19 rules in 6 groups, worth 100 points in all. They were set before any product was scored and apply the same way to all 12.
Version 1, published 8 Oct 2026
In short
Each rule is a yes-or-no fact, a list (such as the systems with an app) or a number with published thresholds, read from the vendor's own pages.
A fact the vendor does not publish earns nothing. A feature in beta or preview does not count.
The list follows the points. A tie goes to the lower price on "cost to use", then to the name.
Desktop web browsers for individuals that run on Windows (an official Windows build is a condition for being listed). Mobile-only, enterprise-only and kiosk browsers are left out. "In settings" counts only features that ship with the browser; other lines say what counts.
Systems 8 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Other systems
An official browser for each system, listed on the vendor's download page. Windows is a condition for being listed. Each one earns 2 points.
8
Privacy and security 37 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Blocks trackers by default
A vendor page says the browser blocks known third-party trackers or cross-site cookies in its default settings, with no extension.
8
Built-in ad blocker
The browser blocks ads, not only trackers, with a content blocker that ships inside the browser: its own feature, or an ad-blocking extension the vendor preinstalls and turns on. It may be on by default or switched on in settings. An extension you must find and install yourself does not count.
5
Fingerprinting protection
A vendor page documents built-in protection against browser fingerprinting, such as blocking, randomising or standardising the values sites can read.
7
Built-in VPN or proxy
A VPN or encrypted proxy that protects the browser's own traffic and is switched on inside the browser (toolbar, address bar or settings), free or paid. A system-wide VPN app or service does not count, even if the browser links to it or the same vendor sells it.
3
Open source
The source code of the browser itself is public under an open-source licence. Publishing only the engine it is built on (Chromium, Gecko) does not count; publishing the vendor's own browser repository does.
5
Public bug bounty
A public bug bounty programme that lists this browser in scope, run by the vendor or on a platform such as HackerOne or Bugcrowd. A programme that covers only the upstream engine does not count for a fork.
4
Phishing and malware warnings
A vendor page says the browser warns about known phishing or malware sites by default.
5
Sync and sign-in 22 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Free sync across devices
A built-in sync that keeps bookmarks, open tabs and settings in step across at least two devices once you sign in, and the vendor shows no fee for it.
6
End-to-end encrypted sync
A vendor page says synced data can be end-to-end encrypted, by default or with a passphrase you set, or that only you hold the decryption key, so the vendor cannot read it.
8
Built-in password manager
The browser saves and fills passwords with a built-in feature that needs no extension.
3
Saves passkeys
The browser can create and store passkeys in its own password manager and sign you in with them, in the Windows version.
5
Extensions 12 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Chrome Web Store extensions
The vendor says you can install extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
6
Manifest V2 extensions still work
The vendor documents that extensions built on Manifest V2, including content blockers, still install and run in the current release. A named list of supported extensions counts.
6
Tabs and tools 16 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Vertical tabs
Tabs can be shown in a vertical list or sidebar with a built-in setting.
4
Tab groups
You can group tabs, name them and collapse them, with a built-in feature.
4
Built-in page translation
The browser translates whole web pages with a built-in feature that needs no extension. Downloading a language model inside the browser counts.
4
Separate profiles
You can keep several profiles with their own bookmarks, history and logins in one install.
4
Price 5 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Cost to use
The cheapest price to use the browser on Windows, for one person, in US dollars a month, billed yearly. A free browser counts as $0. Optional paid add-ons such as a VPN are not counted. $0 earns 5 points, $3 or less 3, $6 or less 1.