Comparison of Google Chrome Windows Vs Mac Versions

Many of us use both Mac and Windows computers on daily basis. The biggest challenge when alternatively using Windows and Mac is to have similar user experience. Though this is challenging from the operating system perspective, some applications like Google Chrome try to achieve this. Google claims that Chrome is an open source and platform independent browser that try to offer unique experience on all operating systems.

We have a large collection of Chrome browser related articles. Most of the time we refer Windows version of Chrome and users reported that the functionality is missing or not working on Mac. This makes the claim of platform independent questionable and the browser is actually platform dependent to certain extent.

Google Chrome Windows Vs Mac Versions

You can easily find certain differences when using Chrome on Mac and Windows. For example, you can’t create a desktop shortcuts from webpages on Mac version. Also the language settings are different that you can change the browser language in Windows while you can’t do this in Mac. If you wonder some missing functions on Mac or Windows Chrome versions then here is an attempt to address the existing differences between Google Chrome Windows Vs Mac versions.

Below table lists out all the differences between the latest Chrome Windows and Mac versions.

Feature	Chrome Windows	Chrome Mac
Installation	You will install with executable (exe) installer package on Windows.	You will install with disk image file (dmg) on Mac.
Language	Possible to change Chrome language from settings, under languages section.	You can't change the browser language from settings, you need to change Mac’s language which essentially will change the language of the entire Mac.
Spelling Check	Available in settings page under languages section.	Available in menu under "Edit > Spelling and Grammar".
Proxy	Proxy settings will open Windows Internet Properties dialog.	Proxy settings will open Mac Network Preferences.
Cleanup	Google Chrome cleanup option is available only on Windows version to delete malware on your PC.	No cleanup tools available on Chrome Mac version.
Menu bar	Chrome will not have menu bar on top of the browser.	Chrome will have a top menu bar as part of macOS.
Closing	Closing all windows will close the browser completely.	After closing all windows, Chrome will still run on the background similar to any other apps in macOS. You can see a white dot under the Chrome app on your dock.
Create Shortcut	Possible to create a desktop shortcut of a webpage from “Three dots button > More tools” menu.	No option available and you can't create a desktop shortcut of webpages in Chrome Mac version.
Right Click Menu	Options vary when you right click on different places on the browser like omnibox, content area and bookmarks bar.	Options vary when you right click on different places on the browser.
Appearance settings	Option not available.	There is an option "Pressing Tab on a webpage highlights links, as well as form fields" in settings page under "Appearance" section.
Appearance settings	Option not available.	There is an option "Show warning before quitting with ⌘Q" under "Appearance" section of settings page.
System Settings	Option available for continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed.	Option not available.

Conclusion

Some of these differences are due to the need or limitation of macOS operating system. Chrome as a third-party app needs to adapt to macOS requirements. For example, on Mac, every application needs to have a menu bar. Therefore, Chrome will also have a menu bar on Mac unlike Windows version. However, some differences on the settings page and shortcut menu may create confusion when using the browser on Windows and Mac.