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Chromium

CNET Editors' review

Chromium is a sleek, lightweight browser that provides an efficient browsing experience with no unnecessary clutter. We've always been Firefox loyalists ourselves, but Chromium impressed us quite a bit.

To the uninitiated, Chromium's interface may seem rather sparse. There aren't a lot of buttons, and we were momentarily confused by its lack of a search box. With a bit of exploration, though, we soon caught on. We easily imported our bookmarks and other settings from Firefox, allowing us to make a pretty seamless transition. We loved that the search box and address bar are combined into one space; they worked surprisingly well that way. The fact that opening a new tab or window shows a grid of the user's most-visited Web sites is ingenious; getting to your favorite Web destinations has never been faster or easier. In fact, everything about Chromium is fast, from its start-up to the way it handles Web pages. The program's Help file directs users to Google's Chrome Web site, which is fine, as the programs are virtually identical.

Transitioning to a new browser always requires an adjustment period, but overall, we found Chromium to be quite intuitive and pleasurable to use. We didn't have to do a lot of searching for the features that we wanted and, even though it's relatively no-frills, we didn't find ourselves missing anything. Chromium is free. It comes as a zip file and runs after extraction with no need to install. We highly recommend this program to all users.

Publisher's Description

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All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    3.3 stars

    out of 27 votes

    • 5 star: 8
    • 4 star: 3
    • 3 star: 7
    • 2 star: 7
    • 1 star: 2
  • Current version:

    3.2 stars

    out of 25 votes

    • 5 star: 7
    • 4 star: 3
    • 3 star: 6
    • 2 star: 7
    • 1 star: 2
  • My rating:

    0 stars

    Write review

Results 1-10 of 25

  • 3.0 stars

    "Good , just outdated version"

    March 21, 2013  |   By yugo70

    Version: Chromium 5.0.375.127

    Pros

    Fast , safe & reliable

    Cons

    Outdated version

    Reply to this review

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  • 1.0 stars

    "This ain't 1990"

    November 20, 2012  |   By bullywug

    Version: Chromium 5.0.375.127

    Pros

    Well, I guess I quickly was able to determine that it's a total piece of crap.

    Cons

    No installer

    Summary

    This ain't 1990 and it's not Linux. If you don't have an installer it better be a beta and you better be giving it exclusively to geeks, not on CNET. This is ridiculous. As far as I can tell no version of Chromium has an installer and while I am aware of how to handle this it shows a blatant lack of attention to details. I will not install something that's decades behind the competition. You guys asked in your reviews why people give this piece of crap a bad review? It's because the developers clearly do not give a crap about their product or at least how it appears and the user experience. Look, if you want a powerful web browser that has all of the features of Chrome (because Google stole them all) then use Opera. It's fast, it won't steal your private information, oh, and IT HAS A FRIGGIN INSTALLER!

    Reply to this review

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  • 3.0 stars

    "not as good as promised/expected"

    April 30, 2012  |   By aleksandragj

    Version: Chromium 5.0.375.127

    Pros

    It is quick (like Chrome)

    Cons

    It has much fewer possibilities than Chrome and STILL (unlike it was promised) opens many chrome processes, which take much needed space. Since Chrome was doing the same, I switched to Chromium - and with time it gradually started behaving like Chrome. By now, I do not see any advantage it it (it was supposed to be "lite") and I do see drawbacks.

    Summary

    If you liked Chrome, stay with it. There is no gain in switching to Chromium (though I did not test how much memory each of the two takes....)

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  • 5.0 stars

    "cnet is not giving latest version"

    March 3, 2012  |   By Captain_Sha

    Version: Chromium 5.0.375.127

    Pros

    fastest of all, features more than others (that u can get through extensions), lightweight than Google Chrome, open source

    Cons

    takes more space as compared to Opera, Safari, Sea Monkey and speed difference is not very great

    Summary

    you should really get this. better than mozilla. however, if u feel its taking to much space (73 MB) download opera (34 MB).

    LATEST VERSION is on softpedia. write 'download chromium browser' and you can get 19th or even newer version

    Reply to this review

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Great when it works"

    February 2, 2012  |   By Sally2169

    Version: Chromium 5.0.375.127

    Pros

    Works, fast.

    Cons

    Buggy, constant issues with it. Has amazing potential but has got a long way to go. Still better than that Chrome garbage.

    Reply to this review

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Perfect browser, lots of advanced features :)"

    January 31, 2012  |   By martin_abc

    Version: Chromium 5.0.375.127

    Pros

    Not many users know it, but Google Chrome is derived from Chromium. I don't understand why so many Chrome users give negative rating to Chromium. It is almost the same application.. Google just adds a few features (updater, flash player,.. and their logo).

    There won't be any Google Chrome without Chromium Project.

    Cons

    ........:)

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  • 4.0 stars

    "I generally like Google products, this is no exception"

    November 2, 2011  |   By rlg2010

    Version: Chromium 5.0.375.127

    Pros

    Very fast, seemingly stable at this time

    Cons

    None, so far

    Summary

    Over a period of time, I will be transitioning to Chromium and Chrome as my sole browser provider

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Love It on of the best"

    May 15, 2011  |   By txguy91121

    Version: Chromium 5.0.375.127

    Pros

    Better than ever

    Cons

    cloud printer doesnt work on my windows phone 7

    Summary

    overall the best google i have used

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  • 5.0 stars

    "the original for google chrome"

    September 16, 2010  |   By crazyaaron1984

    Version: Chromium 5.0.375.127

    Pros

    speed, extentions like adblock and wot
    bookmark bar

    Cons

    nothing i can think of

    Summary

    best browser out there, though the download on this page is seriously outdated...
    go to http://build.chromium.org/buildbot/snapshots/chromium-rel-xp/ for the latest build of chromium and see the browser before it becomes google chrome :)

    Reply to this review

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  • 4.0 stars

    "great browser testing grounds"

    August 10, 2010  |   By master_mind413

    Version: Chromium 5.0.375.127

    Pros

    fast and simple i had no crashes

    Cons

    not as stable as chrome since it is chrome's testing ground updates frequently in some instances causing issues with extensions but nothing major

    Summary

    good for testing out but not for stable uses just get Google chrome it is the polished out version of chromium i had no issues with flash on windows 7 like other had supported and im using 64-bit 7 hulu worked fine

    Reply to this review

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Results 1-10 of 25

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