Brave browser

Brave is a free, open-source, and privacy-focused web browser developed by Brave Software, Inc. It was launched in 2016 with a mission to fix the broken online advertising model by blocking intrusive ads and trackers by default. Built on the Chromium codebase (the same engine powering Google Chrome), Brave distinguishes itself by removing data-sharing connections to tech giants and offering enhanced speed and battery efficiency.

The brand is headquartered in San Francisco, California, where the majority of its development takes place. Beyond its web browser, the company has expanded its ecosystem to include Brave Search, an independent search engine, and a natively integrated cryptocurrency wallet. Its unique economic model utilizes the Basic Attention Token (BAT), which allows users to earn rewards for viewing privacy-preserving ads and enables tipping for content creators.

Brave remains an independent, privately-held company. It was co-founded by Brendan Eich, the creator of JavaScript and former CEO of Mozilla, and Brian Bondy. The brand is owned by its founders and supported by venture capital firms such as Founders Fund and Pantera Capital, maintaining a focus on user privacy and data sovereignty as of 2026.