CNET Editors' review
Iron is a free Web browser from SRWare. It's based on Google's Chromium core, which is the basis of many browsers, including Google's own Chrome. Like Chrome and the others, Iron is super-fast and accepts extensions, themes, and developer tools. What sets it apart is a lack of the Google-centric features that some have criticized for violating users' privacy, such as reporting your browsing habits and suggesting content (and advertising) based on the results.
Iron's start page offers quick Web and Image searching and a Quick Access section that let us upload pictures, access Chrome-compatible extensions and themes, rate our home page at a ratings site, view info about our IP address, and even watch funny videos at Epic Fail. Of course, we could customize the view, including the Quick Access links, using the usual Chrome-style options. We could import or export our bookmarks, create application shortcuts, and manage search engines, to name a few. We browsed to some Web sites, which loaded as fast as with other Chromium-based browsers, which is to say about as fast as browsers get nowadays. We saw no functionality issues that seemed to be due to Iron's breaking the umbilical cord to Google HQ, or any functionality issue at all, for that matter. The program installed conventionally and left user data behind in its program folder when we uninstalled it. That's not necessarily a bad thing since many users may prefer to delete such data securely.
Of course, not everyone looks at Google and sees the Borg, but if Chromium's built-in reporting and Web integration raise issues with you, resistance is not futile. You simply need some Iron in your online diet.
Publisher's Description
From SRWare:
SRWare Iron is a Browser, Google's Web browser Chrome thrilled with an extremely fast site rendering, a sleek design and innovative features. But it also gets critic from data protection specialists, for reasons such as creating a unique user ID or the submission of entries to Google to generate suggestions. SRWare Iron is a real alternative. The browser is based on the Chromium-source and offers the same features as Chrome - but without the critical points that the privacy concern.
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All versions:
4.5 starsout of 51 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"BEST BROWSER PERIOD."
Version: SRWare Iron 18.0.1050.1
Pros
Runs and loads fast. Handles anything I throw at it. Downloads quick no glitches. Ran this on XP for 3 years, now running on 7. No problems with any chrome extension I've tried. Keeps google out your business.
Cons
Not well enough known.
Summary
Don't understand the problems others are having, must be an internal issue. Have loaded and run this on many machines. Upload or recommend for friend, they will be sold. This is the browser.
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"Didn't Work With Windows 7"
Version: SRWare Iron 18.0.1050
Pros
Never got that far to make a call.
Cons
Wouldn't install Flash player, wouldn't play several sites including www.terena.org/webcam. After getting the install flash player 10 message - it froze up. Guess it doesn't like Americans?
Summary
Didn't work on my new computer. Installed it on my old computer a year ago but, like IE8, the more you used it, the slower it ran.
Tried again and it worked on the third attempt. OK so far, but about the same speed as IE9. Google maps you have to click the direction of the pointer, can't use the left - right keys. I better not get any malware.
Updated on May 7, 2012
Updated on May 8, 2012OK browser, the choice if Chromium browsers are your thing. It's Google Chrome minus the spyware and tracking devices. :) -
"One of the Good ones!"
Version: SRWare Iron 17.0.1000.0
Pros
Fast just like Chrome but better because they do not track you at all.
Cons
None that I can think of.......
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"Great for anyone who doesn't like to be tracked!"
Version: SRWare Iron 17.0.1000.0
Pros
Fast and clean interface. Chrome but not Chrome.
Cons
After using it for a year, I've not found fault.
Summary
Techies favourite.
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"WUNDERBAR and OUTSTANDING"
Version: SRWare Iron 16.0.950.0
Pros
Very fast and very secure and very user friendly
Cons
None at the moment
Summary
This has become my favorite browser. What's also really nice about the browser is that my favorite theme from Google Chrome works beautifully with it. And it is fast! It's in German, but, you can translate (those pages) it easily and quickly. The Germans always make good stuff. ;) As an IT professional I highly recommend this browser. This is the one I've been searching for!
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"It's Chrome without Google's nose in it"
Version: SRWare Iron 15.0.900.1
Pros
Based on the Chrome open-source code, with the Google data gathering removed. Works with all tested Chrome add ins. If you're a long time Chrome user, you won't notice the difference.
Cons
May take a bit to get the most current Chrome release, especially at the rate that they've been pushed out the door. But it is definitely well worth the wait.
Summary
If you like Chrome but you don't like the mass data collection that Google does with it, give SRWare's Iron a try, it's great.
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"Powerful & The Best Browser"
Version: SRWare Iron 15.0.900.1
Pros
Simple, Fast & Powerful browser
Cons
Not able to find any
Summary
Had been using Firefox but when it got forcibly upgraded to v8 & which is not that better as v3.5, tried SRWare & found this to be awesome. Works with all types of plugins,addons automatically w/o bothering to download / update each time.
My suggestion, pls try once & you'll never come out of it again...believe me!!! -
"Secure Alternative to Google Chrome"
Version: SRWare Iron 15.0.900.1
Pros
1) No user-specific information is sent to Google
2) search data won't be transmitted to Google
2) No Memory HogCons
None so far
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"Spectacular"
Version: SRWare Iron 14.0.850
Pros
Faster than chrome, can be chrome, but mindful of our security, and no memory leak unlike chrome
Cons
There are no cons as of now
Summary
Greater than chrome, lightweight, fast. Recommended for browsing.
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"It's quick"
Version: SRWare Iron 14.0.850
Pros
I like it better than slim broswer and ie9
Cons
making it the default browser
Summary
Great Job. Well done
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