Web browsers have become flooded with ad-sponsored content, making them a battleground for end-user privacy. While Chrome is the most widely used browser in the world, alternative browsers and ways to improve your security are available to help you stay anonymous online. Data is one of today’s most critical ingredients for generating revenue. Online advertising companies can use web browsing histories to fingerprint individual browsers over time, creating shadow user profiles spread across different online services to store information, including your interests, product searches, and more, leading to targeted advertising.Also: The best VPN services (and why you need one to protect your privacy)When you look for a privacy-focused browser, you should investigate how advertising trackers and cookies are managed, whether search histories are stored or shared, and whether the browser developer has a transparent privacy policy in place.What is the best secure browser for privacy in 2024?ZDNET experts have kept a finger on the pulse of the secure browser market for decades, and many of us have tried and tested different options throughout the years. Brave is our top pick for the best browser for privacy, based on its approach to user privacy, ad tracking prevention, privacy settings, usability, and speed.Below, you will find other recommendations for secure browsers that can protect your privacy — not only from cyberattacks but also from businesses that scrape, store, and sell your data.Best secure browsers for privacy in 2024 Show less Brave Best browser for privacy overall Brave is a Chromium-based browser that blocks ads, fingerprinting, and ad trackers by default.Brave has millions of users worldwide. The company’s business model relies on privacy-protecting ads that pay publishers and users when users pay attention to ads. Brave is transparent about this revenue stream, wherein users are rewarded in crypto tokens only if they opt into ad viewing.The company removed Google code from its Chromium to improve user privacy, including some account integration, background sync, and inline extensions. Brave has several privacy-enhancing settings, including blocking third-party ad trackers, upgrading unsecured HTTPS connections, and blocking cookies and fingerprinting. The company says disabling invasive ads and trackers improves loading times on desktop and mobile.Also: The best web hosting services for building your dream websiteBrave also has a “Tor mode” that provides anonymized onion network routing. The browser developer offers a VPN and firewall service that protects sessions, even outside the browser, and in April 2024 introduced a “secure” AI-based search engine. From version 1.68, Brave became the first iOS browser to attempt to upgrade all sites to HTTPS by default automatically.Many users say the browser exceeds expectations, although others find some functionality, such as VPN connectivity, could use improvement. Brave also offers a feature called “Off the Record” (OTR) for users who may be victims of intimate partner violence. The browser developer says the feature “aims to help people who need to hide their browsing behavior from others who have access to their computer or phone.”Brave features: Chromium-based | Blocks third-party ad trackers | Private search | Blocks cookies | Incognito windows | Onion routing | VPN | Off the record browsing | AI assistant Show Expert Take Show less Show less DuckDuckGo Best browser for private searches When it comes to DuckDuckGo, user privacy comes first. The company that offers a privacy-focused search engine and browser is a vocal supporter of consumer privacy rights and now handles millions of user search queries daily.There is a growing appetite for privacy-focused alternatives to tech giants like Meta and Google. DuckDuckGo’s Privacy Essentials extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge has also proven popular. Its reputation is built on the idea that it does not collect user data but can provide the same search results as those that do.DuckDuckGo used to be a search engine rather than a full browser, but then released a mobile-friendly browser app followed by a desktop version. The organization’s browser provides a private search, website protection and blockers, web encryption, and more.DuckDuckGo is experimenting with AI-assisted technologies to improve the search experience, including a way to anonymously access GPT models, known as DuckDuckGo AI Chat. Users appreciate the firm’s privacy focus, although some complain of censorship — a concept DuckDuckGo staunchly denies.DuckDuckGo also offers Privacy Pro, a subscription for $9.99 per month (or $99.99 per year) that includes access to a VPN, online personal information removal services, and identity theft restoration. DuckDuckGo features: Chrome and Firefox supported | Mobile and desktop private browser | Does not collect user data | AI experiments: DuckDuckGo AI Chat | No search engine query trackers | Data removal and identity restoration services Show Expert Take Show less Show less Mozilla Firefox Most secure browser for tracking protection Firefox is a must-have for individual browser privacy across multiple devices. One of Firefox’s most important privacy features is enhanced tracking protection. Mozilla has borrowed Tor techniques to block browser fingerprinting, and Firefox’s developers are constantly seeking to improve tracking-prevention features.Firefox is rich with choices to customize the browser for privacy. It blocks social media trackers, cross-site tracking cookies, tracking in private windows, crypto miners, and fingerprinting scripts. There is also a “strict” mode that might break some sites when trackers are blocked — but you can allow enhanced tracking protection for trusted sites.Users enjoy Firefox’s privacy focus, but note that it can be a resource hog.Another option for Firefox fans is Firefox Focus, a privacy-focused browser for iOS and Android that blocks trackers and has a built-in ad blocker. Mozilla continues to work on productivity boosters and improvements to speed and performance.The company also offers a VPN ($4.99 per month), with the option to connect up to five devices to over 500 servers in 30 countries.Mozilla Firefox features: Enhanced tracking protection | Firefox Focus for mobile | Strict privacy standards | DNS queries sent to a secure resolver service | Focus on accessibility | Encrypted Client Hello | AI development Show Expert Take Show less Show less The Tor browser Best for anonymous browsing Another excellent choice for improving your privacy on the web is the Tor browser, a nonprofit project focused on anonymizing users online.Its proprietary web browser disguises your IP address and activity by relaying it through a network of servers (nodes) run by volunteers. Bouncing your information around makes tracking exceptionally difficult, which is excellent if you don’t want your ISP or anyone else spying on your online activity. Tor can be crucial for whistleblowers, journalists, activists, and people avoiding censorship. The Tor browser is also a popular choice for accessing the deep web: A collection of websites and pages that are inaccessible through traditional means, such as typical search engines, in what is known as the “clear” web. Also: How to use Tor browser (and why you should)The Tor browser’s default search engine is DuckDuckGo, which will not log or store your search queries.While it isn’t a mainstream choice, the Tor browser is well-regarded for people who don’t want to be tracked on the web. The Tor Project updates it frequently, and the browser is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android. Users applaud the network’s uncompromising approach to privacy but note slow speeds and occasional problems with captchas.Due to the architecture of the Tor network, page loads in the Tor browser can be slower, and some sites might not work well. Nonetheless, the Tor browser is a privacy-preserving browser worthy of your consideration.The Tor browser features: High levels of security and anonymization | Onion routing | DuckDuckGo integration | Access to websites outside the clear web | Blocks trackers, cookies | Fingerprint resistance Show Expert Take Show less Show less Mullvad Browser Best for use with a VPN Not to be confused with the Tor browser, the Mullvad Browser is marketed as the “Tor Browser without the Tor network.” The Tor Project team built the browser, which is distributed by Mullvad, a respected Swedish virtual private network provider. The browse emulates the Tor network by creating a similar fingerprint for all users, improving anonymity. Furthermore, the browser comes with a private mode out of the box, blocks tracking and cookies, and prevents online functions used to extract information from visitors, such as device identifiers.The Mullvad Browser is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, or as a Firefox extension.You can use the browser as a standalone product or combine it with Mullvad VPN. Users have generally given positive reviews, although you may find yourself signing up for the VPN for the best setup — and it’s not the cheapest on the market.Mullvad was subject to a search warrant by the National Operations Department (NOA) of the Swedish Police in 2023. Mullvad staff said that sinc customer data did not exist, law enforcement was left with nothing (and no customer information).Mullvad Browser features: Fingerprint masking approach | Removes online identifiers | Private mode enabled by default | Blocks trackers and cookies | Extension available | VPN available | Defense against AI-guided Traffic Analysis (DAITA) Show Expert Take Show less Brave is our top pick for the best browser for privacy based on its approach to user privacy, ad tracking prevention, the wide range of privacy settings on offer, usability, and speed. That said, since no browser is perfect, you should decide which option suits you best.Best browser for privacyAd tracking prevention?Mobile support?Onion routing?Brave✓✓✓DuckDuckGo✓✓Available ✓Mozilla FirefoxAvailable ✓✓XTor✓✓✓Mullvad Browser✓XVia Tor ✓ Choose this…If you want…BraveThe best overall browser for privacy. Brave’s default focus is on privacy and security, and the addition of optional onion routing is a nice touch.DuckDuckGoA search engine or browser that never stores or logs your search queries. The browser extends the original search engine functionality to mobile and desktop.Mozilla FirefoxA secure browser that focuses on tracking. Firefox’s tracking prevention is multi-layered and will help prevent you from being profiled online. TorA system based on the onion routing network. You can access deep web websites and remain anonymous.Mullvad BrowserTo use it with a virtual private network (VPN). Mullvad is a one-stop-shop, meaning you don’t need to download and install additional privacy-protecting extensions. A privacy-focused, secure browser automatically erases your browsing and search history and cookies. It also may limit web tracking, and some even help hide your location. Privacy-focused browsers may also promote virtual private network (VPN) usage and may include features designed to bypass censorship blocks and keep users as anonymous as possible, such as access to onion routing and refusing to log site visits or web searches.Also: How to delete yourself from internet search results and hide your identity onlineIf you are concerned about your online privacy, you should install a privacy browser or, at the very least, use an extension made by a privacy browser maker in your current browser.You should consider using a secure browser if you want to reduce the volume of data collected about you online, if you want to mask your activities, and if you do not want your search queries logged. Each browser offers different features, so research which one fits your needs. When you are switching to a more secure browser, there are some important factors to consider:Online identifiers: Check if the browser tracks your activities or website visits. This data can be used to create targeted advertising profiles and track you across different websites.Search queries: One of the most significant ways we are tracked online and have profiles compiled based on our interests is through our search engine queries. The most secure browsers will not log these records. Audits: The best secure browsers will conduct frequent security audits and have consistent patch releases to fix vulnerabilities and bugs that could expose you. Transparency: The best secure browser developers adopt a transparent approach to user data collection and security.Speed vs. security: Some browsers route your traffic through a number of servers to vastly reduce the likelihood of you being tracked. You should decide how much of a speed reduction you’re willing to accept. VPN: If you want to use a VPN, consider whether the browser works well with one — or if the browser already offers a built-in solution. Check out our recommendations for the best VPNs in 2024. Mobile support: Not every secure browser has a mobile-ready app, which you should take into account if you want to stick with just one browser. While investigating the best browsers for privacy in 2024, we compared each of these browsers and extensions to determine what makes them different and which is best for different use cases. Balance: The balance between managing user privacy and funding a business can be a tricky one for companies to manage, but as we’ve shown, many developers are willing to wave the security flag on behalf of users over potential opportunities to generate more revenue.User experience: We reviewed customer feedback to ensure that the majority of users find the browsers easy to install and use.Features: We like to see additional privacy-enhancing features, like onion routing. We chose providers who offer more than standard browsing experiences.Targeted advertising: We prefer browsers that do not adopt this practice, as it can lead to shadow profiles being generated on their users’ behalf. At the very least, we want to see users have a choice in these programs.Platform support: We selected browsers offering a range of support for different operating systems and platforms.Mobile: We prefer our recommended secure browsers to have mobile apps for Android and iOS, as it’s more convenient to use the same browser across your devices. If you are concerned about your online privacy, you should install a privacy browser or at least an extension. We have to take responsibility for our own privacy online these days, and you can’t rely on companies to do the job for you.Also: How to delete yourself from internet search results and hide your identity onlineWe can recommend a few basics: Download one of the privacy-first browsers listed above that doesn’t log your queries and activities, install a VPN, and use messaging apps with end-to-end encryption.  Private browsing sessions do not tend to mask your IP address, just like how an incognito window doesn’t hide your IP address if you’re using Chrome. It simply doesn’t store your browser history, the information you’ve entered into forms, or what permissions you’ve given to sites you’ve visited.Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Opera all use a similar form of “anonymous” web window for browsing, but they aren’t truly hiding your online identity.Also: The best VPN services (and whether it’s worth trying free VPNs)If you want to block your IP address from being viewed or tracked, you can download a VPN, which masks your IP address so your service provider (or anyone else, for that matter) can’t see what you’re doing. Honestly? Putting your personal or contact information on social media. If you have your full name, phone number, address, or place of work anywhere on your social media, someone can use it to wreak havoc on your personal accounts.To prevent this, avoid using your real name online where possible, turn off location tracking, and don’t post about your place of work if you can help it. All it takes is a single piece of personal information for someone with very bad intentions to get a hold of your entire online presence. If you’re posting photos of yourself away from home and on holiday, for example, you’re letting people know your home is vulnerable.Also: The best security keysThose innocent-looking name generator memes are another big issue (the ones that have you type out your first pet’s name and your childhood street name to tell you your fortune or personality type). These are answers to common password recovery questions, so by letting the world know that your pet was called Fluffy, you could be handing over all of your personal accounts to internet criminals. No. Privacy-focused search engines, including DuckDuckGo, Startpage, and Ghostery, do not log your search queries. If you’re wondering about revenue, ads may be shown — but they are not necessarily targeted based on your information. Other search engines may collect information to tailor their results and show you ads. It can be difficult to remove private information from online search engines, but depending on the nature of the information, it may be possible.You can use a service like DeleteMe to remove generic data and online accounts, but you may also need to contact website owners directly in some circumstances. You can also send a request to Google, and the company will consider requests on a case-by-case basis. DuckDuckGo started out as a search engine that did not log your queries or allow advertisers to track you. The search engine is still there, but it is now bolstered by a browser — a feature that fans have been requesting for years.Like other secure and private browsers on the market, DuckDuckGo isn’t perfect, but the company behind the service has been an advocate for consumer rights and privacy since its inception and offers one of the most private browsing experiences out there. Online privacy and security are hot topics today. The amount of data quietly collected on each of us is staggering — and aside from seeing targeted advertisements, you may not realize it. The browsers we’ve recommended above can help tighten up your defenses against tracking and online monitoring, but as no browser is a perfect solution, you may also want to consider the alternatives below: View at EpicView at WaterfoxView at MicrosoftView at Vivaldi