ChromiumLinux
vs
Microsoft EdgeWindows
Chromium as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Edge
Updated
Our verdict
Chromium is a solid replacement for Microsoft Edge on Linux. It shares the same rendering engine, so web pages load the same. It supports tab management, session restore, DevTools, extensions from the Chrome Web Store, and hardware‑accelerated rendering. The main gaps are the lack of a built‑in Microsoft‑specific password manager, native Windows‑style sync across Microsoft accounts, and some Edge‑only features like integration with Windows Defender and Microsoft services. It is ideal for users who want a fast, standards‑compliant browser without the Windows ecosystem lock‑in.
- License
- BSD-3-Clause and LGPL-2.1+ and…
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 155.0.8059.39 (October 6, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both use the Chromium rendering engine and support modern web standards
- Both provide tab management, session restore, and built‑in PDF viewer
- Both include DevTools for debugging
- Both support extensions via the Chrome Web Store
- Both offer hardware acceleration and sandboxed processes
What is different
- Chromium lacks Microsoft’s built‑in password manager and Edge’s integration with Windows credentials
- Chromium does not sync automatically with Microsoft accounts; sync requires Google or manual setup
- Edge includes Windows Defender SmartScreen and other Microsoft security features not present in Chromium
- Edge has a more polished UI tailored to Windows; Chromium’s UI is more generic
- Edge supports some Microsoft‑specific APIs (e.g., Office integration) that Chromium does not
Opening your Microsoft Edge files
Opening Edge‑specific files such as .edg or Edge‑profile data is not supported by Chromium. Exporting bookmarks, passwords, and history from Edge can be done via the Edge export feature (HTML, CSV) and then imported into Chromium using the browser’s import tool. For other Edge data, manual migration or third‑party tools may be required.
Switching from Microsoft Edge to Chromium, step by step
- 1. Export bookmarks, passwords, and history from Edge (Settings → Import/Export).
- 2. Install Chromium from your distro’s package manager or Flathub.
- 3. Open Chromium and use the Import tool (Menu → Bookmarks → Import Bookmarks and Settings).
- 4. If you use Microsoft account sync, set up a Google account in Chromium for sync or use a third‑party sync tool.
- 5. Reinstall any desired extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
- 6. Verify that tabs, history, and saved passwords appear correctly.
Key features of Chromium
- Fast, multi-process architecture with sandboxing
- Support for modern web standards (HTML5, WebAssembly)
- Extensive extension library via Chrome Web Store
- Syncs with Google accounts (if manually configured)
- Developer tools for debugging and performance analysis
- Hardware acceleration and responsive UI
- Tab isolation and crash resistance
- Built-in PDF viewer and media support
How to install Chromium on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.chromium.Chromiumsudo apt install chromium-browsersudo apt install chromiumsudo dnf install chromiumsudo pacman -S chromiumsudo zypper install chromiumFrequently asked questions
Does Chromium support Edge extensions?
No, Chromium only supports extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Edge extensions are not compatible.
Will my Edge passwords sync to Chromium?
Passwords can be exported from Edge to a CSV file and then imported into Chromium, but automatic sync is not available.
Is Chromium secure compared to Edge?
Chromium uses the same sandboxing and sandboxed renderer as Edge, but it lacks Microsoft’s Defender SmartScreen. Security depends on your configuration and extensions.
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