Brave vs TOR Browser

In the realm of web browsers focusing on privacy and security, Brave and Tor stand out as prominent contenders. Despite their shared goals, they employ different approaches to achieve them. While Brave targets mainstream users with a faster and more secure browsing experience, Tor takes a specialized route, emphasizing maximum security through its layered relays.  

This blog post aims to delve into the differences between Brave and Tor, exploring their features, security measures, revenue models, and user bases. By the end, readers will gain valuable insights to make an informed choice based on their individual privacy requirements and preferences.

1. Brave vs TOR Browser: What are their differences? 

Although Brave and Tor are both web browsers that focus on privacy and security they do have different strengths and weaknesses. Plus, they also have a fundamental difference in the way they connect their clients to the websites. 

Brave is a more mainstream browser that is designed to be faster and more secure than traditional browsers. It blocks ads and trackers by default, and it also has a built-in Tor mode that can be used to browse the web anonymously and HTTP Everywhere. 

Tor browser, on the other hand, is a more specialized browser. With its underlying mechanism (TOR, or The Onion Router), it is designed to be the most secure possible. The TOR browser is free and open-source software that enables anonymous communication. It does this by routing internet traffic through a network of volunteer-operated servers (The TOR Network), which are arranged in a way that makes it difficult to trace the original source of the traffic. However, Tor can be slower than other browsers, and it can be difficult to use some websites with it.

Here is a table comparing the features of Brave and Tor:

2. TOR vs Brave: Features Comparison. 

As mentioned at the beginning of this post, although Brave and Tor are both web browsers that focus on privacy and security, they work differently. This 180-degree different mechanism makes both browsers differ in their security, speed, and overall access to features. 

Here are some key differences between TOR and Brave:

Security: TOR is generally considered to be more secure than Brave, as it routes traffic through multiple layers of encryption. But, still many ponder whether the Tor browser is safe. Generally, it grants access to the dark web. However, Brave is still a very œmainstream secure browser, and it may be a better choice for users who are concerned about speed and performance.

Speed: Brave is generally faster than TOR, as it does not route traffic through multiple layers of encryption. But in contrast, TOR may be a better choice for users who need the highest level of security.

Features: Brave includes a number of features that are not available in TOR, such as ad blocking and tracker blocking. However, TOR includes features that are not available in Brave, such as the ability to connect to the internet through a series of hops.  

TOR Connection Basics

TOR is a privacy-focused network that encrypts your internet data and sends it through a series of relays managed by volunteers globally. This layered network is aptly named "Onion" due to its structure. While this robust encryption ensures high-level data security, it comes at the cost of slower performance, making activities like streaming videos or playing games via TOR less efficient. Additionally, TOR automatically blocks ads and scripts and incorporates NoScript and HTTPS Everywhere to bolster security measures.

How Brave Connects You to the Internet

In contrast, Brave operates as a more traditional browser, blocking ads, requests, and third-party cookies while also using NoScript and HTTPS Everywhere. Unlike TOR, Brave does not utilize multiple relays to route your data, resulting in a relatively less private browsing experience, (not entirely anonymous). This streamlined approach enables Brave to generally outperform TOR in terms of speed and efficiency.

Fundamentally Different Revenue Model

The origins of TOR trace back to its development by the US Navy. TOR is currently managed by a non-profit organization (Tor Project). TOR's primary mission is to advocate for a free and open web, especially for those confronting censorship or reporting government abuses. To sustain their project, TOR relies on donations that support research and development efforts. 

Conversely, Brave operates as a for-profit company, which has raised privacy concerns among sceptics. Although Brave blocks ads, it has whitelisted domains like Facebook and Twitter for ad-tracking. Nonetheless, Brave is exploring alternative revenue models to support content creators and its platform. One such initiative is "Brave Rewards," offering users the opportunity to earn cryptocurrency by viewing privacy-respecting ads”a departure from the intrusive ad bombardment associated with browsers like Internet Explorer.

Similar Privacy Protection.

The following are privacy features in Brave: Brave Shields, social media blocking, automatic HTTPS updates, and de-AMPs links. Brave acknowledges that it may not match TOR's privacy level. As a response, they introduced a "New Private Window with TOR" feature within Brave's private mode. This empowers users to access TOR's enhanced privacy features when required, combining the best of both worlds. The privacy features in Tor Browser are as follows: Full anonymization (traffic through a series of layered nodes), complex security tools (encryption, invasive plugin and script blocking, and more). 

Brave is ideal for everyday browsing, providing speed, reliability, and a level of privacy higher than most browsers, according to Brave Browser Review. However, for situations requiring maximum privacy and security, the Tor Browser is the recommended choice. Users can benefit from using both browsers, leveraging Brave's efficiency for regular activities and switching to Tor when heightened privacy and anonymity are essential. Browser isolation can be an additional layer of security for a comprehensive privacy approach. 

3. Other Key Differences. 

Here are some additional interesting facts and stats about TOR and Brave:

Brave and TOR Browsers Birth: TOR was developed by the United States Naval Research Laboratory in the early 2000s. The primary purpose of TOR has always been to provide online anonymity and privacy to its users. Brave on the other hand, is a web browser that was founded in 2016 by Brendan Eich, who is renowned as the co-founder of Mozilla and the creator of JavaScript. 

Number of and Type of Brave and TOR's Users: TOR is used by millions of people around the world” ordinary citizens who want to protect their privacy and maintain anonymity while browsing the internet. But TOR is also preferred among journalists and activists who want a free-censorship experience and full privacy. Brave on the other hand is a more widespread browser. As of April 2023, Brave has over 22 million active users [EarthWeb Stats]. TOR on the other hand has approximately 2 million active users [EarthWeb Stats]

Accessing the Dark Web: One of the significant uses of TOR is to access the dark web safely and anonymously. The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and can only be accessed through specific software like the TOR browser. Brave could also access the dark web, but only through the private window with TOR. 

Brave's Ads-Blocking tech and rewards to watch ads: Brave browser incorporates built-in ad-blocking technology, which helps users avoid intrusive and potentially malicious advertisements. It is reported that Brave blocks over 600 million ads per day, ensuring a more streamlined and safer browsing experience for its users. Additionally, Brave has introduced the "Brave Rewards" program, which allows users to opt-in to view privacy-respecting ads. Users who choose to participate in this program are rewarded with Basic Attention Token (BAT), a cryptocurrency native to the Brave ecosystem. The BAT tokens can be used to support content creators, such as website owners and YouTubers, or users can redeem them for various services or products.  

4. Conclusions: 

Ultimately, the best browser for you would depend on your needs and preferences. If you are looking for a fast and secure browser that can be used for everyday browsing, Brave is a good option. If you need the highest level of security possible, Tor is a better choice. 

Tor will always be the go-to option for maximum privacy, especially when used in conjunction with a VPN. However, for most everyday online activities, Brave offers a significantly more secure experience than Chrome or other mainstream alternatives. Its faster performance is also a notable advantage over Tor. Additionally, users have the flexibility to utilize Tor with a VPN for added protection in specific scenarios. 

Given that both Tor and Brave are free, there is no need to choose one over the other. Leveraging both depending on your privacy requirements and browsing needs can offer a robust and well-rounded online experience. 

In Summary:

Tor excels in maximizing privacy with its layered relays.

Brave provides a faster and more efficient browsing experience.

Tor operates as a non-profit entity, while Brave supports content creators through innovative methods while preserving user privacy.

You can choose between Tor and Brave based on their specific privacy requirements and preferences for a well-rounded online experience.