There is no doubt that Google Chrome is an industry leader. But have you ever heard about the beta version of Google Chrome? For our trial and error processes, we need to use more than one browser on our devices, Google Chrome Beta is one of them.
Google Chrome has multiple Release Channels, Chrome Beta is one of them. Being familiar with Google Chrome Beta for years, we want all users to know the basic difference between Stable and Beta Versions of Google Chrome.
#1 Update Frequency in Chrome Beta is Faster Than Stable Version
Updates for Google chrome Stable version get delayed than the beta version. We have noticed that for the stable version Google pushes minor updates on a frequency of 2 to 3 weeks and for any major updates generally it takes around 6 weeks.
For Google Chrome Beta these durations get changed. Google claims that they update the Beta version weekly.
This is the reason Google Chrome Beta’s build number will always be ahead of the stable version.
#2 New Features Come to Chrome Beta First Compared to Stable Version
Between Google Chrome Stable and Chrome Beta, Google pushes its new features first to Chrome Beta. After being thoroughly tested these features then push for the stable version.
Google Chrome Beta has a dedicated button to quickly enable and test the latest experimental feature. You can find this button beside the address bar.
#3 Chrome Beta May Have Some Bugs
As compared to the Google Chrome Stable version, Chrome Beta may have some more bugs. According to statistics, only 5% of Chrome users use Beta versions so Google likes to do all the final testing on the beta version, resulting in the users experiencing some bugs.
But practically speaking, being a Beta user for several years, our experts have not found any noticeable bugs. Because prior to Beta, Chrome had two more release channels Dev & Canary. All the updates get tested to these release channels even before rolling out to Beta. Most of the bugs get resolved inside the Canary or Dev build.
#4 Chrome Beta Gets Security & Bug Fixes Prior to Stable Version
If Google gets any bug report from the users or finds any security flaws from their own investigation they implement the fixes first on Beta Version and check the results. If the result is satisfactory then only Google pushes the fixes for Stable Version.
Does Everyone Need Google Chrome Beta?
Everyone doesn’t need Google Chrome Beta. Only Bloggers, Developers, Software & It Companies or any individual user who needs to test their web tools or website with the latest version of Chrome Browser may need to use Chrome Beta. But in the case of mass for day to day internet surfing it’s completely optional.
Bloggers: Bloggers may want to check if their website is compatible with any latest fixes or updates of Google Chrome. With Chrome Beta they can get at least 2 to 3 weeks of time period to troubleshoot if any compatibility issues happen.
Web Developers: Google Chrome Beta can be very useful for developers to test the integrity of web tools, web apps, websites etc with Chrome. However, Google Chrome has a dedicated Dev Update Channel for developers but still they can perform their last batch of testings on Chrome Beta.
Organizational Usage: For organizations like IT & Software Companies, to avoid poor productivity they need to be sure that their daily use tools are compatible with latest Google Chrome’s features. So they instruct 5-10% of their employees to use Chrome Beta and check the compatibility beforehand.
Individual Usage: In the 21st century we do not have any shortage of enthusiastic tech geeks who want to get the new features of Google Chrome as early as possible. Using Google Chrome Beta can be beneficial for them.
Besides, some users dedicatedly want to be part of the Beta program as they want to help Google to make Chrome a perfect Browser by giving feedback. Google Chrome Beta is apt for them.
For most of the users, Stable Version can be the optimal choice. Because even if they get all the new features in the Beta Version prior to Stable, still these features will be in their testing phase. It is always advisable to let Google finish all the required testing and then push the updates for the Stable Version. Users can feel free to use all the latest features on the Stable Version post.
Does Google Chrome Beta Provide More Security?
We have already discussed that Google Chrome Beta gets all the updates prior to Stable Version. So by default if any security issue is detected by Google, Beta Version will get the patch fixes first.
Early update doesn’t mean it’s more secure as during Beta these fixes are still in the testing phase. There might be a chance that Google still finds these fixes are not the optimal solution or besides fixing the issues these fixes may raise some other security concerns.
99.9% chances are if Google carry forward these fixes from Canary to Beta most likely these are working just fine and resolve the security issue. But still there is a 0.01% possibility that these may not.
So if security is the main concern then both of these browsers provide mostly the same level of security, feel free to use any! But we would still recommend using the Stable Version whatever security fixes Stable Version will get has been already properly tested throughout Canary, Dev & Beta.
Can You Use Google Chrome Stable & Beta Simultaneously?
Multitasking sometimes needs more than one browser. Yes it’s true that you can install multiple browsers from multiple developers. But being a Chrome lover you may want to use both Chrome Stable & Beta simultaneously!
Yes, it is absolutely possible to use Google Chrome Beta & Stable Version together for any type of device.
After knowing you can take benefits from Google Chrome Stable & Chrome Beta together, you may want to install both! Or you may already have Stable Version installed and want to install Beta Version only. Whatever the case will be, let us discuss the installation procedure for both.
How to Install Google Chrome Beta & Stable?
We will discuss the installation procedure for both Windows & Android Devices.
Install Google Chrome Beta for Windows Devices:
- Open any browser and go to the download page of Google Chrome Beta.
- Click on Download Chrome Beta.
- Launch downloaded ChromeSetup.exe file.
- Give Windows User Control Account access by clicking on Yes.
- Google Chrome Beta will start downloading all resources from the server and afterwards it will get installed automatically.
Install Google Chrome Beta for Android Devices:
- Open Google Play Store & search for Google Chrome Beta.
- Select Install button.
- Chrome Beta will download and install automatically.
Install Google Chrome Stable for Windows & Android Devices:
There isn’t any such difference for the installation procedure of the Stable and Beta Version. For Windows Devices you need to go to the download page of Chrome Stable instead of Beta, rest procedures are exactly the same.
For Android devices you need to search “Google Chrome” instead of Google Chrome Beta!
The Conclusion
Google Chrome Beta is a Beta Version of the actual Chrome Browser. In this version Google allows the beta users to use the new features and take feedback from them.
Feel free to use Google Chrome Beta if you actually want to help Google with your valuable feedback. Or if you are a Blogger, Developer, running an IT or Software Company you can also take the advantage of Chrome’s Beta Version. But for mass Google Chrome Stable will be the best choice.
Let us know which Chrome Version you prefer!
