Chrome is the default browser for a lot of people. Since its inception in 2008, it has become the most popular web browser in the world, dominating almost two thirds of the browser market. However in this time Google also became the world’s largest advertising company. At the same time, the company also owns the world’s largest search engine, and video platform. This gives Google control over a lot of users and their data. Now, while a web browser should do its best to protect your privacy, it’s in Google’s best interest to collect and use your data to show ads to you.
Brave comes in as an alternative to Chrome, in the wake of all this criticism. It’s built on Chromium so it feels like Chrome for the most part. However, it takes a hard stance on privacy. If you’re tired of ads that follow you around across the web, Brave is worth looking into. However, it may seem like Chrome is bad and Brave is good, but the answer is not that simple. And we are here to compare them extensively to help you decide, which one’s the best for you.
Quick Comparison Between Brave and Chrome
| Feature | Google Chrome | Brave Browser |
| Speed | Fast, highly optimised for Google services | Very fast, lightweight with built-in ad blocker |
| RAM Usage | High due to multi-process architecture | More efficient with built-in blocking features |
| User Interface | Clean, familiar, minimal | Familiar layout with privacy-focused tools |
| Extensions | Massive Chrome Web Store | Same extension support via Chrome Web Store |
| Privacy & Tracking | Weak by default, tied to Google account | Strong defaults, blocks trackers and ads by default |
| Security | Frequent patches, sandboxing, Safe Browsing | HTTPS Everywhere, fingerprinting protection |
| Cross-Platform | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Battery Efficiency | Resource-heavy, especially with many tabs | More efficient due to fewer scripts running |
| Built-in Tools | Password manager, sync, translation | Ad blocker, crypto wallet, Brave Rewards, Tor mode |
| Ecosystem Integration | Google services, Docs, Drive, Calendar | Decentralised model, minimal external integration |
Speed & Performance
Is Brave Faster Than Chrome?
Yes, Brave is faster than Chrome. As Brave is built on Chromium, it gets a lot of the same optimisations that make Chrome fast. So in our Speedometer 3.0 results, Chrome got a 22.5 on Windows and 29.2 on macOS. Brave got 20.2 on Windows and 28.7 on macOS. The difference is so minimal that calling one faster than the other feels unfair. However, there is a reason we’re saying Brave is faster despite the slightly lower score.
By default, Brave comes with built-in ad blocker, which blocks ads, trackers, and third-party scripts from loading. We will discuss more about this in the coming sections. However, one major benefit to this is that pages load significantly faster. Because ads aren’t just being hidden, they’re prevented from being loaded in the first place. Which means, fewer HTTP requests are going through, and a lesser amount of JavaScript is loading. This cuts the web page loading time significantly.
However, Chrome is also insanely fast when it comes to web browsing. But you will notice the actual benefits when you’re using Google services on Chrome. Like Google Docs, Gmail, Meet, and stuff like that. And many users claim that Chrome’s speed is more consistent than Brave. And if you want the same page load benefits on Chrome, you can try some of the best ad blockers for Chrome in 2025.
Does Brave Use Less RAM Than Chrome?
Yes, Brave is generally more memory efficient than Chrome but there’s more to it. Both Chrome and Brave use a multi-process architecture where every tab, extension and background task runs as a separate system process. So if a tab crashes the rest of your session keeps going. But that stability comes at a cost. It takes up a lot of system memory. Both browsers keep everything running whether you’re using it or not and when you’re running 15+ tabs and half a dozen extensions it adds up fast.
The reason brave gets the edge here, is because of its ad blocking. While it may seem like running an additional ad blocker can be more resource intensive, Brave is surprisingly lightweight. And the ad blocker some not take much resources compared to what it saves. Often, loading up ads and trackers can use more resources than blocking them. By cutting out third-party scripts, video players, trackers and ads it has fewer things to load. Fewer scripts means fewer processes and fewer processes means less memory use. In side-by-side comparisons Brave often uses noticeably less RAM when visiting ad-heavy websites especially on older systems or devices with limited RAM.
But Brave isn’t perfect either. If you load it up with tons of extensions and keep everything running 24/7 it’ll eat up memory like any other modern browser. But out of the box without needing extra ad blockers or script managers Brave runs leaner.
Which Browser is Better for Battery Life: Brave or Chrome?
If you’re on a laptop, battery life matters. And while both browsers are built on Chromium, and Chromium browsers in general are Battery hogs, Brave takes the win here. Brave is lightweight compared to Chrome despite having more features. Brave uses less CPU power as there are fewer scripts running in the background. Which means less work for your system, and less battery drain.
Chrome has also improved in this area but still consumes more power. Google introduced a Battery Saver mode and now Chrome sleeps inactive tabs to save power. But it’s still playing catch up to Brave’s lean default setup.
In real-world testing, Brave consistently lasts slightly longer on laptops especially during long browsing sessions on ad-heavy sites. On simple static pages the difference is small. But if you’re jumping between websites full of autoplay videos and trackers, Brave helps your battery last longer.
User Interface & Experience
What Does the User Interface Look Like on Brave and Chrome?
Both Brave and Chrome are built on Chromium so they have the same underlying structure. But visually and experience-wise they go different ways.
Chrome’s interface is clean, minimal and reliable. The address bar is top center, your tabs are aligned above, and everything else is hidden behind the three-dot menu. Chrome’s layout is what most people have gotten used to over the past decade and that’s its biggest strength. It doesn’t try to surprise you. It just works.
Brave at first glance looks the same. The UI layout is familiar, with tabs at the top and an omnibox. But once you start using it, subtle differences show up. There’s a Brave logo button instead of Chrome’s menu. There’s a built-in stats panel that shows how many ads and trackers were blocked. You’ll see a Wallet icon, Brave Rewards controls and sometimes a “Tip” button if you’re on a creator’s website. And if you’re not a fan of this UI, you can simply enable vertical tabs and it will look like a whole different browser.
How Customisable is the UI on Brave and Chrome?
Chrome has minimal customisation options. You can install a theme, change the New Tab page background and a few hidden features via Chrome flags. But what you see is what you get. It’s supposed to be consistent across all platforms and it does that very well. But if you like to move things around or hide UI clutter, you’ll find Chrome limiting.
Brave isn’t as customisable as Firefox or Vivaldi but it gives you more control. You can disable Brave Rewards from the toolbar, hide the Brave Wallet, and even turn off the new tab stats dashboard. You can toggle various privacy related options from the Shields menu to show or hide tracker stats on websites. The New Tab page is highly customisable too. You can choose what metrics show up, change the background and remove Brave News if you want a clean look. You can also enable vertical tabs as that’s all the rage now among power users.
Brave also lets you create different user profiles for different scenarios (e.g. work, personal, shopping) each with their own theme, settings and bookmarks. Chrome has this too but Brave makes it easier to manage without forcing you into a Google account.
Extensions & Add-Ons
Do Brave and Chrome Support the Same Extensions?
Yes. Since both are built on Chromium they share the same massive library of extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Which means you can install your favorite ad blocker, password manager, writing assistant, VPN, and othe productivity tools.
That being said, there are some differences in how those extensions work. Chrome relies heavily on extensions for things like ad blocking and privacy protection whereas Brave has those features built in. So while you may install uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger on Chrome, Brave users don’t need them. The functionality is baked right into the browser from the start.
Both browsers allow you to manage, disable and remove extensions easily. You can pin them to the toolbar, manage site permissions and control what each one does. Brave tends to surface those controls a bit more prominently especially when it comes to security and privacy toggles. If you already use a set of essential extensions you won’t be missing anything on Brave. And if you’re coming from Chrome the transition is seamless. Your extensions and preferences will carry over in just a few clicks.
Are Extensions Safe on Brave and Chrome?
Yes. Both browsers have a decent extension environment with permission management and active extension reviews. Chrome Web Store uses a mix of automated and manual review processe. Brave piggybacks off that infrastructure since it uses the same store.
That said, Chrome has a much larger extension library so it’s a bigger target. Malicious extensions do slip through from time to time. Usually ones that request too many permissions and then get quietly updated to inject ads or steal data. Brave users are at the same risk if they install extensions, but Brave’s built-in features mean you may not need to install as many in the first place.
Best practice? Check permissions before installing anything. Stick to trusted developers with good reputations. And periodically audit your installed extensions. Chrome and Brave both allow you to see exactly what each one is doing and which sites they can access.
Privacy & Security
Which Browser Is More Private: Brave or Chrome?
Brave is one of the most privacy focused browsers without going into niche or experimental territory. Privacy isn’t something you have to enable, it’s the default. Brave blocks third party ads, cross site trackers, fingerprinting scripts and more right out of the box. It also has Brave Shields, a control panel that shows you what’s being blocked and lets you adjust per site. HTTPS upgrades, cookie blocking, and fingerprinting protection it’s all built in.
Chrome on the other hand is deeply tied into Google’s ad ecosystem. While Chrome has added privacy controls over time, its defaults still favour data collection. Syncing your data with a Google account means your bookmarks, history and even searches are used to feed back into Google’s ad platform. Incognito mode doesn’t block trackers, it just doesn’t save your local history.
Google’s Privacy Sandbox is their solution to a cookieless future but it still groups you into interest categories for advertisers. It’s a rebrand of tracking, not a full solution. There are a few more contenders for the best private browsers. But if privacy is a top priority, Brave is the winner.
Which Browser Is More Secure: Chrome or Brave?
Both Chrome and Brave are super secure and get updated frequently to patch vulnerabilities. Chrome uses Google Safe Browsing to block known phishing and malware sites and runs each tab in a sandbox for extra protection. Its site isolation feature keeps processes separate and secure and is usually the first to roll out emergency patches when needed.
Brave uses the same Chromium security model but adds privacy-forward features on top. HTTPS Everywhere is built in. Fingerprinting protection. You can even browse in a private window with Tor for more anonymity. This is something even Chrome can’t even do. While Brave’s Tor mode isn’t a full replacement for the standalone Tor Browser, it adds an extra layer for more sensitive browsing sessions.
Both browsers have strong password managers and will warn you if your credentials are found in a breach. Chrome’s integration with your Google account makes this feel seamless but Brave’s approach feels more transparent and user controlled.
If you want the most polished and maintained security infrastructure, Chrome is hard to beat. But if you want user visible controls and privacy tinted security features, Brave gives you more tools to stay safe, no need to install extra extensions.
Cross-Platform Availability & Compatibility
Which Browser Works Better Across Devices?
Both Brave and Chrome are on every major platform. Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. So no matter what device you’re on, you can install either browser and get a pretty similar experience. But when it comes to syncing across those platforms, Chrome does it better.
Chrome is baked into the Android ecosystem. If you use Gmail, Drive, Calendar or any other Google service, syncing happens in the background. All your bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, autofill entries, open tabs and extensions follow you across devices as long as you’re signed in with your Google account. And because Google owns both Android and Chrome, that experience feels seamless.
Brave offers cross-device syncing but it’s not as smooth. You don’t sign in with a Brave account. Instead Brave uses sync chains that rely on QR codes or 24-word phrases to link your devices together. Once connected, Brave can sync bookmarks, passwords, history, tabs and more. But the process isn’t as intuitive as Chrome’s. It’s more private, but less convenient. And if you’re someone who frequently switches between devices, Brave’s sync setup might feel like a chore.
How Well Do Chrome and Brave Integrate With Their Ecosystems?
Here’s where things get a little interesting. Chrome is part of the Google machine. It’s designed to work hand in hand with services like Google Docs, YouTube, Calendar and Google Photos. When you open a Gmail link or click a Google Meet invite, everything loads instantly in Chrome with all the features enabled. This is super useful if you use Google’s productivity tools.
Brave takes a different approach. It intentionally doesn’t have deep integration with any one ecosystem. The browser is private, neutral and self contained. There’s no Brave productivity suite, no cloud storage service, no proprietary email client. It’s more about getting out of your way than locking you in.
That doesn’t mean Brave is limited. It just means you’ll have to use third party services or self managed tools. And in many ways that’s the point. Brave’s philosophy is about user control and decentralisation, which is why it has its own crypto wallet, built in Tor browsing and Brave Rewards. These don’t make sense in the Google model but they do in the Brave model.
So if you depend on the Google ecosystem, Chrome will always feel more seamless. But if you want to stay independent, not be tracked and don’t want your browser feeding data back to a tech giant, Brave might be for you.
Final Verdict
If you want something fast, private and efficient without installing a single extension, Brave is the way to go. It blocks trackers, ads and cross-site scripts out of the box. It uses less resources, feels snappier in daily use and gives you more control over your data. Plus it doesn’t push you into an ecosystem. No logins required. No hidden sync tracking. Just a browser that lets you browse.
But Chrome still has its place. It’s the best browser for people who use Google services every day and want things to just work. It’s reliable, familiar and polished. Chrome still leads in extension support, cross-platform syncing and app compatibility especially if your workflow lives inside Gmail, Docs or Drive.
So here’s the bottom line:
- Use Brave if you care about privacy, want built-in adblocking and prefer a neutral, performance-optimized browser.
- Stick with Chrome if you’re deep into Google’s ecosystem and want a browser that syncs everything seamlessly.
There’s no wrong answer here. It really comes down to your habits, values and how much control you want over your online life.