A repository is like a library of these files on a server, and Ubuntu users will typically use a program like Synaptic to find and download. deb packages, which contain the files needed to install and run the software. That’s what our comprehensive guide to installing Chrome across operating systems deals with. Mac or Windows users are familiar with one way of getting new software: download and install from a web store or other site using an executable installer (a program for installing programs). Its development proceeds in lockstep with Chrome’s, but it is included in the standard Ubuntu repositories. In this post, we’ll cover two ways to install it.Ĭhromium is the open-source codebase for Chrome and numerous other browsers. It’s also easy to install, even for Ubuntu. It’s the world’s most widely-used browser, and it’s fast, easy to use, and secure. Unlike Ubuntu, it’s not open-source, and though it’s free to download and use, Google remains in control of how Chrome is developed. What’s the difference? Chrome or Chromium?Ĭhrome is Google’s proprietary browser. Whether your main home machine is Ubuntu-powered, or you use Ubuntu at work, or even if you’re using a Ubuntu virtual machine via VirtualBox or WINE, you’ll need a separate install.Ĭhrome isn’t in the standard Ubuntu repositories, though Chromium is. But to see how websites and apps look on Linux machines, you need to use one. That’s made easier by Chrome’s extensive suite of developer tools. With its market share edging up into the mid-sixties for both desktop and mobile users, developers need to build and test for Chrome. Plus, for many developers, Chrome is obligatory for work. And only Chrome has built-in support for Flash (though after 2020, that will change as Chrome deprecates that support due to security concerns). It’s a good idea to have more than one web browser, in case of errors, crashes, or glitches. It handles browsing, streaming, security, and privacy just fine.īut Chrome might still be your preference. Most Ubuntu users rely on Firefox, which is an excellent browser with plenty of features.

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