Chrome vs Edge Extensions: What's Supported?

Browser extensions enhance your browsing experience by adding new features and functionality. If you're considering installing extensions—or developing one—you might wonder about compatibility between Chrome and Microsoft Edge. The good news: these browsers are closer relatives than you might think. This guide explains everything you need to know about extension support across Chrome and Edge.

Understanding the Chromium Connection

To understand extension compatibility, you need to know about Chromium—the open-source browser project that serves as the foundation for multiple browsers.

What Is Chromium?

Chromium is an open-source browser project developed primarily by Google. It provides the core rendering engine, JavaScript engine, and browser framework that other browsers can build upon.

Think of Chromium as a blueprint. While Google builds Chrome from this blueprint, other companies use it too, adding their own features and branding.

Browsers Built on Chromium

Several major browsers use Chromium as their base:

Google Chrome - The most popular browser, developed by Google
Microsoft Edge - Rebuilt on Chromium in 2020, replacing the older EdgeHTML version
Brave - Privacy-focused browser with built-in ad blocking
Opera - Feature-rich browser with built-in VPN
Vivaldi - Highly customizable browser for power users
Arc - New browser with innovative UI design

Because these browsers share the same underlying technology, they have significant compatibility with each other—especially when it comes to extensions.

Chrome vs Edge: Extension Compatibility

The Core Compatibility

Microsoft Edge switched to the Chromium engine in January 2020. Since then, Chrome extensions generally work in Edge with little to no modification.

What this means for users:

Most Chrome extensions can be installed directly in Edge
Extensions behave the same way in both browsers
You don't need to choose between browsers based on extension availability

What this means for developers:

One extension codebase works for both browsers
The same APIs and development tools apply
Distribution can happen through both stores

Installing Chrome Extensions in Edge

You can install extensions from the Chrome Web Store directly in Edge:

Open Edge and navigate to the Chrome Web Store
Edge will display a banner asking if you want to allow extensions from other stores
Click "Allow extensions from other stores"
Browse and install Chrome extensions as you would in Chrome

That's it. The extension installs and works just like it would in Chrome.

Edge's Native Extension Store

Microsoft also operates its own extension marketplace: the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store. Many popular extensions are available in both stores.

Why use the Edge Add-ons store?

Extensions are specifically verified for Edge
Easier to manage through Edge's settings
Some Edge-specific features may be available

Why use Chrome Web Store with Edge?

Larger selection of extensions
New extensions often appear on Chrome Web Store first
Easier if you're switching from Chrome

What Works (and What Might Not)

Extensions That Work Perfectly

The vast majority of Chrome extensions work flawlessly in Edge:

Productivity tools (Grammarly, Todoist, LastPass)
Developer tools (React DevTools, Redux DevTools)
Ad blockers (uBlock Origin, AdBlock Plus)
Password managers (1Password, Bitwarden)
Communication tools (Slack, Zoom)
Writing assistants (including WordWiz)

Potential Compatibility Issues

While most extensions work, some edge cases (pun intended) might cause issues:

1. Extensions using Chrome-specific APIs Some Chrome extensions use APIs that are Chrome-exclusive. These may not function correctly in Edge.

2. Extensions that detect browser type Some extensions check which browser you're using and may not recognize Edge, even though they would work fine otherwise. This is increasingly rare as developers update their extensions.

3. Deep Chrome integrations Extensions that integrate deeply with Chrome's sync, account, or settings systems may not function identically.

4. Very new Chrome APIs When Google releases new extension APIs, there can be a slight lag before Edge supports them.

How to Handle Issues

If a Chrome extension doesn't work in Edge:

Check the Edge Add-ons store - There might be an Edge-specific version
Contact the developer - They may not know about the incompatibility
Look for alternatives - Similar extensions may have better Edge support
Wait for updates - Both browsers frequently update compatibility

For Extension Developers

If you're building browser extensions, here's what you need to know about supporting both Chrome and Edge:

Same Code, Multiple Browsers

The Chromium extension API is largely identical across browsers. Your manifest.json, background scripts, content scripts, and popup UIs work the same way.

Manifest V3 Both Chrome and Edge use Manifest V3, the latest extension manifest format. If your extension uses Manifest V3, it will work in both browsers.

Minor Differences to Watch

1. Store listing requirements Each store has slightly different metadata requirements, icons sizes, and screenshot specifications.

2. Review processes Chrome and Edge have separate review teams with slightly different timelines and criteria.

3. Analytics Each store provides its own analytics dashboard for tracking installations and usage.

Publishing to Both Stores

To maximize reach, publish your extension to both stores:

Chrome Web Store:

One-time $5 developer fee
Submit at chrome.google.com/webstore/developer/dashboard
Review typically takes 1-3 days

Edge Add-ons:

Free to publish
Submit at partner.microsoft.com/dashboard/microsoftedge/
Review typically takes 1-2 days

The same extension package (ZIP file) usually works for both submissions with minimal modifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same extensions in Chrome and Edge? Yes! Most Chrome extensions work perfectly in Edge. You can install them from the Chrome Web Store or find equivalent versions in the Edge Add-ons store.

Is one browser better for extensions than the other? Not meaningfully. Both support the same extension APIs. Chrome has a larger extension marketplace, but all major extensions are available for Edge too.

Do extensions slow down my browser? Extensions can impact performance, but this is about the extensions themselves, not which browser you use. The same extension will have similar performance impact in both browsers.

Will Edge extensions work in Chrome? Extensions built for Edge using the standard Chromium APIs will generally work in Chrome too, though you'd need to install them from the Chrome Web Store.

What about Firefox? Firefox uses a different extension API (WebExtensions). While conceptually similar, Firefox extensions need to be developed separately from Chrome/Edge extensions. Many popular extensions are available for all three browsers.

How do I know if an extension is safe? Both Chrome Web Store and Edge Add-ons store review extensions for security. Additional safety tips:

Check reviews and ratings
Look at the number of users
Review the permissions requested
Verify the developer is legitimate

Are there browser-specific extensions? Some extensions are designed specifically for one browser and may not be available or functional in others. However, this is increasingly rare for Chromium-based browsers.

The Future of Browser Extensions

Manifest V3 Transition

Both Chrome and Edge are transitioning to Manifest V3, which brings:

Enhanced security and privacy
Better performance
Some changes to how extensions work

Older extensions (Manifest V2) will eventually stop working in both browsers. Most popular extensions have already transitioned or are in the process.

Cross-Browser Standards

There's ongoing work to standardize extension APIs across browsers (including Firefox). This would make developing truly cross-browser extensions even easier in the future.

Choosing Your Browser

Extension compatibility shouldn't be your primary factor when choosing between Chrome and Edge. Consider:

Privacy preferences - Each browser has different privacy defaults
Ecosystem integration - Chrome integrates with Google services, Edge with Microsoft
Resource usage - Both browsers have optimized for memory over time
Unique features - Edge has vertical tabs, Collections; Chrome has different features
Sync capabilities - Consider which account ecosystem you use more

The extension experience will be virtually identical in either browser.

Getting Started with Browser Extensions

Ready to enhance your browsing with extensions? Start with these categories:

Password manager (LastPass, Bitwarden, 1Password)
Ad blocker (uBlock Origin)
Writing assistant (like WordWiz for text rewriting)
Productivity tool (Todoist, Notion Web Clipper)

Install a few essentials, give them time to prove their value, and gradually add more as needed. Having too many extensions can impact performance, so be selective about what you really need.

Whether you choose Chrome or Edge—or use both—you'll have access to the same powerful extension ecosystem. That's the beauty of the Chromium foundation: more choice for users, less fragmentation for developers, and a better web for everyone.