Chromodo Review: Enhanced Chrome-like Browser Offering Secure Web Sessions

very good
key review info
application features
  • Comodo Secure DNS for malware domain filtering options
  • (5 more, see all...)

Chromodo is a web browser based on Chromium engine, benefiting from and offering the same technologies as Google Chrome. It packs all of Chrome’s features and adds several enhancements of its own which focus on security. 

Chromodo can be downloaded for free, just like Chrome. It can be deployed on Windows 8, 7, Vista, and XP. It is compatible with Chrome extensions, allows the importing of Chrome data (e.g. cookies, history, passwords), adopts Chrome’s looks, and lets you sign in via your Google Account.

Up to this point it looks like a Chrome clone. What actually sets this browser apart from Google’s web browser is its strong emphasis placed upon securing your web sessions. It offers support for Domain Validation technology in order to detect good SSL certificates from bad ones, and stops cookies and other online threats.

Chromodo is designed by Comodo Group, a software company most notably known for its antivirus program, Comodo Internet Security. In addition to that, you may have come across some other products developed by it, such as Comodo Dragon (another Chromium-based web browser with improved security features), Comodo IceDragon (Firefox-based web browser that focuses on privacy issues), and Comodo System Utilities Free.

Installation tweaks

By default, Chromodo comes packed with two extensions designed to strengthen security against web-based threats, namely Comodo Web Inspector and AdSanitizer.

In case you want to make the browser portable and store it on pen drives, you may create a portable version during the installation process (user profile is stored in destination folder).

Information can be imported from Chrome, namely history, favorites, autofill data, cookies, search engines, homepage, extensions, passwords, and startup pages. Plus, you can set Chromodo as your default browser and update your existing Chrome shortcuts (placed on your desktop or quick launch bar) to launch Chromodo.

While Adobe Flash Player is integrated with Google Chrome directly and enabled by default, Chromodo asks you to manually download and install it.

Intuitive GUI and familiar features

Chromodo looks the same as Chrome so it does not bring anything new to the table when it comes to design. Actually, if you place them side-by-side, you may not be able to differentiate them, except for the icon which is worth putting the bet on.

Ad Sanitizer reveals the number of blocked threats since browser startup
Ad Sanitizer reveals the number of blocked threats since browser startup

You can work in the same multi-tabbed environment as Chrome, surf on the Internet without leaving traces behind using the incognito mode, access a download and bookmark manager, view a history with accessed webpages, clear browsing data, set up extensions, and set the search engine.

What’s more, you can personalize the looks of the web browser with themes which can be downloaded from Chrome web store. Advanced settings which are present in Google’s web browser are also included in Chromodo. You may manage passwords and forms, configure HTTPS/SSL certificates, use hardware acceleration when available, and pick the download location.

A comprehensive online help manual is available in case you want to find out more about the application’s features and configuration parameters.

Privacy settings

Chromodo comes packed with several configuration settings which cannot be found in Chrome. You may start the browser in incognito mode and suppress HTTP referrer head in order do not allow websites to know where you came from. Plus, you may enable malware domain filtering options (Comodo Secure DNS).

Chrome’s advanced privacy settings are not left aside. They are still present in Chromodo and give you the possibility to enable phishing and malware protection, prefetch resources to load pages more quickly, use a web service in order to resolve navigation errors, and send a ‘Do Not Track’ request with your browsing traffic. What’s missing in Chromodo and is featured in Chrome is the option to use a web service to resolve spelling errors.

Extensions that secure your browsing sessions

Chromodo comes packed with several extensions, which are enabled by default, and are meant to protect you against all sorts of online threats. Extensions are embedded in the toolbar just as in Chrome.

Ad Sanitizer is an extension created by Comodo for stopping websites tracking your online activity. Websites may gather information about your browsing habits for advertising purposes. In a worst case scenario, sensitive information like bank accounts may be stolen.

Ad Sanitizer is able to automatically detect and block processes that want to create a profile of your online browsing habits. It reveals the number of blocked threats since browser startup, ad networks (third-party advertisements), as well as scripts and widgets. You may also allow user-defined websites to bypass scanning by adding them to an exclusion list.

Scan webpages for malware or other online threats
Scan webpages for malware or other online threats

Web Inspector is an extension that is able to scan websites for malware using a web inspector. It takes a single click on its icon in order to run a scan of the current website for malicious activities and malware behavior. At the end of the scan, a report is shown with details about the status of the current site (e.g. suspicious, high risk), chart with the scan results, general info (e.g. domain, IP address, country), and threats (e.g. phishing, malware downloads, backdoors, Trojans, backdoors).

Additional extensions

Comodo Drag&Drop Service is an extension that lets you make use of drag-and-drop actions for any selected text, image, link, or another element. If you drag and drop data to the left side of the browser, you get to share information on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, or another online platform. If you perform the same action but direct it to the right side of the GUI, you can perform searches on Wikipedia or YouTube, or translate data. You can manually set the share and search websites.

Comodo Media Downloader helps with downloading media content from the Internet and allows you to choose between several preset output profiles (e.g. MP4, FLV, 3GP), while Comodo Share Page Service lets you share links on Facebook, Twitter, or other custom online social networks. 


The Good

Chromodo provides an intuitive browsing environment that does not take a lot of time to get used to working with it. If you are a Chrome user, the layout will look very familiar. The browser wins extra points for its enhanced security options and extensions that offer protection against online threats. It eats up from a low up to a moderate amount of CPU and memory resources. 

The Bad

A confusing aspect which remains still under the question mark is the close resemblance between Chromodo and Comodo Dragon. Comodo Dragon is another browser designed by Comodo which provides the same features as Chromodo. It only looks a bit different in terms of appearance but nothing more. They both feature the security and privacy options offered via Domain Validation technology.

The Comodo Media Downloader extension did not perform well in our tests. We have tested it on Windows 8.1 Pro and come across some errors. 

The Truth

To make a long story short, Chromodo can be used by a wide audience which integrates rookies and professionals alike. It is ideal for users who love working with Chromium technologies and are interested in adding an extra layer of security to their online browsing sessions. 

user interface 5
features 4
ease of use 4
pricing / value 5


final rating 4
Editor's review
very good
 
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Chromodo (20 Images)

You can create a portable version of the program during installationChromodo lets you import data from ChromeThe GUI is identical to Chrome’s layoutYou can easily share links with the integrated extensionYou may download media content via the built-in extension
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