Brave review: a private browser for everyday use

The Brave browser is a free browser for people who want fewer ads and fewer trackers without installing extra tools.¹ Its built-in protection, called Shields, is already on.³ It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.¹ Brave Software publishes the browser’s own code under the Mozilla Public License 2.0, on top of the open-source Chromium project.¹

Last checked October 28, 2026.

At a glance

What it is: A free browser that blocks third-party ads and trackers by default.¹

Works on: Windows 10 or later, macOS Ventura 13 or later, Android 10 or later, iOS 18 or later, and listed 64-bit Linux distributions.²

Price: Free. Brave Origin, a simpler paid edition, is a one-time purchase of $59.99. Firewall + VPN is a separate subscription.¹

Licence: Mozilla Public License 2.0 for Brave’s own code. The browser is built on Chromium.¹

Best for: People who want an everyday browser with ads and trackers blocked from the start, on a computer and a phone.

Official site: brave.com

What the Brave browser does (and how it protects your privacy)

Shields blocks third-party ads and trackers, cross-site cookies, phishing pages, and fingerprinting attempts.³ A tracker is a bit of a page that can follow you from site to site.

Fingerprinting means a site tries to recognize your browser from details such as your screen, fonts, and hardware. Brave randomizes that picture on each restart.³ The block lists come from EasyList, EasyPrivacy, the uBlock Origin project, and Brave’s own lists.³ Standard mode is the default. Aggressive mode blocks more and can break more sites.³

A normal window uses your ordinary connection, so the site sees a visitor from your network, and your internet provider can still see which services you reach. What the Internet Provider Can Still See covers that path. On desktop, a Private Window with Tor sends the visit through three Tor computers, and the site sees only the last one.⁵

Key features of Brave

Shields on by default, so ad and tracker blocking needs no extra install.³
Cross-site cookies blocked, which limits recognition across websites.³
A new fingerprint after each restart, so sites see a shifting set of device details.³
HTTPS and a privacy signal. Brave upgrades pages to HTTPS when it can, and turns on Global Privacy Control to stop websites selling or sharing your data.¹
Many cookie pop-ups blocked without a separate extension.¹
A per-site Shields switch. Turning it off affects only the site you are viewing.³
Optional encrypted sync for bookmarks and passwords, with the key kept on your devices.⁴
Desktop Tor windows that show the site a Tor exit address instead of yours.⁵

Pros and cons of the Brave browser

Pros

Free on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, with blocking already switched on.¹
Brave’s own code is public under the Mozilla Public License 2.0.¹
The same browser runs on a computer and a phone, with optional encrypted sync.¹⁴
Shields can be relaxed for one broken site and left on everywhere else.³
Updates are current: release 1.98.62, published 28 October 2026, uses Chromium 156.0.8078.74.⁶

Cons

A normal window shows your network address, and your internet provider can still see the connection.
Brave’s own ads can appear even if you skip Rewards. New-tab ads can be switched off.⁴
Anonymous product reports are sent unless you turn them off in Settings.⁴
Tor windows are desktop-only and leave out most Tor Browser protections, Brave says.⁵
The help center’s minimums are Windows 10, macOS Ventura 13, Android 10, and iOS 18.²
Wallet, news, and Leo add extras many people will skip. Origin can remove many of them for $59.99.¹

Is the Brave browser safe and private?

Brave Software Inc makes the browser.¹ The privacy policy, updated on 23 September 2026, says Brave does not collect or keep your browsing history.⁴ Brave counts update checks as aggregate statistics.⁴ Anonymous reports about feature use, such as whether Shields is on, are sent unless you turn off Privacy-Preserving Product Analytics. The Web Discovery Project stays off unless you opt in, and crash reports are optional.⁴

Known-bad site checks use Google Safe Browsing. Brave stores shortened codes on your device and, if a site looks unsafe, sends Google a partial code. Brave says the full address is not shared. On a computer, Brave relays the check so Google does not get your IP address, the number that marks your connection. On Android that number can reach Google. On iPhone, Brave uses Safari’s check. Apple can see that number, and the check uses Google or Tencent depending on the region.⁴

Sync stays off until you enable it. Bookmarks, passwords, and other data are then stored as an encrypted file on Amazon Web Services. Brave says only your devices hold the key, and that it cannot recover the file if that key is lost. An unused chain can be deleted after 12 months.⁴ Leo sends your prompt to Brave’s server. Brave says prompts are not kept, aside from large prompts cached and deleted within minutes.⁴ Search starts on Brave Search for most new users, and Brave says it does not profile you.¹ Rewards is optional.¹ If you enable it, Brave says you may receive BAT for its own ads, and that ad matching stays on the device.⁴

On 9 October 2026 an App Defense Alliance certificate said Android version 1.94.117 meets MASA v2.1.1 at level AL2, after a review by Leviathan Security Group. It runs until 9 October 2027 and covers that version only.⁷

How to get started with Brave

Check the system list above, from Brave’s help centre, before you download.²
On Windows or Mac, get the installer from Brave’s download page. Run it on Windows. On a Mac, drag Brave to Applications.⁸
On Linux, follow Brave’s install guide. On Android, use Google Play, Brave’s F-Droid repository, or the GitHub package. On iPhone or iPad, use the App Store.⁸
Open Brave. Shields are already on. Import bookmarks from your old browser if you want them.³¹
Leave Rewards off if you do not want it. Turn off new-tab ads under Settings, New Tab, Customize the background image, and turn off Privacy-Preserving Product Analytics in Settings.⁴
For a second device, turn on Sync and keep the decryption key. Brave cannot recover the file if the devices and the key are both gone.⁴
Brave checks for updates on its own.⁴

Who should use Brave (and who might prefer something else)

Brave fits someone who wants one everyday browser on a computer and a phone, with ads and trackers blocked from the first launch. It suits a household that will install updates and will leave Rewards, the Web Discovery Project, and Leo alone.

For a browser built so users are harder to tell apart, see Mullvad Browser. When anonymity is the goal, Brave points people to Tor Browser.⁵ On Android, Orbot can send chosen apps through Tor. To keep shopping in its own box inside Firefox, use Firefox containers.

Frequently asked questions

Is Brave free?

Yes. Brave says the browser is free. Origin costs $59.99 once, and Firewall + VPN is a separate subscription. The free browser works if you skip both.¹

Is the Brave browser safe?

Shields blocks many ads, trackers, and known phishing pages by default, and Brave upgrades pages to HTTPS when it can.¹³ Keep the browser updated. Release 1.98.62, from 28 October 2026, uses Chromium 156.0.8078.74, and a 2026 lab certificate covers only the earlier Android build 1.94.117.⁶⁷

Does Brave work on iPhone?

Yes. It is on the App Store for iOS 18 or later, with Shields included.²⁸³ Tor windows are desktop-only.⁵

Does Brave hide your IP address?

In a normal window, the site sees your network address. A desktop Tor window shows the Tor exit instead. Brave recommends Tor Browser when anonymity is the goal.⁵