Chrome App or Chrome Extension, What Is The Difference?

Chrome App, Chrome Extension, What The Heck Is The Difference Anyway?

Chrome is a powerful browser, one that we love using here at Dotto Tech. One of the main reasons we love it is the functionality that can be built right into the browser itself. Regardless of which browser you use you’ll have a multitude of different add-ons and extensions to add to the functionality. When it comes to add-ons, Chrome has a couple of various options for increasing functionality, Apps, and Extensions. While similar at first glance there are great differences to discuss. Both the Apps and Extensions are found in the Chrome store and are not clearly identified to which one it is.  Once you click the “+Add To Chrome” button, you will then be able to tell whether it is an extension or an app.

Chrome Extensions

Browser extensions can be downloaded for a particular purpose which is used when you are operating your browser. In essence, extensions can modify the way your browser functions. Extensions can block pop-up ads, save content from the sites you visit.  Once installed they will run in the background of your browser while you are online, you must be connected to the web for the extension to work. You can access your extension right on your browser bar. To manage the extensions, you do that online as well by going into Chrome > Preferences >Extensions on the menu bar.

Chrome Apps

Chrome Apps operate differently than the extensions. While they are downloaded from the Chrome store, they are installed onto your computer operating system, not your online browser. They run as an application running on your computer. If you are on a Mac or have an iPhone, think of the App store. When you download something from the App store, it is installed on your device and launched by going to your applications menu, these are the same, just downloaded and installed from the Chrome store. To manage the apps is by going clicking right on the Apps icon on your browser. This will showcase all installed Chrome Apps. You can then right-click over the app you want to manage, and a menu of options will showcase. Hopefully, this clears things up a bit and explains the differences in a manner that will help you best utilize both the apps and extension. Until next time, have fun stormin’ the castle!