Google Chrome vs Helium Browser
Google Chrome
google.com
Helium Browser
helium.computerSide by side
| Figure | Google Chrome | Helium Browser |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Web browsers | 9.1 (#8) | 8.5 (#35) |
| Browser engine | chromium | chromium |
| Cross-device access | Signing in provides access to bookmarks, saved passwords, and more across devices. | No |
| Extension support | chrome_store | chrome_store |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Notable limits | Chrome for Mac requires macOS 13 Ventura or later; the listed Linux distributions are Ubuntu 18.04+, Debian 10+, openSUSE 15.5+, or Fedora Linux 39+. | Helium does not support Widevine DRM, so some streaming services and protected media may not play. |
| Supported platforms | both | both |
| Privacy | Chrome’s Privacy Guide provides a step-by-step tour of privacy settings. | The browser makes no network requests unless they result from user actions or features explicitly enabled or configured during setup, and browsing data stays on the device. |
| Security | Safe Browsing warns users about known dangerous websites, downloads, and extensions. | The maker says Helium ships Chromium security updates as soon as possible, enforces HTTPS, supports passkeys, and updates automatically. |
| Support | Google provides Chrome Help and a help community for installation and other Chrome issues. | Users can report issues on GitHub, and the maker asks them to check for duplicate issues first. |
Plans
In their own words
Google Chrome
Google Chrome is a free web browser for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, with extensions available through the Chrome Web Store. It supports tab groups with labels and colors, plus Energy Saver and Memory Saver tools. Signing in provides access to bookmarks and saved passwords across devices, and Google Password Manager is built in. Safe Browsing warns about known dangerous websites, downloads, and extensions; Safety Check reviews passwords, extensions, settings, privacy, and security. Privacy Guide offers a step-by-step tour of privacy settings. Google says Chrome receives a new update every four weeks. Its AI features include AI Mode for follow-up questions and web links, and Gemini, which can use open tabs and browsing history to help users understand web content and complete tasks. Auto browse is limited to Google AI Ultra and Pro subscribers in the U.S. Chrome requires supported operating systems: Mac requires macOS 13 Ventura or later, Android requires version 10 or later, and iOS requires version 17 or later. Older Windows and macOS versions may no longer receive updates.
Helium Browser
Helium Browser has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.