Brave

Brave is a privacy-focused web browser developed by Brave Software, first released in 2016. Built on the Chromium engine, it emphasizes security, speed, and user control over online tracking. One of its defining features is its built-in ad and tracker blocker, which aims to improve browsing performance and reduce data collection by third parties. Unlike traditional ad blockers, Brave replaces blocked ads with its own privacy-respecting ad system, allowing users to opt into viewing ads in exchange for Basic Attention Tokens (BAT), a cryptocurrency that can be used to support content creators or withdrawn by users.

Brave has also experimented with other blockchain-based features, including a crypto wallet and decentralized web support. While these features appeal to privacy-conscious users and those interested in digital currencies, they have also sparked debate over the role of cryptocurrencies in web browsing. Despite this, Brave continues to position itself as an alternative to mainstream browsers by prioritizing privacy, ad-blocking, and user empowerment.