Jaal vs Chrome: Alternative With Encrypted Sync
Jaal vs Google Chrome
Choose Chrome if you depend on Chrome Web Store extensions, need a mobile browser on every phone, or want the most widely tested browser. Choose Jaal if you want your browser tied to an Ulkaa account instead of a Google one, with passwords that are end-to-end encrypted by default.
Learn more about UlkaaWhich one should you choose
Choose Jaal if
- Passwords and passkeys are encrypted end to end by default, not as an opt-in.
- Automatic sign-in to Ulkaa sites, and an account that is not tied to Google.
- Sync and send tab are free, and usage analytics are opt-in counters with no URLs.
Choose Google Chrome if
- The Chrome Web Store: Jaal has no WebExtensions support at all, only userscripts.
- Desktop builds for Windows, macOS and Linux, plus Chrome on phones and tablets.
- Chrome’s own engine, where Jaal uses Qt WebEngine, which follows Chrome’s releases with a delay.
- An optional sync passphrase to encrypt all synced Chrome data with your own secret.
Jaal vs Google Chrome, feature by feature
Numbered marks link to the public page each competitor fact came from.
| Feature | Jaal | Google Chrome |
|---|---|---|
| Account and sync | ||
| Sign in with | Your Ulkaa account | Your Google Account[1] |
| Sync bookmarks, history and settings | Yes | Yes[1] |
| Synced history | Up to 20,000 newest entries, 90 days | Only web addresses typed in the address bar[1] |
| End-to-end encrypted password syncJaal stores only ciphertext on the server and keeps the sync key wrapped. | Yes | Optional: choose your own sync passphrase[1] |
| Send a tab to another device | Yes | Yes[2] |
| Automatic sign-in to Ulkaa sites | Yes | No |
| Extensions and customisation | ||
| Extension store | No WebExtensions; Greasemonkey-style userscripts | Chrome Web Store[3] |
| Userscripts and userstyles | Yes | Through extensions[3] |
| Import from other browsersJaal reads Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, Firefox and Safari data, with a CSV fallback for passwords, and imports bookmark HTML files. | Yes | Yes[5] |
| Platforms and price | ||
| Desktop platforms | Windows verified; Linux and macOS build in CI | Windows, macOS and Linux[4] |
| Mobile browser appJaal is a desktop browser. | No | Yes[4] |
| Price | Free | Free[4] |
| Public releaseJaal is available as a desktop browser. | Desktop installer | Yes |
Pricing side by side
Jaal
Jaal
FreeSync is free with an Ulkaa account
- Ulkaa sign-in per browser profile, with automatic sign-in to Ulkaa sites
- Sync of bookmarks, history, settings, open tabs and send tab
- End-to-end encrypted passwords and passkeys
- Imports bookmarks, history and passwords from Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, Firefox and Safari
Google Chrome
Google Chrome
FreeNo charge to download and use
- Sync with a Google Account
- Chrome Web Store extensions
- Desktop and mobile
Switching from Google Chrome
- On first run, use the import wizard and choose Chrome. Jaal reads your bookmarks, history and search engines directly.
- Passwords are read directly where Jaal can decrypt them; otherwise use the CSV fallback.
- To move bookmarks by hand, export them from Chrome (More > Bookmarks and lists > Bookmark Manager > More > Export Bookmarks), which produces an HTML file, then import that file in Jaal’s bookmark manager.
- Sign in to Jaal with your Ulkaa account and turn on sync for the data types you want.
- Extensions do not carry over: Jaal has no WebExtensions support, so check that nothing you depend on is an extension first.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jaal a good Chrome alternative?
If you mostly browse, sync bookmarks and passwords, and do not rely on Chrome extensions, yes. If your workflow needs extensions, Chrome remains the better fit, because Jaal does not support them.
Can I import Chrome bookmarks into Jaal?
Yes. Jaal imports directly from Chrome on first run, or you can export Chrome’s bookmarks as an HTML file and import that.
How is Jaal’s password sync different from Chrome’s?
Jaal encrypts passwords and passkeys on your device before they leave it, so the Ulkaa server stores only ciphertext. Chrome offers an optional passphrase that encrypts synced data with your own secret.
Does Jaal need a Google account?
No. Each profile signs in with an Ulkaa account, or you can browse without one, including as a guest.
Can I download Jaal now?
Yes. Jaal is available as a desktop browser. Sign in with your Ulkaa account to sync.
Does Jaal use the Chrome engine?
It uses Qt WebEngine, which is Chromium-based but follows Chrome’s releases with a delay. Jaal makes no claim to be faster or more secure than Chrome.
Sources
- Chrome Help: sync bookmarks, passwords and more
- Chrome Help: share tabs
- Chrome Web Store Help: install extensions
- Chrome Help: download and install
- Chrome Help: export bookmarks
Competitor information last verified . Prices and features change; check Google Chrome's site for the latest.
Google Chrome is a trademark of Google LLC. Ulkaa is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by Google LLC.
Try Jaal
Jaal is a desktop browser that signs in with your Ulkaa account and syncs bookmarks, history and encrypted passwords. Compare it with Chrome, Edge and more.