Unfortunately, we live in an era when the words "free" and "secure" rarely go together. Add to these the word "browser" and you've got yourself a solid puzzle. Luckily, we're here to solve it!

Choosing a private and secure internet browser is something to really get your teeth into, especially if you're looking for a free one. There are too many options and mainstream options like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are out of the question. Hopefully, this article can help!

Below, you can see the list of the best free internet browsers that are protective of your privacy and security. Keep scrolling to see which VPN providers go well with them to make you nearly untraceable online.

Browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Opera, developed by large tech companies, show little to no concern for users' privacy. They track your browsing habits and collect data on websites visited, search history, user interactions, and more. They use this data to create detailed profiles of users for targeted advertising and other purposes. Or worse, they sometimes sell it to third parties, putting your online privacy and security in danger.

With internet browsers, it's nearly impossible to find the ones that don't abuse your data, especially among the free options. After all, they have unlimited access to your online activities. The browsers listed below, however, employ rigorous measures to minimize online tracking, such as concealing your IP address and encrypting your traffic. 

Below, we analyze these browsers in more depth. However, due to a variety of user-specific needs, we leave the final choice to you. That being said, we still recommend using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for added online protection. They are perfect for concealing your online activities, protecting your identity, and keeping snoopers at bay.

The above are the best free online browsers having considered the most important aspects of privacy and security. Still, individual user needs can differ tremendously. We hope this detailed analysis of each service provider can help you make an informed choice for yourself.

1. Brave Editor's Choice | November 2024

Brave browser is our #1 recommendation for anyone who wants to experience private online browsing for free. A highly customizable, efficient, and secure search engine.

Brave is a privacy-focused web browser from San Francisco, California, developed by Brave Software, Inc. This browser prioritizes user privacy and security by blocking trackers, ads, and other web elements that may compromise you. It has recently introduced its "HTTPS by Default" which increases HTTPS use and improves overall Web security. On top of that, it offers fingerprinting protection to enhance user privacy.

Brave browser is an excellent choice if you're looking for speed and performance. Thanks to its effective blocking of resource-intensive elements like ads and trackers, it offers a streamlined browsing experience with faster page load times.

This browser integrates image and video inspection directly into Brave Search, making it one of the most efficient browsers on the market. The company has been independently built and based on open-source Chromium, which further adds to its great reputation.

Here listed are some of the most important Brave browser features. They add to your privacy and some of them can help you further customize your browsing experience.

Brave has created its own ad-based revenue model. Brave Rewards is an opt-in program that allows users to earn Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) by viewing ads. The ads are created and distributed in a manner that respects user privacy – no tracking and no spamming.

Users can also contribute BAT to their favorite content creators and publishers as a way of extending financial support to them.

Brave browser is available for all platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. Plus, it is free of charge, making it accessible to everyone.

Overall, Brave browser offers a compelling option for users seeking a privacy-focused yet fast alternative to mainstream browsers. Its emphasis on user control makes it a popular choice among privacy-conscious individuals.

The Tor Browser is the most private and secure internet browser on this list. You get several layers of encryption and multiple IP addresses for free. It's entirely run by privacy-conscious volunteers at the Tor project.

Tor Browser is a powerful browsing tool carefully designed to prioritize anonymity and privacy for users navigating the complexities of the internet. This layered web browser offers unique features ideal for privacy-conscious individuals and those seeking protection from online surveillance.

At the core of Tor Browser's functionality is its ability to route internet traffic through the Tor network, comprising thousands of volunteer-operated servers worldwide. This process encrypts user data and obscures their IP address, making it incredibly challenging for websites, advertisers, and even governments to track their online activities.

However, such a robust network is not without drawbacks. Users may experience slower browsing speeds compared to conventional web browsers due to a number of reasons, including:

Users who prioritize privacy and anonymity over speed and performance may find Tor to be a valuable tool for protecting their online activities from tracking. However, it's essential to manage expectations regarding browsing speeds when using the Tor Browser and understand that its privacy advantages sometimes come with trade-offs in terms of performance.

With the Tor Browser, you get these advanced privacy features, and more:

Despite its advanced privacy and security features, Tor Browser offers a user-friendly interface that's suitable for users of all technical levels.

Tor Browser was developed by the US Naval Research Lab and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), following the highest privacy standards. Tor is currently run by the Tor Project, an entirely non-profit organization, and its volunteers.

The project is supported by considerable donations from various sources, including federal entities, such as The National Science Foundation, philanthropic foundations, research organizations, individual contributors, and others.

Tor Browser is available across most operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Mac, and Android, ensuring broad accessibility and compatibility across different devices and platforms. The iOS version of Tor Browser is not available yet though, so if you're looking to safeguard the privacy of your iPhone when browsing, consider some of the other service providers from this article.

In summary, Tor Browser may not be the fastest free browser out there, however, its commitment to anonymity and accessibility makes it a valuable resource for individuals seeking to regain online freedom and safeguard their digital rights.

DuckDuckGo is an excellent all-around browser option for Mac, iOS, and Android devices. The Windows version is still in beta. You get a very private search experience paired with some of the most advanced browsing functionalities and customizations on the market.

DuckDuckGo is an efficient search engine that offers superb mobile browser applications for both iOS and Android devices. It comes with some very advanced browsing solutions. Plus, it integrates its privacy features directly into the browsing experience. Below, you can see some other key aspects of DuckDuckGo's browser.

DuckDuckGo's performance is primarily focused on providing users with a secure and private browsing experience, rather than prioritizing the search speed. While it may not be as optimized for speed as some more popular browsers, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, DuckDuckGo still offers a satisfactory level of performance for most users.

Furthermore, DuckDuckGo's browser is quite lightweight and efficient, minimizing resource usage to provide a smooth browsing experience. It does not consume excessive system resources or memory, which helps maintain overall performance, especially on devices with limited processing power.

The browser's encryption features, such as HTTPS encryption and tracker blocking, may introduce some additional overhead that could impact page load times. However, this trade-off is essential for ensuring user privacy and security while browsing the web.

The DuckDuckGo browser offers a range of privacy-enhancing features to protect users while browsing the web. You get a Tracker Protection option that prevents third-party trackers from loading, including those from major companies like Facebook and Google.

Advanced privacy tools for everyone

Smart Encryption improves security by identifying HTTPS-supported sites. Users can easily erase their browsing history and session information with the Fire Button, while the Fireproof option allows them to stay logged into specific sites securely. The browser's Cookie Pop-up Management tool automatically handles cookie pop-ups, maximizes privacy preferences, and minimizes cookies.

DuckDuckGo also provides access to a free email forwarding service, allowing users to create @duck.com email addresses that strip away any sort of profiling trackers before forwarding them to your other accounts. Additionally, a built-in YouTube player enables ad-free video streaming while, at the same time, preventing Google tracking.

As the DuckDuckGo management explains it in detail on their official website:

"We make money from private ads and affiliate partnerships on our search engine. On most other search engines, you are targeted with ads based on creepy profiles made up of your personal information, such as search, browsing, and purchase history."

They further clarify that, since DuckDuckGo doesn’t track users, they don’t have search histories. So, the search ads you see when browsing are just based on your current search results page and not on your entire search profile – like with most mainstream browsers. So, if you're currently researching cars, DuckDuckGo will simply show more cars.

The DuckDuckGo browser is available for Mac, Windows (beta), iOS, and Android devices, allowing users to access its privacy features on their preferred mobile platform.

Overall, DuckDuckGo's browser is designed to prioritize user privacy and security while offering a seamless and intuitive browsing experience. It provides users with the tools and features they need to protect their online privacy and maintain control over their personal data.

Mozilla Firefox combines advanced privacy and security features with the speed and efficiency of mainstream search engines. It comes with a very transparent Privacy Notice.

Mozilla Firefox is an open-source web browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation and its subsidiary, the Mozilla Corporation. It was first launched in 2004 and it was an instant success, with over 100 million downloads within the first year of its release. It remains one of the most popular web browsers worldwide to this day.

Firefox uses a multi-process architecture that separates web content from the browser's user interface, resulting in smoother browsing and improved responsiveness.

It adheres to web standards and supports modern web technologies, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of websites and web applications. It regularly receives updates to incorporate new features, security patches, and performance enhancements.

Firefox offers advanced privacy features like Private Browsing and Enhanced Tracking Protection. Private Browsing keeps your browsing history and passwords private, especially on shared devices, while Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks trackers and defends against harmful scripts and malware.

Use SmartBlock to prevent cross-site tracking

With Firefox, users can monitor blocked content through the Protection Dashboard, accessible via the shield icon in the address bar. The browser employs sandboxing to isolate web tabs and offers SmartBlock to prevent cross-site tracking. It can also block cryptocurrency mining scripts and various fingerprinting scripts.

Firefox's Total Cookie Protection confines each cookie to its originating website, with the Standard mode activated by default. Users can also opt for the Strict mode, which enhances cookie clearing, especially for third-party cookies.

Firefox is developed by a global community of volunteers, developers, and contributors who collaborate to improve the browser and add new features. The Mozilla Foundation promotes open-source principles and encourages community participation in the development process.

On top of that, Mozilla Firefox maintains a transparent approach to user data and privacy. Its Privacy Notice and Data Collection Statement inspire user trust, thanks to clear information about how their data is collected and used.

Firefox is available on all your platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. Users can synchronize their browsing data, including bookmarks, history, and open tabs, across different devices using Firefox Sync, ensuring a seamless browsing experience across devices

Overall, Mozilla Firefox is a feature-rich, customizable, and privacy-focused web browser that offers a secure and enjoyable browsing experience for users across various platforms.

Mullvad Browser is very easy to use to stop trackers and fingerprinting. For added privacy, you can use Mullvad VPN, owned by the same company.

The Mullvad Browser, a joint effort between Mullvad VPN and the Tor Project, is optimized for use with a VPN, but it offers admirable levels of privacy even when used alone. It's perfect for minimizing fingerprinting and tracking while eliminating ads. The browser's revenue model primarily relies on its VPN service, which is great news for privacy-conscious users.

As with most browsers on this list, Mullvad's main priority is user privacy, speed comes second. Still, this browser offers decent performance levels. Even though it utilizes the Tor-developed search engine, it's stripped of Tor's network, making it a somewhat faster browser option.

Mullvad Browser is very dedicated to user privacy, which is mirrored in the long list of its unique privacy features. For a start, the browser includes uBlock Origin for content filtering, particularly effective against ads and third-party trackers.

Mullvad spoofs your time zone and logs you out of sites for more privacy

Mullvad even spoofs the time zone to thwart fingerprinting attempts and adds space around websites to prevent identification based on browser window size. The browser also logs users out of websites between sessions to further mitigate the risks of users being tracked.

Its default private mode prevents the storage of cookies, cache, or browsing history between sessions. A convenient reset button swiftly clears the browsing session. Moreover, all telemetry data, which is typically collected for browser performance enhancement, gets completely wiped.

As mentioned above, the browser's revenue model primarily relies on its VPN service, which is great because you don't have to fear your data will get monetized. Mullvad advises against installing additional extensions, as they could compromise user anonymity through fingerprinting techniques.

Mullvad Browser is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux only. It's currently not available for your mobile devices. With its minimalist design, Mullvad Browser offers an easy-to-use no-hustle service.

Similarly to their needs, users' criteria for choosing the best free internet browser can differ tremendously. And, while most other merits of a good browser are debatable, one thing is for sure – your search engine should be private and secure, but also capable of giving results swiftly. 

To ensure our recommended browsers both perform and protect, we established the following criteria:

This should not be a problem at all! To switch to a free browser that's good for your privacy and security, all you need to do is follow these simple steps.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about free browsers that promise privacy and security.

Are private browsers entirely secure?

While these browsers prioritize privacy and security, no browser is entirely immune to vulnerabilities. Users should regularly update their browsers and employ additional security measures like VPNs for enhanced protection.

Do private browsers support extensions and add-ons?

Yes, many of these browsers support a wide range of extensions and add-ons, allowing users to customize their browsing experience while maintaining privacy and security.

Is Incognito mode really private?

No, the websites you visit can still track your activity through methods like cookies, fingerprinting, and IP address tracking. Incognito mode does not prevent websites from collecting information about your browsing habits. Even your ISP can still see your browsing activity in Incognito mode. They can track the websites you visit, the data you transmit, and the duration of your sessions. Bottom line, Incognito mode doesn't do much for you apart from hiding your activity from other users of the same device.

By choosing a browser that prioritizes privacy, users can enjoy a safer and more secure online experience. There are many free and private search engine options out there. However, the best free private browser for you is the one that aligns with your privacy preferences, browsing habits, and security needs. 

It's advisable to explore different options, experiment with features, and compare the transparency of various browsers' privacy policies before you pick a service for yourself. Here are the free private browsers to consider once again: 

From$0.00/month

The best overall free internet browser for privacy and security. An open-source Chromium-based browser that enables you to block annoying pop-ups and more.

From$0.00/month

The most anonymous internet browser. Run by a wide web of volunteers and is entirely free. Provides multi-layered protection and access to the deep web.

From$0.00/month

Very private search engine for mobile devices and macOS. It comes with advanced features such as Cookie Pop-up Management and a free email forwarding service.

From$0.00/month

The only private free browser that entered the mainstream. It's super efficient and comes with features such as Private Browsing and Enhanced Tracking Protection.

From$0.00/month

A beginner-friendly free web browser that's great for privacy. It efficiently blocks trackers and ads and it earns money from its VPN services exclusively.

With her BA in English Language and Literature, Private Pilot Licence, and passion for researching and writing, Danka brings further diversity to the team. As a former world traveler, she learned to appreciate cyber security and the necessity for digital privacy. Danka is a nature, animal, and written-word lover. She enjoys staying on the go, both mentally and physically, and spends most of her free time either reading or hiking with her dog.

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