Brave may not be the most famous web browser out there, but it certainly makes an impression in a world dominated by the likes of data-hungry Google Chrome. In fact, the browser recently revealed that it registered a record number of new users in May, which begs the question: why?
The most overt answer is that the browser touts itself as an open source and privacy-first service that isn’t interested in gobbling up your personal data to make a profit. It also comes with built-in tools for ad blocking and malware protection, and can be used completely free.
However, some people still have reservations, as Brave is built from Chromium Web core and recent issues stick in the minds of every security-conscious consumer. So I decided to see for myself and find out if Brave’s user surge is a sign of things to come or a happy coincidence.
What is brave?
Basically, Brave is a web browser, just like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, that you can download for your desktop, Android, or iOS device. It’s free to use, which is always nice to hear, and the accompanying Brave search engine is an extra icing on the cake.
Brave sets itself apart by prioritizing user privacy and not trying to confuse you with preconfigured settings designed to capture as much data as possible from your browsing sessions. After all, it’s valuable currency for advertisers and other unreliable third parties, because they use it to develop detailed profiles about your habits and the things you’ve expressed an interest in purchasing, and then tailor targeted ads based on what they to learn. It is invasive, to say the least.
Brave’s best (and most useful) privacy tools are enabled by default, as is the ad blocker, which in my view is a huge plus since most of us don’t delve deeply into our browser settings on a regular basis.
You are also protected against fingerprints, phishing, malware attacks and other digital nasties. Plus, Brave has some funky extras, like support for free video calls and offline playlists, and a customizable news feed, which make it feel like more than just a branded landing page.
Keep count
The Brave browser keeps track of how many ads it blocks during your browsing sessions, and some of the numbers I’ve seen users on Reddit report are staggering, sometimes over 1 million blocked ads.
If you really want to give your online privacy a boost, Brave’s Forgetful Browsing mode is definitely worth checking out. It automatically deletes cookies every time you leave a site so you don’t stay logged in, meaning they can’t recognize you when you reopen them. I was happy to see that Brave also implemented the Off The Record (OTR) feature, which allows users to hide their browsing traffic from other people using the same device – an invaluable tool for victims of domestic violence.
Finally there is the Brave VPN. However, you’ll need to sign up for a subscription to get the most out of it, and it will run you $9.99 per month. In return, your internet traffic, the sites you visit, and everything else you visit are kept hidden from curious onlookers (including your ISP, workplace, and government).
While it is undeniably convenient to have a VPN directly in the browser, it also has its limitations. First off, the Brave VPN only supports five simultaneous connections and offers servers in 13 countries. That’s not as generous as you’ll find with the best VPNs out there, but you can sweeten the pot by making good use of Brave VPN’s 7-day free trial.
Could Brave be braver?
The Brave browser is packed with features, but like most software, it also has some drawbacks. For example, the ad blocking tool is a bit hit and miss when it comes to YouTube, and users on Reddit have experienced random changes between light and dark mode.
There’s also the fact that Brave came under fire last October for installing its VPN without the user’s explicit consent. That’s obviously not the best look for a privacy-oriented browser, but the problem has now been resolved. Brave’s privacy policy also clearly reflects its stance on data logging, which is that it simply isn’t interested in collecting it.
There stands that:
“Our company does not store any data from people’s browsing history. We do not write any personal data to the blockchain. The only way a user’s data is stored by Brave is if the user has enabled Rewards or Sync.”
The only caveat here is that anyone who signs up for the Brave rewards program will also opt in to some data collection, but that’s a given since this is how users collect and redeem points.
Final thoughts
In my humble opinion, the Brave browser is a great alternative to today’s popular (but more data-hungry) services. It’s not a perfect product, considering that the ad blocker sometimes forgets to do its job, but the fact that it automatically sets users up for success and increases security goes a long way. You can check out the additional tools if you want, although the Brave VPN is somewhat overpriced.
Keep in mind that Brave is free to use and open source, and you have a browser that works for privacy purists looking to escape the clutches of Big Tech and regular users interested in stopping annoying ads, trackers, and malware. .