What is the most private browser?

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We will review the main browsers on the market and analyze all their privacy options. This way, you can determine which is the best option if you want to maintain your anonymity when visiting websites. Here we answer a question that many continually ask, namely, which is the most private browser.



We offer you a list of the most popular browsers on the market. Some of them are specialized in safeguarding the user’s privacy, and others are more general. The intention is for you to find not only the most private browser, but also the one that best suits your needs.

Google Chrome

Chrome is the most used browser in the world. It is backed by Google and is seamlessly integrated into the ecosystem that the company has developed. Many take advantage of its capabilities to work or browse the Internet. But, is it really private?

In its favor:

  • It is constantly updated. This prevents external attackers from exploiting software vulnerabilities to steal data.
  • It offers third-party cookie blocking.
  • It has an integrated protection system.

Against it:

  • Google gets a lot of data about you while you are browsing.
  • The integrated protection system sends the URLs you visit to Google.
  • It doesn’t have an integrated ad blocker.

Microsoft Edge

With Microsoft Edge, something similar happens to what happens with Chrome. Although it has anti-tracking options, the data it sends to its parent company is high. Using it, Microsoft will surely know very well what your Internet habits are.

In its favor:

  • It has good support and receives constant updates.
  • It includes a wide variety of tools that expand functionality.
  • It integrates protection against tracking on websites.
  • It is linked to the Windows Defender Smart Screen.

Against it:

  • Microsoft should be obtaining information from you on this exact same moment.
  • No ad blocker.

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla is a great advocate for privacy. In fact, it is a non-profit foundation. Firefox is also an open-source browser with numerous forks.

In its favor:

  • It has a block for third-party cookies.
  • Being open-source, it is auditable by the community.
  • It receives updates frequently.

Against it:

  • It includes telemetry that must be manually disabled.
  • Installing extensions is almost mandatory to obtain advanced functions.

Brave

Brave is a browser that has some interesting features. It is another open-source browser that we present to you and has a built-in Tor mode.

In its favor:

  • Blocks cookies, advertisements, and trackers.
  • Has a long list of privacy settings.
  • Has a built-in Tor mode for browsing anonymously.
  • Synchronization feature (bookmarks, history, tabs…) with end-to-end encryption and thanks to a chain of devices.
  • Reward system for viewing privacy-respecting advertisements.

Against it:

  • The interface is somewhat cluttered and not very user-friendly.

    Opera

    Opera is a real veteran. Among its strengths are some interesting privacy options.

    In its favor:

    • Built-in proxy that hides your IP address from websites.
    • Built-in ad blocker.
    • Malicious website detector.

    Against it:

    • When you create an account on the service, usage data is collected.

    Tor Browser

    Tor Browser is one of the most private alternatives in the world of web browsers. Its secret is in its compatibility with the Tor network and that it is based on Firefox.

    In its favor:

    • It eliminates all traces of browsing when you close the browser. It also does this with cookies and other elements by default.
    • It comes with extensions to strengthen security, such as automatic HTTPS encryption.
    • The Tor network includes several layers of encryption.

    Against it:

    • Navigation may be slightly slower on the Tor network due to the strong encryption that is applied. This makes it not a good contender for work or intensive information searching on the internet.

    Epic Privacy Browser

    Epic Privacy Browser is a Chromium-based browser that offers advanced options to improve privacy.

    In its favor:

    • Absolute blocking of all web elements that pose a risk to privacy, such as cookies, advertisements, and analytics.
    • Comes with DuckDuckGo as the default search engine.
    • Compatibility with Chrome extensions.

    Against:

    • It is heavily stripped of automated features in favor of privacy, which can make productivity difficult in certain scenarios.
    • It is not open-source, which prevents external auditing. However, its creators accept requests for someone with experience to inspect the code.

    Conclusions about the most private browser

    After analyzing the pros and cons of each browser, it is clear that in the browser market there are options of all kinds. It is usual that browsers backed by large corporations are not private, as they incorporate telemetry that monitors the user.

    Fortunately, if you are looking for privacy, there are independent browsers or those belonging to non-profit foundations. If you want more protection against tracking, whether while browsing or using the application itself, the best options are Tor Browser, Brave, or Firefox.

    Finding the balance between features, security updates, and privacy is not easy. Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge include options against tracking and integrate perfectly into powerful ecosystems, but feed personal information to the companies that maintain them. On the other hand, alternative browsers are less practical in everyday life in exchange for more privacy.

    Finally, if we had to choose a browser based only on the privacy it offers and not on its productivity features, our winner would be Tor Browser.

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