Google Chrome vs Safari
Google Chrome
google.com
Safari
apple.comSide by side
| Figure | Google Chrome | Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Web browsers | 9.1 (#8) | 8.6 (#28) |
| Spec score · Mobile Browser Software | 8.8 (#3) | 8.0 (#19) |
| Browser engine | chromium | other |
| Cross-device access | Signing in provides access to bookmarks, saved passwords, and more across devices. | Yes |
| Extensions | Chrome users can find extensions for shopping, entertainment, and productivity in the Chrome Web Store. | Safari extensions are available through the App Store, and Apple says App Store extensions are reviewed, signed, hosted by Apple, and kept up to date automatically. |
| Extension support | chrome_store | own_store |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Supported platforms | both | both |
| Security | Safe Browsing warns users about known dangerous websites, downloads, and extensions. | When Fraudulent Website Warning is enabled, Safari warns about suspected phishing or malware websites; checking a site may send calculated address information to Apple and Google Safe Browsing. |
| Support | Google provides Chrome Help and a help community for installation and other Chrome issues. | Apple Support provides Safari help for updating, clearing browsing history and cookies, blocking pop-ups, and troubleshooting websites that do not load. |
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.
Safari
Safari is a free web browser and web technology platform built on WebKit, included with Apple device operating systems. It supports iOS, macOS, and extensions. Intelligent Tracking Prevention uses on-device machine learning to help prevent cross-site tracking, while Privacy Report shows trackers prevented from profiling you. Private Browsing does not retain visited pages or AutoFill information, and its open tabs are not stored in iCloud or synced across devices. Safari synchronizes passwords, bookmarks, history, tabs, and more across Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch. Built-in tools include page translation, text interaction in images and paused video, and Visual Look Up. Extensions come through the App Store, and web apps can be saved to the Mac Dock or iPhone and iPad Home Screen. When enabled, Fraudulent Website Warning flags suspected phishing or malware sites. Apple no longer offers Safari updates for Windows or other non-Apple operating systems; Safari 5.1.7 was the last Windows version.