Ever since it became popular, Google Chrome has remained the preferred browser for over 65% of internet users, according to Statcounter.com. However, it hasn’t remained smooth sailing for Google’s Starchild browser – there have been mounting issues that have begun plaguing Chrome that has caused some users to seek good enough alternatives. Here’s a fun fact: Google Chrome, despite having the majority of the market share, isn’t even the default browser for most desktops, meaning that 65% of every browser user actually goes out of their way to set Chrome as their go-to browser. 

On The Edge of Glory

Chrome doesn’t even have to really be good, just slightly better than whatever the alternatives are. For the longest time, the only true alternative was the original – Internet Explorer. Back when Chrome was the new kid on the block, it was faster, prettier, and more customizable than the other browsers available at the time. But, would you believe us if we told you that there’s an alternative out there that might even be better than Chrome, minus the extreme resource-hogging.

What’s the name of such a browser you ask? Well, you might be surprised, it’s the next-gen version of the original internet browser – Microsoft Edge. 

One personal peeve I have with using Google Chrome, regardless of all its bells and whistles, is the sheer amount of memory (RAM) the browser eats up just by being open; I don’t even have multiple tabs open yet! Other notable names have come up, such as Mozilla Firefox and Opera, but neither of these can match Chrome’s vast array of extensions, so, for those who like to dabble with plugins and Quality-of-Life (QOL) features, these alternatives might be out. 

That’s where Microsoft Edge comes in. As a Chromium-based browser, Edge can run almost anything that runs on Chrome. With that in mind, syncing all of your Chrome data is a breeze, you just need a Google account. Depending on much data you’re importing, it shouldn’t take more than a week to bring everything over unless you’re running a server business. 

While you might think that performance would take a noticeable dip, the performance tradeoff was actually pretty good; eating up only half of the RAM that Chrome consumes, we’ll take this trade any day. One thing to note is that Edge’s performance varies from machine to machine, but this account at least lends some credibility to Microsoft’s claim about Edge being the ‘Best-performing browser on Windows’.

The Wrap

Here’s the gist, while it may not be a 1:1 replacement for Google Chrome, it’s certainly a very viable option, especially if you’re looking for a browser that eats fewer resources. While Chrome remains the extension king, Microsoft Ede also has support for several plugins that improve aesthetics and accessibility, which is a bonus depending on your browsing style. The vertical tabs bar is certainly nice to have. Much like the rest of Microsoft’s suite of tools, Edge has a more sleek and professional look compared to Chrome, potentially making it a better choice for strictly office work. Microsoft is on to something here and with a bit more optimization, it’s not impossible to see running a Social Media empire that’s literally on Edge.

Sources 

https://bit.ly/3FVBPga