There are dozens of web browsers, some more popular than others, but only a few can be considered secure and private.
Brave vs Tor Browser are certainly among them, and although they are similar in some ways, they are two very different types of software.
So, how do they compare when it comes to security and privacy? Let’s find out below.
Brave: Security & Privacy Features
Brave hit the market in late 2019 and quickly became the browser of choice for millions of people around the world, from casual users to tech lovers.
At Brave, it’s all about Brave Shields, a uBlock Origin-like engine that blocks ads, malicious text, trackers, and fingerprints. Think of Shields as an ad blocker – or better yet, a mix of privacy and security extensions used in major browsers.
Shields does a lot more by default, but users can enable powerful blocking of malicious ads and other spam very easily, just as they can configure their browser’s general privacy and security settings as they want.
Brave also has a social media blocking feature, which removes social media login buttons and embedded posts from most sites without any issues.
However, the browser has a built-in connection to the Tor network, automatically updates all connections to HTTPS, and breaks all links from AMP.
Brave’s security and privacy features are exactly why it’s miles ahead of most major browsers. It is also faster and performs better than popular options like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
There are definitely some downsides. For a start, with Shields enabled, you will inevitably come across websites that simply refuse to load properly.
Brave is free, so most of its revenue is generated by ads and the BAT platform. Although it is possible to tweak your browser so that you never encounter an ad or engage in encryption software, it is easy to see why someone who cares about security and privacy would find this problem.
If you care about cybersecurity (and everyone should), you may have heard of the Tor Browser, which is the official browser of the Tor Project. So, what exactly is Tor?
Tor, short for The Onion Router, is open source software that anonymizes Internet communications by routing all traffic through a series of layered nodes.
Tracking someone who accessed the Internet via Tor is extremely difficult, which has made the Tor browser extremely popular among journalists, whistleblowers, activists, law enforcement, and people whose personal safety depends on remaining anonymous on the Internet.
Although Tor Browser uses complex security tools, the interface is very simple and intuitive, while the software itself is easy to install and set up.
Tor looks just like any other browser, but it uses advanced encryption, blocks plugins and scripts, comes with several integrated privacy tools, and allows users to access the dark web safely and anonymously.
Simply put, Tor is without a doubt the most secure and private browser available today.
What interest? Because it routes traffic through a network of relays, Tor is very slow, and much slower than your regular browser. Startup is also slow, and you won’t be able to download or upload large files using Tor Browser.
Tor vs Brave: Which Should You Use?
So, which browser should you use to protect your privacy and keep your security, Brave or Tor?
The answer is simple: both. Use Brave for everyday browsing and Tor in situations that require maximum privacy and security.
Brave is fast and reliable. It’s also more secure and anonymous than the vast majority of browsers, but it’s not nearly as secure and private as Tor.
For an extra layer of security, learn the basics of browser isolation
