flash program is installed on all Windows computers, the only slightly negative thing is the lack of auto-update which forces users to manually download the new releases when available. On the official website there are no links for downloading the stable version of Chromium which can be downloaded from a dedicated web page.
Alternatively. you can download X-Chromium, the portable version without installation to be kept on a USB stick.
2) Vivaldi is a 2015 Chromium-based browser that takes the best of Chrome and Opera. It adds several integrated functions such as mouse gestures and the thumbnail start tab. There is also a function to block intrusive advertisements and a completely new section in the options to configure the behavior of the cards.
3) Chromium-based Microsoft Edge in its new version for Windows.
3) SRWare Iron is a popular Chrome alternative that removes any Google presence from the browser. The registration of what you write in the address bar is, for example, completely disabled. Iron Browser therefore focuses on privacy and allows you to take advantage of the speed of Chrome without binding to Google. SRWare Iron, again for privacy reasons, does not update automatically and new versions must be downloaded from the official website.
Instead, you can log in with an account to synchronize your favorites, passwords and preferences. By default, when looking for new extensions, you are directed to another site other than the Chrome Web Store whose applications are still compatible with SRWare Iron. Also for this alternative to Chrome there is the portable version that does not require installation, downloadable from the PortableApps.com website
Although it is an excellent alternative, I must point out that it is possible to emulate the Iron settings by disabling any presence of Google from your browser through the options for privacy in Chrome and security
4) Comodo Dragon is the most interesting variant of Chrome in this list because it is functionally identical to Chrome, but has a slightly different interface, with some internal changes regarding security. For example, secure DNS is set when browsing with Comodo Dragon which prevents access to dangerous websites. You can also choose to use Dragon in a "portable" version, with the program and options saved in a single folder that can be moved or copied to a USB stick. Instead of the menu with the wrench there is a quick link to the Site Inspector service that verifies the security of each web page. Between this button and the Omnibox there is a button to quickly share the page displayed on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN. Here too, as in Iron Browser, all the settings that connect Chrome to Google are removed, such as sending errors or monitoring navigation. Another excellent feature is the possibility of avoiding click tracking by website detection systems. Dragon also uses its own automatic update channel, not linked to Google.
5) Brave is another open-source web browser created by the co-founders of the Mozilla project, based on Chrome. This browser blocks advertising and trackers that invade privacy, but the best function is that which allows you to reward the most visited sites regularly and to be able to give them a compensation. Other features include tab previews for a quick look at what you are looking at and Tab Pages for deciding how many tabs per page to display. For managing multiple social accounts, you can use the Session cards. The only downside to Brave is the lack of extensions.
5) Orbitum is a browser based on Chromium identical to Google Chrome except for the fact that it integrates on the sidebar the chat that can be that of Facebook.
6) Opera is based on WebKit and is really similar to Chrome (it is discussed in another article).
7) Blisk is the browser for developers, which integrates code analysis tools with which web pages are programmed, to make tests and visualization tests.
8) Torch Web Browser, equal to Chrome, optimized to download Torrent
9) Yandex Browser is based on Chromium and has several new options. Yandex is the most used search engine in Russia and its browser is particular because it also integrates the Opera Turbo function to speed up the loading of websites. It also includes DNS protection, to avoid hacking techniques based on DNS Spoofing (i.e. to browse different sites than those required).
10) Citrio browser to speed up file downloads
Finally, even if they are not based on Chromium, it is worth mentioning other browsers that use the WebKit rendering engine (the same as Chrome and Safari) such as Maxthon and Lunascape, excellent and fast.
