Brave Browser
By Brave Software
Brave is a free, privacy-focused web browser built on the Chromium engine that blocks ads and trackers by default and offers an optional rewards program paid in its Basic Attention Token (BAT).
Definition
Brave is a free, privacy-focused web browser built on the Chromium engine that blocks ads and trackers by default and offers an optional rewards program paid in its Basic Attention Token (BAT).
Overview
Because Brave is Chromium-based, it supports most Chrome browser extensions while adding its own privacy layer, Brave Shields, which blocks third-party ads and trackers automatically without requiring separate extensions. It also bundles private browsing windows with Tor integration for an extra layer of anonymity, and a built-in cryptocurrency wallet. Brave was founded in 2015 by Brendan Eich, the creator of JavaScript and a former Mozilla CEO. In 2018 it introduced Brave Rewards and the Basic Attention Token (BAT), an opt-in system that pays users a share of ad revenue for viewing privacy-respecting ads, and in 2021 it launched Brave Search, its own privacy-focused search engine, reducing reliance on Google. It's often mentioned alongside other alternative browsers like Arc Browser as part of a broader shift toward differentiated, non-default browser choices, and its privacy-first stance pairs naturally with other privacy-oriented tools such as the password manager Bitwarden or the network security provider Cloudflare.
Key Features
- Chromium-based with Chrome extension compatibility
- Built-in ad and tracker blocking (Brave Shields)
- Private browsing windows with Tor integration
- Brave Rewards program using the Basic Attention Token (BAT)
- Built-in cryptocurrency wallet
- Brave Search, a privacy-focused search engine
- Cross-platform desktop and mobile apps