I currently have both Chrome and Chromium installed, but I use Chrome about 80% of the time. It feels faster and more stable, but I’m wondering if I’m missing out on something important by not using Chromium more often. Is choosing Chrome the better option for most developers, or does Chromium have an edge in certain scenarios?
I’ve been working in front-end dev for over a decade now, and when it comes to browsers, stability matters.
Use Chrome for Stability and Full Feature Access
The key differences between Chrome and Chromium really show up in everyday use, Chrome gives you access to proprietary codecs (like AAC, H.264), seamless Google account sync, and automatic updates.
Why I rely on it:
It just works. I use Chrome for my main dev workflow because everything feels connected, especially when paired with tools like LambdaTest to run cross-browser tests on real devices.
Coming from a security startup background, I’ve had to look beyond just features, transparency and control were essential.
Choose Chromium for Privacy and Open Source Simplicity
Building on @joe-elmoufak, point, the key differences between Chrome and Chromium also include privacy. Chromium skips Google’s proprietary stuff—no background sync or tracking, and it’s fully open source.
Why I used it:
I used Chromium when working on FOSS tools. It felt lighter, but yeah—manual updates are a thing. If you’re auditing or debugging behavior, Chromium gives you raw control.
Been deep in test automation and front-end delivery for 7+ years, and here’s what worked for me.
Use Both with Purpose, Chromium for Testing, Chrome for Productivity
Stacking on what @babitakumari shared, if you’re testing features, the key differences between Chrome and Chromium make them complementary.
How I split it:
I run daily tasks and sync-heavy work in Chrome, then switch to Chromium for clean testing sessions—especially with Selenium scripts on LambdaTest. No browser sync or plugins interfering with the sandbox environment.