Online privacy isn’t always easy, but private web browsers work to erase your digital footprint so companies and advertisers can’t track you from site to site. These browsers have built-in features to protect you without the need to install extra extensions or adjust numerous settings.
Content
- 1. Best Free VPN and Proxy Included: Epic Privacy Browser
- 2. Best for Anonymity: Tor Browser
- 3. Best for Firefox Users: Waterfox
- 4. Best for Blocking Fingerprinting: Brave
- 5. Best for New Features: Opera
- 6. Best for Customization: Vivaldi Browser
- 7. Best for Malware Protection: Puffin
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Best Free VPN and Proxy Included: Epic Privacy Browser
Available for: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Epic Privacy Browser truly places an emphasis on privacy – after all, it’s right there in the name. Fingerprinting, ads, cookies, trackers, and more are blocked. Your browsing history and cache disappear when you exit if you turn on the always private mode. Finally, to sweeten the deal, Epic boasts a one-click encrypted proxy.
The built-in proxy hides your actual IP address with IP addresses in seven countries and encrypts the data transmitted between you and the Web. Epic is a Chromium-based browser, so Google Chrome users will have little trouble migrating.
2. Best for Anonymity: Tor Browser
Available for: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
The TOR Browser has been one of the best private web browsers to circumvent censorship and protect user privacy for years. TOR stands for “The Onion Router,” which means that your Internet traffic is routed through many layers (like an onion) of encryption. Simply put, your online activity passes through a series of proxies, effectively hiding your IP and protecting your identity, but it does reduce speed (there are ways to speed up TOR browsing too).
Using the Tor Browser has another advantage. It allows you to browse the “Dark Web.” Dark Web sites, such as these, are not indexed by mainstream search engines like Google and can only be accessed by Tor-enabled browsers. Be aware that there is a lot of illegal stuff floating around the Dark Web.
3. Best for Firefox Users: Waterfox
Available for: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Unlike most private web browsers, Waterfox based on Firefox ESR, meaning that it supports legacy Firefox extensions. But, it’s not owned by Mozilla. It’s now independent and open-source, though it’s still compatible with Firefox extensions. As far as privacy is concerned, Waterfox uses much of the same built-in privacy protections as Firefox to help reduce tracking.
However, it also incorporates Oblivious DNS to better mask your IP address. It even removes some Firefox features that could be used to collect your personal data, such as Telemetry and Pocket. The only main downside is Waterfox isn’t updated nearly as often as Firefox
4. Best for Blocking Fingerprinting: Brave
Available for: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
From one of the co-founders of Mozilla’s Firefox, Brave automatically scrubs all advertisements from every website to eliminate ad trackers. You can choose to let some safe ads, those chosen by Brave, show on sites you trust to help support them. Either way, the browser blocks fingerprinting, giving trackers a random fingerprint they can’t trace back to you.
Thanks to the ad-blocking, Brave’s noticeably faster than many other browsers. And, if you’re into cryptocurrency, Brave has its own crypto, BAT, which you earn for viewing private ads. Keep what you earn or use it to tip site owners that participate in the program. This is all completely optional. Brave’s open-source and built on Chromium.
5. Best for New Features: Opera
Available for: Windows, macOS, Chromebook, Linux, iOS, Android
Opera is well-known for innovative features, such as integrated search and tabbed browsing, which I can’t imagine being without. But, it also helps protect your privacy with built-in ad and tracker blocking. There’s even a free VPN, which works more like a proxy, but still helps mask your activity to reduce fingerprinting.
The privacy features alone don’t make Opera stand out from other private web browsers on this list. However, tab islands, battery saver, built-in AI chat, built-in messengers (make sure you use a privacy focused one), and quick file sharing between devices are features that instantly make Opera unique. There’s even a special version, called Opera GX, that’s optimized for gaming.
6. Best for Customization: Vivaldi Browser
Available for: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Most private web browsers are focused more on privacy than looks and customization. However, Vivaldi Browser gives you the best of both worlds. Built-in tracker and ad-blocking drastically speed up browsing. The Chromium-based browser originated from the Opera browser and gives you numerous features you didn’t even know you needed.
Enjoy two-level tab stacking and organization, built-in side panel translator, custom settings for standard and private windows, and custom security settings for different browsing modes. Create your own custom toolbar, add macros, and even create custom keyboard shortcuts.
7. Best for Malware Protection: Puffin
Available for: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Puffin works a little different than other private web browsers. It handles all traffic remotely, keeping any code off your device. As a result, any malicious sites and ads aren’t able to infect your device. Of course, it also offers ad and tracker blocking as well to protect your privacy.
What impresses me most is you don’t actually have to switch to Puffin for the remote browser isolation feature. You can download Puffin Cloud Isolation separately to integrate with Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. So, even if you’re not ready to switch, you’re still protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are private web browsers different from Incognito mode?
Incognito mode, or whatever other name different browsers use, is a form of limited privacy. It doesn’t block ads or most trackers. However, it will delete your browsing history when you exit. Private web browsers block most, if not all, trackers and ads. Some even mask your IP address to prevent browser fingerprinting.
Am I completely anonymous with a privacy browsers?
No. Tor is the only one that offers almost complete anonymity, but nothing is 100% perfect. Private browsers are only designed to block tracking and help reduce how much of your activity sites and your Internet provider see. You can also choose to use more privacy-centric online services as well, such as secure email.
Are privacy extensions better than private browsers?
If you love the browser you’re currently using and don’t want to switch, privacy extensions give you much of the same protection, like these Chrome security and privacy extensions.
Image credit: Unsplash, All screenshots by Crystal Crowder
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Crystal Crowder –
Staff Writer
Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.
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