Browser Comparison
Brave vs Edge: Complete 2026 Comparison
Two Chromium browsers with vastly different philosophies: privacy-first vs enterprise integration. A comprehensive, data-driven analysis. Updated .
Brave
v1.88.35 (Chromium 143)
Edge
v144.0.3719.82 (Chromium 144)
Quick Verdict
Both browsers excel in different areas. Choose Brave if you prioritize privacy, want built-in ad blocking, need Web3/crypto features, or prefer minimal data collection. Choose Edge if you need deep Microsoft 365 integration, advanced enterprise features, Copilot AI with agentic capabilities, or work in a Windows-centric environment.
Brave Wins For:
Privacy, ad blocking, crypto/Web3, open source, battery life, cross-platform consistency
Edge Wins For:
Enterprise, Microsoft 365, Copilot AI, productivity tools, Windows integration
Basic Information
| Specification |
Brave
|
Edge
|
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Brave Software, Inc. | Microsoft Corporation |
| Initial Release | January 2016 (1.0: Nov 2019) | July 2015 (Chromium: Jan 2020) |
| Rendering Engine | Chromium/Blink (v143) | Chromium/Blink (v144) |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Xbox |
| Open Source | Yes (fully) | No (Chromium base only) |
| Default Search | Brave Search | Microsoft Bing |
| Business Model | Privacy ads (BAT), subscriptions | Advertising ($20B+/yr), M365 subs |
Privacy & Security
| Feature |
Brave
|
Edge
|
|---|---|---|
|
Built-in Ad Blocking
Native ability to block advertisements |
Brave Shields
Rust engine, 75% memory optimized |
Extensions Only
Requires third-party extensions |
|
Tracker Blocking
Cross-site tracking prevention |
Aggressive (Shields)
Blocks ALL trackers by default |
Balanced (3-tier)
Allows Microsoft trackers |
|
Fingerprint Protection
Prevents browser fingerprinting |
Industry-leading
API randomization per-session |
Basic
Disconnect list blocking only |
|
Third-party Cookies
Cross-site cookie policy |
Blocked by default | Allowed in Balanced mode |
|
Private Browsing with Tor
Access to onion routing |
Built-in | Not available |
|
Microsoft Recall Blocking
Protection from Windows 11 screenshots |
Blocked by default (v1.81+) | InPrivate only filtered |
|
Telemetry Collection
Data sent to company servers |
Minimal (opt-in P3A)
No persistent identifiers |
Extensive
History, searches, diagnostics |
|
Global Privacy Control
Do Not Sell signal (CCPA/GDPR) |
Enabled by default | Not supported |
Performance Benchmarks
Resource Usage Comparison
Battery Efficiency (Mobile)
| Metric |
Brave
|
Edge
|
Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAM Usage (10 tabs) | ~720 MB (9.8% less than Edge) | ~790 MB (31% less than Chrome) | Brave |
| Startup Time | Fast (no benchmark) | 0.8s with Startup Boost | Edge |
| Page Load (Android) | 21% faster than Chrome | Comparable to Chrome | Brave |
| Mobile Battery Life | 40% better than Chrome/Edge | Standard Chromium | Brave |
| CPU Usage | 9% lower than Chrome | 23% vs Chrome's 45% | Edge |
| Tab Sleeping | Ad blocking reduces need | Sleeping Tabs (26% RAM saved) | Tie |
Features & Tools
| Feature |
Brave
|
Edge
|
|---|---|---|
| Extension Support | Chrome Web Store (MV2 & MV3) | Chrome + Edge Add-ons |
| Vertical Tabs | Yes (since v1.52) | Yes (native) |
| Split View | Yes (side-by-side tabs) | Yes (split screen) |
| Collections | Bookmarks/Reading List | Full Collections feature |
| Workspaces | Not available | Yes (collaborative) |
| Reader Mode | SpeedReader (20-27x faster) | Immersive Reader + Read Aloud |
| Built-in VPN | Brave VPN ($9.99/mo) | Edge Secure Network (5GB free) |
| Shopping Tools | Not available | Price tracking, cashback |
| Video Calling | Brave Talk (private) | Teams integration only |
| IPFS Support | Native | Not available |
AI Features Comparison
Brave Leo AI
- Free models: Llama 3.1 8B, Mixtral 8x7B, Qwen, Gemma
- Premium: Claude Sonnet 4, Claude Haiku ($14.99/mo)
- BYOM: Connect your own models (OpenAI, Ollama)
- Privacy: Zero data retention, no conversation storage
- Features: Page summarization, PDF/video analysis
Microsoft Copilot
- Models: GPT-4.1 default, GPT-5 (preview), o1 reasoning
- Agent Mode: Automate multi-step workflows
- Multi-tab reasoning: Analyze all open tabs at once
- Journeys: AI-powered contextual memory
- Voice: Real-time voice navigation with GPT-4o
Key difference: Brave Leo prioritizes privacy with zero data retention and local model options. Edge Copilot offers more advanced agentic features and deeper integration with Microsoft 365, but processes data in the cloud.
Web3 & Cryptocurrency
| Feature |
Brave
|
Edge
|
|---|---|---|
| Built-in Crypto Wallet | Brave Wallet (self-custody) | Prototype only (not in stable) |
| Supported Blockchains |
Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, Zcash + all EVM chains (Polygon, BNB, etc.) |
N/A (production) |
| dApp Support | Full Web3 provider | Not available |
| Rewards Program | BAT tokens (70% ad revenue share) | Microsoft Rewards (points, not crypto) |
| NFT Support | Native display & management | Not available |
Enterprise Features
| Capability |
Brave
|
Edge
|
|---|---|---|
| Policy Management | Basic group policies | 400+ policies, Intune integration |
| Data Loss Prevention | Not available | Microsoft Purview DLP native |
| Document Watermarking | Not available | Built-in for sensitive content |
| SSO Integration | Standard SAML/OAuth | Native Azure AD/Entra ID |
| BYOD/Contractor Support | Not documented | MAM profiles for external devices |
| Industry Recognition | Consumer-focused | IDC MarketScape Leader 2025 |
Ecosystem Integration
Brave Ecosystem
- Cross-platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
- Brave Sync: E2E encrypted, no account required
- Brave Search: Privacy-focused independent search
- Brave Talk: Private video conferencing
- Brave Wallet: Multi-chain crypto & Web3
- No Microsoft/Office integration
Microsoft Ecosystem
- Microsoft 365: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams
- Windows integration: Default browser, taskbar widgets
- Azure/Entra ID: Enterprise SSO and management
- Microsoft Defender: Security integration
- Cross-device: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Xbox
- Extensive telemetry and data collection
Which Browser Should You Choose?
Privacy-focused users
Brave (minimal telemetry, Tor, GPC)
Microsoft 365 users
Edge (deep integration, Copilot)
Ad-free browsing
Brave (native Shields)
Enterprise IT
Edge (400+ policies, DLP, Intune)
Cryptocurrency/Web3
Brave (native wallet, BAT, NFTs)
Productivity tools
Edge (Collections, Workspaces)
Open source advocates
Brave (fully auditable)
AI power users
Edge (Copilot Agent Mode, Journeys)
Mobile battery life
Brave (40% better than Edge)
Frequently Asked Questions
What data does Edge collect compared to Brave?
Edge collects browsing history, search queries, website visits, and diagnostic data by default. URLs typed in the address bar are shared with Bing and SmartScreen. Telemetry records third-party searches, and data is used for personalized advertising across Microsoft services.
Brave has minimal data collection with opt-in privacy-preserving analytics (P3A). A 2021 academic study found Brave transmitted the least identifying data among browsers tested. No persistent identifiers are used, and ad matching happens entirely on-device.
Does Edge's tracking prevention actually work?
Edge's tracking prevention uses Disconnect's lists to block third-party trackers, but it explicitly allows Microsoft's own tracking services even on "Strict" mode. The "Balanced" default mode allows third-party cookies from sites you've visited. Brave blocks ALL trackers by default, including its own company's potential trackers, and supports Global Privacy Control which Edge does not.
Which browser has better AI features?
Edge Copilot is more feature-rich with Agent Mode for automation, multi-tab reasoning, Journeys contextual memory, voice navigation, and integration with Microsoft 365. It uses GPT-4.1 by default with GPT-5 in preview.
Brave Leo prioritizes privacy with zero data retention and offers multiple model choices including Claude Sonnet 4. Leo supports bringing your own models (BYOM) via OpenAI or local Ollama. For privacy-conscious AI users, Leo is the better choice.
Can I import my Edge data to Brave?
Yes, Brave can import bookmarks, passwords, browsing history, and settings from Edge. The import wizard runs when you first install Brave or can be accessed anytime from Settings > Import bookmarks and settings. Since both browsers are Chromium-based, the import process is seamless. You can also import from Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
Does Edge have a crypto wallet like Brave?
Microsoft has been testing a built-in Ethereum wallet in Edge Dev/Canary builds since 2023, but it has not been released to the stable channel as of January 2026. Brave Wallet is fully production-ready and supports multiple blockchains including Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and Zcash, plus all EVM-compatible chains. Brave also has the BAT rewards program where users earn 70% of ad revenue in cryptocurrency.
Which browser is better for enterprise use?
Edge is significantly better for enterprise environments. It offers 400+ group policies, native Microsoft Intune integration, Microsoft Purview DLP, document watermarking, Azure AD SSO, and MAM support for contractor devices. Edge was named a Leader in IDC MarketScape's 2025 Enterprise Browser assessment.
Brave supports basic group policies and enterprise deployment but lacks dedicated DLP, watermarking, or advanced MDM features. It covers about 51% of typical enterprise requirements out of the box and is primarily consumer-focused.
