saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

web browser · Microsoft

Microsoft Edge

Chromium-based browser with tracking prevention on by default, a built-in VPN allowance and Chrome Web Store support.

73/100

#3 of 12 web browsers
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

Edge suits people who want tracker blocking switched on from the first launch, a small built-in VPN allowance and access to Chrome extensions4,6,10. Its bug bounty and vertical tabs are documented8,13. It also saves passkeys16. The catch: Microsoft does not document end-to-end encrypted sync with a key only you hold, and the Edge browser source is not published4,15.

Best for: Windows users who want tracker blocking by default and Chrome extensions.

Where the points come from

Systems8 of 8
Privacy and security27 of 37
Sync and sign-in14 of 22
Extensions12 of 12
Tabs and tools12 of 16
Price0 of 5

Systems 8 of 8 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Other systemsmacOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidDownload page lists Windows, macOS, Linux (.deb), iOS and Android3.8 / 8

Privacy and security 27 of 37 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Blocks trackers by defaultYesEdge blocks known trackers; Balanced tracking prevention is selected by default4.8 / 8
Built-in ad blockerNot publishedNot published on the vendor's Edge home, features or security pages1,2,9.0 / 5
Fingerprinting protectionYesTracking prevention is designed to block trackers it detects as cryptominers or fingerprinters5.7 / 7
Built-in VPN or proxyYesEdge Secure Network uses VPN technology; a personal Microsoft account gets 5 GB a month, switched on from Settings and more6.3 / 3
Open sourceNot publishedNot published: the Edge GitHub page's MSEdge repository holds only a README and licence, not browser source15.0 / 5
Public bug bountyYesThe Microsoft Edge Bounty Program covers Edge based on Chromium in Dev, Beta and Stable channels13.4 / 4
Phishing and malware warningsYesSmartScreen blocks known dangerous sites and is turned on by default4.5 / 5

Sync and sign-in 14 of 22 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Free sync across devicesYesSigning in syncs favorites, passwords, history, extensions, settings and open tabs; no fee is shown14,4.6 / 6
End-to-end encrypted syncNot publishedNot published on the vendor's privacy page: it describes encryption in transit and at rest, not a key only you hold4.0 / 8
Built-in password managerYesPassword Manager is built into Edge with a password generator and monitor7.3 / 3
Saves passkeysYesEdge saves passkeys in Microsoft Password Manager and syncs them across Windows, iOS and Android when signed in16.5 / 5

Extensions 12 of 12 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Chrome Web Store extensionsYesExtensions designed for Chrome can be used in Edge after allowing other stores10.6 / 6
Manifest V2 extensions still workYesTimeline shows only warnings from September 2026 and enterprise deprecation from 2027; a policy lets v2 stay enabled11,12.6 / 6

Tabs and tools 12 of 16 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Vertical tabsYesVertical tabs move tabs to a side pane8.4 / 4
Tab groupsNot publishedNot published: the tab groups page documents naming and renaming but not collapsing8,17.0 / 4
Built-in page translationYesEdge offers to translate whole webpages into your preferred language4.4 / 4
Separate profilesYesProfiles keep favorites, history and passwords in independent profiles4.4 / 4

Price 0 of 5 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Cost to useNot publishedNot published on the vendor's Edge home, features or download pages1,2,3.0 / 5

The rule behind each line: how we score web browsers.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
Microsoft Edge1 personNo price shown3QuoteDownload page shows no price

Microsoft's download and feature pages show no price for Edge1,3.

Strengths

  • Tracking prevention defaults to Balanced and blocks known trackers using a list4.
  • Edge Secure Network gives a monthly 5 GB allowance to users signed in with a personal Microsoft account6.
  • SmartScreen blocks dangerous sites and downloads, and is on by default4.
  • Vertical tabs and tab groups are built in8.
  • Microsoft runs a public Edge Bounty Program with awards up to $30,00013.

Limits

  • The VPN allowance is capped at 5 GB a month and needs a personal Microsoft account6.
  • Microsoft's privacy page describes encryption of synced data but not a key only you hold4.
  • Microsoft's Edge GitHub page shows no repository holding the browser's source code15.
  • Manifest V2 deprecation warnings start for some users in mid-September 202611.

Other web browsers

  1. 1
    BravePeople who want privacy protections on from the first launch
    84/100
    $0cost to use
  2. 2
    Mozilla FirefoxPeople who want open-source code, tracker blocking and sync that Mozilla cannot read
    80/100
    $0cost to use
  3. 4
    Google ChromePeople who want the Chrome Web Store and sync across Windows, Mac, Linux and phones
    66/100
    $0cost to use
  4. 5
    VivaldiPeople who want to customise their tabs, sidebar and layout
    65/100
    $0cost to use

Microsoft Edge vs Brave · Microsoft Edge vs Mozilla Firefox · All 12 web browsers

Sources

  1. Microsoft Edge, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. Microsoft Edge features, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. Download Microsoft Edge, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. Microsoft Edge privacy whitepaper, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. Learn about tracking prevention in Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. Edge Secure Network, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. Password management in Microsoft Edge, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. Vertical tabs in Microsoft Edge, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  9. Microsoft Edge security features, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  10. Add, turn off, or remove extensions in Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  11. Timeline for migrating to Manifest V3, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  12. ExtensionManifestV2Availability policy, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  13. Microsoft Edge Bounty Program, Microsoft Security Response Center. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  14. Sign in to sync Microsoft Edge across devices, Microsoft Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  15. Microsoft Edge on GitHub, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  16. Passkeys in Microsoft Edge, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  17. Tab groups in Microsoft Edge, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: www.microsoft.com/edge · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Microsoft.