Brave
A Chromium browser with native Shields blocking, optional privacy services, and Chrome extension compatibility.
Published by Brave Software (United States) · Verified
Runs on
- macOSmacOS: Available
- WindowsWindows: Available
- LinuxLinux: Available
- AndroidAndroid: Available
- iOSiOS: Available
Choose it when
Choose Brave when you want Chromium compatibility plus a strong native blocker without assembling a privacy extension stack.
Avoid it when
Avoid it if you dislike Brave's optional services, crypto-related product surface, or want an unmodified upstream Chromium experience.
Quick answers
Read straight off the verified record - every one of these is expanded with its source below.
- Which platforms does Brave run on?
- Documented on macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.
- Can I install Chrome extensions?
- Yes - the Chrome Web Store is supported.
- Does it block trackers out of the box?
- Yes - tracker or ad blocking is on by default. Brave Shields blocks ads and trackers by default with configurable lists.
- Does it have built-in AI features?
- Yes - 8 of 9 documented AI capabilities are built in.
- Is it open source?
- Open-source Chromium-derived browser with Brave proprietary services
- Is it still being developed?
- Active - Actively developed with desktop and mobile releases.
What Brave does
Open any row for the wording and the source behind it
Privacy and tracking
4 built in
Blocks trackers by defaultBlocks trackers by default: Built in
Brave Shields blocks ads and trackers by default with configurable lists.
Anti-fingerprintingAnti-fingerprinting: Built in
Shields includes fingerprinting protection modes.
Telemetry postureTelemetry posture: Built in
Brave documents privacy-preserving product analytics and opt-out controls.
Built-in VPN or proxyBuilt-in VPN or proxy: Built in
Brave offers a paid VPN and a Tor-window mode in supported desktop releases.
Private windowsPrivate windows omit local history; optional Tor windows route traffic through Tor but have distinct limitations.
Private windows omit local history; optional Tor windows route traffic through Tor but have distinct limitations.
- Default search engineBrave Search
Extensions and blocking
3 built in · 1 partial · 1 not available
- Chrome Web StoreChrome Web Store: Supported
- Firefox Add-onsFirefox Add-ons: Unsupported
Native content blockingNative content blocking: Built in
Shields is native and uses filter lists for content blocking.
Manifest V3Manifest V3: Built in
Manifest V3 is supported.
Manifest V2Manifest V2: Available by extension
Compatibility follows Chromium's changing extension API support.
Known limitationsChrome extensions generally work, but Brave Shields can alter extension or site behavior.
Chrome extensions generally work, but Brave Shields can alter extension or site behavior.
Workflow
8 built in · 1 partial · 2 not available
Vertical tabsVertical tabs: Built in
Brave documents vertical tabs in its tab features.
Tab treesTab trees: Minimal or opt-in
Tree Tabs ship behind a flag and a Tabs setting, off by default.
- Workspaces or spacesWorkspaces or spaces: Unavailable
ProfilesProfiles: Built in
Profiles or equivalent browser identities are available.
Split viewSplit view: Built in
A native Split View is documented in the tab menu.
SidebarSidebar: Built in
Brave Sidebar provides pinned sites and browser tools.
Reader modeReader mode: Built in
Brave Reader Mode is built in.
- Command paletteCommand palette: Unavailable
Sync across devicesSync across devices: Built in
Brave Sync synchronizes supported browser data without an account.
TranslationTranslation: Built in
A built-in translation feature is documented.
Progressive web appsProgressive web apps: Built in
Progressive web apps are supported by the Chromium install flow.
AI features
8 built in · 1 partial
Built-in assistantBuilt-in assistant: Built in
Leo provides a built-in assistant surface.
Page summarisationPage summarisation: Built in
Leo documents page or multi-tab summarisation.
Acts on pages for youActs on pages for you: Minimal or opt-in
Brave documents its browser agent as off by default and behind an opt-in feature flag.
AI answer engineAI answer engine: Built in
Leo documents AI-assisted answers in search or the address bar.
Works across open tabsWorks across open tabs: Built in
Leo documents awareness of multiple tabs or history.
Text or image generationText or image generation: Built in
Leo documents text or image generation.
Choice of modelChoice of model: Built in
Leo documents a choice of models or local model support.
Retention or training controlsRetention or training controls: Built in
Leo documents retention, training or kill-switch controls.
Voice or image inputVoice or image input: Built in
Leo documents voice or image interaction.
On a phone
10 undocumented
Undocumented is not the same as absent - it means the publisher does not state it.
Extensions on mobileExtensions on mobile: Unknown
Extension support on mobile is not documented.
Can be the phone defaultCan be the phone default: Unknown
Default-browser capability is not documented.
Biometric lockBiometric lock: Unknown
Biometric locking is not documented.
Offline readingOffline reading: Unknown
Offline reading is not documented.
Desktop-site modeDesktop-site mode: Unknown
Desktop-site mode is not documented.
Download managerDownload manager: Unknown
A built-in download manager is not documented.
Background playbackBackground playback: Unknown
Background or picture-in-picture playback is not documented.
Web pushWeb push: Unknown
Web push support is not documented.
- Data saverData saver: Unknown
Address-bar placementAddress-bar placement: Unknown
Address-bar placement is not documented.
Under the hood
- Rendering engine
- Chromium
- JavaScript engine
- V8
- Upstream project
- Chromium
- Release channel
- stable
- Code and licence
- Open-source Chromium-derived browser with Brave proprietary services
- Install method
- Official installer, package repository, or app store.
- Hardware support
- Supported architecture depends on the platform release.
Active. Actively developed with desktop and mobile releases.
Editorial view
Brave answers a specific frustration: wanting Chrome's compatibility without spending an evening building a privacy setup. Shields blocks ads and trackers by default, includes fingerprinting protections, and ships in official builds for macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS. Under it is ordinary Chromium and V8, so sites behave and Chrome Web Store extensions install normally.
The default posture
This is the product. Brave Search is the default engine, native filter-list blocking works before you touch a setting, private windows behave like Chromium's plus an optional Tor window mode on desktop, and a paid VPN is available if you want the bundle. Brave's own analytics are privacy-preserving and can be switched off. The honest caveat is that blocking breaks things. Some sites need a Shields exception, and every exception you grant weakens the posture you installed the browser for.
The parts that are not about privacy
Crypto wallet, rewards program, sponsored new-tab content. All of it can be disabled, none of it is subtle, and people who resent product surface in a privacy browser tend to resent it here. If that description is you, LibreWolf or Firefox may fit better even at some compatibility cost.
Extensions and workflow
Manifest V3 is the platform, and a small Brave-maintained set of Manifest V2 blockers still works, which matters less here than in Chrome because Shields already does the blocking natively.
- Vertical tabs, a new split view, sidebar, Reader Mode, profiles, translation, and web apps are native.
- Tree-style tabs exist behind a flag, off by default.
- Sync pairs devices with a chain code instead of an account.
- Leo adds an assistant with summarisation, model choice, and documented no-training retention; the browser agent stays off unless you opt in.
The verdict
Choose Brave when Chrome-compatible extensions plus default blocking is the shortest path to a private-enough daily browser. Avoid it if you want upstream Chromium untouched or no crypto anywhere near your toolbar. Test the handful of sites you cannot live without with Shields up before committing, because that is where this browser earns or loses its place. Desktop and Android behave most alike; the iOS build follows Apple's WebKit rules like every iPhone browser.
Where these facts come from
Every capability above is read from a primary source and dated. 0 of 30 fields stay recorded as unknown rather than assumed.
- Brave official product pageVerified
Product, blocking, and platform scope.
Alternatives to Brave
- FirefoxMozillaGeckoActive
Mozilla's independent Gecko browser with strong customization, privacy controls, and a separate extension ecosystem.
View profile - ChromeGoogleChromiumActive
Google's mainstream Chromium browser with broad compatibility, sync, and web-app support.
View profile 
ungoogled-chromiumungoogled-software contributorsChromiumActiveChromium with Google web-service dependencies removed or reduced, distributed through community packages.
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Reviewed comparisons featuring Brave
- Brave vs Chrome
Choose Brave for native blocking and fewer default tracking conveniences; choose Chrome for Google's first-party integration and the least surprising Chromium baseline.
Compare head-to-head - Brave vs Firefox
Choose Brave for Chromium compatibility with native Shields; choose Firefox for Gecko, Mozilla's extension ecosystem, and independent-engine diversity.
Compare head-to-head - Brave vs DuckDuckGo Browser
Both block by default; choose Brave when you also want Chrome extensions and configurable shields, and DuckDuckGo when you want fewer decisions to make.
Compare head-to-head