Ever wonder what makes your web browser tick? If you peel back the layers, you’ll find something interesting at the core. Google Chrome is based on something called “Chromium,” and you may be surprised by how many other browsers have that in common.
Chrome’s Open-Source Core
Simply put, “Chromium” is the name of the open-source project that provides the vast majority of the code for the Google Chrome browser. Being open-source means that its source code is freely available, and anyone can inspect, modify, and distribute it. This collaborative nature allows for contributions from developers around the world.
The initial release of Chromium was in September 2008 (along with Chrome). Right out of the gate, the lack of a master password for saved logins caused some concern, though Google stood firm against it. Despite this, development moved quickly. Linux support arrived in version 3, bringing native themes. The performance got a boost, and the interface started to lean towards minimalism. Features like a built-in PDF reader and support for new video formats appeared.
2011 brought talk of big UI changes, even considering ditching the URL bar, but these ideas were eventually shelved. Instead, the focus shifted to a smaller browser, better web app integration, cloud features, and touch screen support. We saw the introduction of multi-profile support and improved security with malware detection.
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What’s the Difference Between Chromium and Chrome?
Chromium is an open-source browser project that forms the basis for the Chrome web browser.
In the following years, Chrome’s sync service became available for Chromium. New APIs enabled better web communication, and Google officially moved away from Apple’s WebKit rendering engine. More recent updates have focused on security enhancements and design changes.
But Chromium isn’t just for Chrome. It serves as the foundation for a multitude of other web browsers as well, several of which you’ve probably heard of. The shared foundation allows different browsers to offer similar core functionalities while also adding their own unique features and designs. So, when you’re browsing the web on a non-Chrome browser, there’s a good chance Chromium is playing a significant role under the hood.
Chromium is a Team Project
Chromium in 2025
There are a number of browsers based on Chromium, but not all Chromium browsers are equal. Google Chrome, for example, is proprietary. Google takes the Chromium code and adds its own closed-source components on top, making it no longer open source. Many browsers that are based on Chromium are proprietary, but some remain fully open source.
Proprietary
- Arc
- Amazon Silk
- Avast
- Comodo Dragon
- DuckDuckGo
- Ecosia Browser
- Epic
- Google Chrome
- Huawei
- Maxthon
- Microsoft Edge
- Naver Whale
- NetFront
- Opera
- Puffin
- Samsung Internet
- Sleipnir
- SRWare Iron
- UC Browser
- Vivaldi
Open Source
- Brave
- Dooble
- Falkon
- Konqueror
- Otter
- qutebrowser
- Supermium
- ungoogled-chromium
Google has been the owner of the Chromium project since the beginning, but it’s not alone in contributing to its codebase. Companies including Microsoft, Igalia, Yandex, Intel, Samsung, LG, Opera, and Vivaldi have contributed to Chromium. Some of these contributions find their way to other Chromium-based browsers, making things better for everyone.
Using Chromium as a Browser?
Now, you might be wondering, “If Chromium is the base for Chrome, can I just use Chromium as my everyday browser?” The answer is yes, you absolutely can. In fact, there are automated build systems that compile the latest Chromium code into installable apps. These Chromium builds are essentially a barebones version of what eventually becomes Google Chrome.
However, while technically possible, using a raw Chromium build as your main browser comes with some significant asterisks. One of the most noticeable differences is the absence of Google’s proprietary features and services. For example, the built-in account synchronization that keeps bookmarks, history, passwords, and settings consistent across devices isn’t present in Chromium. Automatic updates that keep Chrome secure and up to date with new features aren’t available in Chromium either–you’d be responsible for manually updating it yourself.
Another key omission is support for certain digital rights management (DRM) technologies. This means that some streaming services that require DRM–such as Netflix–might not work correctly in a pure Chromium build.
The idea of using the open-source core directly might sound appealing to some, especially if you’re trying to de-Google your life. However, there are better options in the list above for a Google-free browsing experience.
In short, you can think of Chromium in a similar way to Android. Google and others contribute to the Android Open Source Project, which is then taken by manufacturers and used to create One UI, OxygenOS, and Pixel UI. Yes, you can technically run pure Android on a phone, but it’s missing many critical elements.
So, while you can certainly take Chromium for a spin, it’s probably best to think of it as the raw engine rather than the polished vehicle. For your daily browsing needs, sticking with a fully featured browser will save you a lot of hassle and provide a smoother experience. You get the benefits of Chromium’s solid foundation, along with the ease of use and extra features you’ve come to expect.
