Brave Browser is a privacy-focused desktop web browser that also prioritizes speed and effort reduction in tracking. It appears and functions similarly to Chrome or Edge on Windows, but its internal workings are quite different. Brave effectively blocks many ads and trackers by default from the very first page load.
Such an approach alters the way the web is loaded and displayed. Often, pages are displayed quicker, and fewer third-party scripts are executed in the background. People who enjoy a peaceful and uncluttered browsing environment will find themselves noticing this feature almost immediately.
How Brave behaves on Windows
On Windows, Brave integrates as a native desktop application with full feature set including support for keyboard shortcuts, hardware acceleration, and multi-monitor setups. Besides, it opens fast and holds its responsiveness even with a bunch of tabs opened.
The amount of RAM consumed depends on the websites leaned upon, however, Brave mostly gives the impression of being a more lightweight browser when compared to plenty of those overwhelmed by ads. Also, the browser automatically blocks a substantial number of scripts which results in less running background activities on most pages.
The layout looks simple and stylish. Tabs, URL bar, bookmarks, and extension all behave in ways that are familiar. Those users migrating from Chromium-based browsers normally require a very little adjustment.
Built-in blocking instead of extra add-ons
By definition, Brave is one browser that will automatically block trackers and ads that are verbose and annoying. Therefore there is no requirement to install separate extensions to get basic protection.
That is one of the situations that Windows users find themselves in, who desire an easy configuration. Instead of having to manage a handful of privacy tools, Brave effortlessly manages a large component of it. A small symbol in the address bar indicates what the browser has blocked, thus, its operation is very transparent.
Certain websites are dependent on ads or trackers to function properly. Whenever an incident occurs, Brave allows you to turn off the blocking feature for the particular site only. Hence you stay with the power of control without having to make global changes.
Browsing speed in real-world terms
Owner of the Brave browser keeps their privacy at the heart of the browser. On the other hand, they also spend quite some effort to make page load time shorter. Since the scripts go unexecuted, the page can be rendered quite faster.
This is something that can be quite beneficial when using Windows laptops or old PCs. One is able to sense a very nice and definitely, an unnoticeable video scrolling experience. Naturally, video sites or media-rich pages might still be resource-heavy, but with Brave’s default setting, it reduces so much background noise.
But it’s also worth bearing in mind that Brave doesn’t work magic on slow hardware. It still uses the same rendering engine as other contemporary browsers, and thus complex web applications will use both memory and CPU.
Working with Chrome extensions
Since Brave is based on Chromium, it supports Chrome extensions. Simply put: most Chrome Web Store extensions work fine on Brave as is.
This means a lot for a Windows user. Password managers, productivity apps, note-taking extensions, developer utilities, and others install normally. You can keep your work processes unchanged while switching browsers.
As Brave already blocks ads and trackers, some privacy extensions might be redundant if they cover features that are built-in. In such scenarios, you may no longer need so many extensions.
A different approach to online rewards
Brave comes with the Brave Rewards program which is an opt-in feature that allows users to view privacy-preserving ads. In return, users receive tokens that they can use to support the creators of the content.
It is entirely possible to turn off this feature and continue using Brave as a normal browser. Different people have varying opinions about the program; some find it interesting and others simply ignore it.
In Windows, if enabled, the feature will quietly run in the background. It doesn’t interrupt browsing and it doesn’t force the user to participate.
Privacy controls that stay visible
Several browsers have their privacy settings deeply buried in menu hierarchies. Brave does the exact opposite.
Among the numerous options that can be managed within the main settings interface are cookie handling, fingerprinting, script blocking, etc. Even beginners can understand the language used.
As a result, Brave is a good choice for users that want to be more conscious about what’s going on behind the scenes without necessarily having to learn networking concepts at a very advanced level.
Compatibility with modern websites
Being a Chromium-based browser, Brave supports basically the whole list of web standards that are supported by Chrome and Edge. Before any issue arises, the user can safely assume that the vast majority of websites will function properly.
Streaming services, online editors, and web-based tools usually load as expected. If something fails, it is often due to aggressive blocking rather than incompatibility. In such cases, changing settings for individual sites will solve the problem.
For Windows users who depend on web applications for their jobs or studies, this kind of compatibility is very important. You won’t be trapped in a single ecosystem when using Brave.
Syncing across devices
Brave has a sync feature that connects bookmarks, history, passwords, and settings across devices. Neither does it require a standard user account with an email and password.
Instead, it uses a private sync chain. This design caters to users who desire synchronization without central account storage.
This feature might be of help to you if you’re using Brave on different platforms like Android or macOS. As for Windows, it’s very simple.
Limitations worth knowing
One downside of Brave’s powerful blocking is that it can sometimes break website functionality. You might have to tweak the settings before some pages get loaded correctly.
Its rewards system might be a source of confusion for new users. The interface tries to explain it; however, the idea is quite different from conventional browsing models.
Although Brave is heavily leaning towards privacy, it is still a far cry from being anonymous. Websites can still keep an eye on your IP address, device type, and behavior. Therefore, tracking is reduced but not eliminated completely.
Who typically chooses Brave on Windows
Users who want to protect their privacy but utilize convenience are usually the ones who are attracted to Brave. The browser is a perfect solution for those who are tired of pop-up ads, auto-playing videos, and aggressive tracking.
Furthermore, students, remote workers, and casual users are potential beneficiaries of this product who desire a neat browsing experience but with no complicated setup.
Developers and power users have the tendency to love its Chromium base, which guarantees that it works well with cutting-edge tools.
Availability on Windows
Brave Browser is a downloadable application for Windows. It currently supports the major Windows versions and the integration with the system is carried out as usual.
After installation, it can be made the default browser just like any other program. Further, it has the ability to import bookmarks and settings from other browsers.
For those who are actively searching for alternatives to the mainstream browsers, Brave provides not only a familiar framework but also a different way of thinking.
A browser that emphasizes control
Brave Browser on Windows aims at empowering users with more control over their behavior on the web. Needless to say, it automatically blocks a large number of unwanted elements, it clears the visuals and it mainly focuses on its operations being transparent.
Being non-intrusive, it does not resort to overloading users with a multitude of features. Yet it allows enough playroom for the users who enjoy tweaking their environment to the very little detail.