Helium

Helium is a privacy-focused Chromium desktop browser developed by imput. This package installs helium-browser from the imputnet/helium-macos project, rather than a different application called Helium. It is intended for people who want Chromium web compatibility and extensions with a compact interface, built-in content blocking and consent-based browser services.

Browsing and workspace tools

Helium provides multiple interface layouts, vertical tabs, tab groups, split view, customizable shortcuts and toolbar controls, web-app installs and tab hibernation. Built-in locally processed !bang shortcuts can route searches directly to supported destinations without first visiting a search-results page. It supports Chromium extensions and can import supported browser data. Review individual extension permissions: browser compatibility does not mean every extension is trustworthy or every extension service is free.

The browser builds on Chromium and ungoogled-chromium, with Google-service dependencies removed. It includes a Helium fork of uBlock Origin for content blocking. The product describes ad, tracker, cookie-banner and third-party-cookie blocking, plus measures that make fingerprinting harder. Such protections do not guarantee anonymity, eliminate all fingerprinting or conceal the identity you disclose when signing in to a website. Helium is not a bundled device-wide VPN.

Services, passwords and sync

The official website states that initial launch makes no web requests and that requests to Helium services require user consent. Those open-source services support items such as browser/component updates, !bangs and filter lists, and can be self-hosted. On macOS automatic updating operates when the relevant Helium services are enabled. Websites, extensions and external services still make their own connections under their own policies.

The website states that Helium does not include a built-in password manager; use a dedicated compatible password-manager extension if needed. It also says data sync is not yet generally supported. Version 0.18.3.1 includes sync backend and vault-checkpoint implementation changes, but those code changes do not establish a finished, generally available cloud sync service or account recovery guarantee. Keep appropriate independent copies of important bookmarks and profile data rather than assuming Google account sync is provided.

Installation and platform limitations

Install the helium-browser Homebrew Cask or download the official DMG for your Mac architecture and place the app in Applications. Version 0.18.3.1 has separate arm64 Apple Silicon and x86_64 Intel disk images. The recorded arm64 DMG is 113,248,820 bytes by official HTTP HEAD; this is download archive size, not installed disk use. The Cask requires macOS 13 or later, declares no extra runtime dependency and lists no explicit Cask conflict. Installing this prebuilt browser does not require compiling Chromium or installing developer build tools.

Windows and Linux editions are distributed from separate project repositories. The product is currently a desktop beta; unexpected issues may occur, and the website does not offer a mobile edition. The project states that Widevine DRM is unsupported, so some protected streaming services or media may not play. Choose another supported player/browser for services that require Widevine rather than assuming Chromium ancestry supplies that license.

You may choose to make Helium the default browser and import supported data after installation. Camera, microphone, location, downloads and file access depend on individual website requests and macOS/browser permissions. Installing the browser does not authorize every site. Profiles, extensions and imports can contain sensitive personal data; review what you migrate and which websites receive permissions.

License, accounts and costs

Helium is free software, supported by voluntary user sponsorship. Its own code, patches and modified contributions are licensed under GPL-3.0, while imported components retain their original licenses, including relevant Chromium and ungoogled-chromium notices. There is no required paid upgrade to remove browser ads and no required Google account to browse. Website subscriptions, extension services, password managers or self-hosted infrastructure can have separate fees and account requirements.

Privacy-oriented defaults do not make malicious downloads or untrusted extensions safe. Keep updates enabled according to your preferences and validate compatibility before replacing a browser used for critical workflows. Beta status and unsupported DRM are material limitations, separate from the browser's general Chromium extension support.

Official sources: Product and FAQ, Browser source, Mac packaging, Mac releases, GPL license.