Brave Browser

Browse faster with built in ad and tracker blocking

Brave Browser puts privacy and speed front and center by cutting out ads and trackers across the web. With fewer advertising elements to load, pages appear more quickly, and the risk of running into malicious ad scripts is reduced.

Its protective toolkit is comprehensive. Third-party cookies are blocked by default, and the browser works to stop sites from profiling you or misusing sensitive data such as usernames and passwords. A handy Brave Button sits in the interface and shows a running count of what has been stopped, including ads, trackers, and scripts. If a page breaks or you need a lighter touch, you can toggle shields site by site. There is also a Fingerprinting Protection option designed to resist subtle identification methods, while taking into account sites that rely on fingerprint checks for access.

Beyond browsing, Brave backs its privacy stance with the Brave Search API. It provides ad-free, private search results through a simple API call, with recent coverage and a unique dataset that can be valuable for AI and large language model projects. Access is open to everyone, with a free tier offering one request per second up to 2,000 queries monthly, and paid plans starting at 3 USD per 1,000 queries.

There are trade-offs. Outside its built-in shields, there are not many standout extras. File downloads can be finicky. Some shortcut keys do not work as expected, and extension compatibility is imperfect, with not all Chrome extensions supported.

If you value privacy and a cleaner, faster page load, Brave Browser delivers a lean experience that strips distractions and tightens control over your data, while giving you clear insight into what it blocks and the option to dial protections up or down as needed.