Questions like ‘Is Brave Browser safe,’ have become quite common. As many people are looking for browsers that respect their privacy over and above everything else.
Although Brave is developed on the Chromium platform like Chrome. It sets itself apart with enhanced privacy capabilities and the promise of anonymity.
In this article, therefore, we will be comparing Brave security features against what Chrome has to offer. In an endeavor to know which browser is more secure.
What is Brave Browser?
Brave Browser is an open-source web browser which is completely free and focuses heavily on the protection of the anonymity of its users.
As a Chromium-based browser developed by Brave Software, Inc., this tool disables ads and trackers, improving browsing performance and users’ anonymity.
Among other things, it boasts of its own built-in Brave Search. A private search engine that does not collect any data about users’ actions.
Also, it has an interesting integrated rewarding system. In which users receive Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) for interacting with privacy-friendly advertisements.
It comes with an ad blocker, a VPN, and a crypto-wallet. These are to boost the user’s ability to control and protect his/her privacy during browsing.
In essence, Brave offers a safer Internet browsing experience by enabling users to manage their information and curb tracking.
Is Brave Browser really private?
Brave Browser is created and built upon the concept of privacy. It positions itself as having multiple tools to prevent tracking and data harvesting.
Brave uses a feature called Brave Shields which by default protect the browser from ads, trackers, and fingerprinting techniques.
While most browsers have the habit of gathering data belonging to the user. Brave does not monitor browsing history or mine personal information, following their strict privacy protocols.
Compared to other browsers like Chrome, Brave has a more robust built-in protection system. For example, it offers private windows that support Tor for more anonymity.
Moreover, Brave Search is a privacy-oriented search tool replacing the tradition search engines’ solutions that thrive on user profiling.
By and large, Brave defines itself as a unique browser focused on privacy and security of its users.
Is Brave Browser safer than Chrome?
Brave Browser is a great Chrome’s alternative, especially when it comes to privacy and security. Here’s how Brave compares to Chrome across several key aspects.
Privacy comparison
Brave automatically blocks third-party trackers and ads for the privacy of the user. With Chrome, it gathers data from the user to provide him/her with relevant ads.
This fundamental difference implies that Brave users get lesser tracking and profiling as compared to Chrome users. Who are at the receiving end of most data harvesting.
Security features
Brave has privacy features like ad blocking, tracker protection, and HTTPS protection. This ensures that people don’t need third-party extensions for their safety and security on the web.
Chrome’s security, however, heavily relies on users installing extensions to provide the same level of security. At the same time, it gathers your data violating user privacy.
Performance and speed
Brave puts emphasis on privacy. It blocks out ads and trackers that are unnecessary which would otherwise have a negative impact on the speed of the site.
People also claim that Brave takes less ram compared to chrome. When the user has multiple tabs opened, Brave seems to run more smoothly than chrome.
User control and transparency
Brave informs its users on how information they give on the site is taken care of, making data handling transparent.
Chrome’s data practices are often opaque. Users are unaware of the degree of data collection, and sharing that happens with third parties.
| Feature | Brave Browser | Google Chrome |
|---|---|---|
| Data Tracking | Minimal to no tracking | Extensive user tracking |
| Ad Blocking | Native, built-in | Requires extensions |
| HTTPS Upgrade | Automatic upgrades | Manual adjustments required |
| Performance | Faster due to reduced ads | Slower with multiple tabs open |
| User Transparency | Clear data handling policies | Opaque data practices |
| Default Privacy Level | High | Low |
| Tracker Blocking | Automatic | Manual |
| Privacy Settings | Simple, straightforward | Complex, scattered |
Pros and cons of Brave Browser
Is Brave browser safe? To effectively understand Brave and its capacities, let’s examine all the advantages and disadvantages of this tool.
Pros
- Superior privacy protection. Brave is one of the most private browsers as it comes with preloaded tracker, ads and cross-site tracking prevention.
- Improved browsing speed. Brave, through blocking ads and unwanted trackers, cuts page loading time and bandwidth usage by at least half.
- Cryptocurrency incentives. The Basic Attention Token (BAT) is based on an ecosystem where the users can be paid for watching ads.
- Built-in features. It comprises of HTTPS Everywhere for the secure connection and blends with the Tor for anonymous connections.
- User control. Provides strong options for changing privacy settings in order to enhance the privacy of users.
Cons
- Limited extension support. It does support Chrome extensions but the overall library is limited as compared to either Chrome or Firefox.
- Compatibility issues. Sometimes a site will not load, or will load partially due to the intensity of ad and tracker blocking.
- Built-in VPN limitations. Brave does have a VPN built-in, but there aren’t many servers available, nor does it protect users from leaks.
- User experience variability. Some of the features like, for instance, video playback on low traffic websites may be slightly unreliable.
Even though Brave Browser performs well in terms of privacy and fast browsing speed. It is worth looking at its drawbacks before transitioning to using it.
Brave the web safely with the parental control app.
Is Brave Browser safe for kids?
While Brave Browser has some of the best privacy characteristics, it might not be the best browser for kids.
While being a browser with ad and tracker blocking features, it is still possible for children to come across unsafe content.
It is difficult for parents to control and regulate the type of web pages their children may access. Since the browser does not have parental control features.
This lack of supervision increases the possibility of children coming across unwanted web content or websites.
Therefore, in order to increase children’s protection on the Internet, using FlashGet Kids along with Brave Browser can be a good solution.
FlashGet Kids helps parents protect their kids
The safety features offered in this tool are extensive and aimed at shielding youthful users in the following manner.
- Keyword detection. Filters and prevents children from accessing websites with certain phrases that might take them to unwanted sites.
- Browser interception. Parents can access directly the browsing history of their children’s device though their own mobile phone, to monitor their activity.
- Time management. This helps parents create constraints as to the amount of time that children are allowed to use the browser. Hence reducing screen time.
By using FlashGet Kids, parents are able to create a more secure environment for their children. Giving the benefits of browsing while avoiding the risks involved.
Alternatives to Brave: How does it compare?
Is Brave browser safe compared to other privacy-oriented browsers? Let us analyze Brave in detail and compare it to other popular browsers.
| Feature | Brave | Chrome | Firefox | Safari | Tor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ad Blocking | Native, automatic | Manual extension | Optional add-on | Limited | Built-in |
| Tracker Prevention | Default, comprehensive | Limited | Optional | Partial | Comprehensive |
| Data Collection | Minimal | Extensive | Moderate | Moderate | Minimal |
| Open-source | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| HTTPS Enforcement | Automatic | Manual | Optional | Partial | Automatic |
| Cross-Platform Sync | Encrypted | Google Account | Firefox Account | Apple Ecosystem | Limited |
| Private Browsing | Tor Integration | Incognito Mode | Private Browsing | Private Browsing | Default Mode |
| Speed Performance | Fast | Standard | Moderate | Optimized | Slower |
| Default Search Engine | Privacy-focused | Mozilla/Google | Safari/Google | DuckDuckGo |
Which Browser is best for privacy?
Several privacy-oriented browsers can be recognized for to their approach toward handling user information and avoiding tracking.
Well, the Brave Browser stands out for its excellent privacy features, such as the default ad/tracker protection.
It is one of the fastest web browsers. Which is essential for most users who do not want to compromise speed for security
However, let us take a broader look at some other browsers that are security oriented, and preferred by the users.
1. Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla is popular for its flexibility of use and high levels of privacy. Users get options under settings to filter out trackers, control cookies and even delete browsing history with ease.
Firefox also has a clear approach to data harvesting, and users remain in total control of their data.
2. Tor Browser
The Tor browser is the epitome of anonymity on the Internet.
It forwards connections through several servers, keeping the users’ IP addresses hidden and makes it almost impossible to track internet connections.
It is one of the most private browsers out there. And may be a bit slower than the other browsers because of this routing operation.
3. Safari
Safari is designed with a particular focus on the privacy of a user. It includes elements that reduce the effectiveness of third party cookies that track users across the web.
Safari also comes with a private browsing option. That ensures the browser will not keep the history, cookies or auto fill data of a session.
Conclusion
Brave is a game changer for the way we handle our privacy on the Internet. It out performs Chrome in tracker blocking, data protection, and user control.
Of course, no browser is entirely safe, but Brave is a step up when it comes to users’ online anonymity.
For those families who are worried about their children’s safety while browsing the Internet. Using FlashGet Kids can add a layer of protection for children.
Ultimately, choosing to use Brave helps to gain a safer and more private browsing experience.
