I enjoy both browsers but was curious what are the major differences between the Chromium and Ungoogled Chromium? Here is what chatgpt provided:
Here’s a clear comparison between Chromium and Ungoogled Chromium — two browsers that look similar on the surface but have very different goals and privacy behaviors:
🧩 1. Base and Relationship
| Feature | Chromium | Ungoogled Chromium |
|---|
| Base | The open-source project behind Google Chrome. | A fork of Chromium. |
| Goal | Provide a clean, open base for Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers (Brave, Edge, Opera, etc.). | Remove all Google web services and tracking features from Chromium. |
🔒 2. Privacy and Google Integration
| Aspect | Chromium | Ungoogled Chromium |
|---|
| Google connections | Still includes Google APIs and background services (Sync, Safe Browsing, etc.). | All Google web service calls removed or disabled. |
| Default search | Google Search. | No default; user must set their own. |
| Autocomplete / Prediction | Connects to Google servers for suggestions. | Disabled by default; no network calls for suggestions. |
| Crash reporting / Metrics | Sends optional usage and crash data to Google. | Removed completely. |
| Sync with Google Account | Supported. | Disabled/removed. |
⚙️ 3. Functionality
| Aspect | Chromium | Ungoogled Chromium |
|---|
| Extensions | Full Chrome Web Store support. | Chrome Web Store access must be manually enabled. |
| Automatic updates | Yes (depends on OS). | No built-in auto-updater — must update manually. |
| Media codecs | Includes support for proprietary codecs (in some builds). | May exclude proprietary codecs (like H.264, AAC) unless manually added. |
| Google Sync / Translate | Works out of the box. | Removed for privacy. |
🛡️ 4. Security
| Aspect | Chromium | Ungoogled Chromium |
|---|
| Sandboxing | Yes | Yes (same as Chromium). |
| Privacy enhancements | Minimal (depends on settings). | Enhanced — all connections to Google disabled. |
| Update frequency | Fast and automatic. | Manual — user must update often to stay secure. |
⚡ 5. Who Should Use Which
| Type of User | Recommended Browser |
|---|
| Regular user who wants Chrome-like experience without Chrome branding | Chromium |
| Privacy-focused or advanced user willing to manage updates manually | Ungoogled Chromium |
| Developer building or testing Chrome-based apps | Chromium |
🧠Summary
-
Chromium → Open-source, but still “Google-connected.”
-
Ungoogled Chromium → Privacy-first, but less convenient.
Source: https://chatgpt.com/
Key Features of UnGoogled Chromium
Ungoogled Chromium doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; instead, it refines it. Here are its standout features:
- No Google Dependency
- Every trace of Google’s ecosystem is removed, including Safe Browsing, Cloud Messaging, and URL tracking.
- Runtime requests to Google domains are blocked by substituting them with non-existent alternatives. Think of it as the browser equivalent of ghosting Google.
- Granular Privacy Controls
- Offers a comprehensive range of manual privacy and control tweaks through chrome://flags and command-line switches.
- Features like disabling omnibox URL formatting and intrusive DNS requests give users unparalleled transparency.
- Resource-Friendly Design
- Without the background telemetry and Google’s binaries, the browser is remarkably lightweight and responsive. Tasks like loading complex web pages or streaming videos are done faster compared to heavier browsers like Firefox.
- Extension Support Without Google Accounts
- Installing extensions might seem tricky at first, but the Chromium Web Store extension makes it seamless. Drag, drop, and you’re good to go, no Google login required.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility
- With support for Linux, macOS, and Windows, it’s a powerful and attractive option to a diverse range of users. Whether through distro-specific builds or universal package managers like Flatpak, Ungoogled Chromium is accessible almost everywhere.
- Enhanced Transparency
- Binary pruning makes sure that only alternatives provided by users replace pre-compiled binaries. This way, there are no unexpected surprises in the code.
Pros and Cons of UnGoogled Chromium
Pros:
- Privacy First: Removes telemetry and blocks runtime requests, which gives users peace of mind.
- Speed Demon: Stripped of unnecessary processes, it feels faster and more efficient than many alternatives.
- Customizability: The wealth of flags and switches ensures you can tailor the browser to your specific needs.
- Open Source: Transparent development encourages trust and encourages community contributions.
- Versatile: Runs well on a variety of platforms with numerous installation options.
Cons:
- DIY Setup: Many features require manual activation, which could be challenging for beginners.
- Sacrifices Convenience: Features like automatic syncing or seamless extension updates are missing without extra effort.
- Privacy Shortcomings by Default: It doesn’t compete with privacy-first browsers like Brave or Firefox until additional flags are configured.
- Reduced Functionality: Some Google-dependent features like Safe Browsing and automatic formatting are intentionally disabled, which might displease certain users.
Common Use Cases of UnGoogled Chromium
- Privacy Enthusiasts: Perfect for users seeking to minimize their digital footprint without sacrificing speed.
- Developers and Testers: A solid choice for testing web apps in a clean, Google-free Chromium environment.
- Performance Seekers: Its lightweight design makes it ideal for older systems or users frustrated by resource-intensive browsers.
- Privacy-Minded Casual Users: Those who like Chrome’s interface but dislike its data-hungry nature will feel at home here.
Source: https://cross-browser.org/reviews/ungoogled-chromium-complete-review/
