The internet is one of the most important inventions when it comes to technology. Today, when individuals want to find answers to questions, sell their products, study, communicate, or enjoy entertainment, they turn to the internet.
But to access the internet, you must first of all download and install a web browser. However, these days, most operating systems already have a browser installed on them. A browser is actually a software application that is designed to act as the medium for accessing the world wide web.
There are many web browsers available to choose from with each one having its unique advantages and disadvantages. Two of the most popular web browsers are Brave and Mozilla Firefox.
Depending on who you ask, people will either claim that Brave or Firefox is the best. Instead of wondering which is the best, relax and let us have a closer look at both to ascertain which one is better.
What is Brave?
Brave is an open-source web browser that was first published for public use in 2016. The web browser is owned and managed by Brave Software, Inc.
This browser was developed with the aim of giving users a more private experience when surfing the world wide web.
That is why it has incorporated a wide range of features to help ensure that users do not have to worry about unauthorized parties getting access to their private information.
Brave is based around the Chromium web browser and is one of the fastest when it comes to loading pages.
It is worth pointing out that this particular web browser is available for download and installation free of charge. Today, Brave has over 50 million monthly users.
Explore the best alternatives to Brave Browser in this post.
What is Firefox?
Mozilla Firefox, which is commonly referred to as Firefox, is a web browser that was developed by the Mozilla Foundation and its subsidiary the Mozilla Corporation.
This web browser was published for public use in 2004 and become an instant success. In less than a year after its official launch, the web browser was downloaded about 100 million times.
Today, the web browser boasts of having over 150 million active users per month. Its popularity can partly be attributed to the fact that it is one of the fastest when it comes to loading pages.
The particular browser utilized the Gecko rendering engine which is slightly different from Brave’s Chromium engine. Firefox is also an open-source application and is available for free download and use.
Also Read: Opera GX vs Firefox
Getting Started
Brave
To start using the Brave web browser, you’ll have to pay a visit to the homepage at Brave.com. Once on the site, you’ll notice a button right at the top with an indication for you to download.
All you have to do is click the download button which will initiate an automatic process. In case your download does not begin automatically, you’ll be given an option to initiate it manually.
Once the download is complete, a pop-up window will appear on your screen prompting you to click run or install. Once you hit ok, the process of installation will begin.
In some instances, you may be required to specify whether you want a custom or normal installation. If you are conversant with the browser and wish to include some custom setting go ahead and specify it.
However, if you are a newbie to using the browser, it is prudent to go ahead with the normal installation. The entire process of downloading and installing the browser will be over within a few minutes.
When everything is done, the browser will launch automatically. You can then choose to customize the browser by navigating to the settings section and making modifications as you deem fit.
You can also go ahead and sign up for a Brave account. This will enable you to sync the browser on all of your devices.
Check Out: Brave vs Safari
Firefox
To start using Firefox, head over to the main site Mozilla.org and look to the top right of the home page. You will notice a box indicating that you can download the software.
Go ahead and click on that box to initiate an automatic download. If your download does not begin automatically, you will notice that there is an option to initiate downloads manually.
Once the software is on your system, a pop-up window will appear on your screen seeking permission to install the program on your device.
Click next to allow the installation to begin. Again, you can choose a custom or normal installation depending on your preferences.
Like Brave, Firefox is pretty easy to download and install because everything is premised on prompts that you simply have to click through. You don’t need any special knowledge to install the program on your system.
Once Firefox is ready, it will launch automatically and you can then navigate to the settings sections to customize it for a more personalized browsing experience.
With this browser, you can also create an account that will enable you to sync all your devices.
Explore: Vivaldi vs Firefox
Verdict
When it comes to downloading and installing Brave and Firefox on your devices, the process is almost the same. You do not require any special skills to get either of these browsers up and running.
Both browsers are available for free and allow you to import your bookmarks and browsing history from older browsers making it easy for you to start where you left off.
Finally, although you have the option to create an account, both browsers make it possible for you to surf the internet without having to sign up.
With all this in mind, it is easy to conclude that the two browsers score the same points in this category.
Privacy and Security
Brave
While surfing the internet, you are often exposed to a lot of things. Some of these may include third-party entities that collect your browsing data and use it to create a unique profile for the purposes of targeted marketing.
There is also the possibility of malicious people tracking your activities and even collecting information that they may use to defraud or cause some other form of harm.
Brave is built to protect you against such incidents. For starters, this particular web browser blocks cookies by default. That makes it impossible for third-party entities to monitor your activity.
Another impressive feature of this browser is that it has a built-in ad-blocker. That means you won’t have to worry about advertisements popping up all over your screen and causing unnecessary distractions.
Brave even stops adverts within web pages which is something that few others can do.
This web browser also stops fingerprinting and allows for HTTPS upgrading. Another impressive thing about this browser is that it offers per-site shield settings.
That means that you can specify the type of security you want to enjoy on every website you visit. There is also the option of utilizing the configurable global shield defaults.
To ensure no one gains access to your data, the application has a built-in password manager to keep you safe. You can also clear your browsing data with a simple click of a button.
The web browser also incorporates an autofill feature to ensure that you can fill in your details on online forms with a simple click of a button.
Finally, Brave features a state-of-the-art Firewall + VPN to fortify your security. Unlike other browsers that use VPNs to mask a user’s IP, Brave’s Firewall + VPN encrypts all activities making it impossible for outside sources to access any data.
Also Read: Opera GX vs Brave
Firefox
Firefox may not be so big on privacy and security, but it incorporates several features that actually pack a punch when it comes to keeping you safe online.
For starters, this browser blocks third-party tracking cookies by default. That means you can do whatever you like online without worrying about anyone collecting your data to create a unique profile.
The browser also blocks social trackers so that you can surf through your favorite social media networks without having to worry about a breach of privacy.
This browser allows you to determine the kind of data you wish to make available online. That means you can make adjustments by visiting the settings section and customizing security details.
Built-in security indicators and malware protection are other aspects of security you get to enjoy when using this particular browser. Additionally, you can opt for the private browsing mode to ensure that you are completely hidden from any prying eyes.
You’ll be pleased to know that Firefox also includes Fingerprinter and crypto-miner blocking features. You can also use a primary password to keep everything safe.
This browser allows users to clear their browsing history as one of the ways to get rid of any data that may compromise their security or privacy. Users can clear history according to specific periods including hours, days, weeks, or months.
The browser’s automatic update also helps ensure that you are safe from malware and other bugs that may cause complications.
Find out the best browsers you can use in place of Firefox here.
Verdict
When it comes to privacy and security, Brave comes across as one of the best options. In fact, many of the people who use it do so because of its deeply seated security features.
With Brave, you do not have to worry about your IP being detected by anyone. There is also no possibility of getting tracked. As if that is not enough, Brave blocks pop-up ads by default.
On the other hand, you’ll need to find and install an extension on Firefox to help prevent pop-up ads. The website does not encrypt your IP address either and that may leave you open to some kind of sophisticated tracking.
To enjoy some of the security and privacy features available on Firefox, you’ll need to get down to work by adjusting settings. This may be tedious and confusing to people who are not too conversant with browser application settings.
As a result of the issues noted, it is clear that Brave comes out on top in this category.
Interface and customization
Brave
Brave features one of the simplest browser interfaces yet. It is built with a minimalist design to ensure that users do not have to worry about locating different sections.
Immediately after you launch this browser, you’ll be presented with the search bar at the center and a URL bar at the top. You can either choose to enter the URL at the top of the tab or enter keywords into the search bar to run searches.
You can open as many tabs as you like because the browser organizes them in a cascading manner so that you always have a glimpse of each.
This browser incorporates the Brave search bar as the default option. However, you can change it to others including Bing, Google, and Yandex.
The browser also has a sidebar that allows you to add URLs to your favorite websites. This makes it possible for you to access such websites with a simple click of a button instead of having to enter their URLs repeatedly.
Brave lets you choose between night and light modes. The night mode makes every website have a darkened background and that helps protect against eye strain caused by bright light.
You can customize this browser by adding your own image to appear as the background of any new tabs you open. In fact, you can even add multiple images and they will appear in a sequence that gives your browser a refreshing look every time.
This browser also lets you open private windows.
Also Read: Brave vs Vivaldi
Firefox
The Mozilla Firefox homepage kind of resembles that of Chrome. However, it has the signature logo at the center and the search bar right below it.
It also features a minimalist interface meaning you won’t have to worry about unnecessary distractions. At the button on the homepage, you’ll be able to find sections for customizing the browser or navigating to other sections.
You can customize your Firefox by selecting from a rich library of unique themes. These can go from nature to buildings and amazing landmarks.
With this browser, you can also choose between dark and light modes. The dark mode turns all tabs dark to help protect against too much light.
You can use the bookmark feature to save URLs of your favorite websites and access them with a simple click of a button. Your favorite sites will be displayed right under the search bar.
Verdict
Both Brave and Firefox have simple interfaces that make it easy for users to navigate to different sections. These browsers are relatively easy to customize and let users choose between a dark and light mode.
There is little to no difference between these browsers when it comes to interfaces and customization. With that in mind, we can conclude that they score the same points in this regard.
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Performance
Brave
Brave utilizes the Chromium engine to render web pages. The browser is known as one of the fastest when it comes to loading.
That can be attributed to the fact that it strips websites of ads that may be causing lag. In other words, Brave simply downloads significantly less data than other browsers that allow adverts to run on their main pages.
Another thing that makes Brave relatively faster than others is that it blocks out any tracking applications. Note that trackers may sometimes change the way browsers work and that can lead to a slowing down of speeds.
Brave is compatible with almost all operating systems including Linux, Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. That means you can install it on all your devices to enjoy a synchronized browsing experience.
Also Read: Brave vs Edge
Firefox
Firefox is a lightweight web browser that does not take up too much space on any system. That is one of the reasons why a lot of people prefer using it.
The browser uses the Gecko engine to render web pages. This engine utilizes a fraction of your system resources yet renders pages in an impressive manner.
While it is slightly slower than Brave when it comes to the speed of loading, Firefox certainly holds its own among the top ten.
Another thing that may make it slightly slower than Brave is that it often requires add-ons and extensions to provide a wholesome browsing experience.
Note that extensions and add-ons may also use system resources independently and this may contribute to a drop in loading speeds.
Firefox is compatible with almost all major operating systems including Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, and iOS.
Verdict
Both browsers are compatible with almost all the major operating systems. They are relatively fast when it comes to loading speeds.
However, when it comes to overall performance, Brave scores slightly above Firefox. That is because it is able to load pages a little faster.
Of course, if you are a huge fan of Firefox you can explore ways of speeding it up with a few options including the removal of unnecessary add-ons/extensions and enabling its tracking and ad-blocking features.
Also Read: Brave vs Chrome
Standout Features
Brave
One of the more exciting features of Brave is that it allows you to sync your profile across devices. That means you can create a personal account with a password and enjoy portability.
With a Brave account profile, you can enjoy form auto-filling, access your browsing history, sync extensions, apps, and open tabs across devices.
Another standout feature is the speed-reader. When you switch to the speed-reader mode, Brave removes unnecessary elements from the page and only leaves the texts. That makes it possible for you to only focus on what is written.
If you are the kind of person that enjoys entertainment on the go, you’ll be pleased to know that Brave for iOS systems lets you create a playlist right in your browser. The playlist can consist of any media and any stream.
Another exceptional feature that makes this an ideal browser is the sidebar. It allows you to enter URLs to some of your favorite websites.
You can then access those sites with a simple click of a button. This browser also supports most of the extensions that are compatible with the Chrome browser.
Finally, Brave has a reward system that ensures you earn by viewing private ads within the browser. Once you have accumulated a significant amount, you can donate it to some of your favorite creators.
Check Out: Brave vs DuckDuckGo
Firefox
One of the most remarkable things about Firefox is the Picture-in-Picture feature. This feature allows users to enjoy watching their favorite videos while browsing through other web pages.
The streaming window will keep floating in front of your device’s screen until you turn it off. This browser also incorporates Auto-play blocking.
That means videos won’t start playing until you click on them to do so. The browser has an in-browser screenshot tool that lets you take high-quality screenshots whenever you feel like it.
Like Brave, Firefox lets you create a user profile, and then you can use it to sync all your devices. This browser also incorporates a reader mode that strips websites of unnecessary elements so that you can focus on the texts.
Finally, Firefox has a Text-to-Speech feature that helps make reading easy, especially for the blind or those who may be engaging in other tasks.
Verdict
Both Brave and Firefox have awesome features that make the browsing experience so much more enjoyable and simplified. While each may have a few unique features, they also share some similarities.
Having had a look at both sets of features it is clear that these browsers once again share the same score.
Also Read: Best Browsers For Samsung TV
Brave vs Firefox: Similarities and Differences
Similarities
- Both browsers are available for free download and installation
- Both incorporate a reader mode
- Both have a dark and light mode
- Both browsers let you change the default search engine
- Both browsers allow users to create a personal profile
Differences
- Brave has a firewall + VPN that encrypts all your data
- Brave incorporates a playlist option within the browser
- Brave has a reward program
- Firefox has a text-to-speech mode
- Firefox has an in-browser screenshot tool
Also Read: Best Browsers For Zoom Meetings
Brave vs Firefox: Pros and Cons
Brave
Pros
- Loads exceptionally fast compared to other web browsers
- Blocks ads by default
- Has a reward system to encourage content creators
- Has a brilliant firewall + VPN
Cons
- Does not support text-to-speech
- Does not offer picture-in-picture options
Firefox
Pros
- Supports text-to-speech
- Offers a wonderful reader view
- Has a picture-in-picture option
- Allows you to set privacy options
- Is completely free of charge
- Is a lightweight browser
Cons
- Does not have a reward program
- Does not block ads by default
- Only masks your IP instead of encrypting it
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Conclusion
Both Brave and Firefox are exceptional web browsers.
However, if you want something that offers high-level privacy and loads quickly, you might want to go for Brave instead of Firefox.
