I’ve been a loyal fan of Google since Chrome’s lightning-fast speed and minimalist design saved us from Internet Explorer in 2008. With the release of Gmail, Google Docs, and the rest of the apps that make up what is now Google Workspace, Google began managing every aspect of my online life.
Then came the Chromecast, Google Home devices, and the Pixel line, all of which helped Google (or should I say Alphabet?) quickly find its way into my offline life as well. In recent years, however, I’ve started to step out of the Google ecosystem. My latest venture has been switching browsers.
Why Would I Want to Leave Chrome?
In the late 90s, two Stanford students sought to change the way we use the internet, and they did exactly that by creating a simple search engine. Within no time, Google grew into more than just a way to search the web. The name became synonymous with the action itself. Having the success of Google Maps and Google Earth under its belt, along with the successful acquisition and integration of YouTube, Google was finally ready to launch Chrome. This was the first modern competitor to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.
From here, Google began slowly creeping into every part of our lives for the sake of convenience, and I was one of many who initially loved it. Everything was simplified and could be accessed from anywhere I was. All I had to do to enjoy this convenience was refrain from asking any questions, which was easy at first.
One of the reasons I stuck with Google was its security compared to other, similar companies. It had the safest mainstream web browser, search engine, and email service. Google was also the first among the companies I knew of to implement new security measures. What I knew about Google made me feel safe from outside intruders, so I never worried about questioning what Google was doing with my data.
Even after seeing how much data Google collects, I chose to live happily in a state of cognitive dissonance, where I loved Google but hated the lack of privacy. I felt like having the amount of privacy I desired wasn’t an option if I wanted decent services. After de-Google-ing my Pixel phone the best I could, I realized the easiest way to go about this would be not to have a Google phone in the first place. Then, I took the plunge into something I’d thought about doing for years. I began the journey to de-Google my life and started looking for a new browser.
A Layout I Know the Lay of
Having used Chrome for around 16 years, I was very hesitant and started with some baby steps. After settling on Brave and Firefox, I downloaded both browsers on my laptop and my phone. I chose to start with Firefox for two weeks since I already had some experience with it in the past. Once set up, I replaced Chrome on my PC’s desktop and my phone’s homepage, keeping it downloaded on both devices just in case things didn’t work out with either new browser.
To my surprise, Firefox was only familiar in the sense that it felt just as foreign as it had when I first used it. After two weeks with Firefox, it was Brave’s turn. Once the initial setup was done, Brave looked nearly identical to Chrome, making it feel like a new beginning in an inviting, old home. Not only is it visually similar, but the user interface is also intuitive for (former) Chrome users.
This is because Brave was built on Chromium, the basis of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Samsung Internet, and many other browsers. Brave also makes it incredibly easy to switch browsers, with a Chrome-specific, step-by-step setup guide upon initial startup. Most Google extensions are also available on Brave; unfortunately, this is due to Brave using the Chrome Web Store. No worries, though. Brave has a way to counteract this.
Privacy Inside and Out
Like Firefox, Brave prides itself on being a privacy-focused browser that prioritizes users’ needs. This is most prominently seen in the Brave Shields feature. Active from the first launch, this feature blocks all trackers and third-party cookies from spying on you as you surf the web. Brave Shields also blocks ads and fingerprinting, and it automatically upgrades connections to HTTPS, a more secure connection protocol. The tracking protection doesn’t stop there, though. Any link you copy with the keyboard shortcut (CTRL+C on Windows) is automatically cleaned. Brave does still provide you with the option to copy full links when right-clicking, on the off-chance it’s needed.
While protection from outside forces is a principal concern, Brave also ensures users are safe from within by not collecting user data. In addition to all of these anti-tracking features, Brave also offers a built-in VPN. This extra layer of identity protection allows you to securely browse the web without telling every site where you live. Having a built-in VPN isn’t just convenient and easy to use. It’s also much faster than third-party VPN services.
Unfortunately, this is a subscription service with current prices at $9.99 USD/month or $99.99 USD/year. Both options do come with a 7-day free trial. However, if this isn’t the option for you, Brave also offers private browsing with Tor for extra security compared to the default private browsing option. Tor browsing is another way you can keep your private information safe while on the internet, though it is significantly slower.
More Than Just Privacy
Brave didn’t win me over by simply being a Google clone with user-focused privacy features and a promise not to store my data. There are also some exclusive features that make this browser my new favorite. For starters, Brave VPN isn’t the only tool built into the browser. Users can also access a native crypto wallet. As expected, Brave crypto wallets are encrypted and support cross-device synchronization.
Though not a unique feature on its own, I prefer the way Brave implements browser profiles compared to Firefox and Chrome. Rather than starting up on the same profile each time, Brave asks which profile should be reloaded with every launch. This has tremendously aided my digital organization and has helped me stay focused when needed. That said, if this setup isn’t for you, or you only need one profile, Brave offers an option to jump right back into your last profile session.
Currently, I have three profiles, with one for work, one for personal use, and one for my studies. My personal profile has all of my bookmarks from my primary Google account, and this is where I’m logged in to social media and gaming accounts. My work and academic profiles, on the other hand, are much more focused, only containing relevant bookmarks and tab groups for current projects and assignments.
The perks don’t stop there, though. All Chromium-based browsers share the same browser engine and JavaScript engine, which allow for faster response and loading times. What makes Brave the fastest Chromium browser, however, is that it isn’t weighed down by ads and trackers like many others are. By getting rid of these resource wasters, Brave also takes up less RAM from your device, allowing your PC or phone to run slightly faster than with Chrome.
Last but definitely not least of my favorite things about Brave is how easy it is for users to control AI-related content. While AI features are enabled by default, these can easily be disabled at any time through the Brave settings page. This includes AI-powered search results and suggestions. If that isn’t enough, however, you won’t be finding any AI features on Brave’s Tor browser.
After switching to a user-focused browser that feels like home, with robust privacy features and faster loading speeds, all without being forced to use AI, I can’t imagine going back. While I won’t be leaving the Google-sphere entirely, this is one step away from it that I’m glad to have taken. Maybe I’ll tackle Google Photos next.
