These Extensions are exclusive to the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge
One of the main advantages of the upcoming Microsoft Edge web browser that is based on Chromium is that it supports multiple extension stores.
Microsoft Edge users may install extensions from Microsoft's own extensions store for Edge, or enable an option in the web browser to unlock extension installations from the Chrome Web Store as well.
But how different are the extensions designed specifically for Microsoft Edge, and the extensions offered by Google on the Chrome Web Store? Are there any extensions available exclusively that Chrome users cannot install?
I decided to compare the available extensions for the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser that are offered on Microsoft's Edge extensions store with what is being offered on the Chrome Web Store.
Microsoft's Edge extensions store list 117 extensions. The number of extensions on the Chrome Web Store is unknown as Google does not reveal it.
The following extensions are unique to Microsoft Edge. Note that alternatives may be available on the Chrome Web Store for some of them.
- ClassLink OneClick -- offers access to web apps and files.
- Download music from VK -- VK music downloader.
- Easy Video and Audio Downloader -- media downloader (does not work on YouTube).
- Ebates Rakuten: Get Cash Back For Shopping -- shopping extension.
- Eno from Capital One -- shopping assistant.
- FlipGive Max -- shopping extension.
- Marker: Screen capture tool for professionals -- screenshot extension.
- Microsoft Personal Shopping Assistant -- shopping extension.
- MyPoints Score -- shopping extension.
- Rutoken Plugin for Edge -- digital signature, encryption, and 2FA extension.
- TrueKey (McAfee) -- password manager.
- Video Downloader Professional for Edge -- media downloader.
- Vonage Integration Suite -- communication extension.
- Wikibuy -- shopping extension.
A total of 14 extensions are exclusive and may be installed in the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser. That leaves 103 extensions that are not unique and also available on the Chrome Web Store.
Some users may wonder why Microsoft bothers with its own extensions store if most extensions are available on the Chrome Web Store as well.
We need to look at the extensions that are unique in more detail to answer that question.
The three main categories are shopping, media downloads, and Enterprise functionality.
Shopping may come as a surprise to many, media downloading not so much. One of the limitations of Chrome extensions is imposed by Google policies. Extensions may not offer functionality to download media from select Google properties such as YouTube.
Microsoft does not impose the same limitations on extension developers (Mozilla, Opera, and other browser makers don't either).
Closing Words
Maintaining an extension store for the Chromium-based Edge browser offers several advantages. It gives Microsoft full control over extensions including its own vetting and verification process. One of the main advantages is that extensions may offer features and options that Chrome extensions don't support in that form.
Now You: Have you tried the new Microsoft Edge? What is your take so far?
I have been using the browser for a while now and I really like it. It seems to be faster than Chrome and the original Edge and I haven’t had any problems with any sites yet. I only use one extension and that is AdGuard. In my opinion, that is the best ad blocker out there. I’m a little disappointed that Microsoft caved in and went to Chromium but the results have been very good. The best part is how much of the Google crap has been removed.
I’m looking forward to the final release.
Hmm. For the most part, I reckon if Microsoft offers an exclusive extension that we like, then some dev will likely make a version of it for Chrome.. More so, I see this as a way companies can partner with Microsoft, to monopolize their services with those like-minded goals of making mo-money, all in the name of security and/or “making the world a better place” and whatnot, ha.
But if Microsoft’s new browser supports all the extensions we want, then that’s likely all that matters to most users, at least for now.
Yet as for security, I imagine that Microsoft’s new browser may have the potential be better with their extensions… That is until hackers learn how to exploit it, ha.
Joking and speculation aside, I’m at least curious to see Microsoft’s new Edge.
@cheesepuffer
.. i’d better stay with the (radically) ungoogled iridium – browser .. (even by default quovadis – certificates = disabled) – there will be an update soon. and yep, adguard home – for example – is great & get’s better in the near future.
I think Google will soon take counter measures by requiring her sponsored Chromium Project to require extensions to be installed only from the Chrome Web Store or a new Chromium Web Store = M$ Edgium will be doomed, so too will Opera, Vivaldi and Brave.
M$ may counter Google by changing and adopting Firefox’s Gecko engine for her Edge = M$’s new FirEd browser.
Soon?.. Hmm. I think they will just continue as is, which allegedly involves them crippling the other Chrome based browser in a more clandestine manner, all in the name of security and such.. That’s at least what my reptilian pet told me.
I only use chromium-based browsers because I like and need certain Chrome store extensions, so probably try the ‘new’ Edge sometime. Vivaldi has a built-in sidebar, plus a good store extension is ‘Bookmark Sidebar’. I think Adguard is better than the others. It all comes down to personal preference I guess. Currently use Iridium.
I tried it for 3 days but went back to Chrome. MS has neutered Edge Chromium by removing or replacing features in Chrome. One of those items is Push Notifications do not work so you never receive notifications from websites via popup notices when video streams go live.
The problem with push notifications is that a lot of websites abuse them. Doesn’t help that the setting to remove them is so nested in the browsers settings either. I certainly wouldn’t be sad to see the back of them.
It’s pre-beta. This may come later. You’re supposed to test and make reports and give opinions at this point. Not make final judgement.
For a first iteration that has not even reached beta status, so far so good. Using the Adblock + & LastPass extensions and pretty quick. Slows down with a lot of tabs open but not alone in that regard. Been using it as a daily driver for a couple days.
ClassLink OneClick is automatically installed to Chrome via local group policy when the ClassLink app is installed to the PC. That’s why it isn’t I’m the Chrome Web Store
I can get every extension I need from the Chrome Web Store. Microsoft’s store seems like it will never gain much traction and they will either abandon it or shut it down in the end.
Vivaldi relies on the Chrome Web Store. Opera has an extension on its store so people can get extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Chromium Edge allows it too… I see a pattern here.
So you trust MS’s vetting and verification process? Look at the mess that is their app store.
I don’t trust any vetting process, always better to make up your own mind about it. Google does not have a clean record either when it comes to extensions, and the Chrome Web Store is way more attractive thanks to the larger user base and automatic review process.
I seriously fell in love with the new MS Edge. Do you know if in the next version of Windows, MS Edge will be dropped for Chromium based Edge? I don’t like 3 browsers to be there… Explorer, Edge, CHR Edge…
I doubt that it will be included in the May 2019 Update. Microsoft has yet to release a Beta version let alone a Stable version. I expect this to hit the next feature update at the earliest, maybe next year instead depending on how the second feature update of the year will look like (or if it is released at all, or more than just a bug fix release).
adblock without the plus??? that said.. flipped to ubo years ago.. so none of my business
uBlock Origin is available as well.
i meant i wasn’t sure adblock without the plus is that legit. i personally use multiple browsers with different blockers. firefox with noscript, ubo, um. chrome with ubo, um. (old) edge with nothing (aside from whatever it is the a/v suite has in the background).
firefox for most things. chrome for things when i can’t be bothered with temp allowing sites on noscript. edge for basically safe sites that probably would be too much of a pain in the ass to get working without wasting a lot of time unblocking stuff. that’s not going to change when edge shifts to chromium based.
Does Chromium-based Edge have a bookmarks sidebar ?
I don’t use browsers without bookmarks sidebar.
No, but Vivaldi has.
No, but there is an extension for Chrome that gives you a bookmark sidebar: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/bookmark-sidebar/jdbnofccmhefkmjbkkdkfiicjkgofkdh?hl=en
It’ll also work in Edge if you allow extensions to be installed from outside the Microsoft Store.
The extension you mention is a nice “try”, but it still falls short of a permanent sidebar like Firefox has. The lack of chrome’s willingness to allow a permanent sidebar is a show stopper for me as well. That said, I do like the new chromium based edge and it looks very promising.
Maybe M$oft can come up with some sort of sidebar. That may give them the “Edge” over Google Chrome
i agree with kstev99… ms providing in house sidebar will do give chrome edge “EDGE over google chrome …
No, just like Chrome, it does not have a sidebar.
https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/facebook/000/005/288/tn_1235245586270.jpg