Install Chromium on Ubuntu 18.04: The Open-Source Browser Guide

Chromium is a fast, lightweight, open-source web browser developed primarily by Google. It serves as the foundation for many popular browsers — including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Brave. Because the code is publicly available, anyone can review it, audit it, or build their own browser on top of it.

If you value transparency and do not want a browser that sends usage data back to Google, Chromium is a strong choice. It delivers essentially the same browsing experience as Chrome, the same rendering engine, the same developer tools, without the proprietary additions.

This guide shows you how to install Chromium on Ubuntu 18.04 and covers the key differences between Chromium and Chrome so you can choose the right browser for your needs.

<strong>Prerequisite:</strong>&nbsp;You need sudo access.

Install Chromium on Ubuntu

Chromium is available directly from Ubuntu’s default repositories. No third-party PPA or .deb file download is required.

Install it with:

bashsudo apt install chromium-browser

Enter your password when prompted and press Y to confirm. The installation takes a minute or two depending on your connection speed.

Once installed, launch Chromium from the Activities menu by searching for “Chromium,” or start it from the terminal:

bashchromium-browser

The first time Chromium opens, you see a welcome page with the option to set it as your default browser and sign in to a Google Account. If you sign in, Chromium syncs your bookmarks, passwords, history, and extensions across all your signed-in devices — using the same Google sync infrastructure as Chrome.

If you are migrating from Chrome, Opera, or another browser, import your existing bookmarks and passwords through Settings > Import bookmarks and settings.

Chromium vs Google Chrome: What Is Different

Chromium and Chrome share the same codebase but are not the same product. Here is what Chromium includes and what it leaves out:

What Chromium includes:

• Open-source, publicly auditable code
• Full Chromium DevTools for web development
• Support for Chrome Web Store extensions
• Google Account sync for bookmarks, passwords, and history

What Chromium does not include:

• Proprietary media codecs (some streaming services may not work)
• Widevine DRM, required by Netflix, Disney+, and similar platforms
• Usage statistics and crash reports sent to Google
• Automatic background updates

The absence of Widevine is the most noticeable practical limitation. If you rely on DRM-protected streaming services, Google Chrome or a Chromium-based browser that bundles Widevine — such as Brave or Edge — may be a better fit for everyday use.

Privacy and Developer Tools

Chromium does not send telemetry or usage data to Google by default. No crash reports, no usage statistics, no behavioral tracking. This makes it a popular choice for privacy-conscious users and developers who want a clean, untracked browser for testing web projects.

The built-in Chrome DevTools work identically to the tools in Google Chrome. You can inspect elements, debug JavaScript, analyze network requests, and profile page performance directly from the browser.

Keep Chromium Updated

Chromium updates are delivered through Ubuntu’s standard package manager. Keep it current with:

bashsudo apt updatesudo apt upgrade

You can also update it through the Software Updater graphical tool on Ubuntu Desktop.

Chromium is now installed on your Ubuntu 18.04 machine. It is a fast, privacy-respecting browser that works well for everyday browsing and web development. If you need DRM support for streaming services, consider pairing it with a separate browser for that use case. Leave a comment below if you run into any issues.