Chrome is a web browser developed and released by Google. Chromium is a niche, open-source browser with fewer users, also developed by Google. Chrome uses the same source code as Chromium, but with fewer extra features and add-ons. We’ve taken a close look at the pros and cons of each browser to help you make an informed decision about which one is best.
Google Chrome vs. Chromium – What’s the Difference?
Chrome is a proprietary web browser developed and maintained by Google. Because it is patented, anyone can download and use it, but the code cannot be decompiled, reverse engineered, or used to build other projects.
Chrome is built on Chromium, meaning that Google developers take the open-source Chromium source code and add their own code. For example, Chrome has an auto-update feature, can track browsing data, and until recently included built-in support for Flash, all of which Chromium lacks.
Chromium is an open-source web browser developed and maintained by the Chromium Projects. Because it is open-source, anyone is free to modify the source code to their liking. However, only trusted members of the Chromium Project development community can contribute code.
