Browser comparison: Firefox vs Brave vs Tor Browser
Which browser fits your threat profile? Firefox for configurable privacy, Brave for built-in protection, Tor Browser for maximum anonymity.
Browser comparison: Firefox vs Brave vs Tor Browser
Chrome has over 65% market share. That means Google sees the browsing behaviour of the majority of internet users — including all extensions, tab information and searches. The three alternatives on this page are all better choices, but for different reasons.
Firefox — the configurable choice
Firefox is the only major open-source browser not based on Chromium. That matters: if all browsers run on the same engine, Google controls the web standards.
Strengths:
- Fully open-source (Mozilla Foundation, non-profit)
- Excellent extension support — uBlock Origin works optimally on Firefox
- Highly customisable: hundreds of privacy settings can be changed via
about:config - Multi-Account Containers: isolate websites per container so they can’t see each other’s cookies
Default limitations: Firefox out of the box is not optimally configured for privacy. Telemetry is on, Google is the default search engine, and fingerprinting protection is limited. You need to harden it yourself — or use a pre-hardened version (like LibreWolf).
Recommended adjustments:
- Install uBlock Origin (ad blocker + script blocker)
- Set search engine to DuckDuckGo or Startpage
- Disable telemetry via settings
- Consider arkenfox user.js for comprehensive hardening
Brave — built-in protection without configuration
Brave is based on Chromium (the same engine as Chrome) but removes Google’s tracking and adds default privacy protection.
Strengths:
- Fingerprint randomisation built in — harder to track than standard Firefox
- Ad and tracker blocking on by default
- Shields toggleable per website
- Brave Search as built-in privacy-friendly search engine
Limitations:
- Chromium base: if Google fully implements Manifest V3, ad blockers will be restricted. Brave has made adjustments but remains dependent on Google’s engine.
- Brave has its own advertising model (Brave Ads) — you can earn BAT tokens by viewing ads. More privacy-friendly than Chrome ads, but a business model based on attention.
- Closed-source components for some features
For whom: Users currently running Chrome or Edge who want to switch without having to configure anything. Better protection than Chrome without touching settings.
Tor Browser — maximum anonymity
Tor Browser is Firefox combined with the Tor network. Every request goes through three random Tor nodes — the endpoint server only sees the last node, not your IP.
Strengths:
- IP address hidden from websites — even if your VPN fails
- Fingerprint protection: all Tor Browser users look identical
- No persistent cookies or storage between sessions
Limitations:
- Slow: three hops through the Tor network slows every connection
- JavaScript-dependent sites sometimes don’t work well (Tor blocks JS at the highest security level)
- Not suitable as a daily browser — too slow and too restrictive
- Doesn’t work well with logging in — sessions are not saved
For whom: Specific situations where IP anonymity is crucial: whistleblowers, journalists, accessing censored content. Not as a primary browser.
Comparison table
| Firefox | Brave | Tor Browser | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Gecko (own) | Chromium | Gecko |
| Open-source | Fully | Partially | Fully |
| Default privacy | Moderate — hardening needed | Good | Excellent |
| Speed | Fast | Fast | Slow |
| Extensions | Excellent | Good | Limited |
| Fingerprint protection | After hardening | Built-in | Strongest |
| Daily use | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Tor integration | Via extension | Via Brave Tor mode | Built-in |
Recommendation by threat profile
Normal user / De-Google: Brave or hardened Firefox. Brave for ease, Firefox for control.
Privacy conscious / Small business: Firefox with uBlock Origin and arkenfox user.js. Multi-Account Containers for isolation per service.
Journalist / Activist / High risk: Tor Browser for sensitive research. Firefox or Brave as daily browser, Tor Browser only for specific tasks.
What to do about Chrome?
If you currently use Chrome: switch to Brave if you don’t want to configure anything, or Firefox if you want control. Both import your bookmarks and passwords.
Google Chrome sending your search behaviour, browsing history and extension usage to Google is not an assumption — it is documented in the privacy policy.
See also:
- App hardening guide — hardening Firefox further
- Recommended privacy apps — full overview including mobile browsers
- Security without buying anything — free steps including browser switch