Chrome vs Brave

by Gralio Mar 07, 2025

Chrome and Brave are both popular web browsers catering to different needs. Chrome offers versatility and integration with the Google ecosystem, while Brave focuses on privacy and security. Businesses seeking a balance between functionality and privacy should consider their specific priorities when choosing between Chrome and Brave.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 2078 reviews and 60 websites, saving 12 hours, 2 minutes of reading.

Chrome

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Brave

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About

Chrome is a free web browser created by Google, designed to provide a fast and modern web browsing experience. It's known for its speed, security features, and wide range of available extensions to customize functionality.

Brave is a free web browser that prioritizes speed and privacy by blocking ads and trackers by default. It offers a built-in ad blocker, VPN, and a private search engine. Brave also allows users to opt-in to viewing privacy-respecting ads in exchange for rewards in the form of cryptocurrency. With a focus on user experience, Brave aims to provide a faster, safer, and less intrusive browsing experience.

Summary

Main difference

Chrome excels in its wide adoption, extensive extension library, and seamless integration with Google services, making it a versatile choice for various user needs. Brave prioritizes user privacy and security with built-in ad and tracker blocking, a VPN, and private search options, catering to privacy-conscious users.

Relative strengths of Chrome (compared to Brave)

Extensive extension support for added functionality.
Seamless integration with other Google services.
Wider adoption and community support.

Relative weaknesses of Chrome (compared to Brave)

Known for higher RAM usage.
Raises privacy concerns due to Google's data collection practices.
Less emphasis on built-in privacy features compared to Brave.

Who should use Chrome VS. Brave

Chrome is a fast and versatile web browser favored by users for its speed, customizability, and seamless integration with Google services. While praised for its user-friendly interface and extensive extensions, some users have noted high RAM usage and occasional disruptive updates. Best for individuals and businesses seeking a feature-rich browsing experience.

Brave is a fast and privacy-focused browser blocking ads and trackers by default. Users praise its speed and built-in ad blocker, but some dislike the forced cryptocurrency integration and occasional functionality issues. It's ideal for privacy-conscious users and businesses in software, IT, and related fields.

Ideal for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises.
A versatile tool suitable for various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and education.

Best for small to medium businesses (1-1000 employees), suitable for large enterprises.
Ideal for software, IT, and telecommunications businesses; suitable for education and professional services.

Chrome and Brave features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

Performance Optimization

Supported

Chrome prioritizes performance with features like Memory Saver and a Performance Detection tool.

Supported

Brave browser prioritizes performance optimization by minimizing resource consumption and maximizing efficiency.
Cross-Platform Compatibility

Supported

Chrome runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Supported

Brave runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Built-in Security

Supported

Chrome has several built-in security measures, including Safe Browsing, site isolation, and password management.

Supported

Brave has built-in security features against malware, phishing, and other threats.
Customizable Settings

Supported

Chrome supports customizable settings, allowing users to change browser settings according to their preferences.

Supported

Brave allows customization of settings such as the new tab page, home page, and top sites.
Extension Support

Supported

Chrome supports the ability to extend browser functionality with extensions.

Supported

Brave supports extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
Fingerprint browser

Partially supported

Chrome does not natively support modifying browser fingerprints to prevent identification and tracking, but it can be achieved through third-party extensions.

Supported

Brave modifies browser fingerprint using farbling and other techniques to prevent tracking.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

-0.33

Rather negative sentiment

-1

Strongly negative sentiment
Customer Service

No data

No data
Ease of Use

+0.96

Strongly positive sentiment

+0.9

Strongly positive sentiment
Reliability and Performance

+0.17

Neutral sentiment

+0.57

Rather positive sentiment
Ease of Implementation

+1

Strongly positive sentiment

No data
Scalability

+0.33

Rather positive sentiment

No data

Chrome and Brave Pricing

No data

User sentiment

Rather negative

-0.33

We couldn't find a pricing page for Chrome.

No data

User sentiment

Strongly negative

-1

We couldn't find a pricing page for Brave.

Chrome and Brave review insights

2038 reviews analysed from

Users love

Fast browsing experience
User-friendly interface
Wide range of extensions and plugins
Seamless integration with Google services
Syncs bookmarks, passwords and history across devices

Built-in ad blocker and tracker blocking for a cleaner browsing experience
Faster browsing speed compared to other browsers, especially on mobile
Privacy-focused features, including private search with Tor
Chromium-based, offering compatibility with Chrome extensions
Brave Rewards program for earning BAT by viewing privacy-respecting ads
Built-in VPN
Open-source software

Users dislike

High RAM usage, even with a few tabs open
Frequent updates can be disruptive
Privacy concerns due to data collection
Some websites perform better on other browsers

Address bar stops responding and requires restart
Password vault integration issues, particularly with mobile unlock
Some websites do not function optimally due to ad-blocking and privacy settings
Limited extension support compared to other browsers
Mobile app experience is subpar, with issues like unorganized downloads and lack of folder selection
BAT reward payouts are inconsistent or delayed
Forced BAT/cryptocurrency integration
Concerns about background processes and data exchange, even with offline installer

Chrome and Brave Ratings

G2

4.7/5

(1556)
Glassdoor

3.5/5

(2)

G2

4.6/5

(487)
TrustPilot

3.0/5

(40)

Company health

Employee growth

69% increase in the last year

No data

Web traffic

2% decrease in the last quarter

11% increase in the last quarter

Financing

July 2018 - $16M

No data

How does Chrome's extension ecosystem compare to Brave's, practically?

Brave is built upon Chromium, the same foundation as Chrome, and consequently, it generally supports the same extensions available in the Chrome Web Store. However, Brave's stricter privacy defaults and built-in ad blocker can sometimes interfere with the functionality of certain extensions, particularly those related to advertising or tracking. Practically speaking, most users will find the vast majority of Chrome extensions work on Brave, but there might be occasional compatibility issues not present in Chrome.

Which browser better balances privacy with website compatibility?

Chrome offers a better balance. While Brave prioritizes privacy with built-in ad blockers and VPN, some users report website compatibility issues. Chrome, while having some privacy concerns due to data collection, enjoys broader website compatibility due to its market dominance and extensive testing. Therefore, for users seeking a balance between these two factors, Chrome is the more suitable option.

What are the advantages of Chrome?

Chrome offers broader cross-platform compatibility and a significantly larger extension library compared to Brave. While both offer customization, Chrome's wider adoption results in better integration with various websites and services. Although Brave emphasizes privacy features, Chrome also provides robust security measures and benefits from more established performance optimization, resulting in a smoother browsing experience for many users. Finally, Chrome's ease of use and seamless integration with other Google services make it more accessible to a wider audience.

What are the disadvantages of Chrome?

Chrome's disadvantages include high RAM usage, potentially disruptive frequent updates, privacy concerns related to data collection, and occasional website compatibility issues where some sites perform better on other browsers.

Alternatives to Chrome and Brave

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox is a free web browser available for desktop and mobile devices. Developed by the non-profit Mozilla Foundation, Firefox prioritizes user privacy and internet health. It offers a range of features including tracker blocking, enhanced privacy controls, and a built-in password manager. Firefox is compatible with multiple operating systems and allows for customization through themes and extensions.

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge is Microsoft's web browser, offering a fast and secure browsing experience. It features built-in tools for productivity, like the ability to search directly from the address bar and sync your browsing data across your devices. Edge aims to give you control over your online privacy and streamline your workflow.

Firefox Multi-Account Containers

Firefox Multi-Account Containers is a free browser extension that lets you separate your online activities into different, color-coded tabs. This means you can use multiple accounts on the same website at the same time, without having to log in and out. It also helps prevent websites from tracking your browsing activity across different containers, better protecting your privacy.

Opera

Opera is a web browser known for its speed and user-friendly features. It offers a built-in ad blocker, free VPN, and a visually clean interface. Opera emphasizes user privacy and security and is available across various devices, including computers and mobile phones. It aims to provide a smoother and more secure browsing experience compared to default browsers.

Chromium OS

Chromium OS is a Google-developed operating system designed to make your computing experience fast, simple, and secure. Ideal for users who primarily rely on web-based applications, it centers around the Chrome browser and cloud storage. With a focus on speed, security, and ease of use, Chromium OS offers a streamlined alternative to traditional operating systems for a modern, web-centric workflow.

Google Ad Manager

Google Ad Manager is a comprehensive platform designed to help website and app owners earn money from their online content by displaying ads. It provides tools to manage various types of ads, connect with numerous advertisers, and track ad performance to maximize revenue. Google Ad Manager is a robust solution suitable for businesses of all sizes seeking to streamline their online advertising operations.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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