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Source-backed analysis7

Review basis

Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.

7 reference sources

Information updated Nov 10, 2026

How we review
Microsoft Edge logo

Microsoft Edge Review

Microsoft's Chromium browser, built into Windows with Copilot integration

Editorial Team7.6/10Write the first review

By Official AppDuo editorial team · Updated

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • iOS
  • Android
Free · Free
Visit Microsoft Edge
Compare side by side
On this page

Decide at a glance

Our verdict

Edge suits Windows and Microsoft-ecosystem users who want a free cross-platform browser with Copilot and battery-saving tools. The trade-offs are Microsoft's record of criticism for pushing Edge as the default on Windows, and optional diagnostic data worth reviewing in settings.

Best for: Windows 10/11 users with a Microsoft account who want passwords, favorites and settings synced

Skip it if: Users who dislike default-browser prompts or ties to a Microsoft account

Pros

  • Free on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS
  • Built-in Copilot summarizes articles, PDFs and videos and answers questions about the current page, per the App Store listing
  • Energy Saver, Startup Boost and Sleeping Tabs; Microsoft claims an average 25 extra minutes of battery with Energy Saver

Cons

  • Criticized for pushing Edge inside Windows, such as blocking the EdgeDeflector workaround in November 2021 (per Wikipedia)
  • Optional diagnostic data can include sites visited, so users must opt out themselves if they prefer not to send it
All pros and cons · Who is it for?

Pros

  • The mobile app includes Tracking Prevention, AdBlock Plus and Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
  • Rated 4.8/5 on the Vietnam App Store and 4.7/5 on Google Play

Cons

  • Copilot Mode was experimental at launch, and TechCrunch wrote that how well it works in practice "remains to be seen"

Best for

  • People who want Copilot in the browser to summarize pages and compare tabs
  • Those who want a Chromium browser with extensions on both desktop and phone

Skip it if

  • People who still rely on Manifest V2 extensions such as legacy uBlock Origin

Problems it solves

Experience & key features

What Edge is

Microsoft Edge is a browser developed by Microsoft. Edge Legacy launched in 2015 and the Chromium-based version on 15 January 2020, per Wikipedia. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, and ships with Windows 11 and Windows 10 version 20H2 or later. According to Microsoft's release notes, the latest stable version at the time of research was 157, released on 5 November 2026.

Features and Copilot

The Edge page highlights Copilot working across tabs to compare options, syncing of passwords and favorites, and performance tools such as Energy Saver, Startup Boost and Sleeping Tabs. The App Store listing adds article and PDF summaries, Read Aloud, page translation, tab groups, extensions and Microsoft Defender SmartScreen. On 28 July 2025 Microsoft launched Copilot Mode, an experimental AI browsing mode; TechCrunch reported it was free at the time and views open tabs only with the user's permission.

Price and value

Edge is free and has no paid tier for the browser itself. The in-app purchases in the iOS app are Microsoft 365 plans, separate from Edge. On price it matches Chrome, Firefox and Brave, all of which are free.

More analysis

Privacy and controversies

Microsoft documents each kind of diagnostic data in detail and lets users turn off the optional data. Wikipedia nonetheless records criticism: Windows routes some links to Edge regardless of the default browser, Microsoft blocked EdgeDeflector in November 2021, and it showed prompts on Chrome's download page. Review privacy settings right after installing.

Compared with alternatives

Edge is built on Chromium like Chrome, so extension compatibility is strong. Chrome fits better if you live in a Google account; Edge fits better with Windows and Microsoft 365. People who put privacy first may prefer Firefox or Brave.

Screenshots

Edge for iPhone promotional screenshot from its App Store page
Edge for iPhone promotional screenshot from its App Store page
Second Edge screenshot on the App Store page
Second Edge screenshot on the App Store page
Third Edge screenshot on the App Store page
Third Edge screenshot on the App Store page

Plans & pricing

Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026

Microsoft Edge

Personal

Free

Free to download and use. Microsoft's Edge page lists no price and only notes "internet access required, fees may apply". The iOS app offers in-app purchases, but those are Microsoft 365 plans, not a browser fee.

Free plan limits
The browser is free. At the Copilot Mode launch on 28 July 2025, TechCrunch reported the feature was free at the time and still experimental.
Free trial
No free trial
Cancellation & refunds

Not applicable; the browser is free.

Privacy

Microsoft's privacy documentation splits diagnostic data into required (to keep Edge secure and up to date) and optional (sent only with permission, and can include the URLs and titles of pages visited). On Windows, diagnostic data carries an identifier unique to the device; it is aggregated, stripped of personal identifiers and kept for up to two years. Microsoft states that information about sites visited is never sent in InPrivate or Guest mode. With SmartScreen on, the file name and URL of downloads are sent to check reputation. For Copilot, if you allow use of page content, Edge sends the full browsing context only for public pages in the Bing index; page content is not stored, but conversation history is kept until you delete it. Synced autofill data is stored on encrypted Microsoft servers.

Microsoft Edge alternatives

Mozilla Firefox logo7.7/10

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla's open-source browser with tracker blocking on by default and its own Gecko engine

Open source
Google Chrome logo7.6/10

Google Chrome

The world's most-used browser, with data synced through your Google Account

Free
All alternatives

Frequently asked questions

Is Microsoft Edge free?

Yes. Microsoft's Edge page offers a download with no price listed. The iOS in-app purchases are optional Microsoft 365 plans.

Does Edge run on phones and macOS?

Yes. Per Wikipedia, Edge is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS/iPadOS. The App Store page lists iOS 18.0 or later for the current version.

Can I turn off diagnostic data sent to Microsoft?

You can turn off the optional data, including information about sites you visit. Required data (connectivity, configuration, software setup) stays on, according to Microsoft's privacy documentation.

Does InPrivate browsing send data about sites visited?

According to Microsoft's privacy documentation, information about websites you visit is never sent while browsing InPrivate or in Guest mode.

Review evidence & sources7

Scores

Ease of use
8.0
Why this score

A familiar Chromium-style interface, preinstalled on Windows and synced via a Microsoft account.

Features
8.5
Why this score

Copilot, Read Aloud, page translation, tab groups, extensions and SmartScreen put it level with top Chromium browsers.

Value for money
8.8
Why this score

Free on every platform with no paid tier for the browser; in-app purchases are Microsoft 365 plans only. On par with Chrome.

Performance
7.6
Why this score

Startup Boost, Sleeping Tabs and Energy Saver, and version 157 announces Accelerated App Launch on Windows 11. The 25-minute battery figure is Microsoft's claim, with no independent benchmark found.

Support
6.5
Why this score

Detailed Microsoft Learn documentation and per-version release notes; no direct Edge support channel for individual users was found.

Privacy & security
6.2
Why this score

Diagnostic data is documented in detail, and InPrivate and tracking prevention exist, but the Windows device identifier, optional data including URLs and default-browser pushing weigh on the score.

What users say

Sources

Specs & compatibility
Developer
Microsoft Corporation
Headquarters
United States
Launched
2015
Category
Utilities

Capabilities

  • AI features
  • Integrations
  • Mobile app

Platforms

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • iOS
  • Android

Interface languages

  • Vietnamese
  • English
  • Japanese
  • Chinese
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Korean
  • German
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Thai
  • Indonesian

Integrations

  • Microsoft account
  • Copilot
  • Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
  • Microsoft Rewards
  • Microsoft 365

Support

  • Help center

Change history

  1. Feature.Edge 157 stable: sign-in with an Apple account, an upgraded Copilot new tab page, and Accelerated App Launch support on Windows.
  2. Feature.Microsoft launched Copilot Mode, an experimental AI browsing mode.
  3. Update.The Canary channel began automatically disabling Manifest V2 extensions, affecting uBlock Origin.
Full change history (6)
  1. Feature.Microsoft announced a Bing Chat button (later Copilot) replacing Discover, along with a Fluent Design overhaul.
  2. Update.Microsoft blocked the EdgeDeflector workaround for choosing a different default browser for links in Windows.
  3. Launch.Chromium-based Edge released.
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