Browse faster, safer, and more privately by default
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919 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free, no paid tier
Biggest pro
Significantly improves browsing speed and reduces data usage by blocking ads and trackers.
Biggest con
Some users may find the integrated crypto features unnecessary or complex.
TL;DR - Brave
- Blocks ads and trackers by default for faster, private browsing.
- Includes a private search engine, AI assistant, and device-wide VPN.
- Offers a self-custody crypto wallet and rewards for privacy-preserving ads.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
4.6/5 across review platforms
What is Brave?
Brave is a web browser designed to prioritize user privacy, security, and speed by blocking unwanted ads and trackers by default. It offers a cleaner, faster browsing experience by eliminating intrusive content and protecting users from cross-site tracking and fingerprinting. Built on the open-source Chromium project, Brave enhances the core security of Chromium with numerous privacy-focused modifications, ensuring user data remains private and is not collected or shared.
Beyond its core browsing capabilities, Brave integrates a suite of privacy-enhancing tools, including a private search engine, a built-in AI assistant, a Firewall + VPN for device-wide protection, and a self-custody crypto wallet. It aims to provide a comprehensive, user-centric web experience that empowers individuals with control over their data and online interactions, making it ideal for anyone seeking a more secure, efficient, and private alternative to traditional browsers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Significantly improves browsing speed and reduces data usage by blocking ads and trackers.
- Offers comprehensive privacy protection features enabled by default, including fingerprint randomization and advanced partitioning.
- Integrates a wide range of tools like a private search engine, AI assistant, VPN, and crypto wallet directly into the browser.
- Allows users to earn cryptocurrency (BAT) for viewing privacy-respecting ads and support content creators.
Cons
- Some users may find the integrated crypto features unnecessary or complex.
- While compatible with Chrome extensions, some niche extensions might not function identically.
- The default ad-blocking can sometimes interfere with website functionality, requiring manual adjustments.
Ratings Across the Web
4.6(919 reviews)
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Preview
Key Features
Ad and tracker blocking (Brave Shields)Brave Search (private, independent search engine)Built-in AI assistant (Leo AI)Firewall + VPN for device-wide protectionBrave Wallet (self-custody crypto wallet)Brave Rewards (earn BAT for privacy-preserving ads)Private Tor windowsCookie consent blocking
Pricing Plans
Free TrialPricing checked Jun 13, 2026
Brave VPN
$9.99 / month
- Access content anywhere
- Protect up to 10 devices
- Unlimited with speeds up to 500mbps
- Desktop, Android, & iOS
- No logs policy
- Independent software & infrastructure audits
Search premium
$3.00 / month
- Support private, independent search
- See search results ad-free
- Get a cleaner view on all results pages
Leo AI premium
$14.99 / month
- Access to industry-leading LLMs
- Higher rate limits
- Early access to new features
Talk premium
$7.00 / month
- Call recordings
- Participant muting & passcodes
- Groupwatch for YouTube
How Brave's pricing compares
At $3/mo, Brave is the most affordable of its 2 direct competitors.
Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Jun 13, 2026.
Reviews
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4.6/5
Across 919 verified user reviews on G2, Capterra, SourceForge
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Brave FAQ
How does Brave's ad-blocking differ from browser extensions?
Brave's ad-blocking, known as Brave Shields, is built directly into the browser's core, providing a more integrated and efficient blocking mechanism than most extensions. It blocks ads, trackers, and fingerprinting by default, without requiring additional installations or configurations, and often results in faster page loads and better privacy protection.
Can Brave protect my online activity outside of the browser itself?
Yes, Brave offers a Firewall + VPN service that protects all applications on your entire device, not just your browsing activity within the Brave browser. This service encrypts all connections across up to 5 devices, including Android, iOS, and desktop.
What is Brave Search and how does it ensure privacy?
Brave Search is a private, independent search engine built on its own index of the Web. It ensures privacy by not profiling users, collecting personal data, or prioritizing ads over relevant results. It also includes a powerful AI-answer engine and is available in multiple languages.
How does Brave handle syncing data like bookmarks and passwords across multiple devices?
Brave Sync encrypts your browsing data, including bookmarks, passwords, and history, at the client (device) level before it ever leaves your device. This means your synced data is hidden from Brave and more secure, as it's encrypted between each client in the sync chain.
Does Brave allow me to earn cryptocurrency, and how does that work?
Yes, Brave Rewards allows users to opt-in to view privacy-preserving ads and earn Basic Attention Tokens (BAT). These tokens can then be used to support content creators, redeem for gift cards, or convert to other cryptocurrencies, providing a new model for valuing user attention online.
How does Brave address the privacy concerns associated with Google's Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)?
Brave actively works to circumvent AMP (a process called "DeAMPing") by automatically loading the real, canonical version of a webpage instead of the Google-controlled AMP version. This prevents Google from gaining broader insights into user browsing behavior and ensures users interact directly with the original content.
What kind of AI capabilities are integrated into the Brave browser?
Brave includes a built-in AI assistant called Leo AI. This assistant can provide answers, generate content, summarize pages, and perform other AI-powered tasks directly within the browser, enhancing productivity and information access without compromising privacy.
Is Brave compatible with extensions from the Chrome Web Store?
Yes, Brave is built on the Chromium open-source project, which means it is compatible with most extensions available in the Chrome Web Store. Users can install and use their favorite extensions, including those that rely on MV2, while still benefiting from Brave's privacy and security features.
Source: brave.com