Brave (web browser)

On May 25, 2015, CEO Brendan Eich and CTO Brian Bondy founded Brave Software.{{cite web|url=https://brave.com/the-road-to-brave-one-dot-zero/|title=The road to Brave 1.0|access-date=29 December 2019|first=Brian|last=Bondy|date=13 November 2019|website=Brave Press|quote=It took another few months to get initial funding, but in May 2015 we started this ambitious project.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119215054/https://brave.com/the-road-to-brave-one-dot-zero/|archive-date=19 November 2019}}

On January 20, 2016, Brave Software launched the first version of Brave with ad-blocking capabilities and announced plans for an ad platform that uses "browser-side anonymous targeting".{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/20/with-brave-software-javascripts-inventor-is-building-a-browser-for-the-ad-blocked-future/|title=With Brave Software, JavaScript's Creator Is Building A Browser for the Ad-Blocked Future|last=Ha|first=Anthony|website=TechCrunch|date=20 January 2016|access-date=16 July 2018|archive-date=16 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716170316/https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/20/with-brave-software-javascripts-inventor-is-building-a-browser-for-the-ad-blocked-future/|url-status=live}}

The same week, it was revealed that Brave Software had purchased Android web browser Link Bubble (developed by Chris Lacy, who also developed launcher Action Launcher) and rebranded it as Brave.{{cite web |last=Whitwam |first=Ryan |date=2016-01-21 |title=Link Bubble Will Be Rebranded As Brave, A Friendlier Ad-Blocking Browser That Protects Your Privacy |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2016/01/21/link-bubble-will-be-rebranded-as-brave-a-friendlier-ad-blocking-browser-that-protects-your-privacy/ |access-date=2023-12-03 |website=Android Police |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Whitwam |first=Ryan |date=2016-02-24 |title=Link Bubble Is Now Officially Brave Browser, Ad-Blocking And Tracking Protection Are Live |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2016/02/24/link-bubble-is-now-officially-brave-browser-ad-blocking-and-tracking-protection-are-live/ |access-date=2023-12-03 |website=Android Police |language=en}}{{cite web |date=2016-02-25 |title=(Update: now in the Play Store) Link Bubble renamed to Brave: the browser that pays you for the ads you see |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/brave-browser-announced-668684/ |access-date=2023-12-03 |website=Android Authority |language=en}}

{{Infobox website

| name = Brave Software, Inc.

| url = {{URL|https://brave.com/}}

| type =

| founded = May 28, 2015

| headquarters = San Francisco, California

| country = United States

| country_of_origin = United States

| creator = Brave Software, Inc.

| founder = Brendan Eich, Brian Bondy

| CEO = Brendan Eich

| products = Brave Search, Brave Leo & others

| launch_date = {{start date and age|May 28, 2015}}

}}

Brave is a privacy-focused browser, which automatically blocks most advertisements, web cookies and website trackers in its default settings.

As of May 2024, Brave had approximately 1.27% market share according to Cloudflare.{{cite web|last=|first=|title=Browser Market Share Report for 2024 Q1|website=cloudflare.com|publisher=Cloudflare, Inc.|date=May 3, 2024|url=https://radar.cloudflare.com/reports/browser-market-share-2024-q1|access-date=March 22, 2025}}

In June 2018, Brave released a pay-to-surf test-version of the browser.

This version of Brave came preloaded with approximately 250 ads and sent a detailed log of the user's browsing activity to Brave for the short-term purpose of testing this functionality. Brave announced that a series of expanded trials would follow.{{cite web |last=Lomas |first=Natasha |date=20 June 2018 |title=Blockchain browser Brave starts opt-in testing of on-device ad targeting |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/06/20/blockchain-browser-brave-starts-opt-in-testing-of-on-device-ad-targeting/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716194922/https://techcrunch.com/2018/06/20/blockchain-browser-brave-starts-opt-in-testing-of-on-device-ad-targeting/ |archive-date=16 July 2018 |access-date=16 July 2018 |website=TechCrunch}}

Until December 2018, Brave ran on a fork of Electron called Muon, which they marketed as a "more secure fork".

Nevertheless, Brave developers moved to Chromium, citing a need to ease their maintenance burden.{{cite web |last=Cimpanu |first=Catalin |title=Brave browser moves to Chromium codebase, now supports Chrome extensions |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/brave-browser-moves-to-chromium-codebase-now-supports-chrome-extensions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116015849/https://www.zdnet.com/article/brave-browser-moves-to-chromium-codebase-now-supports-chrome-extensions/ |archive-date=16 January 2019 |access-date=10 February 2019 |publisher=ZDNet}}

Brave Software released the final Muon-based version with the intention that users would update to a newer version as its end-of-life approached.{{cite web |date=16 December 2018 |title=Brave browser goes 'full Chromium' by adopting Google UI |url=https://www.idgconnect.com/idgconnect/news/1500732/brave-browser-goes-chromium-adopting-google-ui |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627070223/https://www.idgconnect.com/idgconnect/news/1500732/brave-browser-goes-chromium-adopting-google-ui |archive-date=27 June 2019 |access-date=27 June 2019}}

{{Main|Brave Leo}}

Brave Leo is a large language model-based chatbot developed by Brave Software that is included with the Brave desktop browser.

Brave Firewall + VPN is a browser based, system wide firewall and VPN for desktop, iOS and Android.{{cite web |url=https://www.thurrott.com/cloud/web-browsers/238374/brave-brings-a-firewall-and-vpn-to-iphone-and-ipad |title=Brave Brings a Firewall and VPN to iPhone and iPad |author=Paul Thurrott |date=27 July 2020 |access-date=2 March 2022 |archive-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116122847/https://www.thurrott.com/cloud/web-browsers/238374/brave-brings-a-firewall-and-vpn-to-iphone-and-ipad |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://brave.com/firewall-vpn/|title=Brave Firewall + VPN|website=brave.com|access-date=2 March 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302215114/https://brave.com/firewall-vpn/|url-status=live}} It uses the Guardian VPN backend.{{cite web|url=https://guardianapp.com/company/partners/brave/|title=Brave Firewall + VPN powered by Guardian|website=guardianapp.com|access-date=2 March 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302215114/https://guardianapp.com/company/partners/brave/|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Brave Search}}

Brave Search is a search engine developed by Brave{{cite web|title=Brave's privacy-focused search engine is available in beta|url=https://www.engadget.com/brave-search-engine-beta-160013566.html|access-date=16 January 2022|website=Engadget|date=22 June 2021 |archive-date=18 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182347/https://www.engadget.com/brave-search-engine-beta-160013566.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=3 March 2021 |title=Brave acquires search engine |url=https://brave.com/brave-search/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323234315/https://brave.com/brave-search/ |archive-date=23 March 2021 |access-date=21 March 2021 |work=Brave website |publisher=Brave Software, Inc.}}{{cite web |last=Shankland |first=Stephen |title=Google gets a new rival as Brave Search opens to the public |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/google-gets-a-new-rival-as-brave-search-opens-to-the-public/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822201811/https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/google-gets-a-new-rival-as-brave-search-opens-to-the-public/ |archive-date=22 August 2021 |access-date=22 August 2021 |website=CNET}}{{cite web |date=3 March 2021 |title=Brave is launching its own search engine with the help of ex-Cliqz devs and tech |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/03/brave-is-launching-its-own-search-engine-with-the-help-of-ex-cliqz-devs-and-tech/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126115721/https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/03/brave-is-launching-its-own-search-engine-with-the-help-of-ex-cliqz-devs-and-tech/ |archive-date=26 November 2021 |access-date=12 June 2021 |website=TechCrunch}}{{cite magazine |title=Privacy-First Browser Brave Is Launching a Search Engine |url=https://www.wired.com/story/privacy-first-browser-brave-launching-search-engine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612082157/https://www.wired.com/story/privacy-first-browser-brave-launching-search-engine/ |archive-date=12 June 2021 |access-date=12 June 2021 |magazine=Wired |issn=1059-1028}}{{cite web |date=22 June 2022 |title=Brave Search passes 2.5 billion queries in its first year, and debuts Goggles feature that allows users to choose their own search rankings |url=https://brave.com/search-anniversary/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705191402/https://brave.com/search-anniversary/ |archive-date=5 July 2022 |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=Brave Browser}} and is the default search engine for the browser since October 2021.{{cite web|last=Porter|first=Jon|date=20 October 2021|title=Brave browser replaces Google with its own search engine|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/20/22736142/brave-browser-search-engine-default-google-quant-duckduckgo-web-discovery-project|access-date=16 January 2022|website=The Verge|archive-date=18 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118183911/https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/20/22736142/brave-browser-search-engine-default-google-quant-duckduckgo-web-discovery-project|url-status=live}}

Brave Talk{{cite web |date=21 June 2021 |title=[Desktop] Release Notes for 1.26.x Release #1 |url=https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/issues/16537 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001023534/https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/issues/16537 |archive-date=1 October 2021 |access-date=6 July 2021 |website=GitHub}} is a browser-based video conferencing tool based on Jitsi integrated into Brave in September 2021{{cite web |title=Brave Launches a Privacy Focused Alternative to Zoom |url=https://www.ubergizmo.com/2021/09/brave-talk-privacy-zoom/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923030427/https://www.ubergizmo.com/2021/09/brave-talk-privacy-zoom/ |archive-date=23 September 2021 |access-date=23 September 2021}} with both free and paid tiers.{{cite web |title=Brave Talk |url=https://brave.com/en-in/talk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118111422/https://brave.com/en-in/talk/ |archive-date=18 January 2023 |access-date=18 February 2023 |website=brave.com}}

In December 2020, Brave integrated a personalized news reader focused on user privacy into the browser.{{cite web |last=Goodin |first=Dan |date=10 December 2020 |title=Brave browser-maker launches privacy-friendly news reader |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/12/brave-browser-maker-launches-privacy-friendly-news-reader/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513155216/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/12/brave-browser-maker-launches-privacy-friendly-news-reader/ |archive-date=13 May 2021 |access-date=6 July 2021 |website=Ars Technica}}

As of June 2021, the news feed also includes promoted articles based upon the Brave ads platform.{{cite web |title=Add display ads to the Brave News feed · Issue #16698 · brave/brave-browser |url=https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/issues/16698 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101193406/https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/issues/16698 |archive-date=1 November 2021 |access-date=1 November 2021 |website=GitHub}}

A feature that lets users create playlists of audio and video media sources and play them offline.{{cite web |title=Brave Playlist |url=https://brave.com/playlist/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102183753/https://brave.com/playlist/ |archive-date=2 November 2021 |access-date=2 November 2021 |website=Brave Browser}}

An Android version has been in active development on the nightly build as according to a screenshot.[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brave.browser_nightly&hl=en_AU]

To prevent browser fingerprinting, Brave uses fingerprint randomization,{{cite web|title=Fingerprint Randomization|url=https://brave.com/privacy-updates/3-fingerprint-randomization/|access-date=14 November 2021|website=Brave|date=5 March 2020 |archive-date=16 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116020609/https://brave.com/privacy-updates/3-fingerprint-randomization/|url-status=live}} which makes the browser look different to websites over browser restart.

In June 2019, Brave started testing a new ad-blocking rule-matching algorithm implemented in Rust, replacing the previous C++ one. The uBlock Origin and Ghostery algorithms inspired the new logic, which Brave claims to be on average 69 times faster than the previous algorithm.{{cite web |last=Tung |first=Liam |title=Brave defies Google's moves to cripple ad-blocking with new 69x faster Rust engine |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/brave-defies-googles-moves-to-cripple-ad-blocking-with-new-69x-faster-rust-engine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701150020/https://www.zdnet.com/article/brave-defies-googles-moves-to-cripple-ad-blocking-with-new-69x-faster-rust-engine/ |archive-date=1 July 2019 |access-date=1 July 2019 |publisher=ZDNet}}

Brave Shields is an engine inspired by uBlock Origin{{cite web |url=https://www.theregister.com/2019/06/28/brave_ad_block_rust/ |title=In Rust we trust: Brave smashes speed limit after rewriting ad-block engine in super-lang • the Register |access-date=26 November 2021 |archive-date=11 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411122347/https://www.theregister.com/2019/06/28/brave_ad_block_rust/ |url-status=live }} and others, which blocks third-party ads and trackers{{cite web|last=Colby|first=Clifford|title=This Google Chrome rival is the browser to use if you're worried about online privacy. What to know|url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/this-google-chrome-rival-is-the-browser-to-use-if-youre-worried-about-online-privacy-what-to-know/|access-date=2 August 2021|website=CNET|archive-date=29 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729085751/https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/this-google-chrome-rival-is-the-browser-to-use-if-youre-worried-about-online-privacy-what-to-know/|url-status=live}} in a similar fashion to other extension-based ad blockers. The advertisement blocking features are enabled by default.

Users are given control to adjust ad blocking, script and cookies settings in the Shields and Privacy section of the browser.{{cite web|last=Tung|first=Liam|title=Best browser for privacy 2021: Secure web browsing|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-browser-for-privacy/|access-date=2 August 2021|website=ZDNet|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923013607/https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-browser-for-privacy/|url-status=live}}

Brave shields also protect against fingerprint tracking using a technique called "farbling", allowing each browsing session to appear unique.{{cite web|last=Brave|date=18 May 2020|title=What's Brave Done For My Privacy Lately? Episode #4: Fingerprinting Defenses 2.0|url=https://brave.com/privacy-updates-4/|access-date=1 November 2021|website=Brave Browser |archive-date=1 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101191121/https://brave.com/privacy-updates-4/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Fingerprinting Protections · brave/brave-browser Wiki|url=https://github.com/brave/brave-browser|access-date=2 August 2021|website=GitHub|archive-date=18 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018015931/https://github.com/brave/brave-browser|url-status=live}}

Since June 2018, Brave offered Tor, .onion and Tor bridges support in its desktop version.{{cite web |last=Shankland |first=Stephen |date=28 June 2018 |title=Brave advances browser privacy with Tor-powered tabs |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/brave-advances-browser-privacy-with-tor-powered-tabs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927204204/https://www.cnet.com/news/brave-advances-browser-privacy-with-tor-powered-tabs/ |archive-date=27 September 2018 |access-date=27 September 2018 |publisher=CNET}}

Users can switch to Tor-enabled browsing by clicking on the hamburger menu in the top-right corner of the browser.{{cite web|last=Brave|date=5 October 2020|title=Brave.com now has its own Tor Onion Service, providing more users with secure access to Brave|url=https://brave.com/new-onion-service/|access-date=22 January 2021|website=Brave Browser|archive-date=6 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006004823/https://brave.com/new-onion-service/|url-status=live}}

On October 15, 2021, Brave announced a new privacy feature dubbed "debouncing".

The new feature is designed to disarm bounce tracking, a method of Internet tracking through intermediary domains that load when users click on a link.

Debouncing will automatically recognize when users are about to visit a known tracking domain and renavigates the user to their intended destination, skipping the tracking site altogether.{{cite web |author=Anthony Spadafora |date=15 October 2021 |title=Brave browser cuts off another avenue for tracking your web activity |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/brave-browser-cuts-off-another-avenue-for-tracking-your-web-activity |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016212427/https://www.techradar.com/news/brave-browser-cuts-off-another-avenue-for-tracking-your-web-activity |archive-date=16 October 2021 |access-date=16 October 2021 |website=TechRadar}}{{cite web |author=Martin Brinkmann |date=15 October 2021 |title=Brave improves bounce tracking protection with new Debouncing feature |url=https://www.ghacks.net/2021/10/15/brave-improves-bounce-tracking-protection-with-new-debouncing-feature/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016212428/https://www.ghacks.net/2021/10/15/brave-improves-bounce-tracking-protection-with-new-debouncing-feature/ |archive-date=16 October 2021 |access-date=16 October 2021 |website=GHACKS}}

In April 2022, Brave announced a de-AMP feature that bypasses Google's AMP system, directing the user straight to the original website instead.

The company cited this as a privacy feature, calling AMP "harmful to users and to the Web at large". When this feature is activated, Yandex Turbo Pages, which are similar to AMP pages, are also bypassed.{{cite web |date=19 April 2022 |title=Brave is bypassing Google AMP pages because they're 'harmful to users' |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/19/23032776/brave-de-amp-google-browser |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420072439/https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/19/23032776/brave-de-amp-google-browser |archive-date=20 April 2022 |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=The Verge}}{{cite web |date=19 April 2022 |title=De-AMP: Cutting Out Google and Enhancing Privacy |url=https://brave.com/privacy-updates/18-de-amp/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513111210/https://brave.com/privacy-updates/18-de-amp/ |archive-date=13 May 2022 |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Brave Browser}}{{cite web |title=What is Brave's "De-AMP" feature? |url=https://support.brave.com/hc/en-us/articles/8611298579981 |website=support.brave.com|date=12 July 2024 }}

A tool integrated in Brave since the fourth quarter of 2021 that automatically replaces tracking libraries with a spoofed, privacy-preserving replacement to increase site compatibility with adblocking scripts.{{cite web |url=https://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/pressrelease/SugarCoat |title=This Tool Protects Your Private Data While You Browse |author=Ioana Patringenaru |publisher=UC San Diego News Center|access-date=26 November 2021 |archive-date=26 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126060317/https://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/pressrelease/SugarCoat |url-status=live }}{{cite conference|title=SugarCoat: Programmatically Generating Privacy-Preserving, Web-Compatible Resource Replacements for Content Blocking|last1=Smith|first1=Michael|last2=Snyder|first2=Pete|last3=Livshits|first3=Benjamin|last4=Stefan|first4=Deian|publisher=Association for Computing Machinery|book-title=CCS '21: 2021 ACM SIGSAC Conference on Computer and Communications Security|date=13 November 2021|doi=10.1145/3460120.3484578 |doi-access=free}}

In January 2021, Brave became one of the first web browsers to offer native integration with a peer-to-peer networking protocol.{{cite web|last=Porter|first=Jon|date=19 January 2021|title=Brave browser takes step toward enabling a decentralized web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/19/22238334/brave-browser-ipfs-peer-to-peer-decentralized-transfer-protocol-http-nodes|access-date=22 January 2021|website=The Verge|archive-date=19 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119170048/https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/19/22238334/brave-browser-ipfs-peer-to-peer-decentralized-transfer-protocol-http-nodes|url-status=live}}

As of March 2021, Brave supports decentralized domains, namely the ones provided by Unstoppable Domains (.crypto etc.) and Ethereum Name Services (ENS).{{cite web|url=https://community.brave.com/t/release-channel-1-22-66/222101|title=Release Channel 1.22.66|date=23 March 2021|access-date=27 March 2021|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414105727/https://community.brave.com/t/release-channel-1-22-66/222101|url-status=live}}

In February 2020, the Wayback Machine was integrated into the browser. Upon hitting an HTTP 404 error, among other error codes, the Wayback Machine is automatically queried to display a cached version of the page.{{cite web|last=Graham|first=Mark|date=25 February 2020|title=Brave Browser and the Wayback Machine: Working together to help make the Web more useful and reliable|url=https://blog.archive.org/2020/02/25/brave-browser-and-the-wayback-machine-working-together-to-help-make-the-web-more-useful-and-reliable/|access-date=1 November 2021|website=Internet Archive Blogs }}

The Brave browser's business model is based on its share of ad revenue.

Unlike other browsers that only display websites, Brave earns revenue from ads by taking a 15% cut of publisher ads and a 30% cut of user ads.

Brave expects to generate revenue from selling Basic Attention Tokens (BATs) to advertisers, letting users earn them while viewing ads and content.{{cite web |last=Keizer |first=Gregg |date=8 April 2021 |title=The Brave Browser Basics: What It Does, How It Differs from Rivals |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/3292619/the-brave-browser-basics-what-it-does-how-it-differs-from-rivals.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200529204354/https://www.computerworld.com/article/3292619/the-brave-browser-basics-what-it-does-how-it-differs-from-rivals.html |archive-date=29 May 2020 |access-date=23 August 2021 |website=Computerworld}}{{cite web |title=Brave Ads |url=https://brave.com/brave-ads/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826214736/https://brave.com/brave-ads/ |archive-date=26 August 2021 |access-date=1 November 2021 |website=Brave Browser}}

Brave keeps financial reserves in the form of BATs for itself, with 200 million BATs (valued at $240 million) kept for building its blockchain-based digital advertising system and 300 million BATs allocated as seed for browser users' wallets {{as of|2021|lc=y}}.

By August 2016, the company had received at least US$7 million in angel investments from venture capital firms, including Peter Thiel's Founders Fund, Propel Venture Partners, Pantera Capital, Foundation Capital and the Digital Currency Group.{{cite news |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=1 August 2016 |title=Brave, the ad-blocking browser from former Mozilla CEO, grabs $4.5 million |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/01/brave-the-ad-blocking-browser-from-former-mozilla-ceo-grabs-4-5-million/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191213211406/https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/01/brave-the-ad-blocking-browser-from-former-mozilla-ceo-grabs-4-5-million/ |archive-date=13 December 2019 |access-date=16 July 2018 |work=TechCrunch}}

Advertising campaigns are matched with users by inference from their browsing history.

This targeting is carried out locally, with no transmission of personally identifiable data outside the browser.{{cite web |title=Targeting |url=https://brave.com/brave-ads/targeting/ |access-date=21 May 2023 |website=Brave Browser |language=en}}

User ads are notification-style pop-ups, while publisher ads are viewed on or in association with publisher content.

In November 2019, Brave launched Brave Ads on a personal computers version, partnering with AirSwap, ConsenSys, eToro, Home Chef, and Vice.{{cite web |last=Protalinski |first=Emil |date=2019-04-24 |title=Brave rolls out its own ads that pay users a 70% cut |url=https://venturebeat.com/business/brave-rolls-out-its-own-ads-that-pay-users-a-70-cut/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}{{cite web |title=Brave now can show its privacy-first ads on PCs, giving you 70% of the proceeds |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/braves-privacy-first-browser-ads-arrive-with-promised-payout-for-you/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=CNET |language=en}}

{{Infobox cryptocurrency

| currency_name = Basic Attention Token

| image_1 = File:Brave Basic Attention Token (BAT) Logo.svg

| code = BAT

| white_paper = [https://basicattentiontoken.org/static-assets/documents/BasicAttentionTokenWhitePaper-4.pdf Basic Attention Token White Paper]

| implementations = Brave Rewards

| initial_release_date = 31 May 2017

| status = Active

| author = Brave Software

| developer = Brave Software, BAT Project

| website = {{URL|basicattentiontoken.org}}

| circulating_supply = 1.49 billion

| supply_limit = 1.5 billion

| exchange_rate = Floating

}}

The "Basic Attention Token" (BAT) is a cryptocurrency token based on Ethereum, created for use in an open-source, decentralized ad exchange platform and as a cryptocurrency{{cite news|last=Russell|first=Jon|title=Former Mozilla CEO raises $35M in under 30 seconds for his browser startup Brave|work=TechCrunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/01/brave-ico-35-million-30-seconds-brendan-eich/|access-date=30 December 2017|archive-date=1 June 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170601123918/https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/01/brave-ico-35-million-30-seconds-brendan-eich/|url-status=live}} based on the ERC-20 standard.

In an initial coin offering on 31 May 2017, Brave sold one billion BAT for a total of 156,250 Ethereum ($35 million) in less than 30 seconds.{{cite news|title=Javascript creator's browser raises $35 million in 30 seconds|work=Engadget|url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/06/01/brave-browser-35-million-cryptocurrency/|access-date=30 December 2017|archive-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204102553/https://www.engadget.com/2017/06/01/brave-browser-35-million-cryptocurrency/|url-status=live}}

An additional 500 million BAT was retained by the company to be used to promote the adoption of the platform.

In early December 2017, the company disbursed the first round of its "user growth pool" grants: a total of 300,000 BAT was distributed to new users on a first-come, first-served basis.{{cite web|date=6 December 2017|title=Ad-blocking browser Brave courts new users with free crypto tokens|url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/12/06/ad-blocking-browser-brave-courts-new-users-with-free-crypto-tokens/|access-date=30 December 2017|website=VentureBeat|archive-date=8 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108014205/https://venturebeat.com/2017/12/06/ad-blocking-browser-brave-courts-new-users-with-free-crypto-tokens/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=This ad-blocking browser has some cryptocurrency for you|publisher=CNET|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/brave-now-pays-you-cryptocurrency-to-use-its-browser/|access-date=30 December 2017|archive-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109000237/https://www.cnet.com/news/brave-now-pays-you-cryptocurrency-to-use-its-browser/|url-status=live}}

The first version of the micropayments feature was launched in 2016 under the name "Brave Payments" and used Bitcoin.{{cite web |last=Keizer |first=Gregg |date=6 September 2016 |title=Ad-blocking Brave browser tests users-to-sites micro-payments |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/3117044/ad-blocking-brave-browser-tests-users-to-sites-micro-payments.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114194203/https://www.computerworld.com/article/3117044/ad-blocking-brave-browser-tests-users-to-sites-micro-payments.html |archive-date=14 January 2020 |access-date=14 January 2020 |website=Computerworld}}

Since April 2019, Brave browser users can opt in to the Brave Rewards feature earning the Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) as a cryptocurrency or to make donations to registered websites and content creators.{{cite web |last=Colby |first=Clifford |title=This Google Chrome rival is the browser to use if you're worried about online privacy. What to know |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/this-google-chrome-rival-is-the-browser-to-use-if-youre-worried-about-online-privacy-what-to-know/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729085751/https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/this-google-chrome-rival-is-the-browser-to-use-if-youre-worried-about-online-privacy-what-to-know/ |archive-date=29 July 2021 |access-date=26 August 2021 |website=CNET}}{{cite web |last=Shankland |first=Stephen |date=16 November 2017 |title=Brave browser lets you pay your favorite YouTube stars |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/brave-browser-lets-you-pay-your-favorite-youtube-stars/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225121716/https://www.cnet.com/news/brave-browser-lets-you-pay-your-favorite-youtube-stars/ |archive-date=25 February 2019 |access-date=14 January 2020 |website=CNET}}

Users may choose to tip their earned BAT micropayments to websites and content creators (as tips) within the ecosystem{{cite web |title=Features |url=https://brave.com/features/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201011127/https://brave.com/features/ |archive-date=1 February 2020 |access-date=14 January 2020 |website=Brave Browser}} or withdraw their BAT to a verified Gemini or Uphold wallet.{{cite web|title=Basic Attention Token|url=https://basicattentiontoken.org/|access-date=1 November 2021|website=Basic Attention Token |archive-date=31 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831163230/https://basicattentiontoken.org/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gemini.com/brave|title=Building a user-centric internet with the power of crypto|website=gemini.com}}{{cite web |date=2021-03-18 |title=How to Verify Your Brave Browser Wallet and Withdraw BAT – Brave World Magazine |url=https://www.braveworldmag.com/how-to-verify-your-brave-browser-wallet-and-withdraw-bat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607215042/https://www.braveworldmag.com/how-to-verify-your-brave-browser-wallet-and-withdraw-bat/ |archive-date=2023-06-07 |access-date=2023-09-26 |language=en-US}}{{cite web |date=2023-08-10 |title=Gemini Integrates with Brave for Trading and Wallet Support {{!}} Brave |url=https://brave.com/gemini/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810150056/https://brave.com/gemini/ |archive-date=10 August 2023 |access-date=2023-09-26}}

Brave Wallet is a native crypto wallet with no extensions required.

It supports all EVM-compatible chains (Polygon, xDai, Avalanche, etc.) and L2 chains.

In addition, Brave Wallet can be used to store non-fungible tokens.

Desktop edition supports also hardware wallets such as Ledger and Trezor, while mobile support is planned.{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Mitchell |date=16 November 2021 |title=Brave built its own crypto wallet into its browser |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/16/22785588/brave-web-browser-crypto-wallet-web3-nft-native |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210233650/https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/16/22785588/brave-web-browser-crypto-wallet-web3-nft-native |archive-date=10 February 2022 |access-date=10 February 2022 |publisher=The Verge}}{{cite web |date=16 November 2021 |title=Introducing the Brave Wallet, a Browser-Native Crypto Wallet With No Extension Required |url=https://brave.com/brave-wallet-launch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303131320/https://brave.com/brave-wallet-launch/ |archive-date=3 March 2022 |access-date=3 March 2022 |website=brave.com}}{{cite web |title=Brave Wallet |url=https://brave.com/wallet/ |website=brave.com}}

Brave Swap is an aggregator for cryptocurrency DEX's based on 0x{{cite web |last=Brave |date=7 July 2021 |title=BAT Roadmap 2.0: Update 2 |url=https://brave.com/bat-roadmap-update-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101192436/https://brave.com/bat-roadmap-update-2/ |archive-date=1 November 2021 |access-date=1 November 2021 |website=Brave Browser}} letting users swap Ethereum tokens for other tokens from within the browser.

Brave makes money off this by taking a small "router" fee with plans to return 20% of this fee to the user in the form of BAT tokens.{{cite web |last=Brave |date=10 September 2021 |title=Brave Swap Rewards Program |url=https://brave.com/swap-rewards-program/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101192436/https://brave.com/swap-rewards-program/ |archive-date=1 November 2021 |access-date=1 November 2021 |website=Brave Browser}}{{cite web |date=7 July 2021 |title=0x + Brave partner to make crypto and DeFi more accessible to everyone |url=https://blog.0x.org/0x-brave-partner-to-make-crypto-and-defi-more-accessible/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210233858/https://blog.0x.org/0x-brave-partner-to-make-crypto-and-defi-more-accessible/ |archive-date=10 February 2022 |access-date=10 February 2022 |website=0x}}

In December 2018, Brave partnered with HTC to make Brave Browser the default browser on the HTC Exodus 1.{{cite web |last=Shankland |first=Stephen |title=Ad-blocking Brave is now the default web browser on HTC's niche cryptocurrency phone |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/brave-is-default-browser-on-obscure-htc-crypto-phone/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101200444/https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/brave-is-default-browser-on-obscure-htc-crypto-phone/ |archive-date=1 November 2021 |access-date=1 November 2021 |website=CNET}}

Brave launched its stable release, version 1.0, on November 13, 2019, while having 8.7 million monthly active users overall.{{cite web |last=Brave |date=13 November 2019 |title=Brave Launches Next-Generation Browser that Puts Users in Charge of Their Internet Experience with Unmatched Privacy and Rewards |url=https://brave.com/brave-launches-next-generation-browser/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114131539/https://brave.com/brave-launches-next-generation-browser/ |archive-date=14 November 2019 |access-date=15 November 2019 |website=Brave Browser}}

At the time, it had approximately 3 million active users on a daily basis. Brave 1.0, running on Android, iOS, Windows 10, macOS, or Linux, integrated "almost all of Brave's marquee features across all platforms", according to Engadget.{{citation |last=Bonifacic |first=Igor |title=Brave says 8.7 million people use its privacy-focused browser every month |date=13 November 2019 |work=Engadget |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/11/13/brave-privacy-browser-8-million-users/ |access-date=16 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116090444/https://www.engadget.com/2019/11/13/brave-privacy-browser-8-million-users/ |archive-date=16 November 2019 |url-status=live}}

In November 2020, Brave reported having 20 million monthly users.{{cite web |last=Cimpanu |first=Catalin |title=Brave becomes first browser to add native support for the IPFS protocol |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/brave-becomes-first-browser-to-add-native-support-for-the-ipfs-protocol/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119170058/https://www.zdnet.com/article/brave-becomes-first-browser-to-add-native-support-for-the-ipfs-protocol/ |archive-date=19 January 2021 |access-date=14 February 2021 |website=ZDNet}}

In April 2021, Brave became the first browser to be added to the Epic Games Store.{{cite web |last=Brave |date=22 April 2021 |title=Brave is the first browser featured on the Epic Games Store |url=https://brave.com/epic-store/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423014106/https://brave.com/epic-store/ |archive-date=23 April 2021 |access-date=22 April 2021 |website=Brave Browser}}{{cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=22 April 2021 |title=Epic Games Store expands to carry Windows apps like Brave and Discord |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/22/22395997/epic-games-store-pc-apps-windows-store-brave-discord-itch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724010115/https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/22/22395997/epic-games-store-pc-apps-windows-store-brave-discord-itch |archive-date=24 July 2021 |access-date=24 July 2021 |website=The Verge}}

In September 2021, it passed 36 million monthly active users.{{cite web |last=Radmilac |first=Andjela |date=3 September 2021 |title=Brave Sees Huge Growth, Surpasses 36 Million Monthly Active Users |url=https://chainbulletin.com/brave-sees-huge-growth-surpasses-36-million-monthly-active-users/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211005165801/https://chainbulletin.com/brave-sees-huge-growth-surpasses-36-million-monthly-active-users/ |archive-date=5 October 2021 |access-date=5 October 2021 |website=The Chain Bulletin}}

{{As of|2024|12|post=,}} Brave reported more than 77.3 million monthly active users, 32.1 million daily active users and a network of more than 1.8 million content creators.{{cite web |title=Brave Platform Stats & Token Activity |url=https://brave.com/transparency/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713085800/https://brave.com/transparency/ |archive-date=13 July 2022 |access-date=10 June 2021}}

Reviews of Brave praised the browser's speed, privacy aspects and built-in ad blocking,{{cite news |last=Chen |first=Brian X. |date=31 March 2021 |title=If You Care About Privacy, It's Time to Try a New Web Browser |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/31/technology/personaltech/online-privacy-private-browsers.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610174313/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/31/technology/personaltech/online-privacy-private-browsers.html |archive-date=10 June 2021 |access-date=10 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite news |last=Kingsley-Hughes |first=Adrian |date=July 8, 2021 |title=Brave browser: The bad and the ugly |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/brave-browser-the-bad-and-the-ugly/ |accessdate=2023-07-11 |work=ZDNET}}{{cite web |last1=Mercer |first1=Christina |last2=Dunn |first2=John E. |date=26 April 2018 |title=The Most Secure Browsers 2018 |url=https://www.techworld.com/security/best-8-secure-browsers-3246550/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125151317/https://www.techworld.com/security/best-8-secure-browsers-3246550/ |archive-date=25 November 2019 |access-date=16 July 2018 |work=Techworld}}{{cite web |last=Patrizio |first=Andy |date=4 February 2016 |title=Benchmark tests: How the Brave browser compares with Chrome, Firefox, and IE 11 |url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/3030134/benchmark-tests-brave-browser-ad-blocker-chrome-firefox-ie-11.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322140949/https://www.networkworld.com/article/3030134/benchmark-tests-brave-browser-ad-blocker-chrome-firefox-ie-11.html |archive-date=22 March 2019 |access-date=10 August 2018 |work=Network World}} as well as potential reduced battery usage.{{cite web |last=Hodge |first=Rae |date=14 November 2019 |title=Brave 1.0 browser review: Browse faster and safer while ticking off advertisers |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/brave-1-0-browser-review-browse-faster-and-safer-while-ticking-off-advertisers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128195640/https://www.cnet.com/news/brave-1-0-browser-review-browse-faster-and-safer-while-ticking-off-advertisers/ |archive-date=28 January 2020 |access-date=4 February 2020 |website=CNET}}

According to the website PrivacyTests.org, Brave, along with Librewolf and Tor Browser, had the most privacy protection compared to other browsers.{{cite web |last=Saxena |first=Hermant |date=2022-06-20 |title=Brave and Librewolf are the most private browsers, says study |url=https://news.thewindowsclub.com/brave-and-librewolf-are-the-most-private-browsers-107030/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=TheWindowsClub News |language=en-us}}{{cite web |last=Brinkmann |first=Martin |date=2022-06-15 |title=PrivacyTests reveals how your web browser does privacy-wise - gHacks Tech News |url=https://www.ghacks.net/2022/06/15/privacytests-reveals-how-your-web-browser-does-privacy-wise/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=gHacks Technology News |language=en-US}}

A 2021 research study analyzing the data reported by browsers to their back-end servers by Douglas J. Leith of the University of Dublin reported that Brave had the highest level of privacy of the five browsers tested.{{cite web |last=Cimpanu |first=Catalin |title=Brave deemed most private browser in terms of 'phoning home' |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/brave-deemed-most-private-browser-in-terms-of-phoning-home/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302205548/https://www.zdnet.com/article/brave-deemed-most-private-browser-in-terms-of-phoning-home/ |archive-date=2 March 2020 |access-date=2 August 2021 |website=ZDNet}}

A test conducted by a freelance journalist writing for Digital Trends found Brave to be the only mainstream browser to pass the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Cover Your Tracks test.{{cite web |date=31 May 2021 |title=The Plan to Finally Put An End to Digital Fingerprinting |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/digital-fingerprinting-online-privacy-brave/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804190046/https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/digital-fingerprinting-online-privacy-brave/ |archive-date=4 August 2021 |access-date=2 August 2021 |website=Digital Trends}}

Brave has received negative press for diverting ad revenue from websites to itself,{{cite web |last=Anthony |first=Sebastian |date=21 January 2016 |title=Mozilla co-founder unveils Brave, a browser that blocks ads by default |url=https://arstechnica.com/business/2016/01/mozilla-co-founder-unveils-brave-a-web-browser-that-blocks-ads-by-default/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160121141443/http://arstechnica.com/business/2016/01/mozilla-co-founder-unveils-brave-a-web-browser-that-blocks-ads-by-default/ |archive-date=21 January 2016 |access-date=21 July 2018 |work=Ars Technica}} collecting unsolicited donations for content creators without their consent,{{cite web |last=Scott |first=Tom |date=21 December 2018 |title=Tom Scott Doesn't Ask for Donations |url=https://twitter.com/tomscott/status/1076160979388518407 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224011529/https://twitter.com/tomscott/status/1076160979388518407 |archive-date=24 December 2018 |access-date=5 October 2021 |website=Twitter}} suggesting affiliate links in the address bar{{cite web |last=Lyons |first=Kim |date=8 June 2020 |title=Brave browser CEO apologizes for automatically adding affiliate links to cryptocurrency URLs |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/8/21283769/brave-browser-affiliate-links-crypto-privacy-ceo-apology |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608172515/https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/8/21283769/brave-browser-affiliate-links-crypto-privacy-ceo-apology |archive-date=8 June 2020 |access-date=21 July 2020 |website=The Verge}} and installing a paid VPN service without the user's consent.{{cite web |last=Brinkmann |first=Martin |date=2023-10-19 |title=Brave appears to install VPN Services without user consent |url=https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/18/brave-is-installing-vpn-services-without-user-consent/ |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=gHacks}}

In January 2016, in reaction to Brave Software's initial announcement, Sebastian Anthony of Ars Technica described Brave as a "cash-grab" and a "double dip".

Anthony concluded:

"Brave is an interesting idea, but generally it's rather frowned upon to stick your own ads in front of someone else's".

In December 2018, British YouTube content creator Tom Scott said that he had not received any donations collected on his behalf by Brave.{{cite web |title=Brave browser is collecting donations on your behalf — did you know? |url=https://www.theblockcrypto.com/daily/5839/brave-browser-is-collecting-donations-on-your-behalf-did-you-know |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608154054/https://www.theblockcrypto.com/daily/5839/brave-browser-is-collecting-donations-on-your-behalf-did-you-know |archive-date=8 June 2020 |access-date=8 June 2020 |website=The Block}}

Two days after the complaint, Brave issued an update to "clearly indicate which publishers and creators have not yet joined Brave Rewards so users can better control how they donate and tip".{{cite web |last=Brave |date=22 December 2018 |title=Brave Rewards Update |url=https://brave.com/rewards-update/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608154027/https://brave.com/rewards-update/ |archive-date=8 June 2020 |access-date=8 June 2020 |website=Brave Browser}}

In January 2020, Brave issued another update to change the behavior of unclaimed tips. They are now held in the browser and transferred if the creator signs up within 90 days; otherwise, they are returned to the user.{{cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions – unclaimed funds |url=https://brave.com/faq-rewards/#unclaimed-funds |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617202105/https://brave.com/faq-rewards/#unclaimed-funds |archive-date=17 June 2020 |access-date=17 June 2020 |website=Brave Browser}}{{cite web |last=Shankland |first=Stephen |date=15 January 2019 |title=Brave browser launches ad system that soon will pay you 70 percent of the revenue |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/brave-browser-fix-for-online-advertising-pays-you-to-view-ads-that-respect-privacy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219173757/https://www.cnet.com/news/brave-browser-fix-for-online-advertising-pays-you-to-view-ads-that-respect-privacy/ |archive-date=19 February 2019 |access-date=17 June 2020 |website=CNET}}

On January 15, 2020, Brave introduced branded wallpapers within the new tab page by default, even when the Basic Attention Tokens were not enabled.{{Cite web |date=2020-01-15 |title=Introducing Sponsored Images in Brave |url=https://brave.com/blog/introducing-sponsored-images-in-brave/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Brave |language=en}} This led to some backlash from the community.{{Cite web |title=Only enable Sponsored Background Images on NTP when Brave Rewards is enabled · Issue #11889 · brave/brave-browser |url=https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/issues/11889 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=GitHub |language=en}}

On June 6, 2020, a Twitter user pointed out that Brave inserted affiliate referral codes when users navigated to Binance.{{cite web |title=@cryptonator found Brave Refferal codes. |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/cryptonator1337/status/1269201480105578496 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822124440/https://mobile.twitter.com/cryptonator1337/status/1269201480105578496 |archive-date=22 August 2021 |access-date=22 August 2021 |website=Twitter}}{{cite web |last=Iyer |first=Kavvitaa S. |date=8 June 2020 |title=Brave Browser Caught Adding Referral Codes To Cryptocurrency URLs |url=https://www.techworm.net/2020/06/brave-browser-cryptocurrency.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822124441/https://www.techworm.net/2020/06/brave-browser-cryptocurrency.html |archive-date=22 August 2021 |access-date=22 August 2021 |website=TechWorm}}

Further research revealed that Brave also added referral codes to the URLs of other cryptocurrency exchange websites.

In response to the backlash from the users, Brave's CEO apologized and called it a "mistake" and said "we're correcting". He remarked that Brave seeks affiliate revenue while trying to build a viable business, adding that:{{cite web |last=Tung |first=Liam |date=8 June 2020 |title=Privacy browser Brave busted for autocompleting URLs to versions it profits from |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/privacy-browser-brave-busted-for-autocompleting-urls-to-versions-it-profits-from/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608150833/https://www.zdnet.com/article/privacy-browser-brave-busted-for-autocompleting-urls-to-versions-it-profits-from/ |archive-date=8 June 2020 |access-date=8 June 2020 |website=ZDNet}}

"This includes bringing new users to Binance & other exchanges via opt-in trading widgets/other UX that preserves privacy prior to opt-in. It includes search revenue deals, as all major browsers do."

In October 2023, reports emerged that Brave Browser was installing its $9.99 VPN service on Windows machines without the user's consent.

The developer later announced it intends to reverse its decision, promising to not install the VPN unless enabled or purchased by the user.{{cite web |title=Windows should not install VPN services until VPN is purchased/enabled · Issue #33726 · brave/brave-browser |url=https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/issues/33726 |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=GitHub |language=en}}

One privacy issue appeared via a private disclosure on Brave's HackerOne bug bounty platform on January 12, 2021.

The disclosure reported that Brave was sending DNS requests to the ISP of the users instead of routing it through the Tor network, thus allowing ISPs to have knowledge of a user's browsing sessions.{{cite web |last=Cimpanu |first=Catalin |title=Brave browser leaks onion addresses in DNS traffic |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/brave-browser-leaks-onion-addresses-in-dns-traffic/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026000812/https://www.zdnet.com/article/brave-browser-leaks-onion-addresses-in-dns-traffic/ |archive-date=26 October 2021 |access-date=31 October 2021 |website=ZDNet}}{{cite web |last=yan |title=[hackerone] Tor DNS issue |url=https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/issues/13527 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224122211/https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/issues/13527 |archive-date=24 February 2021 |access-date=25 February 2021 |website=brave/brave-browser |publisher=GitHub}}

Brave fixed the issue in its Nightly channel soon after it was initially reported. Once the bug received public attention in mid-February from Twitter users verifying the vulnerability, the fix was soon uplifted to the Stable channel and landed in Brave 1.20.110.{{cite web |title=Brave privacy bug exposes Tor onion URLs to your DNS provider |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/brave-privacy-bug-exposes-tor-onion-urls-to-your-dns-provider/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025204549/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/brave-privacy-bug-exposes-tor-onion-urls-to-your-dns-provider/ |archive-date=25 October 2021 |access-date=31 October 2021 |website=BleepingComputer}}

In 2023, researchers demonstrated bypassing of anti-fingerprinting protection in Brave and called for implementation of more robust countermeasures.{{cite book |last1=Lin |first1=Xu |title=2023 IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy (SP) |last2=Araujo |first2=Frederico |last3=Taylor |first3=Teryl |last4=Jang |first4=Jiyong |last5=Polakis |first5=Jason |date=2023 |isbn=978-1-6654-9336-9 |pages=1640–1657 |chapter=Fashion Faux Pas: Implicit Stylistic Fingerprints for Bypassing Browsers' Anti-Fingerprinting Defenses |doi=10.1109/SP46215.2023.10179437 |chapter-url=https://www.computer.org/csdl/proceedings-article/sp/2023/933600b640/1Js0Ecrxjzi}}

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