Difference between Incognito Mode and Guest Mode

Google Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers and is widely used by many people. Google Chrome offers various features that enhance user experience and privacy. For privacy, Google provides two modes, Incognito mode and Guest mode. Both modes prevent the browser from saving the history, passwords, cookies and more. But there are some differences. Understanding the difference between Incognito mode and Guest mode is important for users to manage their privacy effectively.

What is Incognito Mode in Google Chrome?

Incognito mode is a private browsing in Google Chrome. It allows users to access browser data without storing their browser history, cookies and passwords. Once you browse using incognito mode, all your data are stored and if you close the window, every browsing history is deleted. Incognito mode doesn’t treat you as a secret user. Websites, network administrators and ISPs can see your browsing history.

How to use Incognito Mode?

The steps to use incognito mode are as follows:

Step 1: Open Google Chrome
Step 2: Click on three dots in the top-right corner of the window.
Step 3: Click on “New incognito window”.
Step 4: Now, your incognito mode starts.

Benefits of Incognito mode

• Private browsing: When you don’t want other websites to track you or while searching for private information, incognito mode is useful.
• Page view Limit: Using incognito mode allows one to view several free articles without any limit.
• No cookies: Once the incognito window is closed, all the cookies get deleted.

What is Guest Mode in Google Chrome?

Guest mode in Google allows multiple users to use Chrome on your device without having access to each of your data. In Guest mode, you will not share browsing data, bookmarks, settings and more with another guest. Guest mode doesn’t save browsing history, passwords, cookies or any browsing data. The guest mode also does not offer full privacy. ISP, network administrators can have access to your data.

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How to use Guest mode?

The steps are given below;

Step 1: Open Google Chrome
Step 2: Click on your profile at the top-right corner of the window.
Step 3: The “Guest” option will appear. Click it.
Step 4: A new window will open which is the Guest mode.

Benefits of Guest Mode

• Privacy for Guest: If you need to use someone else computer, you can use Guest mode so that your browsing history will be safe.
• Public computer: When using a public computer (computers in the library, café), you can use guest mode.
• No account access: Guests can’t access each other’s browsing history, bookmarks or passwords.
• You can use guest mode to test extensions.

Difference between Incognito mode and Guest mode

Feature	Incognito Mode	Guest Mode
Cookies	Deleted when incognito window is closed	Deleted when incognito window is closed
Third-party cookies	Blocked by Default	Blocked by Default
Passwords	Can not save passwords	Can not save passwords
Browsing History	Aren’t saved	Aren’t saved
Bookmarks	Can access and save bookmarks	Can’t access and save bookmarks
Extensions	Can be accessed	Can not be accessed
Privacy	Not fully private	Not fully private
Search Engine	Can’t change default search engine	Can change default search engine
Windows and Tabs	Can open multiple incognito tabs	Can open multiple guest tabs

Conclusion

Both incognito and guest mode allow you to browse privately. Incognito mode is for an individual who wants to browse privately within their profile while Guest mode is developed for multiple users. When you need to keep your data secure, you can use both of these modes. There is no more difference between incognito mode and guest mode but from the above given points, you can differentiate some points. So, choose the mode that is best for you.

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