GoKawiilBrave is a Chromium-based browser that blocks ads, fingerprinting, and ad-trackers by default, and is one of my favorite browsers overall -- and my top choice if privacy, combined with user-friendliness, is paramount.
Why we like it: Brave has millions of users worldwide. The company removed Google code from its Chromium version to improve user privacy, including some account integration, background sync, and inline extensions.
Brave also has several privacy-enhancing settings, including blocking third-party ad trackers, upgrading unsecured HTTPS connections, and blocking cookies and fingerprinting. The company says that disabling invasive ads and trackers improves loading times on desktop and mobile devices.
Brave operates a "Tor mode" that provides anonymized onion network routing. The browser developer offers a VPN and firewall service that protects sessions, even outside the browser, and an AI-based search engine.
The company's business model relies on ads that pay publishers and users when users pay attention to adverts, but it isn't imposed on users. Brave is transparent about this revenue stream.
Also: 10 common dangers VPNs won't protect you from online - and how to avoid them
As of version 1.68, Brave became the first iOS browser to automatically attempt to upgrade all sites to HTTPS by default. In version 1.75 on desktop, users can add their own scriptlets to a page, which Brave says "allows for better control over [their] browsing experience." You can also block annoying elements with a tap on Android, and the Leo AI companion roadmap has been published, outlining the tool's latest developments.
Recently, Brave said its OpenClaw API has been installed around 700,000 times, and its interesting Shred feature, a way to delete website data that could be used to identify users, has now been rolled out on the Android platform.
Who it's for: Many users say the browser exceeds their expectations, although others find some functionality, such as VPN connectivity, could be improved. I enjoy using Brave, but it takes some time to get used to, especially if you're using Chrome or Edge. Still, it's one of the better secure browser options on the market.
If you don't mind a reasonable learning curve, Brave is for you.
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