Best Web Browsers for Ubuntu: Chrome, Firefox, Chromium, Brave, and More

1. Introduction

When you start using a desktop environment on Ubuntu, the first applications you interact with are usually web browsers. Search, email, cloud storage, video platforms, ChatGPT, web apps—most modern PC experiences begin with a browser.
For that reason, choosing the right browser directly affects overall usability and comfort on Ubuntu.

Unlike Windows or macOS, Ubuntu often comes with Firefox preinstalled by default. However, there are many alternatives available, including Linux versions of Chrome, Chromium, Brave, Edge, and Vivaldi.
From the perspective of Japanese-language usage, this is where many Ubuntu users encounter their first difficulties.

• Japanese input methods (Mozc / IBus)
• Japanese font rendering
• Automatic detection of Japanese web pages
• Subtle behavioral differences when using Google services

The level of comfort in these areas varies significantly depending on the browser.

This article organizes the strengths and weaknesses of commonly used browsers on Ubuntu, explains installation procedures, covers initial Japanese-friendly settings, and introduces practical performance optimization tips.
Rather than presenting a single “correct” answer, the goal is to help readers decide which browser is best suited for their own use cases.

This topic is not about “Linux-specific quirks,” but about using Ubuntu as a comfortable daily tool.
Let’s begin by understanding the major browsers available on Ubuntu and how they differ.

2. Major Browsers Available on Ubuntu

Ubuntu allows you to freely choose from multiple browsers. While Linux used to require special steps, today most browsers can be installed easily via official repositories or deb packages.
Here, we summarize the most commonly mentioned browsers and their general positioning.

Firefox (Default)

The default browser available immediately after installing Ubuntu.
Loading speed is stable, and a wide range of extensions is available.
However, some users notice subtle behavioral differences when using Google services such as Docs or Meet.

Google Chrome

Exceptionally stable and optimized for Google services.
Japanese input and video playback (especially YouTube) are generally trouble-free.
Installed via a downloadable deb package.

Chromium

The open-source base of Chrome.
The UI and behavior are nearly identical to Chrome, but codec-related video playback issues may appear, especially on initial setup.
Often preferred by users who prioritize lightweight operation.

Brave

Strong built-in tracking and ad blocking by default.
Well suited for users who want enhanced security without extra configuration.
Includes crypto-related features, which may or may not appeal depending on personal preference.

Vivaldi

Exceptional customization capabilities.
Highly rated by users who spend long hours working inside a browser, thanks to side panels, advanced tab management, notes, and workspaces.
Supports Chrome extensions without modification.

Microsoft Edge (Linux Version)

Easy transition for users coming from Windows.
Synchronizes browsing history and passwords across devices using a Microsoft account.
Once doubted as a Linux option, it is now fully usable in practice.

3. Conclusion: Quick Recommendations by Use Case

Here is the quick answer first.
When choosing a browser on Ubuntu, deciding based on purpose is the most effective approach.

The following table summarizes optimal choices for common Linux desktop usage scenarios.

Recommended Browsers by Use Case

Note: Firefox is a safe default choice. If none of the above conditions apply strongly, continuing with Firefox is perfectly reasonable.

What to Do If You Are Unsure

In most cases, the decision can be made with the following rule of thumb:

Google-centric usage → Chrome
Lightweight priority → Chromium
Maximum protection from the start → Brave

There is no single correct answer when choosing a browser on Ubuntu.
Using different browsers for different purposes is both common and practical.

4. Pros and Cons of Each Browser

Here, each major browser is broken down into strengths and limitations.
Because Ubuntu offers many choices, selecting a browser without understanding its weaknesses can easily lead to frustration later.

Firefox

Advantages

• Available by default on Ubuntu
• Wide range of extensions
• Highly customizable, including advanced hidden settings
• Preferred by users who value Mozilla’s philosophy

Drawbacks

• Occasional behavioral differences with Google services
• Some users find it less responsive than Chromium-based browsers

Google Chrome

Advantages

• Best compatibility with YouTube, Google Docs, and related services
• Fewer issues with subtitles and video playback
• Largest extension ecosystem

Drawbacks

• Relatively high memory consumption
• Often perceived as powerful but heavy

Chromium

Advantages

• Nearly identical UI to Chrome
• Most Chrome extensions work without modification
• Often lighter than Chrome

Drawbacks

• Video codecs may be missing, requiring additional setup
• Initial configuration can be confusing for beginners

Brave

Advantages

• Strong ad and tracking blocking enabled by default
• Feels secure without additional configuration
• Chromium-based, allowing reuse of Chrome extensions

Drawbacks

• Crypto-related features may feel like UI noise for some users
• Occasional quirks compared to Chrome’s stability

Vivaldi

Advantages

• Exceptional tab management and panel features
• Ideal for users who treat the browser as a work desk
• Especially effective on large monitors

Drawbacks

• Rich feature set increases initial learning cost
• Better suited for users who value functionality over simplicity

Microsoft Edge

Advantages

• Smooth transition for Windows users
• Microsoft account synchronization works seamlessly
• Strong integration with Office-related workflows

Drawbacks

• Best suited for users who can clearly define why they want Edge on Linux
• Users without specific preferences may find Chrome sufficient

Each browser has its own trade-offs, and there is no single “ultimate” choice.
That is precisely why Ubuntu naturally encourages a culture of using multiple browsers for different purposes.

5. Installation Methods (GUI / Terminal)

There are multiple ways to install browsers on Ubuntu.
The two most common approaches are:

• Installing via GUI using the app center
• Installing via Terminal commands

Despite common assumptions, modern Ubuntu allows most tasks to be completed via GUI alone.
Here, Chrome, Chromium, and Brave are used as representative examples.

Google Chrome (Installation via deb Package)

Chrome is not included in the default repository and must be downloaded manually.

GUI Steps

1. Visit the official Chrome website
2. Select the .deb (for Debian/Ubuntu) package
3. Double-click the downloaded file to install

Terminal

wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
sudo apt install ./google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

Chromium (Official Ubuntu Repository)

GUI Steps

1. Open Ubuntu Software
2. Search for “Chromium”
3. Install

Terminal

sudo apt update
sudo apt install chromium-browser

Brave (Repository Setup → Installation)

Brave is well suited for users who want strong protection from the start.
An initial key registration step is required.

sudo apt install curl
sudo curl -fsSLo /usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg \
https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg] \
https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/ stable main" \
| sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install brave-browser

6. Essential Initial Settings

Installing a browser alone does not guarantee a comfortable Japanese-language experience.
Because Ubuntu is fundamentally designed around English interfaces, small adjustments to language and input settings make a noticeable difference.
Here are three essential points to address.

Japanese Font Configuration

Ubuntu’s default fonts look clean for English text, but may feel thin or difficult to read on Japanese-heavy websites.
Installing Japanese font packages significantly improves readability.

sudo apt install fonts-noto-cjk

The improvement is especially noticeable on Google services and news sites.

Japanese Input (Mozc / IBus)

Japanese input does not always work perfectly out of the box on Ubuntu.
IBus combined with Mozc is the standard setup, but sometimes the input toggle fails inside browser text fields.

In such cases, restarting IBus is the quickest solution.

ibus restart

This can also resolve situations where input switching feels slow in Chrome.

Minimum Recommended Extensions

A browser without extensions often feels incomplete.
With just a few additions, it becomes a reliable daily tool.

• Ad and tracking blocking (uBlock Origin)
• Translation tools (Google Translate extension)
• Password management (Bitwarden)

Brave includes ad blocking by default.
For Chrome and Chromium, uBlock Origin is strongly recommended.
While ads are not inherently bad, blocking them provides significant security benefits.

7. Performance Optimization

Although Ubuntu itself is lightweight, browsers can still impose heavy system load.
On systems with limited memory or bandwidth, small adjustments can lead to noticeable improvements.
Only high-impact, low-effort optimizations are introduced here.

Automatic Tab Suspension (Chrome / Chromium)

Leaving many tabs open consumes significant memory in Chromium-based browsers.
Enabling automatic tab suspension helps stabilize performance, especially for users who open many temporary tabs.

Settings → Performance → Enable features equivalent to “Memory Saver”

Avoid Excessive Extensions

Extensions are useful, but each one runs code during page loading.
A single poorly designed extension can slow down the entire browser—even on Linux.

Keep only essential extensions.
This principle applies universally, not just on Ubuntu.

Verify GPU Acceleration (Chromium-Based Browsers)

This is especially important for users who frequently watch videos on platforms like YouTube or Japanese video sites.

chrome://gpu

If “Hardware accelerated” entries are enabled, rendering is offloaded to the GPU.
Without acceleration, video playback may feel unexpectedly heavy.

Video Services and Codec Support

A common stumbling block for Linux users is video playback issues caused by missing codecs.
This occurs most often with Chromium.

• Chrome: Codecs included by default, rarely problematic
• Chromium: Additional setup may be required

If video consumption is a priority, choosing Chrome first is often the most practical decision.

8. Security and Privacy

Using Ubuntu does not automatically guarantee browser-level security.
Security and privacy largely depend on browser configuration and usage habits.
Here, we focus on practical measures with clear benefits.

Separating Browser Profiles

Using separate browser profiles for different purposes often improves both security and stability.

This prevents mixing histories and cookies, reducing tracking accuracy and isolating potential issues.

Too Many Extensions Can Be Risky

Many extensions can read the contents of pages you visit.
Ad and price comparison extensions, in particular, sometimes include poorly designed implementations.

Rule: Install extensions only from developers you recognize.
(uBlock Origin and Bitwarden are well-known safe choices.)

Permission Review

In Chrome and Chromium-based browsers, permissions can be reviewed at:
chrome://settings/content

This is where unintended notification permissions are often discovered.
Effective for reducing notification spam.

Using Brave Effectively

Brave allows Shields to be adjusted per site, enabling stronger protection only when needed.

• Normal use: Standard (ads allowed)
• Poor network conditions: Strict (blocks heavy ads)

This approach balances respect for website monetization with practical defensive needs.

9. FAQ

Finally, here are common questions about using browsers on Ubuntu.
These focus on issues frequently encountered by beginners and intermediate users.

Q1. Can Google Chrome be installed normally on Ubuntu?

Yes.
Download the .deb package from the official website.
No special knowledge is required, and installation can be done via double-click.

Q2. What is the difference between Firefox and Chromium?

Firefox uses Mozilla’s independent engine.
Chromium is the base for Chrome and shares its UI and extensions.
The most noticeable differences for beginners are Google service compatibility and video codec support.

Q3. Which browser is the lightest?

In many cases, Chromium is considered the lightest.
However, without ad and tracking blockers, perceived performance may vary by website.

Q4. Why does Japanese input suddenly stop working?

IBus, the input system used by Ubuntu, can occasionally freeze.
Restarting it is usually the fastest fix.

ibus restart

This resolves the issue in most cases.

Q5. Video playback feels slow or choppy. What should I do?

Trying Chrome first is the fastest solution.
Chromium may suffer from codec limitations.
Checking GPU acceleration is also effective.

chrome://gpu

Q6. Should Brave’s ad blocking always be enabled?

It depends on the situation.
Brave allows per-site adjustment of blocking strength.
Since ads support website operations, a balanced approach is to use Standard normally and switch to Strict only under poor network conditions.