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Brave alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Brave: crypto wallet and rewards features feel out of place to many, and some Brave services are upsold in the interface. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Brave, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Firefox currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Firefox logoFirefoxOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 566.5
2Vivaldi logoVivaldiFreeNoWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 462.6
3LibreWolf logoLibreWolfOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 459.6
4Helium logoHeliumOpen sourceYesmacOS, Windows, Linux5 of 557.2
5DuckDuckGo Browser logoDuckDuckGo BrowserFreeNoWindows, macOS, iOS +14 of 455.3
6Google Chrome logoGoogle ChromeFreeNoWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 453.6
  1. Firefox logo

    1. FirefoxTop pick

    Best for: People who want a mainstream, independent browser with strong privacy and ad-blocker support

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Brave

    Independent engine with full uBlock Origin support and no crypto features.

    Pros

    • Independent Gecko engine
    • Full support for advanced ad blockers
    • Strong tracking protection by default

    Cons

    • Some sites are tested less and occasionally break
    • Smaller extension catalogue than Chrome
    • No longer supports Windows 8.1 and older
    Visit Firefox Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Firefox a good Brave alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Positioning
    Independent browser
    Checked Oct 25, 2026firefox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Extensions
    30,000+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026firefox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    PDF editing
    Built in
    Checked Oct 25, 2026firefox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026firefox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Minimum Windows
    Windows 10 (8.1 and older need ESR)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026firefox.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Vivaldi logo

    2. Vivaldi

    Best for: Power users who want deep customisation and built-in mail, calendar and feeds

    FreeWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Brave

    Chromium browser with built-in ad blocking and far more customisation.

    Pros

    • Tab stacking, tiling and vertical tabs built in
    • Mail, calendar, feed reader and ad blocker included
    • Independent company with no ad-tracking business

    Cons

    • Many options can overwhelm
    • Interface can feel slower than plain Chromium
    • Not fully open source
    Visit Vivaldi Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Vivaldi a good Brave alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Ad and tracker blocking
    Built in
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vivaldi.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business model
    No tracking, independent
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vivaldi.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Licence
    Not under one open-source licence
    Checked Oct 25, 2026help.vivaldi.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Built-in ad blocker
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vivaldi.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. LibreWolf logo

    3. LibreWolf

    Best for: Privacy-conscious users who want a pre-hardened Firefox

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Brave

    Hardened Firefox with uBlock Origin built in and no telemetry.

    Pros

    • No telemetry or sponsored content
    • uBlock Origin included
    • Strong privacy defaults without manual tweaking

    Cons

    • Strict defaults can break some sites and logins
    • DRM streaming off until you enable it
    • No mobile app
    Visit LibreWolf Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is LibreWolf a good Brave alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Based on
    Firefox
    Checked Oct 25, 2026librewolf.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Ad blocker
    uBlock Origin included
    Checked Oct 25, 2026librewolf.net(opens source in a new tab)
    DRM
    Disabled by default
    Checked Oct 25, 2026librewolf.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, Linux, macOS, OpenBSD
    Checked Oct 25, 2026librewolf.net(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Helium logo

    4. Helium

    Best for: People who want a clean, private Chromium browser without Brave's extras

    Open sourcemacOS, Windows, Linux

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Brave

    Minimal Chromium build with uBlock Origin and no extras to switch off.

    Pros

    • uBlock Origin built in
    • No telemetry or sponsored content
    • Supports all Chrome extensions with auto-updates

    Cons

    • Still in beta
    • No sync or mobile app
    • Small, young project
    Visit Helium Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Helium a good Brave alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Open source
    Yes, all components
    Checked Oct 25, 2026helium.computer(opens source in a new tab)
    Extensions
    All Chromium extensions
    Checked Oct 25, 2026helium.computer(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, Windows, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026helium.computer(opens source in a new tab)
    Release stage
    Beta
    Checked Oct 25, 2026helium.computer(opens source in a new tab)
    Licence
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. DuckDuckGo Browser logo

    5. DuckDuckGo Browser

    Best for: People who want strong privacy defaults with zero setup

    FreeWindows, macOS, iOS, Android

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Brave

    Simple privacy browser with tracker blocking and no crypto.

    Pros

    • Blocks trackers, most ads and cookie pop-ups by default
    • One-tap Fire Button clears browsing data
    • Ad-free YouTube playback via Duck Player

    Cons

    • Very limited extension support
    • No Linux version
    • Fewer power-user features than mainstream browsers
    Visit DuckDuckGo Browser Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is DuckDuckGo Browser a good Brave alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Platforms
    Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026duckduckgo.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Tracker blocking
    Blocks third-party trackers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026duckduckgo.com(opens source in a new tab)
    YouTube
    Watch without ads
    Checked Oct 25, 2026duckduckgo.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Apple apps licence
    Apache-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Google Chrome logo

    6. Google Chrome

    Best for: People who use Google services heavily and want the best site compatibility

    FreeWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Brave

    Same engine with tighter Google account integration.

    Pros

    • Best compatibility, since sites are built and tested for it first
    • Largest extension catalogue
    • Seamless sync across devices with a Google account

    Cons

    • Collects more usage data than privacy-focused browsers
    • Newer extension rules limit some ad blockers
    • Can use a lot of memory with many tabs
    Visit Google Chrome Compare with BraveDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Google Chrome a good Brave alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Password manager
    Google Password Manager built in
    Checked Oct 25, 2026google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    AI assistant
    Gemini in Chrome
    Checked Oct 25, 2026google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Download page lists
    Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Minimum Windows
    Windows 10 or later
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Brave alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Firefox logo

Best Brave alternative for most people

Firefox

Independent engine with full uBlock Origin support and no crypto features.

Vivaldi logo

Best Brave alternative for a free option

Vivaldi

Chromium browser with built-in ad blocking and far more customisation.

LibreWolf logo

Best Brave alternative for open source

LibreWolf

Hardened Firefox with uBlock Origin built in and no telemetry.

Helium logo

Best Brave alternative for Mac

Helium

Minimal Chromium build with uBlock Origin and no extras to switch off.

DuckDuckGo Browser logo

Best Brave alternative for Windows

DuckDuckGo Browser

Simple privacy browser with tracker blocking and no crypto.

Google Chrome logo

Best Brave alternative for Linux

Google Chrome

Same engine with tighter Google account integration.

Firefox logo

Best Brave alternative for iPhone and Android

Firefox

Independent engine with full uBlock Origin support and no crypto features.

Brave alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Brave?

Firefox ranks first right now. Independent engine with full uBlock Origin support and no crypto features. Vivaldi and LibreWolf follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Brave?

Yes. Firefox (open source), Vivaldi (free), LibreWolf (open source) and Helium (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Brave?

Yes: Firefox, LibreWolf and Helium.

Which Brave alternatives work on Linux?

Firefox, Vivaldi, LibreWolf, Helium and Google Chrome run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Brave?

The complaints we hear most: crypto wallet and rewards features feel out of place to many; some Brave services are upsold in the interface; still depends on Google's Chromium engine.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Brave, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.