Google Chrome is world most popular browser, it is updated regularly and the software is available for all major platforms, but, that doesn’t make it the best. Every person is different and hence, the most popular may not always be the for you. In past months, Vivaldi has some as a strong alternative to Google Chrome. In this post we will discuss that, in Google Chrome vs Vivaldi, which one is better for you.
First, a bit of background
Chrome was released in 2007 and Google has been releasing updates to the browser regularly. The browser is more focused on Speed and simplicity and it proves to be the fastest in many tests. Google Chrome runs on Webkit’s fork, Blink browser engine (which is open source)
Vivaldi is made by ex-CEO if Opera, the team thinks of Vivaldi as the browser of Power users and Geeks, similar to Chrome, Vivaldi also runs on Blink engine. The browser is quite new but it feels like a spiritual successor of Opera’s 9th version as it tries to become as much as flexible as possible.
Chrome vs Vivaldi: A Comparison
Performance and Extension support
Vivaldi and Google Chrome both use same browser engine (webkit) and this is why performance is almost same. In my personal experience, I did not have any performance related problems.
I did notice very slight slowdown in Vivaldi when I was working with more than half a dozen tabs, however, it is nothing major. As the browser engines are same, Chrome extensions are compatible with Vivaldi. Although, not as seamless experience as Chrome, it is still a big plus considering, Chrome has biggest extension library among all browsers.
Winner: Chrome
Recommended: The Simplest Guide To Make Google Blazing Fast Again
User Interface
Google Chrome is really simple on UI when compared to Vivaldi, Chrome has a simple tab-bar and the second bar is a combo of Address bar and Search box, google calls it Omni box.
Google Chrome running on Pixel C | Credit: Google
Vivaldi on the other hand, has a status bar on the bottom that contains a Zoon slider and a toggle to enable or disable images. Also at the top, you can access a Trash icon that consists of links to tabs that you have closed in past. Similar to old school browsers, Vivaldi has a separate Search box right next to the address bar.
Vivaldi on Windows 10
Winner: Depends on users, Vivaldi wins for Power users wile non geeks may feel better with Chrome
Customizability
Chrome and Vivaldi both are better on customizability than Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer. However, Different philosophies behind both browsers make read difference on customization level.
Chrome has got the basics covered, you can rearrange Extensions in your preferred order, change how pages looks using some third party extensions and a bit more. However, if you are a kind of person who wishes to bend the UI to your will, Chrome is really disappointing. You can’t move tabs into any side of window, you can’t customize keyboard shortcuts and you don’t have the ability to use tile tabs in the browser.
Vivaldi, on the other hand, is really flexible and that is not surprising as the makes have designed it to be like older versions of Opera. You can change almost all aspects of the UI. The menu can be changed in two different modes. The address bar can be moved to bottom instead of top of the window and so on. Built in support for mouse-gestures is also cools and you can navigate around pages quickly.
Winner: Vivaldi
Features
Chrome keeps you covered on your basic browsing needs. You can save pages in PDF, get notifications from Website, use private browsing and more, however, compared to Vivaldi, Chrome’s offerings fall short.
Vivaldi supports running panels in its side bar. It can be helpful in many cases such as keeping an eye on sports scores when working on something else. Vivaldi includes a built in Note taking panel. In notes you can attach screenshots and files. It may not be as powerful as Evernote or OneNote, but it can be useful at taking some basic notes. A Mail client is also in works and it should be available soon.
Ability to take notes is a nice addition
Another cool feature in Vivaldi is Quick Commands. It works very similarly to the Tell me bar in Office 2016. Just press F2 on your keyboard and type the feature that you are looking for. It can be a big help in finding right tweaks and open tabs than digging into dozens on menus and dialogs.
Quick Qommands in Vivaldi
Winner: Vivaldi
Cross Device Syncing and Availability
For many people, having all bookmarks and settings synced up on all their devices is really important. It helps a big time if you switch between computers regularly and you don’t want to remember all details. When it comes to Syncing and cross-platforms availability, Chrome not just beats Vivaldi, but almost all other browsers.
Unlike Vivaldi, Chrome is available for Android and iOS
Chrome is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. You can sync all your settings simply by logging into the browser with your Gmail account. The sync woks well and it is seamless.
Even though the browser is available for almost all major desktop platforms, Vivaldi does not have any syncing feature available right now. Aside from that, there are no mobile apps available currently, the company has said that it is working on these, but it may take some time.
Winner: Chrome
Personalization and themes
Chrome has thousands of themes to let you customize title bar and background of new tab page, Vivaldi, on the other hand, lets browser window change color according to the page that you are using.
Aside from this, you can switch between White and Dark color scheme for the browser. So, Chrome will let you customize the browser with more themes but Vivaldi has a bit deeper customization options.
Which one is right for you
Google Chrome: If you don’t care about keyboard shortcuts and you want a simple, no-frills browser that you can use on any computer or phone, use Google Chrome. You will miss some really cool features, but you will still have a reliable and stable browser that almost all sites support and that is available on all major OSes.
Vivaldi: If you are a power user and you feel like Chrome’s customization features are not enough for you. If you can live without having syncing features and you don’t need the same browser on your phones and tablets, Vivaldi may be a good choice.
Are you switching?
In Google Chrome vs Vivaldi debate, which side are you on? why ? and would you consider switching? share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Vivaldi takes the top spot, even over Netscape!
Vivaldi is the clear winner, even over Edge and Netscape.
Why am I thinking everyone who puts comments here are deleted by you guys. That that’s zero comments tells something!
Hi, the comment was waiting for approval, sorry that it took time. I did not delete any comment, you are the first commenter on this post.