Bulletproof privacy in one click
Discover the world's #1 privacy solution
Coming soon
Coming soon
Coming soon
In an era where online privacy is becoming increasingly important, so-called “anonymous browsers” have gained popularity among internet users. With so many anonymous browser options available on the market, it can be challenging to determine which one is the best fit for your browsing needs. That's why we've decided to take the cream of the crop and deep dive into their features to help you make an informed decision.
An anonymous browser is a tool that can help you keep your identity hidden as you go about your daily business online. We covered why you might want to do that in our article: Online Anonymity is Important. Here's How to Protect it.
It's worth noting that most browsers marketed as “anonymous browsers” don't actually provide full anonymity. But what they do is prioritize user privacy by encrypting internet traffic, preventing online tracking, and masking IP addresses.
They work in the same way as regular browsers, such as Google Chrome. They are your gateway to the internet. The difference is that these browsers are typically built with privacy-enhancing features such as built-in VPNs, ad and tracker blockers, and anti-fingerprinting technology.
Why use an anonymous browser?
The purpose of an anonymous browser is to provide users with a greater level of privacy and security while browsing the internet. When you visit a website, your browser sends information about your computer and location, such as your IP address, to that website's server. Websites can use this information to track your online activities, such as the pages you visit, the ads you click on, and the products you buy.
This tracking can be further amplified by third-party tracking cookies or scripts embedded in websites. These tools track your activity across multiple websites and create a very detailed profile of your online behavior and interests.
However, an anonymous browser can help mitigate this tracking by encrypting your internet traffic and masking your IP address. This means that websites will have a harder time tracking your location or identifying you based on your IP address.
By blocking trackers and preventing websites from collecting information about the user's browsing habits, the best anonymous browsers can help protect users from targeted advertising, data breaches, and other privacy violations. Of course, not every anonymous browser is made equal and that's what we're about to explore.
Let's take a look at the best anonymous browsers on offer.
TOR
The TOR (The Onion Router) browser is a free and open-source web browser that is specifically designed for anonymous internet browsing.
TOR's beauty is in its complexity. It works by routing internet traffic through a network of volunteer-operated servers, known as "nodes," or TOR relays. These relays are decentralized and spread out across the globe.
When a user accesses the internet using the TOR browser, their traffic is first wrapped in layers of encryption (layers, onion, you get it) and then passed through several nodes in the network before finally reaching its destination.
The key is that each node in the chain only knows the identity of the previous node and the next node. No single node knows both the source and the destination of the traffic.
TOR's complicated design certainly makes it one of the best anonymous browsers, but it does have its downsides.
Your traffic has to go on quite the journey to get to its destination and get the results back to you, which means your web experience is going to be much slower than with regular browsers. This can range from a slight annoyance to making its use pointless.
For example, it's not going to be the best option if you want to use an anonymous browser for streaming.
Despite being marketed as a tool to help journalists and activists avoid government surveillance and censorship, Tor has a bit of a reputation. It is often referred to as the “dark web”. Thanks to its cloak of anonymity, it also attracts some shady people up to no good.
Therefore, using TOR does mean that you're more likely to come into contact with hacker-controlled domains or illegal sites. Use common sense and a good anti-virus, and you should be able to avoid the dark side of Tor. For more information read our full introduction to Tor. And to use it safely, check out Not Just for Criminals: 10 Legitimate Purposes for Using the Dark Web.
Brave
Brave is a free, open-source web browser built on Chromium, the same open-source code base that powers Google Chrome. You can download it for free and it's available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
The Brave browser is designed to protect users' privacy and security by blocking intrusive ads, trackers, and malware. It also offers built-in HTTPS Everywhere, which ensures that all web traffic is encrypted. Because it automatically blocks unnecessary ads and trackers, it manages to keep a decent page loading time.
One thing that sets Brave apart from the others in our list of the best anonymous browsers is that it is privacy by design. It does all of the above automatically, without the need to download or install privacy add-ons or extensions.
That said, Brave does have additional features for those who want a more customized experience. For example, users can earn cryptocurrency rewards for opting into privacy-respecting ads and supporting their favorite websites and content creators. However, the rewards program isn't available in all countries, so some users might not be able to take advantage of it.
Brave also provides a list of privacy protections that it has in place which includes some fingerprinting protections, such as preventing users from being identified based on the preferred browser language.
But don't let the marketing lull you into a false sense of security. There are hundreds of data points used in fingerprinting tracking and this is just one of them. The Brave browser will not protect you from fingerprinting in its entirety.
In fact, every anonymous browser has its limitations which is why taking a multi-layered approach to your privacy protection is always a good idea.
You can read our full Brave review for more details.
Firefox
Much like Brave, Firefox is a free and open-source web browser compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS operating systems.
The anonymous browser blocks third-party cookies by default and features an in-built tracking protection that blocks known trackers, providing an extra layer of privacy and security.
Firefox offers a private browsing mode called "Private Window," which allows users to browse the web without saving any history, cookies, or temporary files. Additionally, users can install various privacy-enhancing extensions on Firefox, such as HTTPS Everywhere and Privacy Badger, to further improve their privacy and security.
You can also make use of "Firefox Relay," a feature that provides users with temporary email addresses to use when signing up for online services. It's a great way to reduce the amount of personal information shared online.
Firefox is considered one of the best anonymous browsers, especially for those who like add-ons and modifications.
Be aware though, that the more customized your browser, the more unique it is and the easier it is to identify you. That said, Firefox does offer some fingerprinting protection but just like, Brave, it's not a wipe-clean kind of deal.
Firefox is operated by the Mozilla Foundation, a US non-profit organization, and guided by the Mozilla Manifesto. Because it's not out to make money from advertising, there is less of an incentive to track you across the web. Keep in mind, Firefox' default search engine is still Google...make of that what you will. But you can also change the search engine to something more privacy-focused.
Safari
All Mac and iOS users will be familiar with Safari, the web browser developed by Apple Inc. Safari offers several tools and settings that help users browse the internet with greater privacy.
Its Private Browsing mode is ideal for those sharing devices while the Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP) feature helps prevent third-party websites from tracking users. It shares a simplified profile of you making it harder to identify you (but not impossible).
The Safari browser also supports HTTPS encryption, which helps prevent hackers or other malicious actors from intercepting sensitive information such as login credentials or financial data. There is also an App Tracking Transparency feature that lets you control the apps you allow to track you. You can also see what trackers Safari is blocking with the use of the Privacy Report button in the search bar.
Safari ranks well in terms of privacy but it does lack browser extensions and customizable features that you get with other browsers. Another downside of the Safari browser is that it's only available on Apple devices. If you're on Android or other operating systems, then you'll have to look elsewhere for an anonymous browser.
DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo is perhaps better known for its search engine but it does also have a privacy-focused web browser available for desktop and mobile devices. It's called “Privacy Essentials” and is available as a desktop browser as an extension for Firefox and Chrome and on mobile, it's an app on iOS and Android.
The DuckDuckGo browser doesn't collect or store any personal data, search history, or IP addresses. It also includes HTTPS encryption, and an adblocker, and blocks third-party trackers to prevent hackers and advertisers from accessing your browsing activity or personal information.
A nice little design touch is the “burn bar”. The DuckDuckGo browser has a flame icon which when pressed will engulf your screen in flames “burning” (deleting) all of your browsing data.
Image source: Spread Privacy by DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo's slogan is “privacy, simplified” which you can see with the Global Privacy Control extension. It informs every site you visit that you want the maximum privacy available. You don't have to do anything else, just switch it on and you have instant additional privacy protection wherever you go online.
With the Privacy Grade extension, DuckDuckGo scans any website you visit and gives it a grade from A – F based on the site's terms of service and the number of tracking requests it blocks from the site.
Which anonymous browser will you choose?
Anonymous browsers can be a useful tool for protecting your online privacy and preventing unwanted tracking. While no single browser can provide complete anonymity, Tor, Brave, Firefox, Safari, and DuckDuckGo are all great options for anyone looking to prioritize their privacy online.
Each of these contenders for the best anonymous browser has its strengths and weaknesses, and users should choose the one that best fits their browsing needs.
Whether you're a Mac user, a journalist, or an activist by-passing government surveillance or censorship, or you just hate the constant tracking, there is an anonymous browser for you.
Ultimately, taking a multi-layered approach to privacy protection, including the use of additional privacy tools such as Hoody and common sense when browsing, is always recommended.
Remember, if you choose to use an anonymous browser but manually share personal information by typing it into a website, then that browser can't protect you from yourself! Check out 6 Things You Should Never Share on Social Media.
Ruby is a full-time writer covering everything from tech innovations to SaaS, Web 3, and blockchain technology. She is now turning her virtual pen to the world of data privacy and online anonymity.
Chapter 14: IoT Hacks
Dive into the unsettling world of government-controlled GPS tracking!
Trash Talk: How your garbage can be exploited by hackers, law enforcement, and government agencies
It’s time to uncover how government surveillance gets personal.
Discover the world's #1 privacy solution
Coming soon
Coming soon
Coming soon