Helium Overview
Helium is a privacy-first web browser for Mac, built on Chromium with every Google service dependency removed. It blocks ads, trackers, cookie banners, and third-party cookies by default, with no extensions needed. It makes zero web requests on first launch, and it collects no analytics or personal data. Helium supports the full Chrome Web Store extension library. It imports them automatically from your old browser. Download requests get anonymized too, so Google can't track what you install. Four layout options, including Frameless and Vertical Tabs, let you customize how the browser looks. A built-in !bangs feature routes a shortcut like !w straight to Wikipedia, skipping search results entirely. Tab hibernation saves memory and battery on tabs you aren't using. The whole project is free, open source, and currently in beta.
Why Choose Helium Mac App
Most browsers call themselves private, then quietly phone home anyway. Helium makes zero web requests on first launch. No analytics. No background pings without your consent. It's a Chromium browser with every Google service dependency stripped out, built around blocking ads and trackers by default.
It's currently in beta, so expect the occasional rough edge. A few real gaps exist too. There's no built-in password manager, by design, and no Widevine DRM support. Some streaming services won't play video because of that. Data sync between devices isn't available yet either. Development is crowdfunded directly by users, rather than funded through ads or data sales.
Key Features
- Blocks ads and trackers by default: removes ads, tracking scripts, cookie banners, and third-party cookies without any setup.
- Fingerprint protection: noises certain web APIs to make tracking and fingerprinting harder.
- Zero telemetry: collects no analytics, browsing history, or usage data of any kind.
- Full Chromium extension support: installs any Chrome Web Store extension, with anonymized download requests.
- Four layout options: switches between Classic, Compact, Vertical Tabs, and Frameless modes.
- Customizable toolbar and themes: adjusts toolbar layout and color theme to match your workflow.
- !bangs navigation: jumps directly to a site using one of 13,000-plus built-in shortcuts, bypassing search results.
- Tab hibernation: puts unused tabs to sleep to save memory and battery life.
- Split view and tab groups: manages multiple tabs side by side or organized into groups.
- MRU tab switching: cycles through tabs based on which you used most recently.
- Automatic updates: keeps the browser current on macOS without manual downloads.
- Fully open source: publishes every browser component publicly on GitHub.
Screenshots
What's New in Helium 0.18.2.1 version
- merge: update to chromium 154.0.8037.57
- revision: reset to 1
- ungoogled/unused-prefs: restore removed sync service factory
- helium/core/exclude-irrelevant-flags: update for m154
- utils/cipd: fetch esbuild for devtools
- patches: update for chromium 154.0.8037.57
- merge: update ungoogled-chromium to 154.0.8037.57
- Update to Chromium 154.0.8037.57
- helium/ui: fix centered address bar positioning on window resize
- helium/ui: adapt existing UI for immersive fullscreen on mac
- utils/clone: add --ignore-whitespace to gsutil.patch apply
Supported macOS Versions
Helium needs macOS 13 Ventura or later. It runs natively on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, and updates automatically once installed. Browsing normally is light work for any supported Mac. Keeping dozens of tabs open benefits from more RAM, though tab hibernation helps keep memory use down even with a lot of tabs sitting idle.
How to Download and Install Helium Mac?
Helium is also available for Windows and Linux. Installing it on Mac only takes a few steps.
- Click the Download button above to safely download the setup file.
- Open the downloaded file, then drag Helium into Applications.
- Launch it. If macOS shows a security prompt, open System Settings, then Privacy & Security, and click Open Anyway.
Import bookmarks and extensions from your current browser if prompted.
How to Use Helium Mac?
- Open Helium and let it import bookmarks and extensions from your previous browser.
- Pick a layout from Settings, choosing between Classic, Compact, Vertical, or Frameless.
- Type a !bang shortcut, like !w for Wikipedia, directly in the address bar to skip search results.
- Right-click a tab to hibernate it, group it, or move it into split view.
- Install any extension from the Chrome Web Store the same way you would in Chrome.
- Check Settings for toolbar, theme, and privacy options to fit your workflow.
Alternatives to Helium
Brave: Free, Chromium-based browser with built-in ad and tracker blocking, actively maintained.
Firefox: Free, open source browser with strong privacy protections and extensive customization options.
