Here are some of the best Chrome alternatives for Android

If you're using Chrome on your Android phone, you've likely noticed it's not the lightest or most feature-rich option. It lacks essentials like a built-in ad blocker, reading mode, or tab grouping.

It also consumes a lot of memory, which can slow down your device. If you're looking for a browser that's faster, more private, or better suited to your needs, there are several alternatives worth considering.

Below, I've compiled a list of the best Chrome alternatives for Android in 2025. Each offers unique features that cater to different user preferences.

Firefox: Best for customization

Firefox is among the very few Android browsers that support extensions, making it highly customizable. It's fast, simple, and user-friendly. With Firefox Sync, you can access tabs and passwords across devices.

The Collections feature allows you to group tabs manually, and you can swipe left or right on the tab bar to switch between recently used tabs. Popular extensions include Dark Reader for dark mode, uBlock Origin for ad blocking, and Bitwarden for password management. You can browse available extensions at addons.mozilla.org/android.

On the downside, Firefox's tab management features are limited, and it doesn't include a built-in ad blocker or VPN; additional features require setup. Additionally, sponsored content on the home screen needs to be disabled manually.

Vivaldi: Ideal for large screens and power users

Vivaldi stands out for its desktop-style tabs and customization options, making it a strong choice for users with large phones or tablets. The horizontally scrolling tab bar displays full titles, allowing for easy navigation without extra taps.

You can position the tab bar at the top or bottom of the screen, and the layout adapts well to larger displays, including foldables. Vivaldi syncs with its desktop counterpart, offering features like ad and tracker blocking, speed dials for quick access to favorite sites, search engine shortcuts, reading lists, and themes.

The interface is straightforward, without unnecessary additions like AI agents or news feeds. However, Vivaldi lacks a built-in VPN, and its tab management features are somewhat limited compared to other browsers.

Brave: Focused on privacy

Brave is known for its emphasis on privacy and security. It blocks ads and trackers by default and uses its own privacy-focused search engine.

Optional features include a private news feed, an AI bot named Leo, and a paid VPN, all of which are easy to ignore if not needed.

Brave also offers an experimental Night mode that inverts colors on websites for easier nighttime reading. Tab grouping is available for better organization.

However, Brave doesn't offer a free VPN, and its features are more limited compared to some competitors. The crypto-based rewards program may also be distracting for some users.

Via: Lightweight browser for older devices

Via is a minimalist browser designed for devices with limited resources. It requires only 1.5 MB of storage and performs well even on devices with limited RAM.

The interface is simple, with a minimal start page and no news feeds or shortcuts. It includes basic tab management, a bottom-positioned tab bar, built-in ad blocking with customizable filters, a reader mode, and a night mode that inverts website colors.

While Via is extremely lightweight and fast, its minimalist interface may lack desired features, and its tab management is basic.

Opera Mini: Lightweight with AI assistant

Opera Mini is designed for users with limited internet access, offering a lightweight, data-saving browsing experience.

It now includes an AI assistant named Aria, powered by Opera's Composer engine, which combines tools from OpenAI and Google. Aria can answer questions, generate text or code, summarize content, and produce images using Google's Imagen 3 model.

This integration brings advanced AI capabilities to users with basic Android devices and constrained data plans.

Arc Search: AI-Powered Browsing Experience

Arc Search is a new entrant in the Android browser market, offering an AI-powered feature called "browse for me," which summarizes search results.

It blocks ads and provides a streamlined browsing experience. Arc Search has been optimized for Android 12, includes voice search, landscape mode, and an improved incognito mode. It's designed for users seeking a modern, AI-enhanced browsing experience.

However, Arc Search is relatively new and may lack some features of established browsers. Additionally, its AI features may not appeal to all users.

Chrome isn’t bad, it’s just not doing enough anymore. Whether you want more privacy, better performance, or just a browser that doesn’t feel like it’s working against you, switching away from Chrome can make your Android experience a lot better.

I’ve listed my top picks here, but now I’d like to hear from you. What’s your favorite Chrome alternative on Android? Did I miss one you love? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s compare notes.