Chrome vs Edge: Same Engine, Different Extras
Pick Chrome if you live in Google's services (Gmail, Google Password Manager, Gemini) or run a Linux distribution such as openSUSE that only Chrome officially supports. Pick Edge if you are on Windows and want extras Chrome does not list, like a free 5 GB a month VPN and Copilot built in, while still installing extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
Both are free, both run on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, and both are built on the same open-source engine. So the choice is less about which renders pages better and more about which company's account, assistant and extras you want around your tabs.
Chrome vs Edge at a glance
| Chrome | Edge | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Free plan | The whole browser is free; Gemini auto browse needs a paid Google AI Pro or Ultra plan (US only) | The whole browser is free; Secure Network VPN is free up to 5 GB a month |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Open source | Mostly: Google says most of Chrome's source code is open source (Chromium) | Built on the open-source Chromium project |
| Built-in AI | Gemini in Chrome, AI Mode search | Copilot |
| Built-in VPN | Not listed on Chrome's feature pages | Edge Secure Network, 5 GB free per month with a personal Microsoft account |
| Extensions | Chrome Web Store | Edge Add-ons and the Chrome Web Store |
| Best for | Google account users, wider Linux support | Windows users who want more built-in extras |
Are Chrome and Edge basically the same browser?
Under the hood, largely yes. Microsoft's own support page says Edge "is built on the same underlying technology as Google Chrome", which is the Chromium project. That is why websites behave the same in both and why Edge can run Chrome extensions.
We checked this on 6 November 2026 on a Windows 11 PC. The installed Chrome was version 156.0.8078.80 and the installed Edge was 156.0.4314.58: the same major version, with different build numbers. When we read each browser's user-agent string (the label it sends to websites), Edge carried the same "Chrome/156" token as Chrome, plus one extra token, "Edg/156". To a website, Edge looks like Chrome with a small Microsoft tag.
The differences sit on top of that shared engine: the account you sign in with, the assistant, the security services and the extras each company adds.
Can Edge use Chrome extensions?
Yes. Microsoft says "Extensions designed for Google Chrome can also be used in Microsoft Edge." You open the Chrome Web Store in Edge, allow extensions from other stores once, and then add extensions as you would in Chrome. Edge also has its own Edge Add-ons store.
So if a specific extension is what keeps you on Chrome, it is usually not a reason to stay. Your Google account sync is a better reason: Chrome syncs bookmarks, passwords and settings through your Google account, while Edge syncs them through a Microsoft account.
Which has more built-in features?
Edge packs in more extras, Chrome keeps closer to Google's own services.
- Edge: Copilot, a scareware blocker, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, sleeping tabs and startup boost, split screen, a PDF reader with annotation, Edge for Game Bar (a browser inside PC games) and Microsoft Rewards points when you search with Bing in Edge. It also has Edge Secure Network, a VPN run with Cloudflare that gives 5 GB of free data a month when you sign in with a personal Microsoft account. Microsoft says it is not available on managed devices or in certain regions.
- Chrome: Gemini in Chrome and AI Mode search, Google Password Manager, Safe Browsing with an Enhanced mode, Safety Check, Privacy Guide, tab groups, vertical tabs, split view, Google Pay autofill and Google Lens. Gemini's auto browse feature, which does tasks for you, is limited to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US.
Microsoft also claims Edge's energy saver gives "an average of 25 more minutes of battery life", with the caveat that battery life varies. We did not test that claim.
Which works on more systems?
They are close, with two small differences worth knowing.
- Linux: both support 64-bit Ubuntu 18.04+, Debian 10+ and Fedora 39+. Chrome also lists openSUSE 15.5+, Edge does not.
- Windows 10: Microsoft says Edge will keep getting updates on Windows 10 22H2 until at least October 2028. Google lists the end of Chrome support on Windows 10 as "Not yet scheduled".
- Mac: both now need macOS 13 Ventura or later.
- Phones: both need Android 10 or later, and both are free on the App Store.
Both update often. Google says a new Chrome update arrives every four weeks, and Microsoft says Edge gets new features every month. Edge 157 reached the Stable channel on 5 November 2026.
If you want a browser that is not tied to Google or Microsoft at all, see our Brave vs Firefox comparison or the wider list of Google Chrome alternatives.
Which should you choose?
- You use Gmail, Google Drive and Google Password Manager every day: Chrome.
- You want a free VPN for public Wi-Fi without installing anything: Edge, within the 5 GB monthly limit.
- You are on Windows 10 and plan to stay there: Edge has a published update date (at least October 2028).
- You run openSUSE: Chrome, which lists it as supported.
- You want Gemini built in: Chrome. You want Copilot built in: Edge.
FAQ
Is Microsoft Edge just Chrome?
No, but it shares Chrome's engine. Edge is built on Chromium, the same open-source project behind Chrome, with Microsoft's own services and features added on top.
Can I use Chrome extensions in Edge?
Yes. Allow extensions from other stores in Edge, then install them from the Chrome Web Store.
Is Edge's VPN really free?
Yes, up to 5 GB a month when you sign in with a personal Microsoft account. By default it skips streaming sites to save data.
Do Chrome and Edge cost anything?
No. Both browsers are free. Some AI features, such as Gemini's auto browse in Chrome, need a paid plan.