Brave vs. DuckDuckGo: Which Is the Best PRIVACY Browser for Android?

There are better alternatives to Google Chrome regarding privacy-focused browsing on your Android phone. According to trends on Google Play Store, Brave and DuckDuckGo are increasingly popular choices among Android users. 

So, which of these alternatives is better for private browsing for Android? What’s the difference?

Below are significant differences between DuckDuckGo and Brave to help you decide the best browser for you.

User Interface

Brave and DuckDuckGo are Chromium-based, as with Google Chrome. However, they have significant differences in the overall user experience. 

DuckDuckGo has a Chrome-like user interface; easy to navigate, simple, and comfortable. The browser also provides you with the necessary information immediately after opening it for the first time. The tour is an excellent way to help users familiarize themselves with the browser’s features and capabilities. However, you may find DuckDuckGo so basic, especially if you’re looking for a complex user interface. 

On the other hand, Brave has a customizable user interface that helps you establish a unique experience. It also lets you disable the bottom toolbar, change appearance, and other options.  

If you want a browser with a simple user interface, go for DuckDuckGo. However, for a more customizable and controllable user interface, choose Brave. 

Privacy Features

DuckDuckGo lets you clear browsing activity and history in a single click. Simply hit the “fire button” to clear all data and tabs at once. Alternatively, you can set the browser to erase all data immediately after closing.

The fire button may be a convenient feature for some, but it can permanently remove crucial details that you may need in the future. Luckily, DuckDuckGo has the “fireproof” feature that lets you mark exceptions whenever you clear data through the fire button. 

DuckDuckGo also has a default privacy protection feature that helps eliminate any trackers on your websites. The feature also gives you a score of every site’s privacy friendliness. 

Brave, too has plenty of privacy-centric features for a private web experience and efficient data management. 

Just like in DuckDuckGo, Brave lets you choose to delete any data immediately after you exit. The browser also has tracker blockers which you can customize depending on whether you want minimal blockade or more aggressive protection. 

However, the blockade in Brave is not equal to DuckDuckGo’s fire button, which is a one-click-delete-all solution. Having said that, Brave has some advanced options like the ability to use secure DNS, enabling or disabling Google and Facebook login buttons, and embedded posts on LinkedIn and Twitter. 

Generally, Brave is the better option for advanced privacy-centric features. 

Sync Support

To sync browsing data between your PC and smartphone, you should use Brave as DuckDuckGo is unavailable on other platforms. 

Brave is available for desktops, meaning you can easily sync data between your PC and smartphone. Besides, unlike traditional sync systems, the browser has secure data syncing methods such as QR and authentication codes. 

Additional Features 

In addition to all the features discussed here, DuckDuckGo’s additional features include App Tracking Protection and Email Protection.

The Email Protection feature lets you replace your real email with an alias for newsletters and untrusted sources. Note that the feature is only available for a selected group of users. 

The App Tracking Protection is meant to prevent any trackers on the apps you open. 

Brave’s additional features include the “Rewards” system, which enables specific ads and rewards you with tokens that you can use to contribute to the websites you visit regularly. 

Brave also supports InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), a privacy protocol preventing government intervention as you share resources. It plays a significant role in fighting government censorship of essential resources. 

Brave vs. DuckDuckGo: Which One Is More Privacy-Centric?

Brave should be your first pick if you want to enhance privacy while browsing. However, DuckDuckGo makes a suitable no-nonsense mobile browser for your private browsing. 

The additional features may also help decide the best browser as they take your private web browsing experience a notch higher. Do you prefer DuckDuckGo’s app and email protection feature or Brave’s Rewards and IPFS?