Software · head to head
Safari vs Google Chrome
Safari
Software
The best way to experience the internet on all your Apple devices
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Safari only available on Apple hardware (Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch), unlike cross-platform rivals; Google Chrome multiple critical security vulnerabilities requiring frequent updates; 151 security flaws patched in Chrome 151 including 22 critical severities
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Safari and Google Chrome actually diverge.
| Attribute | Safari | Google Chrome |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | Unknown |
| Platforms | Web | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Founded | Unknown | 2008 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Safari
Nothing recorded that Google Chrome does not also cover.
Only in Google Chrome
- Fast page loading
- Extensive extension library
- Cross-device sync
- Built-in security
- Developer tools
- Incognito mode
- Password manager
- Auto-updates
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Safari
No use cases recorded yet. See the Safari review.
Google Chrome
- Web browsingnot Safari
- Web developmentnot Safari
- Online researchnot Safari
- Work applicationsnot Safari
- Entertainmentnot Safari
- Educationnot Safari
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Safari
- Only available on Apple hardware (Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch), unlike cross-platform rivals
- Apple states not all features are available on all devices, so capability varies by device within the same ecosystem
Google Chrome
- Multiple critical security vulnerabilities requiring frequent updates; 151 security flaws patched in Chrome 151 including 22 critical severities
- Frequent arbitrary code execution vulnerabilities allow remote attackers to execute code inside sandbox via crafted HTML pages
- Known use-after-free and integer overflow issues in V8 JavaScript engine and Codecs
Pricing, plan by plan
Safari
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Safari review.
Google Chrome
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Google Chrome review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Google Chrome if
- You need fast page loading.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- You also want extensive extension library.
Questions people ask
- Is Safari or Google Chrome better?
- Neither clearly leads. Safari starts at Free and Google Chrome at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Safari or Google Chrome?
- Safari starts at Free and Google Chrome at Free.
- Does Safari or Google Chrome run on more platforms?
- Safari runs on Web. Google Chrome runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Safari for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What can Safari do that Google Chrome cannot?
- Google Chrome covers Fast page loading, Extensive extension library, Cross-device sync, Built-in security.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Google Chrome: Does Google Chrome have offline browsing capabilities?
Chrome can display cached versions of previously visited web pages offline. Chrome removed the experimental offline mode flag, but can automatically load cached pages when offline for sites you have visited before.
SourceGoogle Chrome: Is Google Chrome free to use?
Yes. Google Chrome is completely free to download and use. There are no paid tiers or subscription requirements for standard browsing.
Source