Comparisons
Brave vs Firefox vs Mullvad Browser
These three browsers cover a range of privacy approaches, from strong defaults with minimal setup, to configurable flexibility, to maximum fingerprint resistance. None of them are Tor Browser, which is the right tool when anonymity rather than everyday privacy is the goal.
The short version
Brave gives you the strongest protections out of the box with the least configuration. It's the most practical starting point for people who want good privacy without doing much work.
Firefox is the most configurable and is based on an independent engine. Its defaults are weaker than Brave, but with uBlock Origin and a few settings changes, it's competitive. It's the choice for people who want flexibility or prefer not to use a Chromium-based browser.
Mullvad Browser prioritises fingerprint resistance above other considerations. It's built by the Tor Project, designed for use with a VPN, and trades convenience for the strongest fingerprint protection outside Tor Browser.
Side by side
| Brave | Firefox | Mullvad Browser | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browser engine | Chromium | Gecko (Firefox) | Gecko (Firefox) |
| Tracker blocking | Built in (Brave Shields) | Partial by default, strong with uBlock Origin | Built in (uBlock Origin) |
| Fingerprint resistance | Moderate (built in) | Requires configuration | Strong (built in, Tor Project methods) |
| Cookie isolation | Yes | Yes (with Total Cookie Protection) | Yes |
| Private mode with Tor | Yes (limited Tor integration) | No | No (designed for VPN use) |
| Telemetry | Some (P3A, opt-out available) | Some (opt-out available) | None |
| Default search engine | Brave Search | DuckDuckGo | |
| Extensions supported | Yes | Yes | Designed to use none |
| Cross-session history | Yes | Yes | No (private by default) |
| Passwords saved | Yes | Yes | No (private mode) |
| Available platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | All | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Mobile version | Yes | Yes | No |
Where Brave is stronger
Strong out of the box. Brave Shields blocks trackers, partitions cookies, removes tracking parameters from URLs, and resists some fingerprinting, all without installing anything or changing settings.
Best mobile option of the three. Brave's mobile apps are well-maintained with Shields active on iOS and Android. Firefox mobile is good but Brave's mobile protections are stronger by default. Mullvad Browser has no mobile version.
Tor integration for specific sessions. The private window with Tor isn't a replacement for Tor Browser, but it's useful for casual sessions where IP visibility is a concern.
Practical for everyday use. Saved passwords, normal browsing history, extensions, Brave works like a regular browser with strong protections layered in.
Where Firefox is stronger
Independent engine. Firefox uses Gecko, developed by Mozilla. Brave and Mullvad Browser both use Chromium and Gecko respectively, but Firefox's independence from both Google and commercial browser vendors matters for browser ecosystem diversity.
uBlock Origin at full strength. Chrome's Manifest V3 framework limits what ad blockers can do. Firefox retains Manifest V2 support, meaning uBlock Origin functions at maximum capability in Firefox in ways it can't in Chrome-based browsers.
Flexibility. Firefox's extension ecosystem and configuration depth is unmatched. If you want to customise your browsing environment significantly, Firefox is the most capable platform.
Containers. Firefox Multi-Account Containers allow you to isolate different areas of your browsing, social media, shopping, work, into separate environments that don't share state.
Where Mullvad Browser is stronger
Fingerprint resistance. Mullvad Browser applies the Tor Project's fingerprinting resistance techniques, letterboxing, standardised window sizes, limited font access, canvas noise, to make all users look identical to websites. The crowd-anonymity model is the strongest of the three for this specific protection.
No telemetry at all. Unlike Brave and Firefox, Mullvad Browser sends nothing back to its developers.
Designed for VPN pairing. If you're already using a VPN to handle IP privacy, Mullvad Browser is designed to cover the browser fingerprinting problem that a VPN alone doesn't address.
The question to ask
What are you protecting against, and how much friction can you accept?
- Everyday tracking protection with minimal work Brave
- Maximum configurability and a non-Chromium engine Firefox with uBlock Origin
- Fingerprint resistance, using a VPN, minimal extensions Mullvad Browser
- Anonymity (not just privacy): Tor Browser, none of these three are designed for that
Most people are best served by Brave as a starting point. It requires the least configuration while delivering strong protections. Firefox is the right move for people who value the independent engine or want deep customisation. Mullvad Browser suits people who've already adopted a VPN and want the browser to match.
What none of them do
None of these browsers hide your IP address. That's a separate tool, a VPN or Tor.
None make you anonymous. They reduce tracking and fingerprinting, but you're still identifiable through your IP address, by accounts you log into, and by behavioural patterns.
None protect you from poor decisions at the application layer, logging into accounts, entering personal information, using services designed to track you.
Foldy tip
Three solid browsers. The right one depends on how much you want to configure.
Related pages
Brave
Firefox
Mullvad Browser
Tor, for anonymity rather than everyday privacy
Mullvad VPN, the network privacy layer browsers don't provide