The Best Web Browsers for Android in 2025 – Built-in Ad Blockers, Extension Support, and More

If you’ve stumbled onto this article, and actually started reading it, chances are you’re not happy with your phone’s pre-installed web browser. For a lot of people, that web browser is Chrome. And for a lot of people Chrome is perfect. Which is why you will find it on top of our list too. However, based on your use cases, you may want to explore some options too. 

We’ve tested a bunch of browsers on Android and came up with some of the best. Some of them come with great privacy features, built-in ad blockers & VPNs, and even extension support. So you might just find your new default browser after reading this. 

Overview of the Best Browsers on Android

	Browser	Best For	Best Feature
	Chrome	Speed & Reliability	Google Integration
	Samsung Internet	Samsung Users	Video Assistant
	Brave	Privacy & Ad Blocking	Built-in Ad Blocker & VPN
	DuckDuckGo	Privacy & Tracker Blocking	Private Search
	Opera	Features	Free VPN
	Firefox	Privacy & Customisability	Extension support
	Edge	Windows Users	Continue on PC

Google Chrome – The Best Browser for Most People

If you’re not using a Huawei or any other China-only Android phone, chances are your Phone comes with Chrome pre-installed. And if you don’t have it maybe it’s a good idea to install it, or even sideload it. It’s the fastest browser on Android. 

Made Specifically for Android by Google

Chrome is like a part of your operating system. And maybe even your entire ecosystem, if you rely on Google services as much as I do. If you’re using it on your computer, your bookmarks, tabs, and histories are going to be in sync all the time. 

It’s the little things that make a big difference here. Like if you select a phone number on Chrome on PC, it will give you the option to make that call from your phone. It supports Android’s system-wide dark mode, and works flawlessly with Google Assistant and Gemini. And all your passwords for Android and Chrome are available and synced in real-time. 

Lite Mode & Data Saving

Chrome has recently introduced a lite mode that compresses websites before the load to save your time and data. This is useful when you’re using a limited data plan or you’re in a place with bad internet coverage. 

Better Battery Life and Performance

Chrome gets a bad rep for being power-hungry on desktop operating systems. But not on Android. Google has a lot of control over both Android and Chrome, so they have optimised the browser to run more efficiently on Android. This also ensures that you can multi-task on your phone without causing it to heat up or slow down. Even on budget phones.

But, There Are Drawbacks

There’s no extension support. Chrome’s vast extension support on Desktop makes it one of the best web browsers. However, none of those extensions are supported on Android. This means, no ad-blockers, or password managers. However, you can still look into system-wide ad blockers for Android. 

Moreover, as it is by Google, there may be some privacy issues and unwanted tracking that you may not be fully comportable with.

Who Should Use Chrome on Android?

If you’re comfortable with a life within the Google ecosystem, Chrome is the browser for you. It gives you everything you need from a web browser, it syncs easily between multiple devices, and like I said before, it’s the best browser for most people. However, if you want privacy or customisability, you should look elsewhere. 

Samsung Internet – More Than Just a Default Browser

If you have a Samsung phone, you have probably dismissed Samsung Internet as a legit option thinking it’s bloat. However, when we tested it, it turned out to be surprisingly good. And if you haven’t given it a shot yet, you might be missing out.

Android-specific Features You Didn’t Know You Needed

Samsung Internet feels tailored for Android, especially Samsung devices. It supports full gesture navigation and is much snappier than you’d expect.

One of the standout Android-specific features is the Video Assistant, which lets you detach videos from webpages and watch them in a floating pop-up. This is perfect for multitasking. And it can even help you play YouTube videos in picture-in-picture, or even in the background. This is something you’d otherwise need YouTube Premium for. Samsung also lets you move navigation controls to the bottom, making one-handed browsing easier on taller screens.

Built-in Privacy and Ad Blocking

Samsung Internet has built-in tracking protection and even lets you install third-party ad-blocking extensions. Yes, extensions! They’re limited but you get some of the most reliable ad-blockers on Android directly within the browser. That alone puts it ahead of Chrome if you care about privacy or intrusive ads.

Great Performance, Especially on Samsung Devices

On Samsung hardware it’s optimised to perfection. Pages load fast, scrolling is buttery-smooth (on those gorgeous AMOLED displays) and battery life is good. It’s as responsive and stable as Chrome, sometimes even more so.

Seamless Integration with Samsung’s Ecosystem

If you’re deep in Samsung’s ecosystem (using Samsung Pass, Secure Folder or Samsung Pay) this browser Integrates beautifully. Your passwords, bookmarks and history sync across all your Galaxy devices. It’s essentially Samsung’s answer to Chrome’s integration within the Google ecosystem.

Who Should Use Samsung Internet on Android?

Samsung Internet is perfect if you have a Galaxy device and want something fast, secure, and more customisable than Chrome. It’s also great if you’re frustrated with Chrome’s lack of ad-blocking. But if you’re not using a Samsung phone, the advantages become a bit less obvious.

Brave – The Privacy-First Browser for Android

While many of you know Brave to be a desktop browser, it was initially released on Android. Brave’s goal has always been to ensure privacy of its users while providing an ad free browsing experience. It was made to fill the gap of a solid ad-blocking web browser on Android. And boy did it manage to deliver.

Built-in Ad Blocking & Privacy Shields

Brave has built-in ad and tracker blocking right out of the box. Unlike Chrome where ads follow you around, Brave gives you a cleaner browsing experience instantly. You can even see how many trackers and ads have been blocked, to prove Brave actually cares about your privacy.

Android-Optimized Interface with One-Handed Mode

The Brave interface is designed for Android. Navigation controls are at the bottom of the screen, making it way easier to browse on larger devices. There’s also a one-handed mode that moves the search bar and tabs closer to your thumb. This is perfect as phones just keep getting bigger every year.

Brave Rewards & Crypto Wallet

Brave’s has a unique Rewards system that pays you in crypto (Basic Attention Token, or BAT) for optionally viewing privacy-respecting ads. It sounds gimmicky, but it works. Brave also has a built-in crypto wallet and NFTs.

Full disclosure: I am not a fan of these features, as it feels like bloatware to me. But at the same time I can see how someone might find these features appealing. 

Battery and Performance

Thanks to the ad blocker and tracker protection, Brave loads web pages way faster and more efficiently than Chrome, especially on slower or older Android devices. Less ad clutter means fewer resources used, better battery life and smoother scrolling.

Some Caveats

Brave has very limited extension support on Android. It’s just the built-in stuff. You can’t add anything new. And while it’s privacy-focused, the built-in crypto features might feel intrusive if crypto isn’t your thing. Also, Brave’s ad blocking can break some websites. Although you can easily turn shields off if that happens.

Who Should Use Brave on Android?

Brave is perfect for Android users who want a cleaner, faster browsing experience without having to mess with third-party blockers or privacy settings. 

DuckDuckGo – Privacy Simplified on Android

You may know DuckDuckG as a privacy-friendly search engine. However, did you know that it’s also a dedicated Android browser? If Chrome’s data harvesting is getting to you, DuckDuckGo might be just what you’re looking for.

Built-in Tracker Blocking & Privacy Score

The best thing about DuckDuckGo is how simple yet feature-packed it is. It blocks trackers automatically on every website and shows you what’s been blocked with a Privacy Grade feature. Every page you visit gets rated (A to F) so you can see exactly how private your favourite websites really are.

The Fire Button

DuckDuckGo’s most highlighted feature is the Fire Button. With one tap you can clear tabs, history, cookies and any browsing traces from your phone. Perfect when you want peace of mind after browsing something sensitive (or just embarrassing).

App Tracking Protection 

DuckDuckGo removes trackers not only from websites, but also from apps. This feature is only available on Android. When you enable App Tracking Protection, it installs a local VPN that intercepts all traffic to and from your apps and neutralises the trackers.

Lightweight and Easy on Battery

DuckDuckGo’s minimalist design isn’t just for show, it’s actually lightweight. Pages load fast, scrolling is smooth and battery consumption is minimal. How did they do it? It’s actually quite clever. The browser doesn’t come with a dedicated web page renderer. It uses the built-in render on your Android phone, which is typically WebView. All its features are just built on top of that. This comes handy especially if you’re using an older or budget Android device. 

A Few Drawbacks to Know About

DuckDuckGo is all-in on privacy so it sacrifices some features you might miss from other browsers. Like customisation, extensions or deeper syncing. Also because it’s so strict on blocking trackers a few websites might break or behave oddly.

Who Should Use DuckDuckGo on Android?

DuckDuckGo is for Android users who want privacy without complexity. If you like the idea of a truly private browsing experience without tweaking endless settings or installing extra plugins, DuckDuckGo is the way to go.

Opera – Feature-Rich Browsing on Android

Opera has been around forever even before there were Androids, Opera was in Java and Symbian Phones. And it’s surprisingly feature-filled.

Built-in VPN and Ad Blocker

Opera comes with a free, built-in VPN for Android users. It’s not as advanced as dedicated VPN apps, but it’s actually useful for unblocking geo-blocked content or browsing safely on public Wi-Fi. And unlike Chrome, Opera has a built-in ad blocker, so no extensions required.

Android-specific UI and Features

Opera’s Android interface is smooth and intuitive. It has a bottom navigation bar that’s comfortable to use even on bigger phones. Speed Dial is great on mobile too. It lets you access your favourite sites with a single tap. It feels polished, fast and genuinely Android-y.

Flow: Seamless Device Integration

Opera’s Flow feature lets you send links, notes, images and even files between your Android phone and desktop browser. Think Handoff but simpler and cross-platform. If you switch between devices (especially Windows and Android) often, this can really streamline your workflow.

Data Saving with Opera Turbo

Opera’s Data Saver mode, called Opera Turbo, compresses web pages to reduce your data usage significantly. It’s perfect if you’re on limited data plans or slow internet. It loads pages faster on patchy networks, especially on budget Android phones.

A Few Things to be Aware of

Opera’s built-in VPN, while handy, isn’t privacy-friendly. It logs basic usage data and won’t fully protect your anonymity. And while Opera’s ad-blocker works, it’s not as good as standalone apps or browsers like Brave. And Opera tends to push news and promoted content onto its homepage which can feel intrusive.

Who Should Use Opera on Android?

Opera is perfect if you want convenient extras like a built-in VPN, simple cross-device syncing and an easy to use interface. It’s especially good for Android users who juggle multiple devices or want a browser with more features out-of-the-box than Chrome or Samsung.

Firefox – Privacy First, Even on Android

Firefox is Mozilla’s privacy-focused browser that’s a powerful alternative to Chrome on Android. If you’re tired of Google tracking your every tap or just want something with a bit more flexibility, Firefox is worth considering.

Extensions on Mobile (Yes, Finally!)

One of Firefox’s greatest features on Android is extension support. Sure, the selection isn’t as big as the desktop version, but essentials like uBlock Origin, Dark Reader and Bitwarden are all here. 

Enhanced Tracking Protection Built-In

Firefox on Android has Enhanced Tracking Protection built in. ETP blocks trackers automatically without any extra setup. It even shows you what’s being blocked so you can have a little peace of mind every time you browse.

Customisable Interface and Quick Actions

Firefox on Android lets you customise the interface to your liking. You can choose between top and bottom navigation bars. This makes one-handed use much easier, especially on bigger screens. And with Firefox’s customisable home screen, you can have quick access to your favourite sites or features.

Smooth Performance, Less Battery Drain

Firefox runs surprisingly well on Android. Even on budget devices it can handle multiple tabs and media playback fine. Battery life is pretty decent too. Especially when using heavy tabs or streaming videos for hours.

Drawbacks You Might Encounter

Firefox’s mobile version sometimes feels less integrated into Android than Chrome or Samsung Browser. Syncing with other Firefox browsers (especially desktop) can be buggy or slow. 

Who Should Choose Firefox on Android?

Firefox on Android is for you if you’re privacy conscious and want customisation without performance trade-offs. It’s also great if you rely on essential extensions like an ad-blocker or a password manager. 

Microsoft Edge – Chrome with Extensions?

Edge on Android doesn’t get enough love. It’s fast, feature-rich and integrates perfectly if your main device is your Windows computer. 

Built for Android, Optimised for Windows

Edge’s killer Android feature is seamless connection with Windows PCs. With Continue on PC you can send web pages from your phone to your Windows desktop (and vice versa) and pick up exactly where you left off. Edge also deeply integrates with Microsoft 365 services, syncing passwords, bookmarks and reading lists smoothly.

Built-in Tracking Protection

Edge comes with built-in tracking prevention out of the box, giving you control over trackers without the need for extensions. There’s much to customise here as you can choose how strict you want the filtering to be. 

Reader Features

Edge on Android has a dedicated Reader Mode that declutters webpages removing distractions and focusing on content. It also has a built-in read-aloud feature perfect for catching up on long articles hands-free.

Send Tabs Between Your PC and Phone

Edge syncs beautifully across Android and Windows. Start browsing on your phone, click a button and instantly open that same webpage on your Windows laptop. Perfect if you’re constantly switching between devices during your workday.

Extension Support

This feature is still in beta, but Edge is testing some stripped down version of Chromium extensions on Android and popular extensions like Dark Reader, SponsorBlock, NordVPN, and AdGuard have already made their way to the list.

What You Might Miss

While Edge is great, performance on Android can be a bit inconsistent compared to Chrome or Firefox. Battery life is decent but not as good as Samsung’s browser or Chrome. Also since it’s a Microsoft product, you’ll get the most out of Edge only if you’re actively using a Windows PC.

Who Should Use Edge on Android?

Edge is great for Android users deeply into Microsoft’s ecosystem or switching between Android phone and Windows PC. It’s smooth, reliable and surprisingly private.

What’s the Best Browser for Ad Blocking?

If you want the ultimate browser for blocking ads and trackers on Android, go with Brave. It’s got built in ad blocking out of the box. No settings to go through and no extensions required. Brave loads pages faster, gives you better battery life and just plain gives you a cleaner browser. But if Brave’s not your thing, Opera’s a good alternative with built in ad blocking although slightly less effective than Brave.

Samsung Internet and Firefox do a pretty good job, but they require extensions for ad blocking. Samsung Internet supports AdGuard so it’s effective although the setup is slightly more complicated than Brave’s plug and play experience. Edge’s extension platform is still on beta, so we would not recommend that just yet. 

In short, Brave is the way to go for a hassle free, highly effective ad blocking on Android. 

Wrapping Up

On Android, it really matters which ecosystem you’re using. If you’re like me and you use your computer as a primary device for browsing the web, your Android browser should be able to have syncing capabilities. But then again, there are some very unique browsers on Android that offer stuff that no one else does. No harm in trying new things, especially if you’re bored of your current browser.