I stopped using Chrome on Android — this lightweight browser is way better

If you've been on Chrome for years, especially on Android, it's easy to believe it's as good as it gets. It's fast enough, synced to your Google account, and comes preinstalled on most phones right out of the box. But after a while, the cracks start to show. Scrolling begins to feel a bit sluggish, background processes quietly consume memory, and somehow, an ad or two still manages to sneak its way through. Eventually, you're left with a choice: tweak Chrome to make it faster or move on to something better.

That's exactly where I found myself. I wanted a browser that felt lighter, faster, and calmer, something that didn't constantly hum in the background. That's when I stumbled across Via Browser, one of the smallest and most capable Android browsers that outshines Chrome in all the ways that actually make a difference.

Via browser strips away all the bloat I never wanted from Chrome

Minimalism isn't missing features

The size difference between the two browsers really says it all. Via sits at around 2.7MB, while Chrome sprawls past 200MB, and that contrast perfectly sums up my long-running frustration with modern Chrome. Over the years, Google has packed it with account syncing, background services, recommendation feeds, and tracking systems that I never asked for. When I open Via, though, I'm greeted by a simple black screen with a search bar and the logo. That's all. There are no algorithmic news feeds, content suggestions, or prompts to sign in, which is a relief if you've been struggling to maintain habits to use your phone less.

That stripped-down approach translates into tangible speed. Via launches almost instantly, while Chrome takes its time loading up background services, syncing data, and waking up all the extras it insists on running. The difference becomes even more obvious on my older backup phone, which has only about 2 or 3GB of RAM. Chrome practically wheezes there, while Via still feels as fast and responsive as it does on my newer phone.

I can finally customize my browser

Exactly how I want it

Chrome's idea of customization has always driven me up the wall. The toolbar remains locked in place, the menu is set in stone, and the so-called "custom options" essentially stop at selecting a theme color. I can't actually change how the browser behaves because, at the end of the day, Google decides that for me.

Via flips that whole philosophy on its head. Its "Customize menu" screen lists every function you could imagine—from the usual suspects like bookmarks and history to deeper tools like resource sniffing, network logging, and page debugging. I can rearrange everything to fit my workflow, picking what lives in my primary menu and what doesn't. With Chrome, I get Google's idea of what's important. With Via, I get mine.

Then there's script control, which is a feature I appreciate greatly. Just like Chrome, Via has built-in support to enable/disable JavaScript globally or per site. That's ideal for when I'm browsing something shady or when I want maximum privacy. While the answer to "Does disabling JavaScript protect you from hackers?" is nuanced, it certainly helps mitigate many risks.

Back to the homepage differences again, Chrome automatically pushes Google's search bar and its "Discover" news feed, unless you dig through settings to turn it off. Meanwhile, Via greets you with a plain background, a centered search bar, and no unsolicited content. You can add shortcuts if you choose, but nothing is foisted upon you.

I'm done feeding my browsing data to Google

I didn't sign up to be Chrome's product

Chrome's approach to privacy has always seemed skewed toward Google's interests rather than my own. By default, it syncs my history, passwords, bookmarks, and open tabs to Google's servers. It sounds helpful, but in reality, it means my browsing activity travels through Google's ecosystem, fueling its advertising data. This is a core part of what Google's 'Web & App Activity' is and how it tracks you. Chrome continually prompts me to sign in, displaying notifications across the interface and locking certain features behind a Google account.

Via sidesteps much of that. There is no required Google account to use it, no mandatory cloud sync, and you largely keep data local on your device. The developer emphasizes that it won't push news or forced content. You can also manually export/import your bookmarks and settings.

I know I lose a few niceties by stepping away from Google's ecosystem. My passwords don't auto-sync across devices, my history isn't magically everywhere I go, and I can't open a tab on my laptop that I have left running on my phone. But I'll take that over being tracked across platforms any day. Via still offers a built-in password manager with biometric protection if I want it, and it all stays on my device. For me, that's a far better deal.

I'll stick with Via despite its limitations

I'll be upfront—Via won't suit everyone. Chrome's deep integration with Google services does bring real advantages if you're fully invested in that ecosystem. If you rely on Chrome to autofill passwords across devices, instantly sync tabs between your phone and computer, or use Google Pay for web purchases, Via doesn't offer the same conveniences.

As for security and standards support, Chrome benefits from Google's extensive resources, including frequent patching, broad compatibility, and reliable standards support. By contrast, lightweight browsers like Via may rely on the Android WebView or simpler rendering layers (which means timely updates can depend on your device manufacturer and OS update policy), so older or lightly supported phones might face lagging security or compatibility. On a newer device with automatic WebView updates, I haven't hit issues, but the risk is real.

Above all, for what I actually want from a mobile browser, Via comes out on top. I want a browser that stays out of the way, letting me browse without unnecessary tracking, corporate middlemen, or feature bloat on the home screen. With a 4.3-star rating and over 120,000 reviews on the Play Store as of the time of writing, I'm not alone in thinking this.