Systems8 of 8
Privacy and security34 of 37
Sync and sign-in17 of 22
Extensions12 of 12
Tabs and tools8 of 16
Price5 of 5
web browser · Brave Software
Brave
Free Chromium-based browser that blocks ads, trackers and fingerprinting by default.
In short
- Brave is free to use, with browsers for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS1,2.
- Shields are on for every site by default and block third-party ads, trackers, cookies and storage3.
- Sync data is encrypted on your device, and only you hold the decryption key5,11.
- Four Manifest V2 extensions are supported: uBlock Origin, uMatrix, NoScript and AdGuard10.
- The browser code is public on GitHub under MPL-2.06.
Brave suits people who want ad, tracker and fingerprinting protection without adding extensions, and who still want Chrome Web Store add-ons3,9. Only you hold the Sync decryption key5. The catch: its VPN is a paid add-on that covers the whole device, not just the browser, and passkey storage is not documented on its feature or privacy pages4,5.
Best for: People who want privacy protections on from the first launch.
Where the points come from
Systems 8 of 8 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Other systems | macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidDownload page lists Linux, macOS and Windows, plus Android and iOS versions2. | 8 / 8 |
Privacy and security 34 of 37 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Blocks trackers by default | YesShields are on by default; Standard mode blocks third-party trackers, cookies and storage3. | 8 / 8 |
| Built-in ad blocker | YesShields, built into the browser, block third-party ads by default3,4. | 5 / 5 |
| Fingerprinting protection | YesBrave says it protects against tracking based on your browser fingerprint by default3. | 7 / 7 |
| Built-in VPN or proxy | NoBrave VPN is a paid subscription that covers every app on the device, so it is not a browser-only VPN1. | 0 / 3 |
| Open source | YesBrave Core, the changes that make the Brave browser, is public on GitHub under MPL-2.06. | 5 / 5 |
| Public bug bounty | YesThe security.txt file links a HackerOne bounty policy; a news report describes a bug reported through Brave's bounty7,8. | 4 / 4 |
| Phishing and malware warnings | YesBrave alerts you if a site shows evidence of phishing, malware or other bad intent3. | 5 / 5 |
Sync and sign-in 17 of 22 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Free sync across devices | YesSync covers bookmarks, history, open tabs, settings and passwords across devices; no fee shown5,11. | 6 / 6 |
| End-to-end encrypted sync | YesOnly you have the decryption key, which is stored on your devices; Sync v2 keeps data encrypted on the client5,11. | 8 / 8 |
| Built-in password manager | YesThe features page names a built-in password manager4. | 3 / 3 |
| Saves passkeys | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's features or privacy pages4,5. | 0 / 5 |
Extensions 12 of 12 points
Tabs and tools 8 of 16 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical tabs | YesThe features page lists vertical tabs for organising tabs4. | 4 / 4 |
| Tab groups | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's features page, which mentions only 'grouping' under vertical tabs4. | 0 / 4 |
| Built-in page translation | YesBuilt-in webpage translation; the privacy policy says it runs on desktop and Android4,5. | 4 / 4 |
| Separate profiles | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's features page4. | 0 / 4 |
Price 5 of 5 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to use | $0Brave says it is completely free to use1. | 5 / 5 |
The rule behind each line: how we score web browsers.
Plans and prices
As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.
| Plan | Price as listed | Per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brave browser1 person | Free1,2 | $0 | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS; paid VPN and other add-ons are optional |
Brave sells optional paid products, including a firewall and VPN subscription and a paid browser version called Brave Origin. We price the free browser1.
Strengths
- Shields block third-party ads and trackers by default, with fingerprinting and cookie protection3.
- Extensions from the Chrome Web Store work in Brave9.
- Brave supports four named Manifest V2 extensions, including uBlock Origin10.
- Sync encrypts data on the device, and only you hold the decryption key5,11.
- Brave Core source is public under MPL-2.06.
Limits
- Brave VPN is a separate subscription that protects the whole device, so it does not count as a built-in browser VPN1.
- Manifest V2 support covers only four named extensions, not all older ones10.
- The Register reported in 2021 that Brave's Tor mode leaked onion addresses to regular DNS servers8.
- Brave's feature page does not document passkeys, profiles or named tab groups4.
Concerns on record
- In February 2021 The Register reported that Brave's Tor mode sent .onion lookups to regular DNS servers; the bug came through Brave's HackerOne bounty and Brave shipped a fix in stable version 1.208.
What Brave Software says
Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.
- Brave says that by default it has the strongest privacy protections of any popular browser3.
Other web browsers
- 2
Mozilla FirefoxPeople who want open-source code, tracker blocking and sync that Mozilla cannot read80/100$0cost to use - 3
Microsoft EdgeWindows users who want tracker blocking by default and Chrome extensions73/100Not publishedcost to use - 4
Google ChromePeople who want the Chrome Web Store and sync across Windows, Mac, Linux and phones66/100$0cost to use - 5
VivaldiPeople who want to customise their tabs, sidebar and layout65/100$0cost to use
Brave vs Mozilla Firefox · Brave vs Microsoft Edge · All 12 web browsers
Sources
- Brave browser home page, Brave Software. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Download Brave, Brave Software. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Brave Shields, Brave Software. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Brave features, Brave Software. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Brave browser privacy policy, Brave Software. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- brave/brave-core, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Brave security.txt, Brave Software. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Security in brief, The Register. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Can I use extensions in Brave?, Brave Software. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- What to do if your Chrome extension is no longer supported, Brave Software. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Brave Sync v2, Brave Software. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Website: brave.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Brave Software.