A Chrome alternative that still runs your extensions.
Acira runs on Chromium, the engine behind Chrome and Edge, so websites work the same and extensions install from the Chrome Web Store. It blocks ads from the start, needs no account, and your bookmarks and history come with you.
Beta for Windows, Mac and Linux
Measured against Chrome
| Acira | Chrome | |
|---|---|---|
| Memory, 10 real sites | 1,272 MB | 1,596 MB |
| Processes, 10 real sites | 18 | 53 |
| Memory, 30 tabs | 2,693 MB | 3,371 MB |
| Memory, 30 tabs with tab sleep | 859 MB | Memory Saver is off by default |
Measured on one Windows 11 PC before this release, with a fresh Chrome profile and no extensions. Chrome loads the ads Acira blocks, which is most of the gap.
Your extensions
Extensions install from the Chrome Web Store with an Add to Acira button. Of 26 popular extensions we tested, 20 work, 4 work with limits and 2 don't yet. Working ones include uBlock Origin Lite, Bitwarden, 1Password, Proton Pass, Dark Reader and Vimium.
What Acira adds
- Private and Tor tabs next to your normal tabs.
- Rewind keeps the tabs and windows you close for up to a week.
- Workspaces, up to eight per profile, and ones you can lock (beta).
- Built-in blocking of ads and trackers, on from the start.
What Chrome has that Acira doesn't
There's no cloud sync and no mobile app, and protected streaming such as Netflix isn't supported on Windows yet. See the known limits.
Questions
Do Chrome extensions work in Acira?
Most popular ones do. Acira runs on Chromium and installs extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Of 26 we tested, 20 work, 4 work with limits and 2 don't yet.
Can I import my Chrome bookmarks and history?
Yes. Setup starts with import, and you can do it later in Settings › Import & export. Sign-ins do not come across.
Is Acira lighter than Chrome?
In our test on one Windows 11 PC, with the same ten real sites, Acira used 1,272 MB against Chrome's 1,596 MB. Chrome loads the ads Acira blocks, which is most of the gap.