Google Chrome is the most used web browser right now, followed by Edge, the successor to Internet Explorer, and in third place the popular Firefox. However, although it is the most widely used browser, it is by no means the best. Users criticize many things about this browser, especially the control that Google exercises over it and the large amount of data it collects, which makes it impossible to have any privacy. However, there is an alternative that is just like it, but without all the bad things about Google: this is Chromium.
Although Google Chrome is a closed source and proprietary browser, it is actually based on an open source project, known as the Chromium engine. This is what makes it possible, for example, for any developer (as Microsoft, Vivaldi, Brave, etc. have done) to start from this engine and customize their own browsers to give rise to a browser just like Chrome, with the same functionality and Same compatibility as Chromium, but with your own customizations.
In addition to these Chrome-based browsers, if we want it is possible to navigate with the original Chromium project, a very fast and simple browser that does not collect any data from users and that, in addition, eliminates all integration with Google services from so that it appears that you have no relationship with the company.
Chrome vs Chromium
One of the most important differences between both browsers is privacy. Although both browsers are basically the same, in practice there are quite a few differences between them when it comes to privacy. Chromium does not generate a unique ID for each user, nor does it have track and trace scripts like Chrome does, which gives us a very big plus in terms of privacy.
Additionally, Chromium removes all proprietary code from the browser. This can be a good thing, since this way we remove the Google Docs applications, Google Drive, user profiles and the synchronization functions between devices. But it also has its positive side, since it removes DRM elements, which can give us problems when watching streaming videos.
Chromium’s security is also somewhat up in the air, as Chrome’s sandbox isolation is not available in the free project.
And, Chromium’s main handicap compared to Google Chrome is updates. Although it is true that this browser receives much more frequent updates than its alternative, these are not downloaded or installed automatically, rather we have to do it by hand. Luckily, there are tools that help us in this task.
Download Chromium
Google does not compile the new versions of its browser, so in order to start testing it, it is necessary to download the source code and compile it ourselves. At least in theory. Luckily, there are websites that are responsible for compiling the browser several times a day and downloading them easily. Therefore, if we want to try this browser, the fastest way to download it is from this link.
In addition, there is a program called chrlauncher, which allows us to easily download, run and update Chromium. This program acts as an intermediary, a launcher, that every time we open it, it checks if there are new versions and, if there are, it downloads and installs them.
Finally, about updates, Chromium is a “Canary” browser, that is, it does not have a stable version, but rather receives constant changes. And this can mean that, at any time, we get a version with an error and we can’t use it.
Should I use this browser?
Although it may be tempting, it really is not a browser for everyone. We only recommend it in case of being advanced users, with a certain level of knowledge, who are looking for a plus in the privacy of our day to day.
For a user without much knowledge, it is much easier and more practical to use Chrome. It is true that Google will have much more control over the browser and our data, and that it will spy on us. But, in practice, the browser will be much more secure, it will update itself, and it assures us that we won’t have any problems.