10 Best Secure Web Browsers for Privacy in 2021

1. The Onion Router (TOR) — Highly Secure With Encrypted Connections for Privacy

• Hide your location and prevents you from being tracked by third parties
• Never collects or shares your browsing data
• Works on Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux

Short for The Onion Router, Tor is a highly private browser with multiple layers of encryption layers to protect your online activity. When you connect to Tor, your data flows through numerous volunteer “nodes” (individual computers that are part of the network). It’s practically impossible to trace any data back to your device. This makes Tor an excellent browser if you’re a journalist, whistleblower, or conducting sensitive research in a country with restrictive internet laws.

Tor comes pre-installed with 2 extensions: HTTPS Everywhere (automatically upgrades website security) and NoScript (prevents vulnerable software like JavaScript from running). I don’t suggest adding any further extensions, as this could affect your privacy.

Unfortunately, Tor is relatively slow as your data needs to jump through several nodes before it reaches the internet. I found it took up to 30 seconds to connect to a website.

2. Ungoogled Chromium — Daily Updates to Guarantee the Latest Security Features

• Never tracks, collects, or shares your browsing data
• Removed all code specific to Google web services (e.g. Google Host Detector)
• Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux

Ungoogled Chromium is a Chromium-based browser, which is a free and open-source software initially started by Google. However, it’s much more secure and has no links to the tech giant. In fact, Ungoogled Chromium has completely freed itself from Google’s trackers and host detectors (tools that identify your IP address). Your browsing history is never logged or shared with any third parties.

Unlike many browsers, Ungoogled Chromium has daily updates to its software. These updates keep the browser highly-secure since any known weaknesses are fixed immediately. However, you’ll have to manually update the browser (there are no automatic prompts or reminders). As a safety precaution, make sure you only download new updates from the official website.

3. Epic Privacy Browser — Automatically Deletes All Browsing Data

• Blocks ads and trackers
• Never collects or shares your browsing data
• Supports Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS

Another Chromium-based browser, Epic Privacy Browser, is a Chromium-based browser with strong security and privacy practices. All your browsing activity is stored locally on your device and automatically deleted once you close the browser. All ads and web trackers are blocked as well, and none of your browsing activity is shared with third parties.

Epic Privacy Browser only supports a small selection of pre-installed extensions, which is good to see as many unsafe extensions will track your device. One of its most useful extensions is the built-in proxy with servers in the US, Canada, France, Germany, India, and a few more countries.

The only minor concern I have is Epic Privacy Browser’s true open-source nature. While Ungoogled Chromium allows anyone to access its code online, Epic only lets you access the files if you contact the team directly and provide information on your background first.

4. Mozilla Firefox — Highly Customizable and Supports Many Browser Extensions

• Blocks ads and trackers
• Collects some data when you use certain features (e.g. search and location)
• Works on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux

Mozilla Firefox has robust privacy protection features, and it supports a wide range of extensions for further customization. Plus, it regularly releases automatic browser updates, so you don’t have to worry about potential security issues.

The browser blocks all ads and trackers, and your browsing history remains safe. Firefox does collect non-identifying data about how you use the browser, but it’s never sold or shared with third parties. The collected data is purely for software improvement, and you can opt-out at any time.

While it takes some time to find all the right plugins and extensions for your needs, it’s worth the time if you want to safely use Firefox as your go-to browser.

5. Brave — Good for Privacy and Security (Even With Unique Ad Platform)

• Blocks ads and trackers
• Doesn’t keep any identifying logs
• Works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux

Running on Chromium, Brave is a relative newcomer on the market but comes with a range of strong security and privacy options. All your browsing data is stored locally on your device, so you can delete it whenever you like — Brave can’t see or access any of your data at all.

You’ll also find blockers for ads, trackers, and browser fingerprinting (stops websites from detecting your operating system and device). I especially like its Private Windows feature, which connects you directly to Tor for greater anonymity.

Some users might be nervous about Brave’s introduction of ads (“Brave Ads”). However, I don’t find any large cause for concern. The browser still natively blocks all invasive trackers, so you won’t be targeted by spyware posing as ads. All ad matching occurs directly on your device, where your browsing history is saved, so none of your private data is shared or sent with any third parties.

6. Apple Safari — “Sandboxes” Tabs for Overall Browser Security

• Blocks ads, trackers, and malware-infected websites
• Stores browsing data locally (but it’s easy to delete)
• Only available on Mac and iOS

Apple Safari offers its secure browser for Mac and iOS devices, and it’s quite impressive in terms of its privacy protection. Every individual tab is “sandboxed,” which means that each tab is a self-contained browsing session. This compartmentalization ensures that if malware infects one of your open tabs, all your other tabs (and the browser as a whole) will remain safe.

You can store all data locally on your device (not on the browser), and activate blockers for trackers, ads, and malware. Even if you want to store data on the browser, I found it easy to locate and delete my browsing history and cookies. There’s also an in-built password manager and private browsing mode.

Safari only supports App Store browser extensions, but make sure that you’re careful in your selection. Some of these extensions can track your activity, so your data privacy isn’t always protected.

7. Vivaldi — User-Friendly Browser but Privacy Policy Is Weak

• Blocks ads and trackers
• Collects identifying data and tracks your device’s location
• Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android

Vivaldi is a Chromium-based browser that’s very easy to use and navigate. However, you’ll need to customize the privacy settings before you use it. I suggest selecting “block trackers and ads,” as well as opting into “Phishing and Malware Protection.” You can also turn off several Google features, including auto-fill, safe browsing, and search suggestions.

Unfortunately, I did have a few privacy concerns. Vivaldi requires you to register your name, birthday, and email to create an account. The privacy policy is also quite intrusive — your device gets a unique ID, and its location is tracked daily.

8. Opera — Decent for Privacy With In-Built Proxy Service

• Blocks ads and trackers
• Private browsing mode doesn’t collect or store any personal data
• Works on Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux

Opera is a Chromium-based browser with decent privacy options. You can choose to block all ads and trackers and all browsing data on your device. There are also in-built privacy tabs, which operate similarly to other browsers’ private or incognito mode.

A unique feature is Opera’s pre-installed VPN, which operates more like a proxy service. Unfortunately, you can only choose from 3 vague server locations (Americas, Europe, and Asia), so you’ll never know which country you’re connected to. This comes with significant privacy risks, especially if you’re browsing sensitive online topics or downloading torrents.

9. Google Chrome — Popular but Shares Your Data with Google

• Provides the option to block cookies and trackers
• Browsing data is tracked, collected, and shared with Google
• Available on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux

Chrome is a popular browser, but very few users know the full scope of its privacy failings. Chrome shares all your online activity and data with Google, as well as third-party advertisers. Advertisers then use your data to target you with personalized ads.

Despite its privacy shortcomings, Chrome is relatively secure and undergoes regular updates to eliminate known weak spots. If you want to keep using Chrome as your primary browser, I highly recommend you block all cookies and trackers in “Settings” (must be enabled manually). You can also download browser extensions to block ads and malware, such as uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger.

10. Microsoft Edge — Reasonably Secure but Known to Have Vulnerabilities

• Blocks ads and trackers
• InPrivate browsing mode doesn’t store or track any personal data
• Works on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS

Microsoft Edge is a decent browser, but it has a history of vulnerabilities. While most known issues have been fixed, there’s always the possibility that new weaknesses will be discovered. To keep your device safe, I suggest you download the Microsoft Defender extension (detects and blocks malware) and switch on the block for ads, trackers, and cookies. It’s also best practice to always use the InPrivate private browsing mode, which doesn’t store your activity or link it to your Microsoft account in any way.