Firefox vs Google Chrome: Which Browser is Better in 2024?

2024, Sep 25

Choosing a browser is like choosing your first game. While you’re not locked into one browser for life, you can keep using the same one for simplicity’s sake. It’s really easy to default to the popular Google Chrome browser, but Firefox has some serious competition. Firefox is still incredibly popular, and for good reason. So which browser should you choose?

Firefox vs. Google Chrome:

 

RAM Performance: Firefox Uses More RAM Than Chrome
Chrome has a reputation for being a RAM hog. But is that just a byproduct of its popularity? As more people use it, more complaints come out. Or does Chrome really deserve its reputation? By common sense, it seems like Chrome uses a lot of system resources, and it often does.
There are a number of reasons why a browser might use a lot of RAM. Typically, it’s because of too many third-party extensions that slow down the browser. Other reasons could include too many tabs open, an uncleared cache, or even malware.
If there’s a browser that’s less resource-hungry, it’s probably not Firefox. We ran a simple test by opening both Chrome and Firefox with a single tab playing a YouTube video. When we went into the Activity Monitor app on our MacBook, we found that Firefox used even more RAM than Chrome in this case. There have also been numerous claims that Firefox is a RAM-hungry browser, both on popular forums like Reddit and on the Firefox support page. Fortunately, Firefox has a built-in task manager that allows users to see which tabs are consuming the most system resources. Closing those tabs can help reduce resource usage. You can also click the “Reduce memory usage” button in Firefox’s settings to reduce RAM consumption.

Mozilla even suggests that you “upgrade your RAM” if you’re experiencing memory issues, in case other fixes don’t work.

When it comes to RAM, it’s also worth considering browser speed. A slow browser can be detrimental to your browsing experience, but fortunately, neither Chrome nor Firefox are slow. But is there a faster browser? We ran some speed tests using WebSPRT 4 and found that both browsers performed similarly, with no noticeable performance differences.

Chrome has made great strides in its resource-hungry tendencies, now consuming less RAM than before. It’s still incredibly fast while consuming less RAM, which puts it ahead of Firefox in terms of performance.

Privacy: Firefox is better than Chrome in terms of privacy
That’s right. Firefox is even highly rated for security, ranking second on our list of the most secure browsers (after Tor Browser). With features like “Enhanced Tracking Protection,” Firefox allows users to block any trackers it detects. While it’s not a perfect ad blocker, you can install extensions to block ads more effectively.

Firefox also supports split browsing, which prevents platforms like Facebook from tracking your activity when you browse the web outside of Facebook. Firefox's default settings are privacy-focused, but you can fine-tune privacy options like blocking cookies and third-party trackers, and adjust the level of protection you want.
The most important thing is that Firefox is the most popular open-source browser, allowing anyone to review the source code to ensure that no malicious components or tracking software are built into the final product.
Meanwhile, Chrome is not known for its privacy. As a Google product, Chrome collects a lot of data like a user's location, search history, and browsing habits. Google is also known for its ability to link this data to specific users and their devices.
On the security front, Chrome is typically updated faster and patches security vulnerabilities more regularly. However, even though Firefox is maintained by a volunteer community, its update schedule is commendable.
Both Chrome and Firefox default to HTTPS connections, provide malicious website detection (based on the Google Safe Browsing database) and malware protection. Other security features like private browsing mode, browser sandboxing, and password managers are available on both browsers.

Private Browsing: Both Chrome and Firefox Are Great for Private Browsing
Private browsing mode is called Incognito Mode on Chrome and Private Browsing on Firefox. When you use this mode on either browser, they do not save information about your browsing activity. This means that your browsing history, form data, searches, downloads, cookies, and cached files are automatically deleted after you end your browsing session.
On Chrome, when you launch Incognito Mode, you have the option to block third-party trackers. Meanwhile, Firefox automatically blocks this even when you use regular browsing mode.
While private browsing mode is a great way to prevent your browsing history from being tracked on your personal device, it is not completely private. The websites you visit, your company or school, and your internet service provider can still track your online activity.
Ease of Use: Chrome is more user-friendly than Firefox

 

When you launch both browsers, the first thing you notice is that their interfaces are quite similar. The most obvious visual difference is that Firefox has a more blocky design than Chrome, but this doesn't affect the user experience.

Another notable difference is how the two browsers handle tabs. Chrome allows you to group multiple tabs together, and tabs will automatically minimize when too many are open. Meanwhile, Firefox does not support tab grouping and uses horizontal scrolling when there are many tabs open, making it easier for you to distinguish tabs.

Both Chrome and Firefox support multiple user profiles and sync features. To create a profile, you just need to sign in with your Google account on Chrome or your Firefox account on Firefox. After that, all data such as bookmarks, tabs, settings, passwords, and other browser data will be synced between devices when signed in to the same account. Data from each user profile will be kept separate from each other.

In terms of search, Google is the default search engine on both browsers, so the search experience won't be too different. Both also support Google Lens, which allows you to search by image by dragging and dropping or uploading an image to the search bar.

A big advantage of Chrome is its deep integration with Google services like Google Drive, Gmail, Google Docs, and YouTube. Chrome makes it easy to take full advantage of these services; for example, you can quickly create a new Google Doc document by simply typing "doc.new" into the address bar – a unique shortcut not available on other browsers.

If you already have a Google account, this integration is a huge convenience, and Chrome scores points for connecting to Google's entire ecosystem of services.

Google Chrome vs. Firefox: VPN
Firefox doesn't have a built-in VPN, but Mozilla (the developer of Firefox) offers a paid VPN service. Similarly, Chrome doesn’t have a built-in VPN, but Google offers VPN through its Google One subscription.

If you’re considering purchasing a VPN, we can recommend RICE VPN. With a network of servers spanning over 100 countries, top-notch connection speeds, and industry-leading encryption, RICE VPN ensures that all your online privacy needs are met. Furthermore, we operate a no-logs policy, ensuring that we have no idea what you’re using the VPN for and don’t store any data related to it.
With extensions for both Firefox and Chrome, you can easily use RICE VPN right in your preferred browser.
Chrome vs Firefox: How Compatible Are They with VPNs?

Both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox support VPN, giving users an extra layer of security and privacy while browsing the web. The RICE VPN extension for both browsers allows you to easily control the RICE VPN app right in your browsing session without having to switch to the app. You can turn the VPN on/off, change server locations, and adjust settings just like you would if you were using the app directly, all conveniently from your browser.

Google Chrome vs. Firefox:
Both browsers are quite similar in more ways than you might think. Here's a summary of which browser wins in each category:

1. Performance: Chrome. Both browsers are fast, but Chrome consumes fewer resources while maintaining a steady speed.

2. Privacy: Firefox. Right out of the box, Firefox does a great job of protecting your privacy, significantly outperforming Chrome. This is the most important factor when it comes to privacy.

3.Private Browsing: Tie. Both private browsing modes only protect users from low-level tracking.

4.Ease of Use: Chrome. Both are easy to use, but Chrome has the edge thanks to better integration with Google's ecosystem.

5.VPN: Tie. Neither has a built-in VPN.

6.Customization: Chrome. Chrome has more extensions and themes. Firefox still offers significant customization, though.

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