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Head-to-head · Web Browsers

Google Chrome vs Brave Browser

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Google Chrome #1 in Web Browsers 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Google Chrome
Brave Browser #4 in Web Browsers 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Brave

Google Chrome leads on 0 checks, Brave Browser on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGoogle Chrome · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresBrave Browser · 3 of 3

Google Chrome scores higher on our rubric for web browsers: 9.3 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Google Chrome is the better fit for most users wanting a complete free browser. Brave Browser is the better fit for privacy-focused users wanting broad compatibility.

  • Google Chrome fits best

    Most users wanting a complete free browser

  • Brave Browser fits best

    Privacy-focused users wanting broad compatibility

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Side by side

Feature Google Chrome 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Brave Browser 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 9.0
Ranking #1 in Web Browsers #4 in Web Browsers
Best for Most users wanting a complete free browser Privacy-focused users wanting broad compatibility
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $59.99 one-time
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Community, Docs Email, Tickets, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Google Chrome 1/3 · Brave Browser 3/3
Built-in ad blocking Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Cross-device sync ✓ ✓
Open source Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Both Both
Browser engine Chromium Not checked yet
Tracking protection Not checked yet Advanced
Extension support Chrome_store Chrome_store
Our review
Pros
  • Free access across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
  • Syncs bookmarks, passwords, tabs, history, extensions, and settings
  • Combines extensions, translation, Safe Browsing, and automatic updates
  • Blocks ads, trackers, cross-site cookies and fingerprinting by default
  • Supports encrypted sync, Tor windows and Chrome Web Store extensions
  • Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android
Cons
  • Proprietary components mean it is not fully open source
  • Cross-device synchronization is tied to a Google Account
  • Its broad feature set may be more than users seeking a narrow browser need
  • The iOS version uses WebKit rather than Chromium
  • Brave Origin costs $59.99 as a one-time purchase
  • VPN and other premium subscriptions are separate add-ons
Our verdict

Google Chrome is a free web browser for accessing websites and web applications on desktop and mobile devices. It is aimed at users who want one browser across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, with familiar tools for tab…

Read the review →

Brave Browser is a free web browser for desktop and mobile users who want privacy protections without giving up broad compatibility. Brave Shields blocks third-party ads and trackers, cross-site cookies and fingerprinting by default. The…

Read the review →
  1. Google ChromeWeb Browsers 9.3Free plan
  2. Brave BrowserWeb Browsers 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Google Chrome — where it wins

    • Free access across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
    • Syncs bookmarks, passwords, tabs, history, extensions, and settings
    • Combines extensions, translation, Safe Browsing, and automatic updates

    Where it doesn't

    • Proprietary components mean it is not fully open source
    • Cross-device synchronization is tied to a Google Account
    • Its broad feature set may be more than users seeking a narrow browser need

  • Brave Browser — where it wins

    • Blocks ads, trackers, cross-site cookies and fingerprinting by default
    • Supports encrypted sync, Tor windows and Chrome Web Store extensions
    • Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • The iOS version uses WebKit rather than Chromium
    • Brave Origin costs $59.99 as a one-time purchase
    • VPN and other premium subscriptions are separate add-ons

More comparisons

All web browsers comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update