Brave is a free, open-source web browser built on Chromium — the same engine that powers Google Chrome. It is developed by Brave Software and available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Most of its privacy features work out of the box with no account, no configuration, and no extensions required.
Brave Shields
Every page you visit passes through Brave Shields, the browser's built-in content filter. By default it blocks third-party ads, cross-site trackers, fingerprinting scripts, and cookie consent banners. You can see a count of what was blocked on any given page by clicking the Shields icon in the address bar. Shields can be adjusted or turned off on a per-site basis.
Private windows with Tor
In addition to standard private browsing, Brave offers a private window routed through the Tor network. Tor routes your connection through a series of relays, making it harder for websites, internet providers, or network observers to connect your traffic to your IP address. This is a different use case than a VPN — it prioritizes anonymity over speed.
The Tor option is built in on desktop. It does not require downloading the Tor Browser separately.
Brave Search
Brave includes its own search engine, Brave Search, which runs on an independent index rather than pulling results from Google or Bing. It does not track searches or build user profiles. It can be set as the default search engine during setup or changed in settings.
Brave Rewards
Brave includes an optional advertising system called Brave Rewards. Users who opt in see a small number of privacy-respecting ads and earn Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) in return. This feature is off by default and unrelated to the browser's core privacy functions.
What it does not cover
Brave Shields blocks cross-site trackers but does not prevent first-party tracking by the sites you visit directly. The browser includes a VPN as a paid add-on (separate from the free features). Tor windows are slower than standard browsing by design.
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