Brave Browser

Brave Browser: Fast, Private Web Browsing with Built-In Ad Blocking

Brave Browser is a free, open-source web browser based on Chromium and designed to make everyday browsing faster, safer, and more private. Unlike many browsers that rely on extensions for ad blocking and tracker prevention, Brave includes these protections by default. That means fewer background scripts running on websites, less data consumption, and a cleaner browsing experience from the first launch.

Because Brave is Chromium-based, it feels familiar to users coming from Chrome or other Chromium browsers. The interface is simple, modern, and built around speed. For many users, the main appeal is straightforward: Brave blocks trackers and intrusive ads automatically, which can reduce clutter, improve page load time, and lower the amount of data your device uses during normal browsing.

What Brave Browser Is

Brave is a privacy-focused browser that aims to give users more control over how the web interacts with their device. Its core approach is to limit tracking technologies at the browser level rather than depending on third-party add-ons. It also includes security features that help reduce exposure to malicious scripts, unwanted redirects, and unsafe connection types.

Brave is available across major platforms, which makes it easy to keep the same browsing style whether you are on a desktop or mobile device. It supports typical modern browsing workflows, including multiple profiles, tab management tools, bookmarks, and extension support on desktop.

Built-In Shields: Brave’s Privacy System

Brave’s privacy features are organized under a system called Shields. Shields work automatically in the background to reduce tracking and block unwanted page elements. The key benefit is consistency: you do not need to install and maintain multiple extensions to get basic privacy protections.

Common Shields protections include:

• Ad blocking: blocks many intrusive ads before they load
• Tracker blocking: reduces third-party tracking scripts and cross-site tracking behavior
• Fingerprinting prevention: limits methods that attempt to uniquely identify your device
• Cookie controls: helps manage third-party cookies that enable tracking
• HTTPS upgrading: attempts to load secure versions of sites when available
• Script controls: allows additional blocking for users who want stricter control

Shields settings can be customized per site, which helps when you want strict blocking everywhere but need to relax it for specific websites that break under aggressive filtering.

Speed and Performance: Why Brave Feels Faster

Brave’s performance advantage often comes from one simple difference: fewer tracking scripts and ad elements are loaded in the first place. Many modern websites load multiple third-party scripts that track behavior, serve ads, or run analytics. Blocking those scripts can reduce page weight and limit background activity that slows down browsing.

This can be especially noticeable on:

• News and blog sites with heavy advertising
• Pages filled with embedded trackers and popups
• Older PCs or laptops with limited resources
• Mobile connections where data usage matters

Brave can also help battery performance by reducing unnecessary background work. When fewer scripts run and fewer ad networks load, the browser has less to process, which can reduce CPU usage during long browsing sessions.

Easy Switching: Import and Continue

Brave is designed to make switching painless. You can import bookmarks and settings from your existing browser and continue using the same workflow with minimal disruption. For most users, this is important because changing browsers often fails for one reason: people do not want to rebuild their setup from scratch.

Brave supports importing common browser data such as bookmarks and saved settings. This makes it easier to test Brave without committing fully. You can keep your old browser installed while you evaluate whether Brave fits your daily use.

Brave Rewards: Optional Support for Publishers and Creators

Brave includes an optional system called Brave Rewards. This feature is designed for users who want to support websites and creators while still protecting privacy. Rewards allow users to opt into privacy-respecting ads and earn tokens commonly referred to as BAT (Basic Attention Token). Users can then contribute those tokens to creators and publishers.

Brave Rewards is not required. Browsing remains free without enabling ads or rewards. Users who choose Rewards can use features such as:

• Opt-in ads designed to avoid traditional tracking behavior
• Monthly contributions to sites based on time spent
• Direct tips to creators
• Wallet tools for users who choose to manage tokens

The key point is choice. Brave is usable as a privacy browser without Rewards. The Rewards system is there for users who want an alternative way to support content online.

Private Windows and Tab Management

Brave includes private browsing windows, which help reduce local browsing traces such as saved history and cookies after the session ends. For everyday browsing, private windows are useful on shared devices or when you want a clean session without persistent logins.

Brave also supports practical tab and window features that help manage complex workflows, including pinned tabs, tab duplication, drag-and-drop tab movement, and common page tools such as find-on-page and printing.

Security Features for Everyday Browsing

Brave includes security-focused defaults intended to reduce risk during normal web use. These features are especially relevant for users who browse widely across unfamiliar sites, download files frequently, or want more control over what websites can access.

Common security tools include:

• Built-in password management
• Controls for autoplay media
• Site permission management for camera, microphone, and full-screen access
• Clear browsing data and privacy controls
• Do Not Track request options (note: not all websites respect it)

These tools work best when combined with the browser’s tracker and script blocking, because much of modern browser risk comes from third-party scripts that load invisibly on pages.

Search and Address Bar Features

Brave allows users to choose a default search engine and use alternative search shortcuts. This is useful for users who prefer non-default search providers or who want separate search habits between normal browsing and private sessions.

The address bar supports typical features such as URL suggestions, search suggestions, and quick access to bookmarks. These are the small usability details that decide whether a browser feels comfortable as a daily driver.

Extensions: Compatible with Many Chrome Add-Ons

Because Brave is Chromium-based, the desktop version supports many extensions built for Chrome. This matters for users who rely on specific productivity or development add-ons. It also helps reduce friction for users migrating from Chrome, since they can bring over key tools that support their workflow.

Even with extension support, Brave’s main benefit remains its built-in protections. Many users find they need fewer privacy extensions because core blocking is already included.

Who Brave Browser Is Best For

Brave is best suited for users who want speed and privacy without extra setup. It is especially useful for:

• Users who want built-in ad and tracker blocking
• People who browse on slower internet connections and want lighter pages
• Laptop users focused on battery life and reduced background load
• Privacy-minded users who want more control over tracking technologies
• Users who want a Chromium browser while avoiding heavy tracking ecosystems

Brave may be less ideal for users who prefer a browser with deep integration into a specific ecosystem or for environments where strict organizational browser policies require a standardized enterprise configuration.

Final Summary

Brave Browser offers a practical mix of speed, privacy, and security in a familiar Chromium-based package. Its built-in Shields block ads and trackers automatically, which can improve performance, reduce clutter, and limit data collection during normal browsing. For users who want to support creators, Brave Rewards provides an opt-in model that does not require traditional tracking-based advertising.

If your main goal is a faster, cleaner web with stronger privacy defaults, Brave is one of the most straightforward browsers to install and use without extra configuration.

Changes in Brave 1.87.190 (Chromium 145.0.7632.109):

• Fixed template injection in procedural cosmetic filtering as reported on HackerOne by howtoplay.
• Fixed memory leak on page refresh in certain cases.
• Fixed extension favicon being overwritten by Brave’s New Tab Page favicon.
• Fixed inability to open the 3 dots menu on Brave News articles.
• Upgraded Chromium to 145.0.7632.109. (Changelog for 145.0.7632.109)