You access most of the internet using a web browser. So it’s important that the web browser be private. Now what does privacy mean relative to a web browser? Well if you’ve used a modern web browser, you’ll notice that it collects a lot of information on you. Your browsing history and passwords may be important for it to collect to give you a better user experience. But, there’s a lot of data collection that happens in the background, in the form of tracking.
While there are tools like ad blockers and VPNs that can help you become anonymous online and also get rid of the trackers, some browsers come with built-in measures to help you with privacy.
Overview of the Best Private Browsers
| Browser | Best For | Best Feature | |
 | Brave | Privacy & Ad Blocking | Built-in Ad Blocker & VPN |
 | DuckDuckGo | Privacy & Tracker Blocking | Private Search |
 | Tor | Privacy & Annonymity | Onion Network Encryption |
 | Firefox | Privacy & Customisability | ETP & Containers |
 | Mullvad | VPNs | Fingerprinting Blocking |
 | Librewolf | Privacy | Built-in uBlock Origin |
 | Waterfox | Extension Support | Legacy Add-on Support |
 | Thorium | Fast & Private | DeGoogled |
 | Opera | Features | Free VPN and Custom Versions |
 | Vivaldi | Customisability | Vertical Tabs |
Brave – The Private Browser for Most People
Brave has built a reputation on privacy-first browsing and delivers on that. Many browsers claim to be privacy-focused but still collect some data. But Brave takes a zero-compromise approach by blocking ads, trackers and even fingerprinting attempts by default.
No Ads, No Trackers, No Problem
Brave Shields blocks third-party ads, trackers and scripts that try to monitor your browsing habits. Unlike Chrome which helps Google make money from ads, Brave removes unnecessary tracking and makes pages load faster and your activity private.
Fingerprinting Protection & Anti-Tracking Measures
Many browsers block basic cookies but websites use more advanced tracking techniques like fingerprinting. That way they can track unique characteristics of your device, OS, screen size and installed fonts to identify you. Brave randomises and obfuscates fingerprinting attempts. Which makes it harder for websites to track you across sessions.
Tor Mode for Built-In Anonymity
For users who want an extra layer of anonymity Brave has built-in Tor mode which routes traffic through the Tor network for extra privacy. While not a replacement for Tor Browser it’s a quick and easy way to browse anonymously without installing additional software.
No Data Logging or Google Ties
Unlike Chromium based browsers that still send data to Google Brave strips out Google services and tracking while maintaining full compatibility with Chrome extensions. It doesn’t log your browsing history or sell data to advertisers. So your web activity remains private.
Who is Brave For?
If you want privacy without the hassle, Brave is the browser for most people. It’s easy to set up, blocks trackers out of the box and has strong anti-fingerprinting protection. Not as hardcore as some of the other browsers in the list, but it balences privacy, speed and convenience really well.
DuckDuckGo – Private Browsing Without the Hassle
DuckDuckGo started as a privacy-focused search engine, but its dedicated browser brings that same no-tracking philosophy to your entire browsing experience.
Tracker Blocking & Smarter Encryption
DuckDuckGo automatically blocks third-party trackers across websites, stops Google, Facebook and advertisers from following you across the web. It also uses Smarter Encryption which forces sites to use HTTPS whenever possible so your data isn’t exposed on unsecured connections.
The Fire Button
One of DuckDuckGo’s best features is the Fire Button which erases all your browsing history, cookies and tabs in one tap. So you can wipe your session clean with a single click and leave no trace of your activity.
App Tracking Protection
DuckDuckGo also has App Tracking Protection on Android which blocks hidden trackers within other apps on your device. This works like a VPN (but without routing your traffic through external servers) and stops apps from sending your personal data to third parties.
No Data Collection, No Logs
DuckDuckGo doesn’t collect search history, browsing activity or personal data. Unlike Google Chrome which feeds user data into its advertising ecosystem, DuckDuckGo takes a zero-logging approach so nothing is stored, tracked or sold.
Who is DuckDuckGo For?
DuckDuckGo is for people who want privacy without hassle. It offers good tracking protection, instant data clearing and app level privacy controls without the need for technical knowledge. If you want a no-fuss private browsing experience that just works then DuckDuckGo is the way to go.
Tor Browser – The Gold Standard for Online Anonymity
If you’re looking for proper online anonymity, Tor Browser is the best. Tor goes further than most other browsers by routing your internet traffic through the Tor network, so no one can trace you or your location.
How Tor Works
Tor (The Onion Router) bounces your traffic through multiple encrypted relays (nodes) before it reaches its destination. This hides your IP, masks your location and prevents ISPs, governments and advertisers from tracking you. Unlike standard VPNs, Tor doesn’t use a single central server. This makes it much harder to compromise.
Blocks Trackers, Fingerprinting & Surveillance
Tor Browser is hardened against tracking techniques like fingerprinting, so websites can’t identify you based on device settings, screen resolution or installed fonts. It blocks third-party trackers by default and enforces HTTPS on all connections.
Access the Dark Web & Censored Content
Tor allows you to access onion sites (websites only available on the Tor network), and bypass internet censorship in regions where content is blocked. If you’re in a country with restricted internet access, Tor can be your lifeline to the free web.
Some Drawbacks
While Tor is very secure, it’s not the fastest browser. Because your traffic bounces between multiple relays, browsing is much slower than Chrome, Brave or even Firefox. Some websites block Tor traffic, and services like Google or YouTube may require extra verification steps.
Who is Tor Browser For?
Tor is for people who need the highest level of anonymity online. Think journalists, activists, researchers or anyone who wants to browse without leaving a trace.
Firefox – The Best Customisation Browser
Firefox has been the browser of choice for many privacy enthusiasts for years. Unlike Chrome, Edge or Opera which are tied to big tech companies with ad-driven business models, Firefox is developed by Mozilla, a non-profit that doesn’t sell your data.
Enhanced Tracking Protection & Anti-Fingerprinting
Firefox has Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP) which blocks third-party trackers, cryptominers and social media trackers by default. Websites and advertisers won’t be able to follow you across the internet like they can with Chrome.
It also has anti-fingerprinting measures adopted through its partnership with Mozilla’s Resist Fingerprinting project which makes it harder for websites to uniquely identify your browser settings and device.
Open-Source & Independent
One of Firefox’s biggest strengths is that it’s not based on Chromium so it doesn’t rely on Google’s ecosystem like most other browsers. Firefox uses its own Gecko engine making it the only major alternative to Chromium based browsers. This independence means more diversity in the browser market and less control by Google over web standards.
Customisation & Extensions for Privacy
Firefox is one of the most customisable browsers out there. But it may also require some technical know how. You can:
- tweak settings in about:config for deep customisation and hidden features..
- install privacy focused extensions like uBlock Origin, NoScript and Privacy Badger to enhance protection.
- use Multi-Account Containers, a unique Firefox feature that allows you to isolate different browsing sessions (perfect for work, social media and personal browsing).
A Few Trade-offs
Firefox collects some telemetry data by default but can be disabled in the settings. Some users have also complained about Mozilla’s recent UI changes which have removed some customisation options over time. Firefox’s performance isn’t as fast as Chromium based browsers, especially on media heavy sites like YouTube.
Who is Firefox For?
Firefox is the best browser for users who want flexibility and control. It’s not as hardcore as Tor or LibreWolf but it has great tracking protection, fingerprinting resistance and an open-source non-Google alternative. If you want a private browser that still works on everyday sites Firefox is one of the best options.
Mullvad Browser – Privacy Without the Tracking or Noise
Mullvad Browser gives you the same level of anonymity as Tor, without using the Tor network. Developed in collaboration with the Tor Project, Mullvad is Tor Browser for everyday private browsing (without the slowdowns of onion routing).
A Browser That Doesn’t Want to Track You
Most browsers create unique profiles for each user. Mullvad Browser makes all users look identical online. This is to block fingerprinting attempts. Mullvad disables unique identifiers and minimises tracking data, so websites can’t recognise or profile you.
No Ads, No Trackers, No Logs
Mullvad Browser blocks all third-party trackers, cookies and ads by default. Unlike Chrome or Edge, which are tied to massive ad networks, Mullvad doesn’t collect search history, browsing data or usage analytics. It doesn’t even have telemetry, so it doesn’t send any usage data back to its developers.
For VPN Users, Not Tor
Tor Browser is built for the Tor network. Mullvad Browser is optimized for VPN usage instead. It works best with Mullvad VPN, but you can use it with any VPN to hide your IP address and faster browsing than Tor.
Minimalist, No Frills, Privacy-First
Mullvad Browser doesn’t have flashy features, built-in password managers or unnecessary integrations. It’s barebones, privacy-first. If you’re used to feature-rich browsers like Vivaldi or Brave, Mullvad might feel too stripped down. But that’s the point. Less data collection, fewer features that can compromise privacy.
Who is Mullvad Browser For?
Mullvad for users who don’t want to compromise on privacy, but find Tor to be a bit too complicated and laggy. It blocks tracking, fingerprinting and data logging. This browser is certainly for everyone, but for those who value privacy over features, Mullvad Browser is the best.
LibreWolf – Firefox Without the Tracking
LibreWolf is Firefox with all the tracking removed. It’s for users who love Firefox because it’s open-source, but don’t want to deal with Mozilla’s telemetry, data collection or built-in ads.
No Telemetry, No Mozilla Tracking
Firefox collects some user data by default even if you can turn most of it off. LibreWolf removes all telemetry and tracking out of the box so it doesn’t send any data back to Mozilla. That means no automatic connections to Mozilla services, no Firefox Sync and no built-in Pocket.
Pre-Hardened Privacy Settings
LibreWolf comes with tightened security and privacy settings by default. It includes:
- uBlock Origin pre-installed for ad and tracker blocking.
- Fingerprinting protection to prevent websites from fingerprinting you.
- Strict cookie and script-blocking policies to reduce tracking across sites.
- DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and custom DNS support for encrypted browsing.
No Built-in Sync, But That’s a Trade-off
One downside of LibreWolf’s privacy-first approach is the removal of Firefox Sync. If you use cross-device syncing for bookmarks, passwords and open tabs, you’ll need to set up a self-hosted solution (like Nextcloud) or use a third-party password manager. This makes your browsing data much more secure as you can choose to keep them in your local data
Who is LibreWolf For?
LibreWolf is for users who want a fully de-Googled, telemetry-free browser that doesn’t require manual tweaks. It’s great if you want Firefox features without Mozilla’s data collection, but if you need syncing or built-in cloud services, it might feel a bit limited.
Waterfox – A Firefox Alternative with Privacy
Waterfox is a Firefox fork for users who want privacy, less restrictions and legacy extension support. It removes Mozilla’s telemetry and tracking and keeps Firefox’s flexibility and customisation options.
No Telemetry, No Data Collection
Unlike standard Firefox, Waterfox does not collect telemetry, usage stats or analytics. Mozilla’s built in tracking is removed so no data is sent to Mozilla. It also removes sponsored content, Pocket integration and startup tracking so it’s a cleaner, more private version of Firefox.
Legacy Extension Support
One of Waterfox’s biggest advantages is support for legacy XUL and NPAPI extensions which were phased out in newer Firefox versions. If you still use older Firefox add-ons Waterfox allows you to continue using them. It also supports modern WebExtensions so you get the best of both worlds.
Customisation & Open-Source Flexibility
Waterfox is built on Firefox so it has all the customisation options Firefox users love. You can tweak about:config settings, install privacy focused extensions like uBlock Origin, NoScript and HTTPS Everywhere and modify the UI to suit your needs.
Some Trade-offs
While Waterfox removes Mozilla’s tracking it does not receive updates as fast as Firefox so security patches may be delayed. Also Waterfox was acquired by System1 a data analytics company which has raised questions about long term privacy commitment. However the developers say the browser is independent and does not track users.
Who is Waterfox For?
Waterfox is for users who love Firefox but want a stripped down, telemetry free version with legacy add-on support. It’s for privacy conscious users who don’t want to switch to LibreWolf but still want less Mozilla involvement.
Thorium – Chromium but Better
Thorium is a privacy-focused, performance-optimized fork of Chromium that’s faster and more efficient than Google Chrome without Google’s telemetry and tracking. Not as well-known as Brave or LibreWolf but gaining popularity among users who want a lightweight, private and speed-optimized browser.
Blazing Fast with Chromium Optimisations
Thorium is marketed as a high-performance Chromium fork, and in testing it often loads pages faster than Chrome and Edge. It does this by adding extra compiler optimisations that improve JavaScript execution and reduce CPU and RAM usage making it great for low-end systems and power users alike.
No Google Tracking or Telemetry
Unlike Chrome which sends loads of data back to Google, Thorium removes all Google services so no tracking, no data collection and no background processes. It also gives users more control over privacy settings so a clean, private browsing experience without Google’s surveillance.
Full Chrome Extension Support
Since it’s built on Chromium, Thorium supports the Chrome Web Store, so you can install all your favourite extensions, ad blockers, privacy tools, and productivity add-ons without restrictions.
Some Drawbacks
While Thorium is great for performance and privacy, it’s not as widely supported as Brave, Vivaldi or Firefox so updates and bug fixes may take longer to roll out. It also lacks some built-in privacy tools like Brave’s Shields or Mullvad Browser’s privacy settings so extra configuration is needed for maximum anonymity.
Who is Thorium For?
Thorium is for users who want a fast, lightweight and private Chromium-based browser that’s not tied to Google. It’s a great alternative to Chrome and Edge but doesn’t offer the same out-of-the-box privacy protections as Brave or LibreWolf.
Wrapping Up
Privacy browsers also need to be usable. If a browser is hard to use, or has slow page load times because it focuses on privacy, then it’s compromising too much. While there may be a specific user base for those browsers, for most people a browser needs to balance privacy and usability. From that point of view, Brave and DuckDuckGo are very easy recommendations for most people. However, if you want a more harened approach, LibreWolf, Waterfox, and Thorium are worth looking into as well.