Chrome browser

This page was last updated at: May 5, 2026

Chrome is a web browser that runs on Desktop & Mobile devices, across a variety of operating systems. It is developed by Google. It has been developed for about 18 years since launching in 2008.

Chrome is a pioneer in releasing regular, frequent updates. There is a new major release of Chrome every 4 weeks, ensuring bugs and security problems are promptly patched.

About Chrome

Browser URL www.google.com/chrome/
Tag line The browser that gets more done
Browser made by Google
Development Status Active
The browser is actively maintained and developed
Launched 2008
Launched on Android 2012
Launched on iOS 2012
Operating Systems Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows
Device platforms Desktop, Mobile
Rendering Engine Chromium (and WebKit on iOS)
Extensions/Addons Chrome supports extensions
Browser Sync Chrome supports syncing between different devices
Provides complete synchronisation between devices and platforms for bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, open tabs, payment info, settings, and so on. You must be signed in to Chrome with your Google Account for this to work.
Read more about Chrome syncing
Commercially supported Chrome doesn't cost money to download or use
"AI" "Features" Chrome contains some "AI" features
Chrome has integrated Google's Gemini model into their browser.

Get Chrome

Apple iOS Store Chrome browser on the iOS App Store
Google Play Chrome browser on Google Play
Wikipedia Article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Chrome
Official News/Blog
2008-09-01
 A fresh take on the browser
Google's original announcement in 2008 of the Chrome browser

Chrome milestones

  1. Chrome 1.0 is released
  2. Google announced ChromeOS
    The operating system based on Chrome
  3. Google announces a replacement to NPAPI, and makes the bundled Flash player more secure
  4. Chrome starts supporting extensions
  5. Google releases versions of Chrome for macOS and Linux
    Version 5.0 is now available for all 3 major operating systems
  6. Chrome Web Store is opened
    Making it easy to discover and install Chrome extensions
  7. Chrome logo is changed to a simpler, "flatter" icon
    A simpler icon embodies the Chrome spirit; to make the web quicker, lighter, and easier for all.
  8. Chrome becomes the most used browser for a day, for the first time
    According to StatsCounter
  9. Chrome for iOS is released
  10. Chrome for Android is released
  11. 310 million active users of Chrome
    Announced at the Google I/O developers' conference
    Read more
  12. Chrome forks WebKit and starts the Blink rendering engine
    Read more
  13. Chrome starts supporting TLS 1.2
    A newer, more secure encryption protocol, Chrome v30
    Read more
  14. Chrome overtakes Internet Explorer in popularity
  15. Chrome removes NPAPI support in Linux
    With the release of version 35, NPAPI plugins are no longer supported, making Chrome more secure.
  16. Chrome stops supporting SSL 3.0
    SSL 3.0 is old and insecure, support dropped in Chrome 44
    Read more
  17. Chrome removes NPAPI support in Windows and OS X
  18. Chrome starts supporting TLS 1.3
    A newer, more secure encryption protocol, Chrome v70
    Read more
  19. Google starts releasing new stable versions of Chrome every 4 weeks

Check out other browsers similar to Chrome

These web browsers have something in common with Chrome, you could test them out and compare them.