Brave Search
Search the Web with a privacy-focused search service that does not depend on a personal search profile.
Use Brave Search for standard search results, source-backed summaries, and AI-assisted answers.
Brave Browser
Brave is a privacy-focused browser with built-in protection against many third-party ads, trackers, cross-site cookies, and fingerprinting techniques. Brave Shields works by default, while Chromium compatibility keeps familiar sites, extensions, and everyday browsing workflows within reach.
Brave Browser extended tools
Brave Leo
Summarize, translate, analyze, and work with content directly inside the browser using Brave's built-in AI assistant.
Brave VPN
Add optional network protection across supported devices when you want privacy controls beyond the browser itself.
How Brave reduces ads, tracking, and browsing clutter
Brave puts privacy controls directly into the browser. Brave Shields handles common third-party advertising and tracking techniques by default, while site-level controls let users change protection settings when compatibility requires it.
Block many third-party ads and trackers by default
Brave Shields can stop many third-party advertising and tracking resources before they load, reducing the number of outside services that can observe browsing activity across different sites.
When fewer tracking and advertising resources load, the main content can also appear with less visual clutter and fewer background requests.
If protection settings interfere with a trusted site, Shields can be adjusted for that site without disabling protection everywhere else.
Limit cross-site cookies and fingerprinting
Brave restricts common cross-site tracking methods, including third-party cookies and storage techniques that can be used to connect activity across unrelated sites.
Fingerprinting protections also reduce the usefulness of browser and device characteristics that trackers may use to recognize the same user over time.
Reduce unnecessary third-party requests
Advertising networks, analytics tools, and tracking scripts often add extra network connections. Blocking some of those resources can reduce background traffic and processing on content-heavy sites.
Actual speed, memory use, data consumption, and battery impact still depend on the site, device, network, extensions, and browser configuration.
Keep Chromium compatibility and browser security updates
Brave desktop and Android builds use Chromium as a technical foundation, helping preserve broad site compatibility and access to many Chromium extensions on desktop.
Brave also receives ongoing browser and security updates. Keeping the browser current remains important for security, compatibility, and access to newer protection features.
Control privacy settings for individual sites
Privacy protection does not have to be all-or-nothing. Brave lets users inspect Shields status and change protection settings for a specific site when a login, payment flow, media player, or embedded tool needs different handling.
This gives users more control over the balance between privacy protection, reduced clutter, and site compatibility.
See how Brave Shields can change loaded web content
When advertising and tracking resources are blocked, some promotional content and third-party requests may no longer load. The visible result varies with site design, filter rules, browser versions, and Shields settings.
Drag the slider to compare an example with more and fewer third-party elements
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Explore how Brave differs from other browsers and search tools
Each comparison focuses on the product areas that matter for that choice, including browser engines, default privacy controls, extension support, search infrastructure, account ecosystems, and built-in services.
Brave vs Chrome
Both use Chromium, but they take different approaches to default privacy protection, advertising, tracking controls, accounts, and bundled services.
See how Chrome Browser comparesBrave vs Firefox
Both offer privacy features, while using different browser engines and different approaches to extensions, tracking protection, and browser customization.
See how Firefox Browser comparesBrave Search vs Google
Compare search indexing, privacy design, personalization, advertising models, AI-assisted results, and the wider services connected to each search product.
Compare Brave Search and Google SearchBrave Search vs DuckDuckGo
Both emphasize private search, but they differ in search infrastructure, result sourcing, browser integration, and the broader product ecosystem.
Compare Brave and DuckDuckGoHow people use Brave in everyday browsing
Existing feedback commonly highlights reduced advertising clutter, privacy controls, Chromium compatibility, built-in tools, and easier migration from another browser.
★★★★★
“The biggest difference for me is how much calmer the web feels. News sites and recipe pages load with fewer distractions, and I did not need to install another ad blocker.”
Alex Morgan
Product Designer
★★★★★
“I like that Brave gives me strong defaults without hiding the controls. When a site needs different settings, I can adjust Shields for that site instead of changing everything.”
Lin Chen
Independent Developer
★★★★★
“Switching was easier than I expected. My usual extensions still worked, the interface felt familiar, and I was able to keep my normal workflow with very little setup.”
Mia Thompson
Content Strategist
★★★★★
“I use Brave Search for research, but I appreciate that I can switch search engines whenever I need to. The browser does not force me into a single search workflow.”
Jason Reed
Marketing Manager
★★★★★
“Vertical tabs and Leo are now part of my daily routine. I can organize long research sessions, summarize pages, and translate text without constantly switching tools.”
Sophia Bennett
Freelance Writer
★★★★★
“My bookmarks and saved passwords imported cleanly, so I could start using Brave as my main browser almost immediately. The transition felt practical rather than disruptive.”
Kevin Park
Front-end Engineer
Brave Browser FAQ
What is Brave Browser?
Brave is a privacy-focused web browser with built-in Brave Shields. It can block many third-party ads and trackers, limit cross-site cookies, reduce fingerprinting, and give users site-specific privacy controls.
What does Brave Shields do?
Brave Shields is the browser's built-in privacy layer. It can block many third-party ads and trackers, restrict cross-site cookies, reduce fingerprinting, and show protection controls for the site currently being viewed.
Why can Brave feel faster on some sites?
Blocking some advertising and tracking resources can reduce network requests and background processing. The actual difference depends on the site, device, network, extensions, and browser settings.
Is Brave based on Chromium?
Brave desktop and Android builds use Chromium as a technical foundation. This helps maintain broad site compatibility and allows desktop users to install many extensions from the Chromium ecosystem.
Can Brave stop every form of online tracking?
No browser can guarantee that all tracking will be blocked. Brave provides built-in protection against many common tracking methods, but account logins, network conditions, site technology, and user settings can still affect privacy.
How is Brave Search related to Brave Browser?
Brave Search is a separate search product that can be used with Brave Browser or other browsers. It is distinct from browser features such as Brave Shields, tabs, extensions, and site permissions.
What is Brave Leo?
Brave Leo is an AI assistant integrated into Brave. It can help summarize, translate, analyze, and generate content while remaining an optional browser tool rather than a requirement for basic browsing.
Can I move from another browser to Brave?
Brave can import common data such as bookmarks, browsing history, saved passwords, and selected settings from supported browsers. Desktop users can also continue using many Chromium-compatible extensions.