Best surf Alternatives in 2026
The top surf alternatives are Brave Browser, Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox: 15 google chrome alternatives our editors would look at instead of surf, in our ranking order.
surf: A free, configurable browser for people who value minimalism over sync and extensions. Where it falls short: no sync or extension support.
Switching from surf? For most google chrome alternatives buyers the best surf alternative is Brave Browser, built for privacy-focused users wanting a full-featured browser.
Why People Look for a surf Alternative
- No sync or extension support
- Configured and built from source
- A deliberately minimal feature set may not suit general-purpose browsing
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallBrave Browser9.4
Privacy-focused users wanting a full-featured browser
Visit Brave Browser - Best free optionBrave Browser9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Brave Browser
All 15 surf Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forPrivacy-focused users wanting a full-featured browser
- Better than surf:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 5.9
A free, Chrome-compatible browser with built-in tracking protections and encrypted sync.
- Built-in ad blocking
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Brave -
Best forUsers wanting a familiar Chromium browser for free
- Better than surf:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 5.9
A free Chromium browser with Chrome extension support and cross-device sync.
- Built-in ad blocking
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Microsoft Edge -
Best forUsers who prioritize an open-source browser
- Better than surf:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 5.9
A cross-platform browser with tracking protections, sync, and its own extensions ecosystem.
- Built-in ad blocking
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Firefox -
Best forUsers who want built-in tools and messaging
- Better than surf:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 5.9
Opera combines Chrome extension support with built-in privacy, tab, and messaging tools.
- Built-in ad blocking
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Opera -
Best forPower users who want extensive tab and workflow controls
- Better than surf:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 5.9
Vivaldi pairs extensive tab controls with built-in tools and Chrome Web Store support.
- Built-in ad blocking
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Vivaldi -
Best forUsers wanting translation and built-in safety features
- Better than surf:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 5.9
A Chromium-based browser with sync, translation and built-in blocking across desktop and mobile.
- Built-in ad blocking
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Yandex Browser -
Best forPrivacy-minded users who want a free browser
- Better than surf:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 5.9
A privacy-focused browser with useful protections at no cost, plus optional paid services.
- Built-in ad blocking
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit DuckDuckGo -
Best forUsers primarily in Apple’s ecosystem
- Better than surf:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 5.9
A free browser with privacy tools and iCloud features for people in Apple’s ecosystem.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Apple -
Best forUsers seeking anonymity or censorship circumvention
- Better than surf:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 5.9
A free browser for Tor routing, fingerprinting resistance, and onion services.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Tor Browser -
Best forDevelopers and teams building or managing Chromium
- Better than surf:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 5.9
A browser codebase with build workflows and administration tools, aimed at developers and teams.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Chromium -
Best forPrivacy-conscious users who want a Firefox-based browser
- Better than surf:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 5.9
A privacy-focused Gecko browser with tracking controls, ad blocking, and sync.
- Built-in ad blocking
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Waterfox -
Best forDesktop users seeking anti-fingerprinting privacy
- Better than surf:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 5.9
A desktop browser for users who prioritize anti-fingerprinting privacy over device sync.
- Built-in ad blocking
8.2/10★★★★☆Try Mullvad Browser -
Best forDesktop users who prioritize privacy controls
- Better than surf:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 5.9
A free, open-source desktop browser with strict privacy controls and manual sync setup.
- Built-in ad blocking
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit LibreWolf -
Best forUsers wanting browser privacy with an optional VPN
- Better than surf:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 5.9
A privacy-focused browser with Chrome extensions and an optional paid VPN.
- Built-in ad blocking
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forUsers wanting privacy tools alongside AVG products
- Better than surf:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 5.9
A privacy-focused Chrome alternative with ad blocking, anti-tracking and Web Shield.
- Built-in ad blocking
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site
surf Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to surf?
Brave Browser: #1 in our Google Chrome Alternatives ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A free, Chrome-compatible browser with built-in tracking protections and encrypted sync.
Is there a free alternative to surf?
Yes. Brave Browser, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Opera and Vivaldi have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for surf alternatives?
No sync or extension support; Configured and built from source; A deliberately minimal feature set may not suit general-purpose browsing.
How do I switch from surf?
Export your data from surf (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel surf.
How to Switch from surf
- Export your data from surf (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel surf.
surf vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Built-in ad blocking | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | surf | Yes | Free | 5.9 | |
| 1 | Brave Browser | Yes | $59.99 one-time | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Microsoft Edge | Yes | Free | Yes | 9.2 |
| 3 | Mozilla Firefox | Yes | Free | Yes | 9.1 |
| 4 | Opera | Yes | Free | Yes | 9.0 |
| 5 | Vivaldi | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.9 |
| 6 | Yandex Browser | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.8 |
| 7 | DuckDuckGo Browser | Yes | $99.99/yr | Yes | 8.7 |
| 8 | Safari | Yes | Free | 8.6 | |
| 9 | Tor Browser | Yes | Free | 8.5 | |
| 10 | Chromium | Free | 8.4 | ||
| 11 | Waterfox | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.3 |
| 12 | Mullvad Browser | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.2 |
| 13 | LibreWolf | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.1 |
| 14 | Avast Secure Browser | Yes | $49.99/yr | Yes | 8.0 |
| 15 | AVG Secure Browser | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update