Web browsers have evolved in functionality to the point that they now cover a large variety of tasks that were previously only handled by desktop apps.

When it comes to web browsers for Mac, the two most popular choices are Chrome and Safari.

Chrome is known for its flexibility and capability, while Safari is the default Mac browser because it is faster, less taxing on your computer, and more private.

So, how do you decide which browser to use?

Let’s take a closer look at both choices for a more precise conclusion, and see how you can improve either with some powerful Mac apps.

Chrome vs. Safari

When it comes to assessing a browser, there’s a lot to consider.

Often, the best thing you can do is simply download all of the options (why not, they’re all free) and see which one you like.

Simultaneously, comparisons across several categories, including user interface, features, performance, privacy, and extensions, may help you decide which browser to choose as your default.

Here’s how Safari and Chrome stack up against each other.

#1. Chrome vs. Safari: User Interface

Both Safari and Chrome are unquestionably attractive and simple to use.

Their differences are primarily due to their different settings.

Google Chrome:

Google Chrome is designed to be the ChromeOS hub and perform a wider range of tasks.

It performs better when you have a lot of tabs open and can handle a lot of bookmarks.

In fact, you can switch between your work and home profiles (or those of others in your family) at any time, and all of your preferences will be changed automatically.

Safari:

Safari works better with macOS and can provide unique UI features like semi-transparency in the top bar.

It’s also more minimalist, allowing you to remove almost all browser elements.

Verdict: The result is a tie. Safari would appeal to people who hate clutter, while Chrome would be easier to manage for power users.

#2. Chrome vs. Safari: Features

While analyzing a user interface can be subjective, comparing features is a lot easier.

Google Chrome:

As you might expect, Chrome is a better option if you have Android devices or use Windows (Safari isn’t available for Windows).

It also integrates with Chromecast, allowing you to stream anything from your computer to your television simply.

Chrome also works well with other Google apps, such as Google Translate, which lets you translate any webpage into any language in a matter of seconds.

Safari:

Safari’s integration with Apple’s ecosystem is a huge benefit. If you have an iPhone, you can immediately use iCloud Tabs to access the same tabs on your Mac.

You can also use Mac’s Touch ID and Face ID technology to validate online purchases made in Safari.

Because almost every media website nowadays is filled with advertisements. One of the coolest Safari features is the Reader mode, which allows you to customize your reading experience with unique backgrounds, fonts, and text sizes.

Verdict: In the United States, Apple users may prefer Safari, but international Android users may prefer Chrome.

#3. Chrome vs. Safari: Speed & Performance

When you use any software on your Mac, you want to make sure it runs as quickly as possible. No one has time to watch the beach ball spin.

Google Chrome:

Chrome is well-known for using a lot of RAM. It’s nearly less efficient since it lacks the same system integration benefits.

Safari:

Apple integrates Safari further into its system with each new macOS update, making it faster and more resource-efficient.

Verdict: According to several testing, Chrome can consume more RAM than Safari.

At the very least, Chrome includes its own task manager, which you may use to keep track of and terminate time-consuming processes.

To see how well both apps perform on your Mac, launch Activity Monitor from the Utility folder and compare the performance of Chrome and Safari.

But, in the end, Safari is the faster and more lightweight of the two browsers.

#4. Chrome vs. Safari: Privacy & Security

Apple and Google, as you may know, have quite different business models. 

Apple mainly sells products (iPhones, Macs, and so on), while Google focuses on selling advertisements.

It may charge more for its ads if it has more information about you.

Google Chrome:

Chrome has strong phishing and malware protection and receives security updates near-weekly, whereas Safari is updated once a year, with some mid-cycle patches.

Safari:

Even if you only look at it from this perspective, Google has many more reasons to monitor you.

Furthermore, Apple is effectively using this gap to promote a privacy-first attitude.

They don’t have to monitor you and can even turn it into a selling point.

Verdict: Safari is the winner when it comes to privacy. Google Chrome is worried about security (of its frequent updates).

#5. Chrome vs. Safari: Extensions

Even though browsers come pre-installed with everything you need, you can extend their functionality with hundreds of extensions that may help you with everything from saving your passwords to reviewing your grammar.

Verdict: Google Chrome comes out on top in the game of extensions.

In fact, the extension ecosystem is one of Chrome’s most important features, and many people use it primarily for that reason.

Safari has several useful extensions, but not nearly as many as Chrome.

However, you should be aware that each extension consumes more system resources and requires you to approve specific permissions.

Is Google Chrome Better Than Safari? 

To be honest, it depends on the type of user you are.

Because Safari is only available on Apple devices, it is the ideal option for those who use many Apple devices and want a seamless cross-device experience.

However, if you have an Apple device plus a Windows or Android device, Chrome might be the superior option because it is cross-platform.

Despite the fact that Safari is Apple’s default browser, you can change it on both the iPhone and the Mac.

It’s worth mentioning that Safari works better on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

It uses fewer resources and extends the life of your Apple device’s battery.

Furthermore, I prefer it while working within the Apple ecosystem because of the customized Start screen that syncs across devices, support for extensions on iPhone, and a focus on privacy.

How do you feel about this? Please let me know in the comments section below, and feel free to ask any questions you may have.