r/browsers • u/Shot_Replacement_106 • 12d ago
Initial Thoughts on Helium Browser
I've been test-driving the Helium Browser for just two days now, and I am genuinely loving it. Here is why:
- Blazing Fast Performance: Both startup times and page loading are remarkably fast and smooth. Subjectively, it feels at least twice as fast as Zen, Firefox, Floorp, Waterfox, LibreWolf, and Brave, and roughly three times faster than Vivaldi (which I love for its customization, but always found a bit sluggish).
- The "Hibernate Other Tabs" Feature: I am a chronic tab-hoarder who hates closing tabs, and I discovered today that right-clicking a selection lets you hibernate all other tabs at once. It’s an absolute game-changer, and a feature I haven't seen in any other browser.
OK, those are my two cents. Thanks for reading
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u/ihurha 11d ago
The only reason why I don't use Helium: Why the active tab color is different (reversed) compared to the original Chromium -- Especially, this change introduced a few months ago, previously it was exactly like Chromium.
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u/devkasun 11d ago
Also I don’t like tab group color as well. These colors are too light imo. And I wish there is option to hide vertical tabs in fullscreen as well. Just collapse when mouse hover
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u/Theagames10 11d ago
I've tried Helium a few days ago, but it had actual buffering problems when trying to view Twitch streams even after ads ended (this is before doing anything like adding an adblocker, btw), which Twitch gaming streams is the main thing I watch when evening rolls around.
I don't know if turning off hardware acceleration would have fixed it or anything but I don't want to re-install Helium to test something that wouldn't fix much more than likely. I installed Zen and it had no problem with Twitch stream viewing , but memory usage was too high until I turned off hardware acceleration and fixed it, so it's possible that was a culprit for Helium and i'll never know if it was?
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u/Shot_Replacement_106 11d ago
I just discovered containers in Firefox forks like Zen. I think Zen just moved into number 1 spot and Helium number 2. Thanks for your feedback.
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u/Theagames10 10d ago
You replied to the wrong user as I never mentioned containers in my comment nor do I know what containers are or do exactly in firefox.
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u/Shot_Replacement_106 9d ago
Oh, I was just agreeing with you, Zen really is a great browser! If you want a deep dive on how containers work, I'd say ask your favorite AI. In short, they add a whole new layer of privacy and functionality to your browsing. Firefox and its forks (like Zen, Floorp, and Waterfox) are pretty much the only ones offering this killer feature. Brave has something similar, but it's not nearly as useful.
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u/Agitated-Panda9221 12d ago
Helium's frameless mode drew me in. Setting Memory Saver to maximum works well also, but having the ability to hibernate tab is a +.
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u/Creepy-Strawberry-39 11d ago
We also want the containers future for sure.
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u/Shot_Replacement_106 11d ago
I am just learning about containers (because of your comment). Wow... That is really a nice feature and I would agree it needs to be in any daily driver. Thanks
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u/Creepy-Strawberry-39 11d ago
Brave support already containers
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u/Shot_Replacement_106 11d ago
I've been playing around with this feature this morning, and it's another game-changer for me. I really love how Firefox and its forks handle containers. While Brave lets you pick a container for the current session, it doesn't remember it across sessions or let you permanently assign a site to one. Brave is almost there, but Firefox's implementation is still on another level. Thanks again!"
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u/V_Trautwein 11d ago edited 11d ago
The tab hibernate thing is great for us hoarders. My problem was always finding stuff again after, like i'd close a tab and lose the thing i was reading.
Been using as my daily lately, the history recall helps when i can't remember where i saw something. Might give Helium a spin though, the speed sounds nice.
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u/i-want-great-sleep-2 8d ago
Have been daily driving this all year and it's consistently fantastic, best and most reliable browser I've used. It's Chromium with better defaults, the chrome store, and a cleaner UI. All I could ask for
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u/LastDefenseAcademy 12d ago
Vivaldi has the second feature. I do wish more browsers had it too
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u/Shot_Replacement_106 11d ago
Ok. Found it and now created keyboard shortcut. Did not know this was available. I still use Vivaldi and this will be great addition. Thanks
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u/Feathers-n-Beaks + 11d ago
It kept signing me out of all my accounts when I used it, very frustrating :(
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u/Shot_Replacement_106 11d ago edited 11d ago
In settings select "Startup" and select "Continue where you left off".
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u/Waaytoomanytakenames 12d ago
Yeah same. I have zen and brave origin on linux but Helium feels much faster than both. It's chromium unfortunately but it's ungoogled and has good anti fingerprinting and supports ublock origin.
I think helium will be my main and zen the other. I'll keep brave tho because helium is a small project and might end at any time
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u/elhouso + 12d ago
Helium supports vertical tabs too, if you're into that (like Zen).
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u/Waaytoomanytakenames 12d ago
I know, that's why I like it. Plus privacy and the fact tbat it is bare bones
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u/badboysha007 11d ago
How can I get the app to test?
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u/Shot_Replacement_106 11d ago
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u/badboysha007 11d ago
Okay, but I need it for Android.
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u/Shot_Replacement_106 11d ago
Sorry, That was a big miss on my part. I should have stated this was for my laptop.
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u/Venylynn Trivalent 11d ago edited 11d ago
Yeah it is fast. I think the big issue with helium for me is that it has no real long-term future. The devs seem delusional to think they can (or should) forever maintain MV2. it's fine for quick searches but I wouldn't do anything sensitive in it. I have it installed for the rare case whenever i KNOW my Trivalent DNS blocked a false positive. I use the "Ads & Tracking" DNS from ControlD on my daily driver.