Chrome vs. Safari – Who’s the uncrowned King?

Something that we use almost every day and probably think very little about is our web browser. The browser is what connects us to the rest of the internet. If you’re on Google devices, Chrome is your default browser. While on Apple devices, Safari is your default browser.

Gone are the days of just making do with Internet Explorer. With multiple options to choose from, it’s only natural that you’ll choose from modern-day browsers – Chrome and Safari.

This subtle rivalry between the browsers is what brings out the best experience for the user. With recent security updates to Safari, other browsers don’t even come close to how well Apple’s Safari secures your online identity.

History of Chrome and Safari

Google Chrome is a renowned internet browser developed by the American multinational technology company, Google. It was first released to the public on September 2, 2008. Since then, the browser has been made available on Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Mac, and Linux.

On the other hand, Safari is the brainchild of yet another American multinational technology company, Apple. Safari was initially released on January 7, 2003. The browser is available on Microsoft Windows, macOS, Windows XP, OS X Mountain Lion, Mac OS X Lion, and iOS devices.

When Chrome was initially released, it gained a solid reputation for being a lightweight and fast browser that internet users preferred over Safari and Firefox. While that might be true at that time, it is no longer the case.

Recent tests show that Safari beats Chrome because it’s more energy-efficient, better at protecting your online privacy, and clearly, works better if you have an Apple ecosystem.

Chrome vs. Safari

Let’s take a look at how Safari is better than Chrome.

Battery Test – Chrome drains more battery

Whether it’s on a MacBook or any other device, Chrome tends to consume more power than Safari. Since MacBooks have been invented, battery life has been a huge feature for Apple.

With Chrome on a MacBook, battery life takes a massive dent as can be seen by clicking the battery icon in the menu bar. You’ll notice Chrome mentioned as consuming more power.

If you’ve got Chrome running, Chrome will often show up here. Because of this, if battery life is important to you, avoid using Chrome on your MacBook.

Chrome using too much memory? Here are the alternatives.

Chrome and Safari both work in their own way

Both Safari and Chrome offer unique features that are better utilized when running on their platforms, such as ChromeOS and macOS. For an ideal Safari experience, Apple devices are recommended.

As Apple brings new updates to its platform, third-party services such as Chrome take time to integrate new features. For example, Apple introduced Dark Mode in September 2018, which Safari supported from the beginning. However, Chrome didn’t introduce this feature until March 2019.

Chrome extensions come at a price

Chrome boasts a vast extension library that comes at a price, that price being heavy consumption of your CPU, which eventually drains your device’s battery life.

While extensions are great for productivity and ease of convenience, they introduce privacy concerns, with many of the extensions having extensive access to your browsing data. Apple, on the other hand, thoroughly grills extensions before they are available for you.

Learn how to uninstall Chrome extensions.

Google is known for watching you

Google and Apple have their own ways of earning from you. Google’s primary source of revenue is ad-based, which means you aren’t really the customer; you’re the product. Google makes money off of you by selling your interests and advertising you ads.

While you can configure privacy settings in Chrome to a certain extent, you’ll never be completely safe with a company whose business model is built on gaining your data. If you’re a privacy-centric individual, Safari or Tor are a good option.

Apple isn’t so keen on spying on you

While Google has multiple data points in place to extract user data, Apple’s business model isn’t based on targeting you with ads and selling your data. Apple sells the user its hardware.

They charge you a premium for developing a product that’s unlike anything available in the market. Their software is usually free with annual upgrades to its previous software as long as it’s hardware is doing good in the market. Their browser, Safari, doesn’t earn by selling your information or displaying ads.

Learn how to delete cookies in Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari.

Chrome vs. Safari: Which browser is better for iPhone and Mac?

The choice between Safari and Chrome relies upon your priorities. Safari is an excellent preference if you are integrated into the Apple ecosystem and prioritize seamless synchronization across Apple devices. 

It offers robust privacy services, energy-efficient performance and is optimized for macOS and iOS. 

However, Safari has a limited choice of extensions and is generally designed for Apple gadgets, which may not be ideal for users who regularly switch to other systems.

On the other hand, Chrome is known for its speed and cross-platform compatibility, making it a strong desire for users who need consistency across diverse gadgets. 

It gives an in-depth library of extensions and web apps that can enhance functionality and customization. 

While Chrome has confronted privacy issues due to its association with Google, users can tune privacy settings to mitigate them. 

Ultimately, the “better” browser depends on your preferences, device, and the features you value most.

Comparison Between Chrome and Safari

Differences	Chrome	Safari
Features	Wide range of features and extensions	Fewer features and extensions
Speed	Fast and efficient	Fast and efficient
Platform support	Well-supported on all platforms	Well-supported on macOS, not as well-supported on other platforms
Integration	Good integration with other Google products	Good integration with macOS
Privacy	Privacy concerns	Better privacy features than Chrome
Customization	Highly customizable	Not as customizable as Chrome

Speed

Both Google Chrome and Apple’s Safari are recognized for their speed; however, the winner may vary depending on your device and running system.

Chrome is famous for its fast performance on Windows and Android gadgets. Its V8 JavaScript engine and efficient management contribute to a snappy surfing experience.

On the other hand, Safari is optimized for Apple devices and macOS. It’s built to work seamlessly with Apple’s hardware and software, resulting in fast and responsive surfing. 

Data Privacy

When it involves information privacy, Safari takes the lead. Apple emphasizes personal privacy and includes capabilities like Intelligent Tracking Prevention to block third-party trackers and prevent go-website tracking.

They’ve also introduced the “Privacy Report” feature, giving customers insight into how websites deal with their information.

While presenting a few privacy functions, Chrome is associated with Google, which relies on consumer records for marketing. This can result in worries about data collection and tracking.

Performance

When it involves overall performance, both Chrome and Safari are fairly browsers. Chrome’s speed is best, specifically on Windows and Android gadgets. 

It boasts a fast JavaScript engine and multi-procedure architecture, which lets every tab run independently, reducing the hazard of crashes affecting the whole browser.

Meanwhile, Safari is designed to be lightweight and nicely optimized for Apple devices. It leverages hardware acceleration and power-efficient coding to provide a quick and responsive browsing experience on macOS and iOS. 

Features

Google Chrome and Safari offer several functions, but they have some differences.

Chrome is known for its huge library of extensions and net apps available through the Chrome Web Store. It gives functions like cross-tool synchronization, a built-in PDF viewer, and the ability to cast to Google Cast-compatible gadgets.

Chrome additionally integrates seamlessly with Google services, making it an excellent preference for those embedded inside the Google ecosystem. 

Meanwhile, Safari is not as characteristic-rich regarding extensions but excels in other regions. 

It boasts a smooth and intuitive user interface, Reader Mode for decluttered analyzing, and integrated privacy functions like Intelligent Tracking Prevention and password tracking.

Safari additionally supports Picture-in-Picture mode for video playback and an exceptional Reading List for saving articles to study later. 

User Experience

Both Google Chrome and Safari offer user review options, however, they cater to unique audiences. Chrome is famed for its simplicity and ease of use. It provides an easy and intuitive interface with an honest navigation device.

It’s a versatile browser that works seamlessly across multiple structures and devices, making it desirable for customers who enjoy cross-device synchronization.

On the other hand, Safari is designed with Apple users in mind. It’s optimized for macOS and iOS, turning in a steady browser across Apple devices.

With a minimalist interface, seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, and intuitive gestures, Safari is preferred for those who value the Mac and iOS experience.

It’s also acknowledged for its energy performance, making it an ideal preference for MacBook customers involved with battery time.

Secure Browsing

Both Chrome and Safari prioritize stable surfing, but their techniques differ. As part of Apple’s commitment to personal privacy, Safari consists of Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP) to block third-party trackers and malicious website tracking.

At the same time, Chrome offers features like Safe Browsing, which warns customers about potentially harmful websites, and automatic updates to protect customers from vulnerabilities. 

Regarding secure browsing, Safari is taken as privacy-focused and stable, however, Chrome is also a robust contender, and its security can be strengthened by configuring privacy settings and extensions.

Chrome vs. Safari: Pros and Cons

Chrome Pros

1. Chrome is known for its speedy and good overall performance, making it desirable for people who prioritize speed and efficiency in their browsing.
2. Chrome gives seamless cross-device synchronization, allowing customers to access their bookmarks, history, and settings on multiple devices, which is suitable for those who use diverse systems.
3. The Chrome Web Store presents a substantial selection of extensions and web apps, making it a go-to browser for folks trying to find additional functions.
4. Chrome integrates best with Google services, which include Gmail and Google Drive, making it a desired browser for users entrenched inside the Google ecosystem.

Chrome Cons

1. Chrome is often criticized for its better reminiscence usage, which can impact device performance, specifically on gadgets with constrained RAM.
2. Chrome’s association with Google increases privacy issues because the corporation depends on user information for advertising. 
3. Chrome may also drain laptop batteries quicker than other power-efficient browsers like Safari, making it a drawback for mobile customers involved in battery lifestyles.

Safari Pros

1. Safari is customized for the Apple ecosystem, presenting seamless integration with macOS and iOS, ensuring a constant and better surfing experience for Apple customers.
2. Safari emphasizes personal privacy, with functions like Intelligent Tracking Prevention and a Privacy Report, making it a top desire for folks who prioritize online privacy.
3. Safari is famous for its power-efficient design, making it the preferred browser for MacBook customers who need to maximize battery time.
4. Safari gives a Reader Mode for decluttered studying, enhancing the readability of articles and net content material.

Safari Cons

1. Safari has a low selection of extensions compared to Chrome, which might also disappoint customers looking for a wider variety of add-ons and customizability.
2. Safari’s advantages are mostly within the Apple system. Other device users won’t completely take advantage of its optimized features.
3. Safari isn’t available on Windows, restricting its accessibility to users on non-Apple structures.

Final Verdict

Although the Chrome vs. Safari debate can go on for a long time, one thing is clear: – Safari is noticeably better than Chrome for its sheer simplicity, design, and privacy features.

FAQ’s