Firefox vs Google Chrome

September 07, 2023 | Author: Adam Levine
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Firefox
The free, non-profit browser for your desktop and mobile devices. Firefox is created by a global non-profit dedicated to putting individuals in control online. We’ve always designed Firefox to protect and respect your private information. That’s why we’re proud to be voted the Most Trusted Internet Company for Privacy.
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Google Chrome
Google Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier. Deploy and manage Chrome for your organization.
Firefox and Google Chrome are two popular web browsers that offer distinct features and user experiences. Firefox, developed by Mozilla, is known for its emphasis on privacy, customization, and open-source principles. It offers a wide range of add-ons and extensions, giving users the ability to personalize their browsing experience. Firefox also places a strong focus on privacy, with features like Enhanced Tracking Protection and built-in support for encrypted DNS. Additionally, Firefox is compatible with various operating systems and has a reputation for its strong commitment to web standards and performance.

On the other hand, Google Chrome, developed by Google, is widely recognized for its speed, simplicity, and integration with Google services. It offers a minimalist design, intuitive user interface, and seamless synchronization across devices. Google Chrome is known for its robust performance and rendering capabilities, making it ideal for web applications and resource-intensive tasks. It also provides a vast array of extensions and apps from the Chrome Web Store, enhancing its functionality and customization options.

See also: Top 10 Web Browsers
Firefox vs Google Chrome in our news:

2022. Mozilla brings free, offline translation to Firefox



Mozilla has introduced a new translation tool for Firefox that eliminates the need for cloud processing by conducting machine learning-based translations directly on users' computers. This significant advancement is a departure from relying on industry giants like Google and Microsoft for translation services. The tool, called Firefox Translations, can be easily added to the browser. Upon initial use, it may download necessary resources and potentially update models for improved translations, but the actual translation process occurs locally on the user's computer, rather than in a remote data center.


2020. Google Chrome update brings better tab management, QR codes, plus performance improvements



Google is enhancing the usability of Chrome's tabs and tab groups, aiming to make them more convenient and efficient. Behind the scenes, these improvements promise faster page loading times by up to 10% and a reduction in the impact of idle background tabs. Chrome now allows users to collapse and expand their tab groups, enabling them to focus on the tabs they need to access immediately. Additionally, a new QR code feature will be introduced in Chrome for desktop, accessible through a QR code icon in the Chrome address bar. Furthermore, Google will soon release a highly anticipated feature that enables users to directly fill out and save PDF forms within Chrome.


2020. Google Chrome now allows to organize tabs to groups



Google Chrome is introducing a fresh functionality to enhance your tab management. With tab groups, you can conveniently organize, label, and even assign colors to your tabs. To utilize this new feature, simply right-click on a tab and select "Add tab to group." From there, you can either choose an existing group to move the tab to or create a new one, which you can name and label. Furthermore, Chrome browser now includes a feature to block ads that deplete your device's battery life or unnecessarily consume your internet bandwidth.


2020. Firefox gets a better password manager



Mozilla has released version 76 of its Firefox browser, introducing an enhanced password manager feature. With the updated Firefox Lockwise, users will now be prompted to enter their device password when attempting to copy and paste credentials from the "Logins and Passwords" page within the browser. Once the device password is confirmed, users can view and copy their credentials for a duration of five minutes. This additional layer of security makes it more challenging for unauthorized individuals to access password-protected websites, particularly on shared computers. Moreover, Lockwise now provides alerts for vulnerable passwords that have been compromised in known breaches, along with warnings if a website you frequent has experienced a breach where your logins and passwords may have been stolen. Furthermore, Lockwise's password generator feature has been expanded to support more websites and can assist in generating random combinations of 12 letters, numbers, and symbols for stronger password creation.


2019. Firefox gets enhanced tracking protection, desktop password manager


Firefox is introducing one of its most comprehensive series of releases designed to prevent advertisers and other entities from tracking your online activities. Additionally, these releases make it more challenging for Facebook to monitor your online behavior. By default, Enhanced Tracking Protection, based on the Disconnect list, will block all third-party tracking cookies. You have the option to choose a strict setting that may impact the functionality of certain websites, or you can customize your own settings. Furthermore, Mozilla is expanding its Lockbox password manager to include desktop support. Previously, Lockbox was only available as a mobile app, but Mozilla has now launched a Firefox desktop extension for it. The name of the password manager has also been changed to Lockwise. Currently, Lockwise provides a straightforward password management experience, although it may not offer the same extensive features as Dashlane, 1Password, LastPass, or similar alternatives.


2018. Firefox will now alert you when one of your accounts was hacked



Earlier this year, Mozilla introduced Firefox Monitor, a service designed to inform users if their online accounts were compromised in recent data breaches. By simply providing your email address, Firefox Monitor utilizes the Have I Been Pwned database to display any potential concerns and details regarding the compromised data. Today, Mozilla takes this initiative further by allowing users to sign up for alerts notifying them if their accounts appear in any future known breaches. Mozilla emphasizes that Firefox Monitor is just one of many upcoming data and privacy features planned by the organization in the coming months. With increasing user concerns about privacy and the extensive data collection practices of Google's Chrome browser, Mozilla positions itself as a neutral force in the browser market, and this approach has been well-received.


2018. Firefox ends support of Windows XP, Vista



Mozilla has made the decision to discontinue support for Windows XP and Windows Vista in its web browser, Firefox. This means that security updates for these outdated operating systems will no longer be provided. The termination of support for Windows XP and Vista took effect with the release of Firefox ESR 52.9 on June 26. Subsequently, Firefox ESR 60.2 was introduced on September 4. Mozilla offers Firefox ESR (Extended Support Release) specifically to cater to customers, primarily business users, who prioritize stability over the inclusion of new and flashy features. Unlike the regular Firefox version, each ESR release solely receives security updates throughout its lifecycle. Mozilla typically maintains both the previous and current ESR versions for approximately 12 weeks, with the transition occurring once a year. The overlap period between Firefox ESR 52 and ESR 60 started on May 7, coinciding with the launch of the latter, and concluded on September 4 when security patches were no longer provided for Firefox ESR 52. Currently, Opera remains the only top-five browser that continues to support Windows XP.


2018. Google Chrome gets a fresh look, better omnibox, and more



Google Chrome is introducing a redesigned look and an array of fresh functionalities, including an enhanced omnibox. The browser now features more rounded corners and a revamped color palette, presenting a visually pleasing interface. The tab design has been optimized to improve the visibility of site favicons, facilitating seamless navigation. Notably, on iOS devices, where Chrome has long awaited attention, the toolbar has finally found its rightful place at the bottom of the screen, closer to the user's thumbs. Excitingly, the update brings new customization options as well. Users can effortlessly change the background image and site suggestions on the "new tab" screen. Autocomplete functionality receives a long-awaited upgrade, now displaying site favicons in the dropdown list. Moreover, Chrome will provide answers to certain queries directly within the autocomplete list, even before the user presses the Return key.


2018. Microsoft improves anti-phishing skills of Edge competitor - Google Chrome



Microsoft has made a significant move by offering a valuable asset of its Edge browser to its competitor Google. They have released an add-on called "Windows Defender Browser Protection" (WDBP) that enhances Chrome's ability to detect phishing attempts. This free extension can be easily installed on Chrome running on Windows, macOS, and, following a post-launch fix, even on Chrome OS. Similar to the security measures integrated into Edge, this add-on leverages Microsoft's SmartScreen technology to alert users about potentially harmful websites that may attempt to download malware or lead to known phishing URLs through email message links.


2017. Firefox released new ultra-fast web browser to take on Google Chrome


Mozilla's latest browser, Firefox Quantum, delivers an incredibly fast browsing experience. In a comprehensive test conducted by the open-source project WebPageTest, Firefox Quantum outperformed Chrome in loading numerous popular websites, including Yelp, Shutterstock, Ask.com, and even Google Search itself.  (Although Chrome remained faster in loading most Google and YouTube pages). Moreover, Firefox Quantum stands out by utilizing approximately 30% less memory compared to its competitors, such as Chrome, Edge, and Safari, on Windows operating systems, and only slightly more memory than Chrome on macOS. This means you can have significantly more tabs open without worrying about your browser crashing or slowing down. However, Mozilla's focus extends beyond speed and memory optimization. Extensive user research has influenced the browser's interface, resulting in Firefox Quantum incorporating several small yet significant features that cater to user browsing patterns.

Author: Adam Levine
Adam is an expert in project management, collaboration and productivity technologies, team management, and motivation. With an extensive background working at prestigious companies such as Microsoft and Accenture, Adam's in-depth knowledge and experience in the field make him a sought-after professional. Currently, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a thriving consulting and training agency where he imparts invaluable insights and practical strategies to individuals and organizations, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. You can contact Adam via email adam@liventerprise.com