Google Chrome v156.0.8078.12

About Google Chrome

Quick answer: Google Chrome is a web browser released by Google in 2008. Newest recorded version: 156.0.8078.12. Downloads link to the official publisher.

Google Chrome is a web browser released by Google in 2008. It is built on the open-source Chromium project, using the Blink rendering engine and the V8 JavaScript engine, but the Chrome build you download is proprietary freeware with Google services added on top. Signing in with a Google Account syncs bookmarks, passwords, history, open tabs and extensions across devices, and the built-in password manager and autofill use the same account. Safe Browsing warns about known phishing and malware sites, pages can be translated automatically, and profiles let you keep work and personal browsing apart. Extensions come from the Chrome Web Store. Chrome updates itself in the background, and administrators can deploy it with an MSI package and group policies. Chrome shares its engine with Microsoft Edge, Brave and Opera. Google's system requirements list Windows 10 or later (Windows 11 on Arm processors) and macOS 13 Ventura or later. Chrome also exists for Linux, Android and iOS, but this site links to the Windows and macOS downloads. Chrome installs for the current user by default and updates itself, so you rarely need to download it again. Signing in is optional, though sync and several other features work best with a Google Account. If you are comparing browsers, Chrome, Edge and Brave share the Chromium engine, while Firefox uses a separate one. An enterprise MSI installer is available from Google for administrators who deploy it to many computers.

Key features

• ✓Blink and V8 engines from the Chromium project
• ✓Google Account sync for bookmarks, passwords, tabs and extensions
• ✓Safe Browsing warnings for phishing and malware sites
• ✓Built-in page translation and profile switching
• ✓Memory Saver and Energy Saver modes for inactive tabs
• ✓Chrome Web Store extensions built for the Manifest V3 platform, which limits some content blockers
• ✓Automatic background updates
• ✓Enterprise MSI installer and policy support

Our review

Chrome is a sensible choice if you already use Google services and want a browser with a large extension store. When you sign in, synced data is stored with your Google Account, and Chrome can send usage statistics and crash reports to Google unless you turn that off in Settings, so it is not the option for people who want to keep Google out of their browsing. Chrome's move to Manifest V3 extensions limits how some content-blocking add-ons work, which matters if you depend on one. It can use a lot of memory with many tabs, although Memory Saver helps. Download it only from google.com/chrome; ads for browser downloads are a common route to unwanted software.

Updated 13 Oct 2026 · Last reviewed 13 Oct 2026 · How our reviews work

Frequently asked questions about Google Chrome