--- title: Google Chrome canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/google-chrome/ category: Web Browsers points: 66 rank: 4 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Google Chrome Free browser with Safe Browsing warnings, optional encrypted sync and the Chrome Web Store. 66 points out of 100. #4 of 12 web browsers. Vendor: Google. Website: https://www.google.com/chrome/ - Chrome is free to download and install, with builds for Windows, macOS and Linux [2]. - Phishing and malware detection is on by default [6]. - A sync passphrase keeps Google from reading your synced Chrome data [4]. - Manifest V2 extensions no longer run from Chrome 139 on [7]. - Chrome's cookie help page gives a third-party cookie blocking default only for Incognito mode [5]. Verdict: Chrome suits people who want the Chrome Web Store, passkeys and sync across all their devices at no cost [1][8][9][2]. A passphrase makes sync unreadable to Google [4]. The catch: the cookie help page names blocking by default only for Incognito mode, and Manifest V2 content blockers no longer work [5][7]. Best for: People who want the Chrome Web Store and sync across Windows, Mac, Linux and phones. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Systems | Other systems | macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | 8/8 | Help page lists Windows, macOS and Linux builds; Chrome pages and the App Store cover iPhone, iPad and Android [2][3][15]. | | Privacy and security | Blocks trackers by default | Not published | 0/8 | Help page says third-party cookies are blocked by default in Incognito mode; it states no default for regular windows [5]. | | Privacy and security | Built-in ad blocker | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on the vendor's Chrome pages [1][12]. | | Privacy and security | Fingerprinting protection | Not published | 0/7 | Not published on the vendor's cookie and Safe Browsing help pages [5][6]. | | Privacy and security | Built-in VPN or proxy | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on the vendor's Chrome pages [1][12]. | | Privacy and security | Open source | No | 0/5 | Terms cover the executable code; only 'most' source is open source. We count the Google Chrome product as not open source [14]. | | Privacy and security | Public bug bounty | Yes | 4/4 | Chromium security page points to a Chrome Reward Program, hosted by Google's Bug Hunters site [13]. | | Privacy and security | Phishing and malware warnings | Yes | 5/5 | Phishing and malware detection is turned on by default in Chrome [6]. | | Sync and sign-in | Free sync across devices | Yes | 6/6 | Signing in syncs bookmarks, passwords, settings and tabs; Chrome is free to install [1][4][2]. | | Sync and sign-in | End-to-end encrypted sync | Yes | 8/8 | With a passphrase, you can store Chrome data in Google's cloud without letting Google read it [4]. | | Sync and sign-in | Built-in password manager | Yes | 3/3 | Chrome has Google Password Manager built in [1]. | | Sync and sign-in | Saves passkeys | Yes | 5/5 | Chrome saves passkeys in Google Password Manager on Windows 10 or later and signs you in with them [9]. | | Extensions | Chrome Web Store extensions | Yes | 6/6 | You can add extensions from the Chrome Web Store on desktop [8]. | | Extensions | Manifest V2 extensions still work | No | 0/6 | Manifest V2 extensions cease to function for users on Chrome 139 and later [7]. | | Tabs and tools | Vertical tabs | Yes | 4/4 | Vertical tabs stack down the side of the browser window [1]. | | Tabs and tools | Tab groups | Yes | 4/4 | Tab groups can be named, coloured and collapsed [12]. | | Tabs and tools | Built-in page translation | Yes | 4/4 | Chrome translates a page into other languages from the address bar icon or right-click menu [10]. | | Tabs and tools | Separate profiles | Yes | 4/4 | Profiles keep bookmarks, history, passwords and settings separate [11]. | | Price | Cost to use | $0 | 5/5 | Chrome can be downloaded and installed at no charge [2]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Chrome | Free [2] | $0 | ## Strengths - Free to download, with desktop builds for Windows, macOS and Linux [2]. - A sync passphrase lets you store Chrome data in Google's cloud without Google reading it [4]. - Saves passkeys in Google Password Manager on Windows 10 or later [9]. - Offers tab groups with names, colours and collapsing, plus vertical tabs [1][12]. - Google runs a Chrome Reward Program for vulnerabilities [13]. ## Limits - Chrome's cookie help page gives a third-party cookie blocking default only for Incognito mode [5]. - Manifest V2 extensions stop working from Chrome 139 [7]. - Chrome ships under Google's terms; only most of its source is published under open-source licences [14]. - In 2024 Google agreed in a settlement to destroy Incognito data points and update its disclosures [16]. ## Concerns - In April 2024, 9to5Google reported that Google agreed to destroy billions of data points collected in Incognito mode and update its private-browsing disclosures, settling a lawsuit filed in 2020 [16]. ## Sources 1. [Google Chrome](https://www.google.com/chrome/), Google, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Download and install Google Chrome](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95346), Google Chrome Help, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Chrome browser tools](https://www.google.com/chrome/browser-tools/), Google, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Sync Chrome data across devices](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/165139), Google Chrome Help, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [Manage cookies in Chrome](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647), Google Chrome Help, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Safe Browsing in Chrome](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/99020), Google Chrome Help, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [Manifest V2 support timeline](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/extensions/develop/migrate/mv2-deprecation-timeline), Chrome for Developers, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [Install extensions](https://support.google.com/chrome_webstore/answer/2664769), Chrome Web Store Help, accessed 2026-10-08 9. [Use passkeys](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/13168025), Google Chrome Help, accessed 2026-10-08 10. [Translate pages in Chrome](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/173424), Google Chrome Help, accessed 2026-10-08 11. [Set up Chrome profiles](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2364824), Google Chrome Help, accessed 2026-10-08 12. [Chrome tips](https://www.google.com/chrome/tips/), Google, accessed 2026-10-08 13. [Vulnerability Rewards Program](https://www.chromium.org/Home/chromium-security/vulnerability-rewards-program/), The Chromium Projects, accessed 2026-10-08 14. [Google Chrome Terms of Service](https://www.google.com/chrome/terms/), Google, accessed 2026-10-08 15. [Google Chrome on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-chrome/id535886823), Apple App Store, accessed 2026-10-08 16. [Google agrees to destroy Incognito data in settlement](https://9to5google.com/2024/04/01/google-chrome-incognito-mode-lawsuit-settlement-destroy-data/), 9to5Google, accessed 2026-10-08