Brave is a real browser from US-based Brave Software, built on Chromium, with its Shields blocking ads and fingerprinting by default according to Wikipedia. Its privacy policy says it doesn't collect or retain your browsing history. It has had slip-ups, including affiliate codes added in 2020, so read what it does.
Brave gets recommended all the time as the privacy browser, so it's fair to ask whether it deserves that trust. I've read Brave's own About page and privacy policy, plus Wikipedia's account of its history, so you get the claims and the criticism in one place.
Who makes the Brave browser
Brave's About page says it was co-founded in 2015 by Brendan Eich and Brian Bondy, with Eich as Founder and CEO and Bondy as Founder and CTO. It describes Eich as the creator of JavaScript and a co-founder of Mozilla. Wikipedia describes Brave Software, Inc. as US-based.
Wikipedia says the browser was first released in 2016, and that it moved to Chromium in 2019. That matters for safety: it uses the Blink and V8 engines, the same family that sits under several other popular browsers, and WebKit on iOS.
What Brave Shields do by default
According to Wikipedia, Brave has built-in ad blocking and fingerprinting protections bundled under Brave Shields, and they're enabled by default. It also has a Private Window mode that routes browsing through Tor.
Blocking trackers reduces how much sites can follow you, but it isn't invisibility. Your internet provider and the sites you log into still know a lot, and a privacy mode can't help if you hand over your details. If you're also picking add-ons, my list of browser extensions worth trying is worth a look, though extra extensions can make you easier to fingerprint.
What Brave says it does with your data
Brave's privacy policy says the company doesn't collect or retain a user's browsing history, while some features require it to process information like your IP address to work. It says its Privacy-Preserving Product Analytics reports only general use of the browser, that none of the information can be used to identify you, and that you can switch it off in Settings.
- Sync: the policy says synced data is encrypted and only you hold the decryption key, so Brave can't recover it if you lose your device or keys.
- Rewards: it assigns your browser a Rewards Payment ID, says it never collects browsing history, and records identifiers on servers located in the United States.
- Leo, its AI assistant: it says it doesn't store prompts or responses on its servers, doesn't use conversations for model training, and keeps history locally on your device.
These are Brave's own statements, not an independent audit, so read them as the company's promises.
Brave Rewards and how Brave makes money
Brave's About page describes four revenue lines: Brave Ads, the Brave Search API, Brave Premium subscriptions and wallet and Web3 partnerships. So the browser is free, but the company earns money in other ways. Check each feature's settings to see what applies to you.
Rewards is an ad and crypto feature. Wallets and tokens carry their own risks, and I'd never share a recovery phrase with anyone claiming to be Brave support.
Brave's past slip-ups
No browser has a perfect record, and Brave's has a few dents. Wikipedia reports that in 2020 Brave was found appending affiliate referral codes to cryptocurrency exchange URLs. CEO Brendan Eich called it a mistake and said such affiliate content would become opt-in.
Wikipedia also reports that in 2021 researchers found DNS leaks of .onion addresses outside the Tor network, caused by a misconfiguration, which Brave patched. And in 2022 Brave was criticised for bundling its paid VPN product into Windows installations.
None of these is a scam, but they show why it pays to check the settings rather than assume the defaults match your values.
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| What I checked | What Brave's own pages say |
|---|---|
| Who runs it? | Brave Software, co-founded in 2015 |
| Browsing history? | Says it doesn't collect or retain it |
| Shields on by default? | Yes, per Wikipedia |
| Past issues? | Affiliate codes in 2020, a DNS leak patched in 2021 |
| Revenue? | Ads, Search API, Premium and wallet partnerships |
Questions to ask about any browser
Whichever browser you choose, the same questions apply. Who makes it, and how does the company earn money? What does the privacy policy say it collects, and can you switch parts of that off? How quickly does it patch problems when researchers find them? Brave answers some of these in its own pages, which is more than many tools do, but you still have to read them.
Also remember that a browser is only one layer. Your device, your passwords and the sites you visit matter just as much. A hardened browser on a phone with no screen lock, or a reused password, still leaves the door open.
Safe settings and sensible habits
- Download Brave only from its official site or your device's official app store.
- Keep it updated so security fixes reach you.
- Check Settings for analytics, Rewards, Leo and any bundled extras you don't want.
- Use a password manager rather than saving everything in a browser; my comparison of two password managers helps you choose.
Fake Brave downloads
Popular software attracts fake installers. Type the address yourself, avoid download links in adverts or messages, and be wary of any site offering a special version or a paid upgrade. Real support won't ask for your passwords or recovery phrases.
If you're weighing a switch, my guide to other browsers to compare covers different options.
My view
Brave is a real, established browser from a named company, and its stated privacy approach is stronger than the default of many browsers. It's safe to use in that sense. Just treat the privacy claims as claims, review the optional extras and keep the browser updated.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Brave?
Brave Software, Inc. makes it. Wikipedia describes it as US-based and its About page says it was co-founded in 2015 by Brendan Eich and Brian Bondy.
Does Brave track your browsing history?
Its privacy policy says the company doesn't collect or retain a user's browsing history, though some features process information like your IP address.
Is Brave built on Chromium?
Wikipedia says it moved to Chromium in 2019 and uses the Blink and V8 engines, with WebKit on iOS.
Has Brave had any controversies?
Wikipedia reports affiliate codes added to crypto exchange URLs in 2020, a DNS leak patched in 2021 and criticism in 2022 over a bundled VPN.
Is Brave Rewards required?
The privacy policy has a separate section for Brave Rewards, so check it and the browser settings to see how the feature works and what it records.
