# Helium

A privacy-first Chromium browser that blocks ads, trackers, and clutter by default.

HTML: https://softbests.com/software/helium
Markdown: https://softbests.com/software/helium.md
Website: https://helium.computer

- Category: [Browsers](https://softbests.com/category/browsers)
- Pricing: Open source
- Platforms: macOS
- Underrated

## Best for

Mac users who want Chrome compatibility and extensions without Google's data collection or interface bloat.

## Why it deserves attention

Helium keeps Chromium compatibility while stripping out Google services, ads, trackers, cookie banners, and fingerprinting by default. It is GPL-3.0, has more than 22,000 GitHub stars and ships updates every week, with four layout modes, a frameless view, and its own bangs for quick navigation. The catch is scope: it is primarily a macOS project, so Linux and Windows users depend on community builds.

## Can replace

- [Google Chrome](https://softbests.com/software/google-chrome)

## Related and alternatives

- [Brave](https://softbests.com/software/brave)
- [Zen](https://softbests.com/software/zen)