What is Google Chrome used for?

Google Chrome is Google's web browser, with profile sync, extensions, built-in translation, performance savers, tab organization and AI features. It is a good fit for everyday web browsing on desktop and mobile, extending browsing with add-on tools, and keeping bookmarks synced across devices.

Is Google Chrome free?

Yes. Google Chrome is free to use.

Is Google Chrome open source?

No. Google Chrome is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to Google Chrome include Ungoogled Chromium, Chromium and Brave Browser.

What are some alternatives to Google Chrome?

Google Chrome competes with Microsoft Edge, Safari and Opera. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Google Chrome alternatives.

Google Chrome: features, pricing and alternatives

About Google Chrome

Google Chrome is the web browser from Google, available on desktop and mobile. Google highlights performance features such as Energy Saver and Memory Saver, tab tools that let users group, label and color-code tabs, and a release cadence of a new version about every four weeks to deliver updates and security fixes.

Chrome supports extensions from a store, syncs profile data across devices, and includes safety protections and built-in page translation. More recently Google has added Gemini in Chrome and other AI features to the browser. Chrome is built on the open-source Chromium project, which also underlies several other browsers.

Chrome is proprietary software from Google that is free to download and use, so there is no hosted or self-hosted edition to choose between. Managed deployment options exist for businesses, and it suits nearly any user looking for a mainstream, cross-platform browser.

Key features

Energy Saver and Memory Saver modes
Tab groups with labels and colors
Extensions from the Chrome Web Store
Profile and password sync across devices
Built-in page translation
Gemini AI features in the browser

Good fit for

→Everyday web browsing on desktop and mobile
→Extending browsing with add-on tools
→Keeping bookmarks synced across devices

Tags: web-browser; chromium; google; extensions; sync; browser

Google Chrome: questions and answers

What is Google Chrome used for?: Google Chrome is Google's web browser, with profile sync, extensions, built-in translation, performance savers, tab organization and AI features. It is a good fit for everyday web browsing on desktop and mobile, extending browsing with add-on tools, and keeping bookmarks synced across devices.
Is Google Chrome free?: Yes. Google Chrome is free to use.
Is Google Chrome open source?: No. Google Chrome is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to Google Chrome include Ungoogled Chromium, Chromium and Brave Browser.
What are some alternatives to Google Chrome?: Google Chrome competes with Microsoft Edge, Safari and Opera. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Google Chrome alternatives.