There are a few of the best web browsers (opens in new tab) with a focus on privacy, but many still offer a variety of options that can make it tricky to pick the one for you. Here are our picks for the most secure web browser
Which is the most secure web browser?
The most secure web browsers are focused on online safety and minimizing data collected on you. That data is used to build a profile of you that helps inform the adverts and content you see. That means there’s a gap in the market for a browser that helps you stay safe online while also ensuring advertising companies don’t know as much about you, and there are plenty of options to do just that. Brave Browser • Doesn’t sacrifice speed for privacy • Rewards program • Lacking in extension support Brave’s tagline is that it offers “the best privacy online”, and it’s hard to argue. For most people, it’s likely to be the de-facto option thanks to its sheer speed. As you’d expect from a privacy-focused browse, though, it’s also great at blocking all ads. In fact, it blocks every ad by default and has some smart built-in features like a customizable news feed and video calls. Sadly, if you’ve come to lean heavily on browser extensions, you won’t find them here, but the platform does offer a rewards program that lets you redeem your browsing time against gift cards and more. Tor • ‘Onion routing’ creates layers of connections • Maintains anonymity • Slower performance Often cited as a pillar of anonymity, Tor has somewhat of a reputation for being the browser you use when you don’t want to be seen – for better and for worse. Still, Tor is run by a nonprofit group as opposed to a company selling your data for ads, and isolates each site so nothing can track your moves from one webpage to the next. It uses a technique called “onion routing” to allow for traffic to be encrypted multiple times and passed through volunteer-run servers. This is a boon for remaining anonymous, but it can lead to slower performance. Mozilla Firefox • Extension support • Great anti-tracker capabilities • Not as fast as others Firefox has long been an excellent browser, and that’s still the case in 2022. It offers a variety of extensions, called add-ons, to allow users to install additional tools, while also removing over 2000 trackers. It’ll let you know when your data is compromised through breach reports, and even offers a built-in VPN (that you’ll have to pay extra for). Firefox can be a little bit of a RAM hog on desktop, though, but it is nice and customizable, and stores your passwords locally. Iridium Browser • Looks great • Built-in ad blocker • Built on the same framework as Chrome Iridium Browser is open-source, meaning you can see exactly what’s been changed at any point. The focus is on privacy, of course, but it’s actually built off of Chromium – the same thing that Google Chrome started from. The difference is that there’s a built-in ad blocker, and while the developer notes it does “call home to Google”, it’s always looking to tweak things to keep your activity private. That Chromium base is a blessing, too, because it means Iridium is snappy to use and you can pick it up without having to re-learn anything you know from Google Chrome. What is the most secure web browser? In truth, all of the above are more secure than the likes of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, but Tor offers arguably the most comprehensive suite of anonymity-first features. Still, for a browser that’s doesn’t compromise on speed or utility, Brave is a great choice, while those that use a wealth of add-ons or extensions will likely lean the way of Mozilla Firefox or Iridium. Discover more guides for tech at home… Best TVs (opens in new tab) Best Blu-ray players (opens in new tab) Best DVD players (opens in new tab) Best cordless phones (opens in new tab)
An expert on all things Apple ever since he got a second-hand iMac, Lloyd can regularly be found testing software on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac — when he’s not testing the platforms themselves, that is. He’s also Dexerto.com’s Games Editor, and a podcaster.
When he’s not writing, you can probably find him running after his son, playing Destiny 2, or at the gym.
