# Brave Browser Stats > Independent analytics dashboard tracking Brave Browser's growth, ad ecosystem, BAT token purchases, and creator program using official transparency report data. Brave Browser Stats is a community-run site that visualizes data from Brave's official monthly transparency reports. It provides interactive charts and projections for user growth (MAU/DAU), ad availability across 200+ countries, BAT token purchase activity on exchanges, and verified creator counts across platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Twitch. All dashboards update automatically when Brave publishes new numbers. The site is available in English, German, French, and Spanish. --- ## Growth Dashboard Interactive MAU and DAU time-series charts with linear regression and Monte Carlo projections, engagement ratio tracking (DAU/MAU), and six-month growth forecasts with confidence bands. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/ ### Brave Browser User Growth Statistics & Analytics Month-by-month Brave MAU/DAU tracking with forward-looking growth projections. #### Milestone Card - **50M Daily Users** projected milestone with live trend tracking - Based on trailing 6-month DAU growth #### Explore More Brave Browser Data User growth is just one part of the Brave ecosystem. Dive deeper into related transparency metrics: - **Ads Availability** — Brave Ads by country/region - **BAT Purchases** — Token purchase volume data - **Verified Creators** — Creator stats by platform #### Frequently Asked Questions **How are projections calculated?** We inspect the last six months of Brave MAU and DAU growth and apply a linear regression to extend the series. **What do MAU and DAU mean?** MAU (Monthly Active Users) counts unique users who engaged with Brave Browser in a calendar month. DAU (Daily Active Users) counts unique daily users. These metrics help measure growth and engagement. **What is the engagement ratio?** The DAU/MAU ratio shows what percentage of monthly users return daily. Higher ratios indicate stronger user retention and engagement. **Where does this data come from?** All data is sourced from Brave's official metrics and internal analytics dashboards, updated monthly. **How often is the dashboard updated?** The dashboard refreshes shortly after Brave publishes its monthly transparency report. When new numbers land, data and projections are regenerated within minutes. **How reliable are the projections?** Projections lean on the previous six months of actual MAU/DAU movement, so they capture short-term momentum but will drift if Brave experiences sudden growth or slowdowns. Historically the 6-month forecast has stayed within ±8% for MAU and ±12% for DAU. **How does the Monte Carlo projection work?** The Monte Carlo card draws 2,000 random paths using recent month-over-month MAU volatility. We display the median and the 10th/90th percentile bands across the next six months, giving you a probabilistic range instead of a single deterministic line. --- ## Brave Ads Availability & Market Coverage Live Brave Ads inventory by country and region, sourced directly from Brave's transparency listings. Live ad inventory data across 200+ countries and subnational regions (e.g. US states), with KPIs for active regions, total available ads, average ads per region, and top-15 market rankings. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/ads ### KPI Cards - **Active regions** — Markets currently running Brave Ads - **Total available ads** — Sum of all active inventory listings - **Top country** — Leading market by inventory - **Avg ads per region** — Average listings per tracked market ### Top 15 Regions by Ads Availability Historical Brave Ads availability with the most active regions highlighted for quick comparison. Includes Total ads and Share % views. ### All Regions Explorer Search, filter, and sort every Brave Ads market from the latest transparency snapshot. Filterable by continent (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America) and market type (Countries, Subnational). ### Frequently Asked Questions **What does the Ads count represent?** Each count is a live entry from Brave's transparency feed showing an approved Brave Ads campaign for that market. Treat it as supply availability, not a guarantee of impressions. **Why do some regions look like US-CA or US-TX?** Brave lists subnational markets (such as U.S. states or provinces) when advertisers can target them independently. Codes follow ISO-like patterns such as US-CA for California. **Why is my region missing from the listings?** If a country or state is absent, Brave has not enabled campaigns there yet or the transparency portal has not introduced that market. The table will update automatically once a region becomes eligible. **How often is the data updated?** We refresh shortly after Brave posts its monthly transparency report. If Brave issues interim updates, we pull the new payload the same day so the explorer stays current. **Does a higher Ads count mean higher earnings?** Not necessarily. Availability shows how many campaigns target a region, but actual user earnings depend on engagement, targeting, and advertiser budgets. **How are the KPIs calculated?** Active regions: count of distinct country or subnational codes. Total available ads: sum of all listings across markets. Avg ads per region: total ads divided by active regions. Top regions: fifteen markets with the highest counts. **Where does this data come from?** All metrics originate from Brave's public transparency endpoint, which powers this dashboard one-to-one. You can review Brave's official notes at brave.com/transparency. --- ## BAT Purchases & Exchange Coverage Track how Brave sources BAT across exchanges over time, complete with aggregate KPIs, charts, and the raw transaction ledger. Brave-initiated BAT token purchase history across Uphold, Gemini, and Coinbase, with monthly aggregation charts, transaction ledger, and per-exchange totals. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/purchases ### KPI Cards - **Total BAT purchased** — Cumulative BAT bought by Brave - **Total purchases** — Count of reported transactions - **Avg purchase size** — Mean BAT per transaction - **Top exchange** — Venue with the most BAT volume - **Most recent purchase** — Date of the last recorded buy ### Charts - **Monthly BAT purchased** — Sum of Brave-initiated buys grouped by calendar month - **BAT purchased by exchange** — Cumulative total per supported venue since reporting began ### Purchase History Ledger Individual Brave-initiated BAT orders with date, venue, and notional size. ### Frequently Asked Questions **What is shown on this page?** This page summarizes Brave-initiated BAT purchases reported across supported venues (for example, Uphold, Gemini, Coinbase). Each row in the ledger represents a single reported purchase with its date, venue, and size in BAT. **Where does the data come from and how often is it updated?** The data comes from the same transparency endpoint that powers the homepage. We display the dataset timestamp in the hero card. If the live endpoint is unavailable, a local example dataset is used as a fallback for display. **How are totals and averages calculated?** Totals sum all BAT amounts across the ledger. The average purchase size divides the total BAT by the number of transactions. The top exchange aggregates BAT by venue and highlights the leader. **How is the monthly chart computed?** Purchases are grouped by the calendar month derived from each transaction's timestamp. Months use your device's local time zone, so entries near month boundaries may differ slightly from pure UTC views. **Are values rounded or formatted?** Individual purchase amounts retain up to two decimal places for readability; totals and averages are formatted consistently. Minor differences may appear between the table and chart tooltips due to formatting and rounding. **Does this imply price impact or buying pressure?** This is an analytics view of reported purchase activity. It is not investment advice and does not directly model market impact, fees, timing, or liquidity conditions. For source details, see brave.com/transparency. --- ## Brave Verified Creators: Platform Distribution & Growth Stats Track BAT tips eligibility and monthly momentum across YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, and more in Brave's creator ecosystem. Platform-by-platform breakdown of Brave Verified Creators, with distribution charts, growth trends, and month-over-month change tracking. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/creators ### KPI Cards - **Top platform** with share percentage - **Total verified creators** — Across every platform Brave tracks - **Platforms tracked** — Active integrations with Brave - **Last month net change** — Sum of MoM additions across platforms ### Charts - **Current creator share** — Breakdown of verified creators by primary platform - **Historical growth** — Platform-by-platform creator counts over time ### Creator Totals by Platform Compare current totals, market share, and month-over-month change for each platform. ### Frequently Asked Questions **What counts as a verified creator?** A verified creator is a site or channel that has linked a wallet and completed Brave's verification steps, allowing them to receive BAT tips or earnings through Brave Rewards. Once verified, the property is added to Brave's transparency dataset and counted under its platform. **Which platforms are included?** Brave currently tracks Websites, YouTube, Twitter/X, Reddit, GitHub, Twitch, Vimeo, and other integrations. The set can evolve as Brave adds or retires integrations, and the table reflects whatever the live dataset reports. **How often is creator data updated?** This page uses the same transparency feed as the rest of the site. Counts typically refresh monthly when Brave publishes new transparency metrics. We surface the dataset timestamp in the hero card. **How do you calculate month-over-month change?** We subtract each platform's previous month total from the latest month total, then sum those deltas for the "Last Month Net Change" KPI. **Why can creator counts decrease?** Counts may decline if creators disconnect wallets, get unverified, delete channels, or if Brave adjusts integration coverage. Negative deltas highlight those removals. --- ## Browser Comparisons See how Brave Browser compares to the competition on privacy, performance, features, and more. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/compare/ ### Available Comparisons - **Brave vs Chrome** — Privacy-first browsing vs the world's most popular browser. See why millions are switching. - **Brave vs Firefox** — Two privacy-focused browsers go head-to-head. Which one protects you better? - **Brave vs Edge** — Microsoft's Chromium browser vs the privacy champion. Compare features and tracking. - **Brave vs Safari** — Apple's default browser vs Brave. Privacy features compared for Mac and iOS users. - **Brave vs Opera** — Feature-rich browsers with built-in VPNs and ad blockers. See which delivers more. - **Brave vs Vivaldi** — Power user browsers compared. Customization vs privacy-first design. - **Brave vs Arc** — The new kid on the block vs the privacy veteran. Modern UX compared. - **Brave vs Opera GX** — Privacy browser vs gaming browser. Resource limiters, mods, and AI compared. - **Brave vs Yandex** — Two Chromium browsers with different approaches to privacy, features, and ecosystem integration. ### Why Browser Choice Matters **Privacy Protection:** Your browser sees everything you do online. Choose one that respects your privacy and blocks trackers by default. **Speed & Performance:** Blocking ads and trackers means faster page loads and less battery drain. Performance varies significantly between browsers. **Data Monetization:** Some browsers profit from your data. Others let you earn from your attention. Understand the business model behind your browser. ### Comparison Hub FAQ **Why should I switch from Chrome to Brave?** Brave offers significant privacy and performance advantages over Chrome. It blocks ads and trackers by default, reducing page load times by up to 3-6x on ad-heavy sites. You get Chrome extension compatibility without the data collection. Plus, Brave's BAT rewards program lets you earn from optional ads. See our detailed Brave vs Chrome comparison for benchmarks. **Is Brave better than Firefox for privacy?** Both are excellent privacy browsers, but they differ in approach. Brave blocks ads and trackers natively in C++/Rust code, while Firefox relies more on extensions. Brave also includes Tor integration and fingerprint randomization by default. Firefox offers a non-profit mission and Gecko engine independence. **Which browser is best for Mac users?** Safari offers the deepest macOS integration with iCloud sync, Handoff, and optimized battery life on Apple Silicon. However, Brave provides superior ad blocking, Chrome extension support, and cross-platform sync if you also use Windows or Android. **Do all these browsers support Chrome extensions?** Most Chromium-based browsers (Brave, Edge, Opera, Vivaldi, Arc) support Chrome Web Store extensions. Firefox has its own add-ons ecosystem. Safari has limited extension support through the App Store. Brave's native ad blocking means you don't need extensions like uBlock Origin, but it supports them if you want additional functionality. --- ### Brave vs Chrome: Complete 2026 Comparison A comprehensive, data-driven comparison between the privacy-focused challenger and the world's most popular browser. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/compare/brave-vs-chrome **Brave** v1.88.35 (Chromium 144) vs **Chrome** v144 (Chromium 144) #### Quick Verdict **Brave wins decisively on privacy and speed**, blocking ads and trackers by default while using the same Chromium engine as Chrome. Both browsers share the same rendering technology, but Brave loads pages **21% faster** on mobile and uses **40% less battery**. **Choose Chrome** if you need deep Google ecosystem integration, Gemini AI features, or enterprise management. **Choose Brave** for privacy, ad-free browsing, crypto rewards, and a cleaner web experience. **Brave Wins For:** Privacy, ad blocking, speed, battery life, crypto/Web3, lower data usage **Chrome Wins For:** Google ecosystem, enterprise features, Gemini AI, market compatibility #### Market Share (2026) | Metric | Brave | Chrome | |---|---|---| | MAU | 101M | 3.8B | | YoY Growth | 31% | — | | Global Share | ~1.1% | 68-71% | #### Basic Information | Specification | Brave | Chrome | |---|---|---| | Developer | Brave Software, Inc. | Google LLC | | Initial Release | January 2016 | September 2008 | | Rendering Engine | Blink (Chromium 144) | Blink (Chromium 144) | | Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, ChromeOS | | Open Source | Yes (fully - MPL 2.0) | Partial (Chromium under BSD) | | Business Model | BAT ads (70% to users), VPN, Leo Premium | Advertising data collection, Enterprise subscriptions | | Default Search | Brave Search (privacy-focused) | Google Search | #### Privacy & Security | Feature | Brave | Chrome | |---|---|---| | Built-in Ad Blocking | Brave Shields — Blocks by default, 75% memory optimized | Not Available — Requires extensions (limited by MV3) | | Tracker Blocking | Aggressive (Shields) — Blocks bounce tracking, URL parameters | Minimal — No built-in protection | | Third-Party Cookies | Blocked by Default — Since launch in 2016 | Enabled by Default — Deprecation cancelled July 2024 | | Fingerprint Protection | Farbling + Randomization — Per-session, per-site seed values | None — No native protection | | Manifest V3 Impact | Unaffected — Native blocking + hosts MV2 extensions | Severely Limited — MV2 removed June 2025, 330K rule limit | | Private Browsing with Tor | Built-in since 2018 | Not available | | Built-in VPN | $9.99/mo (10 devices) | Not available | | Data Collection | Minimal (Opt-in P3A) — Privacy-preserving analytics | Extensive — Browsing, search, location data | | Global Privacy Control | Enabled by default | Not supported | #### Performance Benchmarks | Metric | Brave | Chrome | Winner | |---|---|---|---| | Page Load Speed (Mobile) | 21% faster than Chrome | Baseline | Brave | | RAM Usage (20 tabs) | ~1.5GB | ~1.9GB | Brave | | Battery Life (Mobile) | 40% better than Chrome | Baseline | Brave | | CPU Usage | 9% lower than Chrome | Baseline | Brave | | Data Usage (Mobile) | 14% less than Chrome | Baseline | Brave | | Speedometer 3.0 (M3 Pro) | 37.6 | 37.8 | Tie | #### Features & Tools | Feature | Brave | Chrome | |---|---|---| | Extension Support | Chrome Web Store + MV2 preserved | Chrome Web Store (MV3 only) | | Sync Across Devices | Brave Sync (E2E encrypted, no account) | Google Account (optional E2E) | | Password Manager | Built-in (E2E encrypted sync) | Google Password Manager (passkeys) | | Developer Tools | Chrome DevTools (inherited) | Chrome DevTools (AI-powered) | | Built-in Translation | Via extensions | Google Translate (native) | | Video Conferencing | Brave Talk (built-in, private) | Google Meet (via web) | #### AI Features **Brave Leo AI:** - Free tier: Llama 3.1 8B, Mixtral 8x7B - Premium ($14.99/mo): Claude Sonnet 4, DeepSeek R1, Qwen 3 - Privacy: Zero server storage, local history only - BYOM: Connect your own AI (GPT-4, Ollama, etc.) - Multi-tab context: Analyze multiple pages simultaneously **Google Gemini:** - Free tier: Basic Gemini in address bar - AI Pro ($19.99/mo): Gemini Advanced, 1M token context - Privacy: Data processed on Google servers - Integration: Works with Gmail, Docs, Drive, YouTube - Agentic: Browser agent for automated tasks (Pro) #### Web3 & Cryptocurrency | Feature | Brave | Chrome | |---|---|---| | Built-in Crypto Wallet | Brave Wallet (self-custody) | Not available | | Supported Blockchains | Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, Bitcoin + all EVM chains | N/A (requires extensions) | | Rewards Program | BAT tokens (70% ad revenue share) — ~2M verified creators | None | | dApp Support | Full Web3 provider (native) | Via MetaMask extension | | NFT Support | Native display & management | Not available | #### Ecosystem Comparison **Brave Ecosystem:** Brave Search, Brave Sync (E2E encrypted), Brave Talk, Brave Wallet, Brave VPN, Leo AI **Google Ecosystem:** Google Account, Google Workspace, Gmail, Google Password Manager, Gemini AI, Chrome Enterprise (200+ policies) #### FAQ **Can I use Chrome extensions in Brave?** Yes, Brave fully supports Chrome extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Additionally, Brave continues to support Manifest V2 extensions (like uBlock Origin, NoScript, and uMatrix) that Chrome has removed. **Is Brave really faster than Chrome?** In real-world usage, yes. Brave loads pages 21% faster on Android because it blocks ads and trackers before they load. This also results in 14% less data usage and 40% better battery life on mobile. In pure JavaScript benchmarks (Speedometer), they're nearly identical since both use the same Chromium engine. **What happened to Chrome's third-party cookie deprecation?** Google reversed its plans in July 2024 and confirmed in April 2025 that third-party cookies will remain enabled by default in Chrome. The Privacy Sandbox initiative was largely abandoned in October 2025. **Does Brave block YouTube ads?** Yes, Brave Shields blocks most YouTube video ads by default, including pre-roll, mid-roll, and banner ads — without needing any extensions. **Which browser has better AI features?** Brave Leo offers better privacy (zero server storage, BYOM support) and a lower premium price ($14.99/mo vs $19.99/mo). Chrome's Gemini offers deeper Google Workspace integration and more advanced agentic features. --- ### Brave vs Firefox: Complete 2026 Comparison Two privacy-focused browsers with fundamentally different approaches. Chromium vs Gecko, native ad blocking vs extensions, BAT rewards vs non-profit mission. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/compare/brave-vs-firefox **Brave** v1.88.35 (Chromium) vs **Firefox** v147 (Gecko) #### Quick Verdict **Both are excellent privacy-focused browsers**, but they serve different philosophies. **Choose Brave** if you want aggressive out-of-the-box ad blocking, Chrome extension compatibility, crypto rewards, and Manifest V3 immunity. **Choose Firefox** if you value browser engine diversity (non-Chromium), container tabs for isolated browsing, extensive customization, and supporting a non-profit mission. **Brave Wins For:** Ad blocking, speed, Chrome extensions, crypto/Web3, Manifest V3 immunity **Firefox Wins For:** Engine diversity, container tabs, customization, about:config, non-profit backing #### Market Share | Metric | Brave | Firefox | |---|---|---| | MAU | 101M | ~200M | | Global Share | 1.1-1.5% | 2.3-3.2% | Note: Brave is growing (~13% YoY), while Firefox has been gradually declining from its 2009 peak of 31.82%. #### Basic Information | Specification | Brave | Firefox | |---|---|---| | Developer | Brave Software, Inc. | Mozilla Foundation / Mozilla Corp. | | Initial Release | January 2016 | November 2004 | | Rendering Engine | Chromium/Blink | Gecko (independent) | | Open Source | Yes (MPL 2.0) | Yes (MPL 2.0) | | Business Model | BAT ads, premium subscriptions, wallet fees | Google search deal (~95% of revenue) | | Organization Type | For-profit corporation | Non-profit foundation | #### Privacy & Security | Feature | Brave | Firefox | |---|---|---| | Built-in Ad Blocking | Brave Shields — Native C++/Rust, blocks by default | Extensions Only — ETP blocks trackers, not ads | | Tracker Blocking | Aggressive (Shields) — Blocks bounce tracking, URL params, ephemeral storage | Strong (ETP) — Uses Disconnect list, 3 protection levels | | Fingerprint Protection | Farbling (Randomization) — Per-session, per-site seed values | Phase 2 Protections — 65% to 20% uniqueness reduction | | Cookie Isolation | Ephemeral Storage — Auto-deletes on site close | Total Cookie Protection — Separate cookie jar per site | | Container Tabs | Uses profiles instead | Multi-Account Containers | | Private Browsing with Tor | Built-in | Separate Tor Browser | | Telemetry | Opt-in only (P3A) | On by default — Can disable in settings | #### Ad Blocking & Manifest V3 Impact Manifest V3 is Google's new extension platform that limits the webRequest API used by ad blockers. Chrome users saw uBlock Origin deprecated in June 2025. Both Brave and Firefox protect ad blocking capabilities. | Aspect | Brave | Firefox | |---|---|---| | MV3 Impact | Unaffected — Native blocking bypasses extension APIs | Minimal — Maintains full MV2 + webRequest API | | Blocking Method | C++/Rust Native — Browser core level | Extension-based — ETP + uBlock Origin recommended | | uBlock Origin | Works fully | Works fully | #### Performance Benchmarks | Metric | Brave | Firefox | Winner | |---|---|---|---| | Speedometer 3.0 | 37.6 (M3 Pro) | 34.8 (M3 Pro) | Brave | | Page Load Speed | 21% faster than Chrome | Comparable to Chrome | Brave | | RAM Efficiency | 40% less than Firefox | 700-900MB (10-20 tabs) | Brave | | Battery (Android) | 557.68 mAh (most efficient) | ~580 mAh | Brave | #### AI Features **Brave Leo AI:** Full conversational AI with multiple models (Llama, Claude, Qwen, DeepSeek), BYOM support, multi-tab context, agentic browsing. Premium: $14.99/month. **Firefox AI Runtime:** Local-first, all AI processing on-device via ONNX runtime. AI tab grouping, PDF alt-text generation. Free, no subscription needed. AI kill switch available. **Key difference:** Brave Leo is a full conversational AI assistant with cloud processing, while Firefox AI Runtime focuses on local, privacy-preserving features. #### Web3 & Cryptocurrency Brave is significantly ahead with native wallet, BAT rewards (70% ad revenue share), NFT support, and IPFS gateway. Firefox has intentionally avoided cryptocurrency features. #### FAQ **Which browser is more private out of the box?** Brave offers stronger default privacy with Shields blocking ads, trackers, and fingerprinting without configuration. Firefox has Enhanced Tracking Protection but requires installing uBlock Origin for ad blocking. **Why does browser engine matter?** Firefox is the only major browser using an independent engine (Gecko). Browser engine diversity prevents any single company from controlling web standards. **What are Firefox container tabs?** Multi-Account Containers isolate websites into color-coded tabs with separate cookies, sessions, and logins. Brave uses separate profiles instead. --- ### Brave vs Edge: Complete 2026 Comparison Two Chromium browsers with vastly different philosophies: privacy-first vs enterprise integration. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/compare/brave-vs-edge **Brave** v1.88.35 (Chromium 143) vs **Edge** v144.0.3719.82 (Chromium 144) #### Quick Verdict **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 #### Market Share | Metric | Brave | Edge | |---|---|---| | MAU | 101M | ~280M | | Global Share | 1.1% | 5.3% | #### Privacy & Security | Feature | Brave | Edge | |---|---|---| | Built-in Ad Blocking | Brave Shields — Rust engine, 75% memory optimized | Extensions Only | | Tracker Blocking | Aggressive (Shields) — Blocks ALL trackers by default | Balanced (3-tier) — Allows Microsoft trackers | | Fingerprint Protection | Industry-leading — API randomization per-session | Basic — Disconnect list blocking only | | Third-party Cookies | Blocked by default | Allowed in Balanced mode | | Tor | Built-in | Not available | | Microsoft Recall Blocking | Blocked by default (v1.81+) | InPrivate only filtered | | Telemetry | Minimal (opt-in P3A) | Extensive — History, searches, diagnostics | #### AI Features **Brave Leo:** Multiple models (Llama, Mixtral, Qwen free; Claude Sonnet 4 premium), BYOM support, zero data retention. $14.99/mo premium. **Microsoft Copilot:** GPT-4.1 default, GPT-5 preview, Agent Mode for multi-step workflows, multi-tab reasoning, Journeys contextual memory, voice navigation. #### Enterprise Features Edge is significantly stronger: 400+ policies, Microsoft Intune integration, Purview DLP, document watermarking, Azure AD SSO, BYOD profiles. Edge was named IDC MarketScape Leader 2025. Brave covers about 51% of typical enterprise requirements. #### FAQ **What data does Edge collect?** Edge collects browsing history, search queries, website visits, and diagnostic data by default. Brave has minimal opt-in analytics with no persistent identifiers. **Does Edge's tracking prevention actually work?** Edge uses Disconnect's lists but allows Microsoft's own tracking even on "Strict" mode. --- ### Brave vs Safari: Complete 2026 Comparison A comprehensive comparison between Apple's native browser and the privacy-focused challenger. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/compare/brave-vs-safari **Brave** v1.88.28 (Chromium 144) vs **Safari** v26.0 (WebKit) #### Quick Verdict **Choose Brave** if you want built-in ad blocking, cross-platform sync, Chrome extension compatibility, and Web3/crypto features. **Choose Safari** if you're fully invested in the Apple ecosystem, prioritize battery efficiency on Mac, and want seamless iCloud integration. **Brave Wins For:** Privacy controls, ad blocking, extensions, crypto, cross-platform users **Safari Wins For:** Apple ecosystem, battery life, iCloud sync, Apple Pay, simplicity #### Market Share | Metric | Brave | Safari | |---|---|---| | MAU | 100M+ | ~900M | | Global Share | 1.1% | 17-19% | #### Privacy & Security | Feature | Brave | Safari | |---|---|---| | Built-in Ad Blocking | Brave Shields — Blocks by default | Extensions Only — Requires App Store content blockers | | Tracker Blocking | Aggressive (Shields) — Bounce tracking, URL parameters | ITP (ML-based) — On-device machine learning | | Fingerprint Protection | Farbling + Randomization | AFP (Safari 26+) — Canvas/WebGL noise injection | | Global Privacy Control | Enabled by default | Not supported | | Tor | Built-in | Not available | #### AI Features **Brave Leo:** Multiple AI models, BYOM, multi-tab context. Premium $14.99/mo. **Apple Intelligence:** On-device Ajax LLM, Reader AI summaries, Highlights, Private Cloud Compute. #### FAQ **Is Safari's privacy as good as Brave's?** Both have strong privacy. Brave blocks ads and trackers aggressively with Shields, supports GPC, and offers Tor. Safari uses ITP with machine learning and AFP in Safari 26. Safari doesn't block ads natively and doesn't support GPC. **Can I use iCloud Keychain with Brave?** No. Brave has its own password manager with E2E encryption via Brave Sync. --- ### Brave vs Opera: Complete 2026 Comparison Two feature-packed Chromium browsers with built-in VPNs, AI assistants, and ad blockers. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/compare/brave-vs-opera **Brave** v1.73.x (Chromium) vs **Opera** Opera One R3 (Chromium) #### Quick Verdict **Brave wins for privacy, transparency, and crypto rewards.** Opera excels at features like sidebar messengers, Tab Islands, and gaming (Opera GX). Both offer free AI assistants and ad blocking, but Brave's native implementation is more effective. **Brave Wins For:** Privacy, open source, ad blocking, crypto rewards, Tor integration **Opera Wins For:** Free VPN, sidebar messengers, gaming (GX), Tab Islands, customization #### Market Share | Metric | Brave | Opera | |---|---|---| | MAU | 101M+ | 350M+ | | Global Share | 1.8% | 2.4% | Note: Opera's count includes Opera Mini, popular in developing markets. #### Privacy & Security **Ownership Note:** Opera was acquired by a Chinese consortium (Kunlun Tech, Qihoo 360) in 2016. While Opera states data is handled according to Norwegian/EU law, the ownership structure has raised privacy concerns. Brave is fully open source and US-based. | Feature | Brave | Opera | |---|---|---| | Ad Blocking | Brave Shields — Native, on by default | Extension-based, off by default | | Tracker Blocking | Aggressive — URL params stripped, DOM partitioning | Basic — Standard blocking only | | Fingerprint Protection | Industry-leading randomization | Limited — Standard Chromium only | | VPN / Proxy | True VPN ($9.99/mo) — Device-wide | Free Proxy — Browser-only, unlimited | | Tor | Built-in | Not available | #### AI Features **Brave Leo:** Multiple models (Llama, Claude, Qwen, DeepSeek), agentic browsing, BYOM, privacy-first. Free + Premium $14.99/mo. **Opera Aria:** Completely free, Composer engine (OpenAI + Google AI), image generation via Imagen3, Highlight to Act, 50+ language translation. #### Gaming Features (Opera GX) Opera GX is the world's first gaming browser: GX Control (CPU/RAM/Network limiters), Razer Chroma RGB, Twitch/Discord sidebar, GX Corner (gaming news/deals), Mods, Panic Button. Brave has no gaming variant. #### Web3 Brave Wallet is active with Ethereum, Solana, Bitcoin, BNB + 100 EVMs. Opera is discontinuing its wallet (shut down January 2026), pivoting to MiniPay stablecoin on Celo for Africa only. --- ### Brave vs Vivaldi: Complete 2026 Comparison Privacy-first simplicity meets ultimate customization. Two Chromium browsers with radically different philosophies. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/compare/brave-vs-vivaldi **Brave** v1.88.35 (Chromium 144) vs **Vivaldi** v7.7 (Chromium 142-144) #### Quick Verdict **Two power-user browsers with opposite philosophies.** **Choose Brave** if you want privacy out-of-the-box, built-in AI assistant, crypto rewards, and a fully open-source browser. **Choose Vivaldi** if you want extreme customization, built-in productivity tools (mail, calendar, notes), and explicitly refuse AI integration. **Brave Wins For:** Privacy defaults, AI assistant, crypto/Web3, Tor integration, open source **Vivaldi Wins For:** Customization, tab management, built-in mail/calendar, no-AI philosophy, car support #### Market Share | Metric | Brave | Vivaldi | |---|---|---| | MAU | 101M | 3.5M | | Global Share | 1.1% | <0.5% | #### Basic Information | Specification | Brave | Vivaldi | |---|---|---| | Developer | Brave Software (Brendan Eich, Mozilla co-founder) | Vivaldi Technologies AS (Jon von Tetzchner, Opera co-founder) | | Founded | 2016 | 2016 | | Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Oslo, Norway (servers in Iceland) | | Open Source | Yes — 100% (MPL-2.0) | Partial — 95% (UI is proprietary) | | Company Structure | VC-funded startup | Employee-owned, no external VC funding | | Business Model | BAT ads, VPN, AI Premium (~$26M revenue) | Search partnerships, Speed Dial partners (~$6.3M revenue) | #### Privacy & Security | Feature | Brave | Vivaldi | |---|---|---| | Ad Blocking | Brave Shields — 75% memory optimized | DuckDuckGo lists — 3 levels | | Tracker Blocking | Aggressive (multi-list) | Strong (DuckDuckGo Radar) | | Fingerprint Protection | Industry-leading — Farbling + per-session randomization | Limited — Battery API limits only | | Tor | Built-in (desktop) | Not available | | VPN | Brave VPN $9.99/mo | Proton VPN — Free tier available | | Telemetry | Opt-in only (P3A) | Mandatory (limited) — Daily ping with anonymized data | | Sync Encryption | E2E (AES128-CTR-HMAC) — 24-word recovery | E2E (12+ char password) — Servers in Iceland | #### Performance | Metric | Brave | Vivaldi | Winner | |---|---|---|---| | RAM Usage (10 tabs) | ~2.3 GB | ~960 MB (with hibernation) | Vivaldi | | Speedometer 3.0 | 37.6 | ~37 | Tie | | Battery (Android) | 557.68 mAh (best tested) | Not benchmarked | Brave | | Page Load Speed | 21% faster than Chrome | Comparable to Chrome | Brave | #### AI Features: The Key Differentiator **Brave Leo AI:** Free models (Llama, Mixtral, Qwen), Premium (Claude Sonnet 4, DeepSeek R1), BYOM support, multi-tab context. $14.99/month premium. **Vivaldi: "Keep Browsing Human"** — No AI chatbot, no summarization. CEO Jon von Tetzchner (August 2025): "Today, as other browsers race to build AI that controls how you experience the web, we are making a clear promise: We're taking a stand, choosing humans over hype." #### Customization & Productivity Vivaldi includes tab stacking (two-level), tab tiling, up to 9 workspaces, command chains (200+ commands), extreme UI themes, full email client (IMAP/POP3), calendar (CalDAV), notes, RSS reader + podcast player, screenshot tool, and 108-language translation. Brave has vertical tabs, mouse gestures, and Brave News but lacks most of these productivity tools. #### FAQ **Is Vivaldi as private as Brave?** Both have strong privacy, but Brave has more aggressive defaults: fingerprint randomization, bounce tracking protection, automatic URL parameter stripping. Vivaldi lacks native fingerprint randomization. Brave is fully open source; Vivaldi's UI layer is proprietary. **Why does Vivaldi refuse to add AI features?** CEO von Tetzchner argues AI summaries funnel traffic away from creators (50% fewer clicks per Pew Research), misrepresent news 45% of the time (BBC/EBU study), and primarily harvest user data. **Which browser uses less RAM?** Vivaldi can be more efficient due to tab hibernation (~960MB for 10 tabs). Brave uses ~2.3GB for 10 tabs but has recently optimized ad-blocking to use 75% less memory. --- ### Brave vs Arc: Complete 2026 Comparison Privacy pioneer versus UX innovator. A comprehensive comparison including Arc's successor Dia. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/compare/brave-vs-arc **Brave** v1.88 (Chromium 144) — Active Development **Arc** (Chromium 143) — Maintenance Only **Dia** — Arc's Successor — New #### Quick Verdict **These browsers solve fundamentally different problems.** **Brave** is privacy-first with built-in ad blocking, tracker protection, crypto wallet, and Tor integration. **Arc** reimagined browser UX with Spaces, split views, and Boosts, but is now in maintenance mode. **Dia** (Arc's successor) focuses on AI-first browsing. **Brave Wins For:** Privacy, ad blocking, crypto, Linux/Android users, open source **Arc Wins For:** Tab organization, Spaces, Boosts, Mac power users **Dia Wins For:** AI-first workflows, agentic tasks, Atlassian users #### Important: Arc Browser Status Update **May 2025:** The Browser Company announced Arc is entering maintenance mode — security updates only. **September 2025:** Atlassian acquired The Browser Company for $610 million. The team now focuses on **Dia**, an AI-first browser launched publicly October 2025. #### Privacy & Security | Feature | Brave | Arc | Dia | |---|---|---|---| | Ad Blocking | Brave Shields | Extensions Only | Unknown | | Tracker Blocking | Aggressive — CNAME uncloaking, bounce tracking | None Built-in | Unknown | | Fingerprint Protection | Farbling + Randomization | No | Unknown | | Tor | Built-in | No | No | | Data Collection | Opt-in only | Analytics collected (Segment, Sentry, Firebase) | Local + Cloud AI | | Security Incidents | CVE-2025-23086 (Medium) — Fixed within 24h | CVE-2024-45489 (Critical RCE) | No known CVEs | #### AI Features **Brave Leo:** Multiple models, BYOM, zero data retention. $14.99/mo premium. **Arc Max (Maintenance):** ChatGPT in Command Bar, 5-Second Previews, Tidy Tabs. Data sent to OpenAI. **Dia AI (New):** URL bar AI, memory, agentic tasks (add to cart, send emails), 50+ Skills. Free limited / $20/mo Pro. #### Platform Support Brave: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Arc: Windows, macOS only. Dia: macOS only (iOS coming 2026). #### FAQ **Is Arc Browser dead?** Not dead, but in maintenance mode since May 2025. Atlassian acquired the company for $610M. The team now focuses on Dia. **Is Brave better than Arc for privacy?** Yes, significantly. Brave has no account requirement, built-in ad/tracker blocking, fingerprint protection, Tor integration, and minimal data collection. Arc requires a mandatory account and uses analytics services. --- ### Brave vs Opera GX: Privacy vs Gaming in 2026 A comprehensive comparison between the privacy champion and the gaming browser. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/compare/brave-vs-opera-gx **Brave** v1.88.35 (Chromium 143) vs **Opera GX** LVL 7 (Chromium 142) #### Quick Verdict **Choose Brave** if you prioritize privacy, want built-in ad blocking, use cryptocurrency/Web3, or need cross-platform security. **Choose Opera GX** if you're a PC gamer who wants resource limiters, loves extensive customization with mods, or wants free AI with image generation. **Brave Wins For:** Privacy, ad blocking, Tor, crypto/BAT rewards, open source transparency **Opera GX Wins For:** Gaming resource control, free VPN, 8,000+ mods, free AI image generation #### Market Share | Metric | Brave | Opera GX | |---|---|---| | MAU | 100M+ | 30M+ | | Notable | 1.3M+ Brave Creators | 250M+ GX Mod Downloads | #### Privacy | Feature | Brave | Opera GX | |---|---|---| | Ad Blocking | Brave Shields (ON by default) — Native Rust engine | OFF by default — Extension-based | | Tracker Blocking | Aggressive — Bounce tracking, URL parameters stripped | Basic (when enabled) — Standard EasyList only | | VPN | Paid ($9.99/mo) — Full device VPN | FREE (unlimited) — Browser-only proxy | | Tor | Built-in | Not available | | Data Collection | Opt-in only | On by default | | Open Source | Yes | No (Closed source) | **Ownership Note:** Opera GX is owned by Norwegian company Opera Software AS with Chinese majority shareholder (Kunlun Tech). #### Gaming Features (Opera GX Specialty) - **CPU Limiter** — Cap browser CPU usage with real-time monitoring - **RAM Limiter** — 1GB-16GB configurable with auto tab management - **Network Limiter** — Upload/download limits to reduce game ping - **Hot Tabs Killer** — Auto-detect and hibernate resource hogs - **Twitch Integration** — Live notifications, PiP viewing - **Discord Integration** — Full Discord + Rich Presence - **GX Corner** — Free games, deals, release calendar - **RGB Sync** — Razer Chroma integration - **8,000+ Mods** — Themes, sounds, animated wallpapers #### AI: Leo vs Aria **Brave Leo:** Multiple models (free + premium), BYOM, privacy-first, no image generation yet. $14.99/mo premium. **Opera Aria:** Completely free, image generation (Google Imagen ~30/day), Composer engine (OpenAI + Google AI), voice input. Conversations stored on servers. #### FAQ **Is Opera GX safe despite Chinese ownership?** Opera Software AS remains Norwegian, subject to GDPR. Deloitte audited the VPN's no-log policy. However, the closed-source nature means claims can't be independently verified. **Can Opera GX actually help gaming performance?** Yes. GX Control (CPU, RAM, Network limiters) cap browser resource usage. The Network Limiter reduces ping in online games. **Is the Opera GX VPN a real VPN?** No, it's a browser proxy protecting only Opera GX traffic. Brave's VPN ($9.99/mo) is device-wide. --- ### Brave vs Yandex: Complete 2026 Comparison Two Chromium-based browsers with very different approaches to privacy and features. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/compare/brave-vs-yandex **Brave** v1.88 (Chromium) vs **Yandex** v25.12 (Chromium) #### Quick Verdict **Brave** is built for privacy with minimal data collection and open-source code. **Yandex Browser** prioritizes ecosystem integration and features like Turbo mode and Alice AI. **Brave is the stronger choice for privacy-focused users.** **Brave Wins For:** Privacy, security, transparency, cross-platform, no data collection, crypto rewards **Yandex Wins For:** Yandex ecosystem users, Alice AI, Turbo mode, regional services #### Key Privacy Differences - **Trinity College Dublin study (2020):** Yandex ranked among the least private browsers; Brave ranked best - **Open Source:** Brave is fully open source; Yandex is proprietary and closed source - **2025 scandal:** Researchers discovered Yandex apps listening on local ports to track users across applications - **2023 leak:** 45GB of Yandex source code leaked by a former employee #### Market Share | Metric | Brave | Yandex | |---|---|---| | MAU | 101M+ | — | | Notable | ~1.1% global share | ~18% Russia share, 66M Alice AI users | #### Data Collection **Brave (Minimal):** No IP logging, no browsing history on servers, Leo AI chats not retained, optional P3A analytics, open source. **Yandex (Extensive):** Hardware serial number and MAC address hash, IP address and location, browsing history and search queries, cross-app tracking via local ports. #### AI Assistants **Brave Leo:** Multiple models (Llama, Claude, Qwen, DeepSeek), BYOM, TEE verification, no chat storage. $14.99/mo premium. **Yandex Alice:** YandexGPT 5, 66M users, voice-first (20% of searches), optimized for Russian, deep Yandex service integration (Taxi, Food, Maps). Cloud processing, no TEE. #### Unique Features | Feature | Brave | Yandex | |---|---|---| | VPN | Yes ($9.99/mo) | No (separate app) | | Crypto Wallet | Yes (self-custody) | No | | Rewards | BAT tokens (70% share) | No | | Translation | Built-in | 90+ languages | | Turbo/Data Saver | No (ad blocking saves data) | Yes (75% compression) | | Voice Assistant | No | Alice AI | --- ### Brave vs DuckDuckGo: Complete 2026 Privacy Browser Comparison Two privacy-first browsers compared head-to-head. From ad blocking and tracker protection to AI assistants and VPNs. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/compare/brave-vs-duckduckgo **Brave** v1.88.28 (Chromium 144) vs **DuckDuckGo** Desktop + Mobile (2022) #### Quick Verdict Both are privacy-first but take different approaches. **Brave** blocks ads and trackers aggressively (97-99%), offers Tor integration, and uses advanced fingerprint randomization. **DuckDuckGo** focuses on tracker blocking via Tracker Radar, email protection with @duck.com, and scam blocking via Netcraft. **Brave Wins For:** Aggressive ad blocking, Chrome extension support, crypto/Web3, cross-platform (inc. Linux), BAT rewards, Leo AI **DuckDuckGo Wins For:** Simplicity, @duck.com email protection, identity theft restoration, scam blocking, free AI Chat (Duck.ai) #### Key Differences | Feature | Brave | DuckDuckGo | |---|---|---| | Ad Blocking | Shields (97-99%) | Limited (tracker blocking only) | | Fingerprint Protection | Farbling (randomization) | Limited | | Extensions | Full Chrome Web Store | Not supported | | AI Assistant | Leo ($7.99/mo premium) | Duck.ai (free, no paid tier) | | VPN | $9.99/mo, ~100 locations, 10 devices | $9.99/mo, ~44 locations, 5 devices + ID theft restoration | | Crypto/Web3 | Full Brave Wallet | None | | Linux Support | Yes | No | #### FAQ **Is DuckDuckGo as private as Brave?** Brave blocks more ads/trackers (97-99%) and has Tor integration. DuckDuckGo offers unique email protection (@duck.com) and identity theft restoration. Different strengths. **Does DuckDuckGo block ads?** It blocks trackers but not all ads. Brave blocks both by default. **Can DuckDuckGo use Chrome extensions?** No. Brave has full Chrome Web Store support. **Which VPN is better?** Both $9.99/mo. Brave: more locations/devices. DuckDuckGo: bundled identity protection. --- ### Brave vs Tor Browser: Privacy & Anonymity Comparison 2026 Fundamentally different threat models — Brave prioritizes privacy, Tor Browser prioritizes anonymity. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/compare/brave-vs-tor-browser **Brave** v1.76 (Chromium/Blink) vs **Tor Browser** v14.0.6 (Firefox ESR/Gecko) #### Quick Verdict **Brave** is a fast, feature-rich daily driver with strong privacy defaults. **Tor Browser** routes all traffic through 3+ relays for maximum anonymity, at the cost of speed (1-10 Mbps, 200-600ms per hop). **Brave Wins For:** Speed, daily browsing, ad blocking, extensions, Leo AI, crypto/Web3, cross-platform sync **Tor Wins For:** Maximum anonymity, censorship bypass, journalist source protection, .onion access, anti-fingerprinting uniformity #### Key Differences | Feature | Brave | Tor Browser | |---|---|---| | MAU | 70M+ | 2-3M daily users | | Engine | Chromium/Blink | Firefox ESR/Gecko | | Developer | Brave Software (for-profit) | The Tor Project (non-profit) | | IP Masking | Optional VPN ($9.99/mo) | Always (3-hop onion routing) | | Fingerprinting | Farbling (randomization) | Uniformity (resistFingerprinting) | | Censorship Bypass | None built-in | Bridges, pluggable transports, meek | | Speed | Normal browsing speeds | 1-10 Mbps typical | | .onion Access | Built-in Tor window (limited) | Full native support | #### FAQ **Is Brave's Tor mode as secure as Tor Browser?** No. It routes traffic through Tor but lacks bridges, pluggable transports, default JS disabling, and uniformity-based fingerprinting. Use dedicated Tor Browser for high-threat scenarios. **Why is Tor Browser slow?** Traffic passes through 3+ relays (200-600ms each). The shared 300-400 Gbps relay bandwidth serves 2-3M daily users. **Is the Tor Project financially sustainable?** Facing challenges — US Executive Order 14169 (Jan 2025) froze ~35% of its ~$7.3M budget. Diversifying toward corporate sponsors and donations. **Can I use both?** Yes, recommended. Brave for everyday browsing, Tor Browser for sensitive activities requiring anonymity. --- ### Brave vs Mullvad Browser: Privacy Showdown 2026 Two top-tier privacy browsers with fundamentally different approaches: randomization vs uniformity, feature-rich vs minimalist. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/compare/brave-vs-mullvad-browser **Brave** (Chromium/Blink) vs **Mullvad Browser** (Gecko/Firefox ESR, April 2023) #### Quick Verdict **Brave** is a full-featured daily driver. **Mullvad Browser** is "Tor Browser without Tor" — maximum anti-fingerprinting through uniformity, zero telemetry, designed as a companion to Mullvad VPN. **Brave Wins For:** Full-featured daily driver, ad blocking, AI (Leo), crypto/Web3, mobile apps, cross-device sync **Mullvad Wins For:** Maximum anti-fingerprinting (uniformity), zero telemetry, minimalist "leave no trace" browsing, cheaper VPN (€5/mo) #### Privacy Philosophy - **Brave:** Randomization (farbling) — each session gets a unique fingerprint, prevents cross-session tracking while maintaining site compatibility - **Mullvad:** Uniformity (resistFingerprinting from Tor Project) — all users appear identical, stronger anonymity but more website breakage #### Key Differences | Feature | Brave | Mullvad Browser | |---|---|---| | Developer | Brave Software | Mullvad VPN AB & Tor Project | | Platforms | All (Win, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android) | Desktop only (Win, Mac, Linux) | | Extensions | Full Chrome Web Store | Discouraged (breaks uniformity) | | VPN | $9.99/mo | Designed for Mullvad VPN (€5/mo) | | AI | Leo (multiple models) | None | | Telemetry | Opt-in P3A | Zero | | Pre-installed | None | uBlock Origin + NoScript | #### FAQ **Is Mullvad more private than Brave?** Stronger anti-fingerprinting (uniformity) and zero telemetry. But Brave is more practical for daily use with better site compatibility. **Do I need Mullvad VPN?** No, but designed as companion. Anti-fingerprinting is strongest when users share the same VPN exit IP. **Can I install extensions?** Technically yes, but strongly discouraged — breaks the uniformity model. Ships with uBlock Origin and NoScript. **Why no Tor if built by Tor Project?** Deliberately "Tor Browser without Tor" — same anti-fingerprinting, VPN instead of onion routing, better performance. --- ### Brave vs Samsung Internet: Complete 2026 Comparison Privacy-focused Brave vs Samsung's Galaxy-optimized browser — both Chromium-based for Android. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/compare/brave-vs-samsung-internet **Brave** v1.76+ (Chromium) vs **Samsung Internet** v26+ (Chromium) #### Quick Verdict **Brave** offers maximum privacy by default with built-in ad blocking, cross-platform sync, and Web3 features. **Samsung Internet** excels with Galaxy ecosystem integration (Samsung Pass, DeX, Smart TV casting). **Brave Wins For:** Privacy by default, ad blocking without extensions, cross-platform sync, Web3/crypto, Leo AI **Samsung Internet Wins For:** Galaxy ecosystem (Samsung Pass, DeX, Smart TV), hardware-optimized performance, 250M MAU installed base #### Key Differences | Feature | Brave | Samsung Internet | |---|---|---| | MAU | 79M+ | ~250M | | Platforms | All (Win, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android) | Android only | | Ad Blocking | Shields (97-99%, built-in) | Requires extensions | | Tracker Blocking | Shields (aggressive) | Smart Anti-Tracking (ML, restricts) | | Fingerprinting | Farbling | Smart Anti-Tracking only | | AI Assistant | Leo (free + $7.99/mo premium) | None (Galaxy AI is device-level) | | Ecosystem | Cross-platform sync, Web3 | Samsung Pass, DeX, Smart View | | Cold Start (Galaxy) | 1-3 seconds | <1 second (preloaded) | #### FAQ **Is Samsung Internet as private as Brave?** No. Brave blocks 97-99% of ads/trackers by default. Samsung Internet requires extensions for full ad blocking and collects more usage diagnostics. **Can I use Samsung Internet on non-Samsung devices?** Yes (Play Store, Android 7.0+), but you lose Samsung Pass, DeX, Smart View, and fast startup. **Which is faster?** Samsung Internet cold-starts faster on Galaxy devices. Brave is 3x faster on ad-heavy sites due to built-in Shields. **Should I replace Samsung Internet on my Galaxy?** Depends. Brave for privacy and cross-platform. Samsung Internet for Galaxy features (Pass, DeX, Smart View). Many users keep both. --- ## Privacy Tools Free, browser-based privacy testing tools that run entirely locally without sending data to any server. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/tools/ ### Tools Overview Test your browser's privacy features, detect installed extensions, and learn how websites track you. All tools run locally in your browser — no data is sent to any server. #### Why Browser Privacy Testing Matters Modern websites use sophisticated techniques to identify and track users across the web. From canvas fingerprinting to extension detection, your browser reveals more about you than you might expect. These free tools help you understand your browser's privacy posture and test whether privacy features like Brave Shields are working correctly. All detection runs locally in your browser — we never collect or transmit your data. --- ### Browser Detector Identifies your browser using JavaScript detection methods, showing browser name, version, engine type, platform, and the specific detection techniques used. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/tools/browser-detector Instantly identify if you're using Brave, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or other Chromium-based browsers using JavaScript fingerprinting techniques. #### How to Detect Brave Browser with JavaScript **Brave Detection:** Brave is the only browser that exposes a `navigator.brave` object with an `isBrave()` method. This is the most reliable way to detect Brave, as it is an intentional API provided by Brave Software. ```js if (navigator.brave && await navigator.brave.isBrave()) { // User is on Brave Browser } ``` **Chrome vs Chromium-based Browsers:** Many browsers (Edge, Opera, Brave) are built on Chromium and include "Chrome" in their User Agent string. To identify true Chrome, check for the absence of other browser identifiers (Edg, OPR, Brave) while confirming "Chrome". ```js const ua = navigator.userAgent; const isChromium = ua.includes('Chrome'); const isEdge = ua.includes('Edg'); const isOpera = ua.includes('OPR'); // True Chrome = Chromium without Edge/Opera/Brave markers ``` **Firefox Detection:** Firefox uses the Gecko engine and identifies itself clearly with "Firefox" in the User Agent. **Safari Detection:** Safari detection requires checking for "Safari" while excluding Chrome and Chromium identifiers, as Chrome's UA also contains "Safari". ```js const isSafari = ua.includes('Safari') && !ua.includes('Chrome') && !ua.includes('Chromium'); ``` **Limitations & Privacy:** User Agent strings can be spoofed, and privacy-focused browsers may modify fingerprinting signals. This tool uses client-side detection only. For Brave detection, the `navigator.brave` API is authoritative. --- ### Brave Features Checker Tests whether Brave-specific privacy features are active in your browser. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/tools/brave-features Check if Brave Shields, IPFS support, Brave Wallet, fingerprint protection, and other privacy features are active. #### Features Tested - **Shields** — Ad & tracker blocking - **Fingerprint Protection** — Canvas & WebGL randomization - **IPFS Support** — Decentralized web protocol - **Brave Wallet** — Built-in crypto wallet - **WebRTC Protection** — IP leak prevention - **Do Not Track** — Privacy signal to websites #### How Detection Works **Shields Detection:** Attempts to load a known tracking pixel (e.g., Google Analytics). If Shields is active, the request is blocked via the `onerror` event. ```js const img = new Image(); img.src = 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect?v=1&t=pageview'; img.onerror = () => console.log('Blocked by Shields'); ``` **Fingerprint Randomization:** Generates a canvas fingerprint twice. If values differ between page loads or have unusual entropy, fingerprint protection is active. ```js const canvas = document.createElement('canvas'); const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d'); ctx.fillText('fingerprint test', 10, 10); const hash = canvas.toDataURL(); // Will vary if randomized ``` **IPFS Support:** Checks for `navigator.brave.ipfs` API. **Brave Wallet:** Checks for `window.ethereum.isBraveWallet`. #### FAQ **What is Brave Shields?** Brave Shields blocks third-party ads, trackers, and scripts by default without requiring extensions. **How does Brave fingerprint protection work?** Brave randomizes canvas and WebGL fingerprints on each session, preventing cross-site tracking based on browser fingerprinting. **What is IPFS support in Brave?** Brave has a built-in IPFS node that enables access to the decentralized web. You can resolve ipfs:// URLs directly without external gateways. **Does Brave protect against WebRTC IP leaks?** Yes, Brave blocks WebRTC from leaking your real IP address by default, even when using a VPN. --- ### Extension Detector Scans for detectable browser extensions across six categories, demonstrating what websites can learn about your browser setup. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/tools/extension-detector Discover which browser extensions websites can detect using fingerprinting techniques. Scans for ad blockers, password managers, crypto wallets, and more. #### Extension Categories - **Ad Blockers** — uBlock Origin, AdBlock, AdBlock Plus, Brave Shields - **Password Managers** — LastPass, 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane, NordPass - **Privacy & Security** — Privacy Badger, HTTPS Everywhere, Ghostery, DuckDuckGo - **Crypto Wallets** — MetaMask, Brave Wallet, Coinbase Wallet, Phantom, Trust Wallet - **Productivity & Writing** — Grammarly, Honey, Notion Web Clipper, Dark Reader - **Developer Tools** — React DevTools, Vue DevTools, Redux DevTools, Wappalyzer #### How Detection Works **Web Accessible Resources:** Some extensions expose images or files that websites can attempt to load. If the resource loads, the extension is installed. ```js const img = new Image(); img.src = `chrome-extension://${extensionId}/icon.png`; img.onload = () => console.log('Extension detected!'); ``` **DOM Injection Detection:** Many extensions inject elements into web pages that can be detected by looking for specific selectors. ```js const hasGrammarly = !!document.querySelector('grammarly-desktop-integration'); ``` **Global Object Detection:** Extensions like crypto wallets inject APIs into the window object. ```js if (window.ethereum?.isMetaMask) { console.log('MetaMask detected!'); } ``` **Behavioral Detection:** Ad blockers are detected by attempting to load known tracking scripts. ```js fetch('https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js') .catch(() => console.log('Ad blocker detected!')); ``` #### Privacy Notice This tool runs entirely in your browser. No data about your extensions is sent to any server. Extension detection is a form of browser fingerprinting — Brave and other privacy browsers actively work to prevent these detection methods. --- ### Evercookie Demo Educational demonstration of persistent "zombie cookie" tracking using 17+ storage mechanisms. URL: https://bravebrowserstats.com/tools/evercookie-demo Understand how "zombie cookies" persist across deletion attempts by exploiting multiple browser storage mechanisms. **Educational Demonstration Only:** This page demonstrates evercookie concepts for educational purposes. We do NOT actually track you. The demo stores a random ID to show how persistence works, and you can clear it completely at any time. #### What is an Evercookie? An **evercookie** (also called a "zombie cookie" or "supercookie") is a JavaScript API that creates extremely persistent cookies by storing the same tracking ID across many different browser storage mechanisms simultaneously. When a user deletes their cookies, the evercookie **recreates itself** from any remaining storage location. To truly remove an evercookie, you must clear ALL storage mechanisms at once. The original evercookie was created by Samy Kamkar in 2010 to demonstrate how difficult it is to maintain privacy online. #### Storage Mechanisms (17+) **Standard HTTP Cookies** — Traditional small text files stored by the browser. Easy to clear via browser settings. **HTML5 Local Storage** — Stores up to 5-10MB per domain. Persists until explicitly cleared. Often overlooked when clearing "cookies". **HTML5 Session Storage** — Cleared when the tab closes. Can pass data to respawn other cookies during a session. **IndexedDB** — A full NoSQL database in the browser. Can store large amounts of structured data. Rarely cleared by users. **Canvas Fingerprint PNG** — Encodes cookie value as RGB pixel colors in a PNG image, then force-caches it. Read back by drawing the cached image to a canvas and reading pixel values. **HTTP ETag** — ETags are meant for cache validation but can store tracking IDs. The server sends a unique ETag, and the browser sends it back on subsequent requests. **HSTS Supercookie** — Exploits HSTS by encoding bits in subdomain HSTS policies. Each bit is a subdomain with HSTS set or not. **Web Cache** — Stores the tracking ID inside a cached JavaScript or HTML file with far-future cache headers. **window.name** — Persists across page navigations within the same tab, even to different domains. Can store up to 2MB. **Flash Cookies (LSO)** — Deprecated. Flash Local Shared Objects stored data outside the browser's control. Flash is now dead. **Silverlight Isolated Storage** — Deprecated. Microsoft Silverlight's separate storage mechanism. **History Stealing** — Patched. Encoded data in browser history, read back via CSS :visited styles. #### How Brave Protects Against Evercookies - **Storage Partitioning:** Isolates storage per-site, preventing cross-site tracking - **Ephemeral Storage:** Third-party storage is cleared when you close the site - **Canvas Fingerprint Randomization:** Defeats PNG-based cookie storage - **Blocked HSTS Supercookies:** Clears HSTS state for tracking domains - **ETag Stripping:** Removes tracking ETags from known trackers - **No Flash/Silverlight:** Legacy plugins are completely blocked #### Privacy Implications Evercookies demonstrate a fundamental problem with web privacy: the browser has too many places to store data. Each new API creates another potential hiding spot for trackers. Variations are used in the wild by advertising networks, fraud detection systems, paywall enforcement, and government surveillance tools. The best defense is a privacy-focused browser like Brave that implements storage partitioning and actively blocks known tracking techniques. #### FAQ **How many storage mechanisms do evercookies use?** 17+ including HTTP cookies, localStorage, sessionStorage, IndexedDB, Canvas PNG caching, ETag headers, HSTS supercookies, window.name, Cache API, and historically Flash LSOs and Silverlight. **How do I completely remove an evercookie?** Clear ALL storage mechanisms at once — not just cookies. Most browsers have "Clear all site data" but it's easier to use Brave which prevents evercookies from being set. **Are evercookies legal?** Depends on jurisdiction. Under GDPR, using evercookies without explicit consent would likely violate regulations. Several companies have faced legal action for persistent tracking without disclosure.