Advantages and disadvantages of the Helium web browser

Helium has quietly crept into the conversation about private browsers, but every time someone tries it, it becomes clear that there's something different here. If you're fed up with Chrome cluttered with Google services, Edge pushing you to use AI for everything, or Brave with its own ads and cryptocurrency features, this minimalist project might be just the breath of fresh air you've been looking for.

What's interesting is that this isn't just "another Chromium" with no backstory . Helium was born with a rather radical idea: fast browsing, without telemetry, accounts, or cloud storage, without integrated AI, and without a hidden business model. In this article, we'll calmly break down exactly what Helium is, its real advantages and disadvantages, how it compares to Chrome, Brave, Firefox, or Edge, and for which type of user it makes the most sense to use it on a daily basis.

What exactly is Helium and how does it differ from other browsers?

Helium is a desktop browser based on Chromium , but not the "normal" Chromium; it's based on ungoogled-chromium , a variant that removes everything that depends on Google: telemetry, synchronization services, automatic checks, etc. On top of that base, the input team (a two-person project) has added its own layer of features focused on privacy, content blocking, and small shortcuts that make life easier.

This browser is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux , is open source under the GPL-3.0 license , and can be downloaded for free from its official website. Although it is still in beta or even alpha depending on the platform, user experiences reported are quite stable, at least for normal daily use that doesn't involve DRM-protected services or very specific needs.

At first glance, Helium looks very similar to any standard Chromium browser : tabs at the top, omnibox (address bar + search), classic three-dot menu… But that's where almost all the similarities with Chrome or Edge end. There's no account login, no pop-ups asking you to enable syncing, no extra service toolbars, and no annoying AI integrations with every click.

The project's philosophy is quite clear: to be lightweight, private by default, and non-intrusive . Instead of inventing a completely new interface or overloading it with panels and unusual features, the developers have opted to maintain a familiar feel for any Chrome user, while removing anything they consider unnecessary or problematic for privacy.

There's one detail that truly defines Helium's character: on first startup, the browser makes no requests to the internet without your permission. No background updates, no silent telemetry, no querying third-party servers. Until you perform a search or visit a website, the browser remains completely silent.

Block ads, trackers, and fingerprints by default

One of Helium's biggest advantages is that it's fully protected from the start . There's no need to install extra extensions or delve into advanced settings menus: as soon as you open it, the browser blocks ads, trackers, third-party cookies, fingerprinting techniques, cryptominers, and phishing websites.

All of this blocking relies on uBlock Origin, which is integrated by default . Unlike many browsers that include their own built-in blocker and make exceptions for certain advertisers, Helium uses classic uBlock, with robust lists and no commercial whitelists. There are no agreements with advertising networks or privileged partners: if it's advertising or tracking, it gets blocked.

Furthermore, Helium maintains support for Manifest V2 extensions , an extension format that Chrome and Edge have been gradually abandoning because it allows for more aggressive ad blocking. This means that uBlock Origin and other powerful privacy extensions can continue to function at full capacity, something that has become more difficult in browsers that only support Manifest V3.

Tests performed with tools like the EFF's "Cover Your Tracks" show that the browser does a good job of blocking trackers, although, as with almost any Chromium fork without additional tricks, the browser's fingerprint can still be relatively unique. This is a general technical limitation of Chromium, not something exclusive to Helium.

The downside of this strict approach is that some websites may break or experience login issues , mainly due to how uBlock is integrated. In such cases, developers and the community recommend disabling the built-in uBlock and using alternatives like uBlock Lite from the Chrome Web Store, which sometimes behave more predictably on more specialized sites.

Helium services and anonymous extension downloads

Helium introduces its own concept called "Helium services ," which are essentially intermediary services that act as a privacy layer between your browser and certain third-party providers, primarily Google. These services only come into play if you activate specific features: downloading extensions, updating ad-blocking filters, checking for new browser versions, or using certain search shortcuts.

One very interesting point is how it handles Chrome Web Store extensions . In a typical Chromium browser, when you install an extension, Google records what you install and can link it to your advertising profile. In Helium, all requests to the Chrome Web Store are routed anonymously through its Helium services, so Google doesn't directly associate those downloads with your device.

If you're particularly cautious, you can even set up your own Helium Services server . From your browser's advanced options, you can configure a custom instance so you have complete control over this privacy intermediary. However, the team warns that they don't provide support if you set up this home infrastructure and something stops working, as it's designed for advanced users.

Aside from these functions, Helium does not make periodic calls to external servers . There is no proprietary analytics, no central server collecting usage statistics, and no browsing data is sent to developers. All relevant information resides on your device and is only sent "outside" when strictly necessary for functions such as those mentioned above.

The other side of the coin is that, to this day, automatic updates are not fully implemented on all platforms (for example, they are still working on it for Windows). In practice, this means that, at least for now, it may be necessary to be a little more vigilant about manually updating your browser to always have the latest security patches.

Extreme privacy: no accounts, no syncing, and no password manager

Helium has taken its commitment to privacy quite far . Here you won't find what is now considered almost standard in many browsers: there's no built-in password manager, no cross-device synchronization, no option to log in with a browser-specific account, and it doesn't incorporate any of the company's cloud services.

The developers defend this decision with a very clear argument: an integrated password manager is another potential point of attack . If someone manages to compromise the browser, they also compromise all the passwords stored within it. That's why they recommend using external password managers like Bitwarden or other open-source or commercial solutions where you choose where your credentials are stored.

Similarly, there's no synchronization of bookmarks, history, or settings between devices . Everything remains local. If you want to have your favorites on multiple computers, you'll have to manually export and import them or use third-party extensions and services that you control. This reduces convenience, but in return, it significantly reduces the amount of personal data that travels to or is stored on third-party servers.

Helium does allow the use of local user profiles, including guest profiles , to separate browsing contexts within the same computer. But again, all of this is managed without remote accounts: these are profiles that exist only on your machine.

Furthermore, the browser forces HTTPS whenever possible , blocks third-party cookies by default, and prevents connections you haven't initiated. It's not Tor Browser, and it doesn't claim to offer complete anonymity online, but it does strongly defend privacy against commercial tracking and the exploitation of your data for advertising.

Shortcuts, !bangs, and speed of use in everyday life

One of Helium's most striking features is its integrated "bangs ." If you use or have used DuckDuckGo, the idea will probably sound familiar: these are shortcuts in the address bar that allow you to launch searches or go directly to specific sections of hundreds of websites using short commands preceded by an exclamation mark.

Helium includes over 13.000 offline commands . This means the command list is cached locally, eliminating the need to query any external servers to determine their function. For example, `!w` takes you to Wikipedia, `!gh` to GitHub, `!yt` to YouTube, and ` !chatgpt` to the ChatGPT interface. In many cases, typing something like "!w free software" takes you directly to the Wikipedia result without navigating through an intermediate search results page.

The advantage of them working locally is that, while you're choosing the shortcut, nothing is sent to third parties . The logical connection only occurs when you actually reach the site (Wikipedia, GitHub, ChatGPT, etc.), but all the logic of deciding where to go is handled on your computer.

In user tests, some have noticed that, for example, the ChatGPT bang populates the search box but doesn't automatically press "send ," so there's room to refine certain user experience details. Even so, the overall feeling is that these shortcuts turn the address bar into something akin to a universal launcher, greatly streamlining workflow when you're constantly switching between online tools.

All of this, combined with aggressive ad and tracking script blocking, makes pages load much faster and reduces resource consumption . Users who came from Chrome or even Brave comment that Helium feels especially lightweight, keeps up with many tabs open, and that the computer runs cooler when browsing for hours.

Interface, customization, and minor usability improvements

In terms of design, Helium opts for a clean and uncluttered interface . Visually, it's reminiscent of a blend of Chrome, Opera, and Firefox, but without distracting elements or secondary panels taking up space. The title bar is somewhat more compact, allowing for more vertical content to be displayed on smaller screens or laptops.

One difference from Chrome is that Helium clearly separates the new tab page background from the overall browser theme. You can change the wallpaper of the speed dial (the typical quick access screen) without it dragging a color theme across the entire interface. Furthermore, there's a dedicated "Customize Helium" option in the menu, so you don't have to search through dozens of sections.

Another very practical feature is Split View . Instead of opening two browser windows side by side and struggling with the operating system to arrange them, Helium lets you place two tabs side by side within the same window. It's not a super-advanced tiling system (it only allows two columns), but it's incredibly convenient for comparing information, following a video while taking notes, or working with documentation and a web app simultaneously.

In terms of extension compatibility, it works well with most add-ons from the Chrome Web Store , including classic extensions that rely on Manifest V2. However, some modern extensions designed exclusively for Manifest V3 may not function perfectly, or may lose some functionality if they depend on APIs that Helium doesn't implement in the same way as Chrome.

When you enter the extensions store, you'll see that Google keeps suggesting you install Chrome . This is expected behavior and has already been documented as a bug: the Web Store detects that you're not using the official browser and tries to convince you to switch. It's annoying, but it doesn't affect extension installation, which continues to work without any real problems.

Key limitations: DRM, AI, and advanced features

It's not all advantages, and Helium has some clear trade-offs you should be aware of before deciding if it's right for you as your main browser. The biggest drawback for many users is the lack of DRM support (Widevine or similar modules) . This means that services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, or even Spotify Web won't work properly in this browser.

The reason is simple: it doesn't integrate proprietary digital rights management components . It's a conscious decision to keep the project as free and transparent as possible, but it comes at a cost. If you watch a lot of copyrighted streaming content, you'll definitely need a second browser on your system just for those platforms.

In terms of "modern" features, Helium completely forgoes AI integration . You won't find assistants like Copilot, Gemini, or Leo offering to write, summarize, or analyze content within the browser itself. If you want to use AI, the idea is to do so through web services (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) and, if desired, by using algorithms that speed things up, but without embedding those systems directly in the browser.

Another limitation is that, lacking its own ecosystem, it doesn't have native immersive readers, powerful built-in translators, advanced screen capture tools , or text-to-speech systems like those in Edge or Firefox. Many of these features can be added with extensions, but they aren't included out of the box.

Finally, the Helium community itself is still small compared to giants like Chrome, Firefox, or even Brave. This means that forum support, the availability of guides, and the speed at which major new features are added can be somewhat slower. The project is progressing, but at the pace expected of a small team.

Performance, stability and resource consumption

Helium has earned a good reputation precisely because of its everyday performance . Users who have tested it on Windows and Linux report that the browser feels very smooth, even with many tabs open, and that it consumes less RAM and CPU than Chrome in similar scenarios.

By blocking ads, tracking scripts, and other resource-intensive elements from the start , pages load faster and reduce strain on the computer. This is especially noticeable on laptops and older machines, where every lighter tab makes a difference. The absence of extra AI processes, background syncing, and proprietary services also reduces the overall load.

Regarding stability , the project is officially in beta, and some users have reported occasional incidents or minor glitches. However, there are also many reports of no crashes or serious errors on systems like Windows and Linux, so while it may not be as polished as Chrome, it's perfectly usable for everyday work.

It's important to keep in mind, however, that the pace of updates and bug fixes depends on a very small team and the community. Builds, especially on macOS, benefit from sponsored infrastructure (such as Depot servers) that allows new versions to be generated in hours, but that doesn't change the fact that decisions and development are handled by very few people.

Availability, installation and licensing

Helium can be used on the three major desktop operating systems : Windows, macOS, and Linux. The most common distribution method on Linux is via AppImage , which allows you to download the file, grant it execute permissions, and launch the browser without needing distribution-specific packages. To simplify maintenance, it's sometimes recommended to use AppImage managers like Gear Lever.

Binary tarballs and ARM64 builds are also available , in addition to the source code on GitHub for those who want to compile it themselves. macOS even has a dedicated repository for packaging and tooling, as it's the primary development platform and the recommended one if you want to contribute new features.

This macOS repository is based on ungoogled-chromium-macos , but adapted to the needs of Helium. The documentation files (e.g., docs/building.md or CONTRIBUTING.md) explain the guidelines for building the browser and submitting patches. The project explicitly acknowledges the previous work of ungoogled-chromium, which has greatly simplified dealing with the massive Chromium codebase.

Legally, all of Helium's original code, patches, and specific content are released under the GPL-3.0 license. Code inherited from other projects, such as ungoogled-chromium, retains its original license (e.g., the 3-clause BSD license). This ensures that the browser remains free software and that anyone can audit, modify, or even self-host all components, including the Helium services.

To download the browser, the recommended route is to go directly to the official website or the releases page of its GitHub repository. There you will find the current versions, changelogs, and a clear indication that it is software under active development, although mature enough for most everyday uses.

Helium has positioned itself as a serious alternative for those seeking a fast, lightweight, and privacy-conscious browser, at the cost of sacrificing synchronization, embedded AI, and DRM content compatibility. If your priority is a browser that doesn't spy on you, doesn't push you to use unwanted services, and doesn't become an bloated suite of marketing features, it's an option worth considering, keeping in mind, however, that in some areas (streaming, ecosystem, community) it's advisable to maintain a backup browser.