Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) is a framework for embedding Chromium-based browsers in other applications.
CEF addresses the challenge of integrating a full-featured web browser into native applications without requiring developers to navigate the complexity of the underlying Chromium and Blink codebase. It provides production-quality stable APIs and binary distributions tied to specific Chromium releases, insulating host applications from low-level implementation details. The framework includes C and C++ interfaces and supports close integration between the browser and host application, allowing control over resource loading, navigation, context menus, printing, and custom plugins or protocols.
CEF suits applications that need to embed HTML5-compliant web content, whether as a browser control within a native application, as the primary UI layer for a lightweight shell application, for off-screen rendering with custom drawing frameworks, or for automated testing of web properties. The framework is designed for both performance and ease of integration into new and existing applications. It supports multiple programming languages and operating systems, with default implementations providing rich functionality that typically requires minimal integration work.
The project maintains active engagement with its user community through a dedicated support forum and announcement channels. Development activity shows consistent attention to the codebase with regular updates and issue tracking. The framework has achieved substantial real-world adoption, with over one hundred million installed instances embedded across products from companies spanning diverse industries.
