Best free browsers for privacy and security in 2024

Brave is a privacy-focused web browser from San Francisco, California, developed by Brave Software, Inc. This browser prioritizes user privacy and security by blocking trackers, ads, and other web elements that may compromise you. It has recently introduced its "HTTPS by Default" which increases HTTPS use and improves overall Web security. On top of that, it offers fingerprinting protection to enhance user privacy.

Performance

Brave browser is an excellent choice if you're looking for speed and performance. Thanks to its effective blocking of resource-intensive elements like ads and trackers, it offers a streamlined browsing experience with faster page load times.

This browser integrates image and video inspection directly into Brave Search, making it one of the most efficient browsers on the market. The company has been independently built and based on open-source Chromium, which further adds to its great reputation.

Important features

Here listed are some of the most important Brave browser features. They add to your privacy and some of them can help you further customize your browsing experience.

• Open source – Its source code is publicly available for scrutiny and contributions from the developer community.


• Brave Shields – Brave Shields is a built-in feature that blocks invasive ads, trackers, and third-party cookies by default, providing users with a more private and faster browsing experience. It also offers options for granular control over shields, allowing users to customize their browsing experience.


• Forgetful Browsing – Clears cookies and data in local storage once users leave a website. This protects you from mapping and being identified if you revisit the site.


• Built-in Tor support – You get built-in support for the Tor network, allowing users to browse the web anonymously and access onion sites without the additional software.

Revenue model

Brave has created its own ad-based revenue model. Brave Rewards is an opt-in program that allows users to earn Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) by viewing ads. The ads are created and distributed in a manner that respects user privacy – no tracking and no spamming.

Users can also contribute BAT to their favorite content creators and publishers as a way of extending financial support to them.

Cross-platform compatibility

Brave browser is available for all platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. Plus, it is free of charge, making it accessible to everyone.

Overall, Brave browser offers a compelling option for users seeking a privacy-focused yet fast alternative to mainstream browsers. Its emphasis on user control makes it a popular choice among privacy-conscious individuals.

Tor Browser is a powerful browsing tool carefully designed to prioritize anonymity and privacy for users navigating the complexities of the internet. This layered web browser offers unique features ideal for privacy-conscious individuals and those seeking protection from online surveillance.

Performance

At the core of Tor Browser's functionality is its ability to route internet traffic through the Tor network, comprising thousands of volunteer-operated servers worldwide. This process encrypts user data and obscures their IP address, making it incredibly challenging for websites, advertisers, and even governments to track their online activities.

However, such a robust network is not without drawbacks. Users may experience slower browsing speeds compared to conventional web browsers due to a number of reasons, including:

• Complex routing through the Tor network – Tor Browser consists of volunteer-operated servers called nodes. Its routing process encrypts and relays data through multiple nodes, which can result in slower connection speeds compared to direct connections.


• Reliance on volunteer nodes – The Tor network relies on volunteer-operated nodes, which may vary in terms of bandwidth and capacity. As a result, the speed of the Tor Browser can vary based on the performance and availability of these nodes.


• Limited network bandwidth – The Tor network has limited bandwidth compared to traditional internet connections, which can lead to congestion and slower speeds during peak usage times.

Users who prioritize privacy and anonymity over speed and performance may find Tor to be a valuable tool for protecting their online activities from tracking. However, it's essential to manage expectations regarding browsing speeds when using the Tor Browser and understand that its privacy advantages sometimes come with trade-offs in terms of performance.

Important features

With the Tor Browser, you get these advanced privacy features, and more:

• Vast network – By leveraging the diversified Tor network, users can bypass censorship filters and connect to websites and services that may otherwise be inaccessible. You get to circumvent internet censorship and access restricted content in regions with little or no online freedom.


• Built-in privacy tools – Tor Browser includes built-in features such as "HTTPS Everywhere", which automatically encrypts connections to websites whenever possible, mitigating the risk of data interception and surveillance. It also blocks third-party trackers, ads, and other invasive pop-ups by default, ensuring that users can browse the web without sacrificing their privacy.


• Open source code – Its source code is publicly available for review and scrutiny, allowing security experts and developers to identify vulnerabilities, suggest improvements, and contribute to its ongoing development.

Despite its advanced privacy and security features, Tor Browser offers a user-friendly interface that's suitable for users of all technical levels.

Revenue model

Tor Browser was developed by the US Naval Research Lab and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), following the highest privacy standards. Tor is currently run by the Tor Project, an entirely non-profit organization, and its volunteers.

The project is supported by considerable donations from various sources, including federal entities, such as The National Science Foundation, philanthropic foundations, research organizations, individual contributors, and others.

Cross-platform compatibility

Tor Browser is available across most operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Mac, and Android, ensuring broad accessibility and compatibility across different devices and platforms. The iOS version of Tor Browser is not available yet though, so if you're looking to safeguard the privacy of your iPhone when browsing, consider some of the other service providers from this article.

In summary, Tor Browser may not be the fastest free browser out there, however, its commitment to anonymity and accessibility makes it a valuable resource for individuals seeking to regain online freedom and safeguard their digital rights.

DuckDuckGo is an efficient search engine that offers superb mobile browser applications for both iOS and Android devices. It comes with some very advanced browsing solutions. Plus, it integrates its privacy features directly into the browsing experience. Below, you can see some other key aspects of DuckDuckGo's browser.

Performance

DuckDuckGo's performance is primarily focused on providing users with a secure and private browsing experience, rather than prioritizing the search speed. While it may not be as optimized for speed as some more popular browsers, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, DuckDuckGo still offers a satisfactory level of performance for most users.

Furthermore, DuckDuckGo's browser is quite lightweight and efficient, minimizing resource usage to provide a smooth browsing experience. It does not consume excessive system resources or memory, which helps maintain overall performance, especially on devices with limited processing power.

The browser's encryption features, such as HTTPS encryption and tracker blocking, may introduce some additional overhead that could impact page load times. However, this trade-off is essential for ensuring user privacy and security while browsing the web.

Important features

The DuckDuckGo browser offers a range of privacy-enhancing features to protect users while browsing the web. You get a Tracker Protection option that prevents third-party trackers from loading, including those from major companies like Facebook and Google.

Smart Encryption improves security by identifying HTTPS-supported sites. Users can easily erase their browsing history and session information with the Fire Button, while the Fireproof option allows them to stay logged into specific sites securely. The browser's Cookie Pop-up Management tool automatically handles cookie pop-ups, maximizes privacy preferences, and minimizes cookies.

DuckDuckGo also provides access to a free email forwarding service, allowing users to create @duck.com email addresses that strip away any sort of profiling trackers before forwarding them to your other accounts. Additionally, a built-in YouTube player enables ad-free video streaming while, at the same time, preventing Google tracking.

Revenue model

As the DuckDuckGo management explains it in detail on their official website:

"We make money from private ads and affiliate partnerships on our search engine. On most other search engines, you are targeted with ads based on creepy profiles made up of your personal information, such as search, browsing, and purchase history."

They further clarify that, since DuckDuckGo doesn’t track users, they don’t have search histories. So, the search ads you see when browsing are just based on your current search results page and not on your entire search profile – like with most mainstream browsers. So, if you're currently researching cars, DuckDuckGo will simply show more cars.

Cross-platform compatibility

The DuckDuckGo browser is available for Mac, Windows (beta), iOS, and Android devices, allowing users to access its privacy features on their preferred mobile platform.

Overall, DuckDuckGo's browser is designed to prioritize user privacy and security while offering a seamless and intuitive browsing experience. It provides users with the tools and features they need to protect their online privacy and maintain control over their personal data.

Mozilla Firefox is an open-source web browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation and its subsidiary, the Mozilla Corporation. It was first launched in 2004 and it was an instant success, with over 100 million downloads within the first year of its release. It remains one of the most popular web browsers worldwide to this day.

Performance

Firefox uses a multi-process architecture that separates web content from the browser's user interface, resulting in smoother browsing and improved responsiveness.

It adheres to web standards and supports modern web technologies, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of websites and web applications. It regularly receives updates to incorporate new features, security patches, and performance enhancements.

Important features

Firefox offers advanced privacy features like Private Browsing and Enhanced Tracking Protection. Private Browsing keeps your browsing history and passwords private, especially on shared devices, while Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks trackers and defends against harmful scripts and malware.

With Firefox, users can monitor blocked content through the Protection Dashboard, accessible via the shield icon in the address bar. The browser employs sandboxing to isolate web tabs and offers SmartBlock to prevent cross-site tracking. It can also block cryptocurrency mining scripts and various fingerprinting scripts.

Firefox's Total Cookie Protection confines each cookie to its originating website, with the Standard mode activated by default. Users can also opt for the Strict mode, which enhances cookie clearing, especially for third-party cookies.

Revenue model

Firefox is developed by a global community of volunteers, developers, and contributors who collaborate to improve the browser and add new features. The Mozilla Foundation promotes open-source principles and encourages community participation in the development process.

On top of that, Mozilla Firefox maintains a transparent approach to user data and privacy. Its Privacy Notice and Data Collection Statement inspire user trust, thanks to clear information about how their data is collected and used.

Cross-platform compatibility

Firefox is available on all your platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. Users can synchronize their browsing data, including bookmarks, history, and open tabs, across different devices using Firefox Sync, ensuring a seamless browsing experience across devices

Overall, Mozilla Firefox is a feature-rich, customizable, and privacy-focused web browser that offers a secure and enjoyable browsing experience for users across various platforms.

The Mullvad Browser, a joint effort between Mullvad VPN and the Tor Project, is optimized for use with a VPN, but it offers admirable levels of privacy even when used alone. It's perfect for minimizing fingerprinting and tracking while eliminating ads. The browser's revenue model primarily relies on its VPN service, which is great news for privacy-conscious users.

Performance

As with most browsers on this list, Mullvad's main priority is user privacy, speed comes second. Still, this browser offers decent performance levels. Even though it utilizes the Tor-developed search engine, it's stripped of Tor's network, making it a somewhat faster browser option.

Important features

Mullvad Browser is very dedicated to user privacy, which is mirrored in the long list of its unique privacy features. For a start, the browser includes uBlock Origin for content filtering, particularly effective against ads and third-party trackers.

Mullvad even spoofs the time zone to thwart fingerprinting attempts and adds space around websites to prevent identification based on browser window size. The browser also logs users out of websites between sessions to further mitigate the risks of users being tracked.

Its default private mode prevents the storage of cookies, cache, or browsing history between sessions. A convenient reset button swiftly clears the browsing session. Moreover, all telemetry data, which is typically collected for browser performance enhancement, gets completely wiped.

Revenue model

As mentioned above, the browser's revenue model primarily relies on its VPN service, which is great because you don't have to fear your data will get monetized. Mullvad advises against installing additional extensions, as they could compromise user anonymity through fingerprinting techniques.

Cross-platform compatibility

Mullvad Browser is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux only. It's currently not available for your mobile devices. With its minimalist design, Mullvad Browser offers an easy-to-use no-hustle service.