Firefox vs Google Chrome

This comparison uses the current IdleForest model for Firefox and Google Chrome: their category, modeled CO2 per use unit, methodology notes, key drivers, and assumptions.

Supporting comparison page

Firefox

Browsing

22g

CO2 / HOUR

Google Chrome

Browsing

25g

CO2 / HOUR

Higher emissions

Data-backed comparison

Summary

When comparing Firefox and Google Chrome, Google Chrome generates significantly more CO2 emissions per hour (25g) than Firefox (22g). Both applications rely on devices, networks, and server infrastructure, which all contribute to their environmental impact.

Why the gap happens

Google Chrome is modeled at 25g CO2 per unit, while Firefox is modeled at 22g, so the visible gap is 3g in the current dataset.
Both products sit in the Browsing category, so the difference comes from the per-product estimate and page-level methodology fields rather than a category change.
The Chrome estimate focuses on active browsing behavior and background browser load rather than only the energy of a single page view.
Open tabs, video-heavy pages, and extensions can keep CPU and memory usage elevated.

What to act on first

Because Google Chrome is higher in the current model, start there: Close unused tabs and disable heavy extensions you no longer need.

Google Chrome is currently modeled at 3g CO2 more per unit of use than Firefox.

Deep dive into their footprints

Read the full Firefox report Read the full Google Chrome report

Comparison takeaways

Google Chrome is modeled at 25g CO2 per unit, while Firefox is modeled at 22g, so the visible gap is 3g in the current dataset.

Both products sit in the Browsing category, so the difference comes from the per-product estimate and page-level methodology fields rather than a category change.

About IdleForest

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