Need new Chromium-based web browser, need suggestions

[Red_Machine]

Can't use Mozilla-based browsers anymore, much to my dismay. Every one I try turns into a laggy mess after a few weeks of use now, no idea what causes it, and nobody can help me. Chromium-based browsers don't have this issue for whatever reason, so I need to switch to one. Currently using Comodo Dragon, but I've read that it isn't the best choice due to its slow release cycle, which seems to be a new release every few months, and some have said it uses older Chromium code that isn't 100% secure (the browser itself claims it's based on Chromium v106, but the Woolyss site reports it's using v99's codebase).

Won't use Chrome or Edge, so need suggestions for decent Chromium-based browsers. Tried Ungoogled Chromium, but it crashed every time I tried to launch it whereas regular Chromium was fine.

Requirements:

• Extension support, either directly through the store or downloaded and manually installed
• Isn't loaded up with additional features that I won't use (like Opera and Vivaldi)
• Lets me use a bookmarks menu like Firefox does
• Has a more frequent release cycle, but doesn't need to be as fast Chromium itself, just less slow than Comodo Dragon
• Auto-update or a built-in manual updater would be nice, but not 100% essential

 

[Solaris17]

Hm you could look up the popular chromium forks, thats what I would do. I think others use alternatives like Brave. I think @lexluthermiester uses Iron?

 

[Red_Machine]

I have, but none of the reviews/roundups seem to answer the questions I need answering, and I got tired of installing browsers and uninstalling them after ten minutes because they weren't what I wanted/needed. I'm asking for people who use them and know them for recommendations.

 

[Frick]

Doesn't FF get better if you restart it?

IIRC you can customize Vivaldi a lot. Is it a problem to have features you're not using?

 

[Red_Machine]

From what I saw of it, Vivaldi doesn't have a traditional browser interface. It turned me off pretty quickly.

 

[theFOoL]

There's opera which they update pretty much 2wks or monthly. I use FF with no issues

 

[erocker]

I just use Edge now. When I get sick of it, I switch to Opera for a while. Rinse, repeat.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I think @lexluthermiester uses Iron?

Yup. It's the only other browser I use on Windows, and only for janky-@$$ websites that refuse to be HTML5 compliant(which makes using FireFox an issue with those sites).

Can't use Mozilla-based browsers anymore, much to my dismay. Every one I try turns into a laggy mess after a few weeks of use now, no idea what causes it, and nobody can help me.

What I would like to know is what you are doing to make FireFox implode in the way you describe. I've never had that problem.

 

[Red_Machine]

What I would like to know is what you are doing to make FireFox implode in the way you describe. I've never had that problem.

Nothing different to what I was doing before. I've been using Firefox since 2008, and only started having issues in july of this year, which is why I think it's some sort of bug that was introduced around that time that only affects certain use cases. Nothing to do with add-ons, because even if I disable everything it still lags on me.

How is Iron? I've been reading about it and while the dev talks a good talk it seems he's rerouting search results through his own domain, and when asked why he forked Chromium instead of simply adding his code to the project to get it to do what he wanted, he said he'd rather create a fork because it'd drive money and traffic to his website and get him a lot of publicity. Not sure that sits right with me.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Nothing different to what I was doing before. I've been using Firefox since 2008, and only started having issues in july of this year, which is why I think it's some sort of bug that was introduced around that time that only affects certain use cases. Nothing to do with add-ons, because even if I disable everything it still lags on me.

Were you using the lastest build or the ESR(Mozilla's long-term-support version)?
See link below;

Directory Listing: /pub/firefox/releases/102.5.0esr/

While not required, certain extensions make the FireFox experience exceptional. If you like a few tips for installing/configuring FireFox for an optimal experience, I'll be happy to run you through them.

it seems he's rerouting search results through his own domain

I have not seen this. But it's not my primary browser either.

and when asked why he forked Chromium instead of simply adding his code to the project to get it to do what he wanted, he said he'd rather create a fork because it'd drive money and traffic to his website and get him a lot of publicity. Not sure that sits right with me.

Didn't know about that either. Honestly don't care about it. Iron passes all of the tests I subject browsers to and it's the only Chrome fork that continues to do so.

 

[Red_Machine]

I was using the regular release build, and also tried Waterfox with the same problem. Never tried the ESR.

 

[micropage7]

what about any portable chrome based?
what about this one?
https://www.comodo.com/home/browsers-toolbars/internet-products.php

 

[Psychoholic]

Maybe an unpopular opinion but edge has gotten REALLY good lately.

I use edge exclusively now, tweaked of course disabling most of the un-needed bloat, services, shopping stuff, etc.. its VERY snappy.

 

[lexluthermiester]

what about any portable chrome based?
what about this one?
https://www.comodo.com/home/browsers-toolbars/internet-products.php

Here's the direct link;

Best Internet Browser 2022 | Free Secure Web Browser

Best Internet Browser, Comodo Dragon secure web browser download offers a chromium based, fast, secure best internet browser. Get a free web browser.

www.comodo.com

Both of those a very good and are based on Comodo's excellent security ethic!

Maybe an unpopular opinion but edge has gotten REALLY good lately.

I use edge exclusively now, tweaked of course disabling most of the un-needed bloat, services, shopping stuff, etc.. its VERY snappy.

Unfortunately, Edge can not be trusted. No offense to you of course.

 

[Red_Machine]

As I said in my initial post, I'm currently using Comodo Dragon, but I'm not happy that it's several versions behind and has a slow release cycle. I was looking for something that follows closer behind Chromium and updates more frequently than once every two or three months.

 

[lexluthermiester]

it's several versions behind and has a slow release cycle.

It should be based on the ESR release which is always a few versions behind the mainstream version.

I was looking for something that follows closer behind Chromium and updates more frequently than once every two or three months.

Out of curiosity, why? Are you worried about security? If so, don't be.

 

[qubit]

I installed Firefox well over a decade ago and let it update whenever a new version was released, with no problems and am running the latest right now, so I don't know why it doesn't work for you. Do you have an add-on installed perhaps that's causing it? You could try running it with all add-ons disabled and see if that fixes it. Would be a good troubleshooting starting point.

I think you should try Brave, which is Chrome based. If nothing else, you can watch YouTube completely free of ads, which is bliss. I'd love to know how it achieves this, but apparently it has Google's blessing somehow so there must be some sort of user tracking going on as there's no free lunches. You could use it for this exclusive use if you don't want it as your main browser.

Other browsers that I have installed are Chrome, Edge and the geriatric IE. They all have there place, especially for troubleshooting and testing, so I suggest you do the same.

I'm curious, why don't you like Chrome or Edge?

 

[Red_Machine]

You could try running it with all add-ons disabled and see if that fixes it.

Already tried that, still lags.

I think you should try Brave, which is Chrome based.

Not using a crypto browser, thanks.

Other browsers that I have installed are Chrome, Edge and the geriatric IE. They all have there place, especially for troubleshooting and testing, so I suggest you do the same.

I have, that's how I determined Chromium-based browsers don't have this issue.

I'm curious, why don't you like Chrome or Edge?

Ideological reasons, honestly. Not willing to compromise on them, either. Don't particularly want to use Chromium-based browsers, as it's still a Google product under the hood, but I don't appear to have a choice.

 

[R-T-B]

You could look into ungoogled-chromium if you don't mind the lack of autoupdate.

 

[qubit]

Not using a crypto browser, thanks.

It's not. You have to sign up for it, opt in, so just ignore it and enjoy the benefits of ad-free YouTube videos.

I think you're making this issue more complicated than it is and I reckon you'd do better starting a thread on troubleshooting your Firefox issue than trying and discounting all these browsers.

 

[Mussels]

I mean, you're shooting yourself in the foot, face, both knees and the back of the head by saying you want chromium but also won't use the most popular forks of it.

Chrome, Edge, and all the 15 other variants are all quite similar other than the default settings. I use edge because with using cloud sync and my account, those defaults get synced to what i want them to and I get my extensions like my adblockers auto install.


I use edge, chromium portable and opera GX portable, but 99% of content is just in edge - the other browsers are more for debugging things that go wrong
Clearly, edge would be a dumb choice for anyone not on windows so it's hardly a perfect fit for everyone


You've clearly got something unusual in your setup causing your browser woes, and without knowing what that is no-one can do more than send you a list of browsers and let you try them out

 

[dgianstefani]

Opera is the best of the alternatives.

 

[micropage7]

umm, i dunno
have you look this one
https://www.softpedia.com/get/portable-software/internet/browsers/

 

[trieste15]

Been using Kiwi Browser for the longest time.
Only thing that it lacks (through no fault of itself) is an auto sync mechanism. Thanks Google.

Kiwi Browser Builds

Beta updates regarding kiwi browser are brought from GitHub If you wanna install stable version click here https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kiwibrowser.browser Discord = https://discord.gg/b6hVz26 Email = hello@kiwibrowser.com

t.me

Kiwi Browser Chat

Here you can discuss regarding bugs , suggesting new features and improvements for Kiwi Browser. Respect the rules.

t.me

Discord - A New Way to Chat with Friends & Communities

Discord is the easiest way to communicate over voice, video, and text. Chat, hang out, and stay close with your friends and communities.

discord.gg

Brave, Iron, Bromite, Vivaldi, Ungoogled C... all worthy contenders.

For Firefox, maybe get the privacy-oriented 3rd-party version from F-Droid:
Mull: https://f-droid.org/packages/us.spotco.fennec_dos/

With regards to privacy, this might be useful:

Which browsers are best for privacy?

An open-source privacy audit of popular web browsers.

privacytests.org

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Firefox has always been pretty quick then again I always use in-private browsing
Only spare browser I use is palemoon
Ublock origin is about the only addon needed although I have been testing a couple others

I disable a lot of default settings in FF and use custom delete browser history on exit and check all options to remove plus set application settings to always ask, uncheck both performance options/...
Get rid of pocket/.... Uncheck DRM
I use duckduckgo and start page for search without suggestions,

On an off chance I want to really check a website or something edge is there so might as well try it but yeah I also only use In-private then to but this is very remote use case.