Best Android Browser for Privacy: Our Top 6 Picks

How to choose a browser for privacy

There are plenty of popular mobile browsers out there, many of which claim to be privacy oriented. Not all of them were created equal, however. Picking out the best of the best can be tricky. Here are the most important things to consider: 

1. Data Tracking: How does the browser handle user data and track online activity?
2. Privacy Features: What built-in features and settings protect user privacy?
3. User Experience: How easy is it to configure and use?

Aside from the privacy-focused components, reliability is another big factor. While there may be plenty of new up-and-coming private browsers, not all of them are safe. Sticking to well-established products and reputable developers is the safer bet. 

Before installing anything on your device, you should also always check the privacy policy thoroughly and watch out for any wild claims. A private browser that claims to make you completely anonymous on the internet, for example, is overpromising at best and may be part of a malicious data-collection scheme.

With all of this in mind, here are our top picks:

Best Android Browsers for Privacy

Mozilla Firefox is one of the most popular web browsers around, and for good reason. Aside from its wealth of features, it’s also known for its strong commitment to user privacy and security. 

If you’re looking for a reliable, customizable, and privacy-focused web browser, Firefox is definitely worth checking out. 

Pros:

• Enhanced Tracking Protection: Firefox blocks known trackers and cookies from following you around the web, which helps protect your privacy and prevent advertisers from collecting your data.
• Private Browsing Mode: Firefox allows you to browse the web without saving your history, cookies, or temporary files. This mode is useful if you’re using a public computer or if you don’t want anyone to know what you’ve been looking at online.
• HTTPS Everywhere: Firefox has built-in HTTPS enforcement that automatically upgrades your connections to HTTPS when possible.
• Customizable Privacy Settings: Firefox allows you to control various privacy settings, such as whether or not to accept third-party cookies and whether or not to share your browsing activity with Mozilla.
• Password Manager: Firefox has a built-in password manager that can securely store login information and generate strong passwords.
• Open Source: Firefox is open-source software, which means that anyone can inspect the code and see how it works. This transparency makes it easier to identify and fix potential security and privacy issues.
• Add-Ons: Firefox supports a wide range of add-ons and extensions, many of which are designed to enhance privacy and security. For example, you can use an ad blocker or a VPN extension to further protect your privacy online.

Cons:

• Compatibility Issues: Some websites or web applications may not work properly on Firefox, especially if they are designed specifically for other browsers like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

All things considered, while Firefox does have some downsides, the fact that it’s a full-fledged browser that is both heavy on features and privacy-focused puts it at the top of our list. 

Firefox Focus is another Mozilla product that we can get behind. It’s basically a lightweight version of Firefox so it has a lot of the same privacy features but lacks some of the convenience of a full-fledged browser like Firefox.

Pros:

• Tracking Protection: Firefox Focus blocks ads and helps prevent third-party websites from tracking your online activity or collecting your data.
• Automatic Deletion: Firefox Focus automatically deletes your browsing history, cookies, and passwords after each session.
• HTTPS Everywhere: Firefox Focus uses HTTPS Everywhere by default. This means that it automatically encrypts your browsing traffic and enforces secure connections on websites that support HTTPS. 

Cons:

• Limited Features: Firefox Focus is designed to be lightweight and privacy-focused. As a result, it lacks some features such as extensions or add-ons that are available on the regular Firefox browser.
• Limited Customization: Firefox Focus doesn’t allow much customization of the browser interface or settings, which could be a limitation for some users who want more control over their browsing experience.
• Limited Compatibility: Some websites may not work properly with Firefox Focus due to the browser’s strict privacy settings. For example, websites that rely heavily on third-party cookies or other tracking mechanisms may not function properly.

Despite its limitations, Firefox Focus is still a popular choice for users who want a fast and privacy-focused browsing experience on their mobile devices. If this is more important to you than customization and add-ons, it comes highly recommended. 

Third on our list is DuckDuckGo. Thanks to its powerful privacy controls, it’s a great choice for users who are concerned about online tracking and want to take control of their own data. It’s also simple to use and offers a clean interface, which makes it a great alternative to other mainstream browsers.

Pros:

• Tracker Blocking: DuckDuckGo blocks third-party trackers by default, which helps prevent advertisers and other third parties from monitoring your online activity.
• Privacy Grade: DuckDuckGo assigns each website you visit a privacy grade based on how well it protects your privacy. This makes it easy to see which websites are safe to visit and which ones may pose a privacy risk.
• Encrypted Connections: DuckDuckGo uses encryption to protect your online activity and keep your data safe from hackers and other third parties. 
• Private Search Engine: DuckDuckGo comes with a built-in search engine that doesn’t collect any personal information, so you can search the web without worrying about your search history being tracked or sold to advertisers.
• Customizable Privacy Settings: DuckDuckGo allows users to customize some settings, such as enabling or disabling tracker blocking and choosing which search engine to use.

Cons:

• Limited Features: Compared to some more popular browsers like Chrome and Firefox, DuckDuckGo doesn’t have as many features. For example, it has comparatively fewer extensions and customization options.
• Limited Compatibility: Because DuckDuckGo blocks third-party trackers by default, it may not work with some websites that require those trackers to function properly. 
• Not Widely Used: DuckDuckGo is still a relatively small company compared to Google, which means that it may not be as widely used or supported. This can lead to compatibility issues with some websites or apps.

While DuckDuckGo has a few drawbacks, mostly due to how small the company still is, it more than makes up for them with its extensive privacy features. And despite its small size, it’s popular among the privacy conscious and has a solid reputation. You can learn more about it here.  

Next on our list is Brave. While this one also has plenty of privacy features, it also offers users the ability to earn tokens for viewing ads, which can be used to support content creators and publishers. This approach is designed to create a more transparent and equitable online advertising ecosystem.

Pros: 

• Tracker Blocking: Brave blocks ads and other third-party trackers by default. This helps prevent websites from monitoring your online activity and collecting your data.
• Private Browsing Mode: Brave has a private browsing mode called “Private Window with Tor” which utilizes the Tor network to help keep your browsing activity private and secure.
• HTTPS Everywhere: Brave uses HTTPS Everywhere, automatically enforcing secure connections on all websites that support HTTPS.
• Shields: Brave has built-in shields that protect against ads, trackers, and other unwanted content. You can even customize the shields to block or allow certain types of content based on your preferences.

Cons:

• Limited Browser Extensions: Compared to more popular browsers like Chrome and Firefox, Brave’s selection of extensions is more limited. 

There may be some potential problems with this private browser, but due to its solid privacy protection and interesting features, it still ranks highly. If the drawbacks aren’t a deal breaker for you, it’s definitely worth trying out. 

We’re getting into slightly more obscure territory with this one. Bromite is a privacy-focused browser based on Chromium. It’s lightweight and boasts a lot of cool privacy options such as fingerprinting protection.

Pros:

• No Tracking: Bromite blocks all third-party tracking cookies by default, which helps prevent websites from collecting data about your online activity.
• Ad Blocking: Bromite also blocks most ads by default, which can be a big advantage for users who find ads intrusive.
• HTTPS Everywhere: Bromite uses the HTTPS Everywhere extension by default so you will be protected with an HTTPS connection whenever it’s possible.  
• Customizable Privacy Settings: Bromite has a range of privacy settings that allow you to customize your browsing experience. For example, you can disable third-party cookies, block JavaScript, or spoof your user agent to prevent websites from tracking your device without the need for extensions.
• Open-Source: Bromite is an open-source project, which means that its code is publicly available for anyone to inspect. This can help ensure that the browser is secure and free from potential vulnerabilities.

Cons:

• Limited Features: Bromite is a minimalist browser, which means that it may not have all the features that users are accustomed to with other popular browsers like Chrome or Firefox. For example, it may not have as many extensions or customization options.
• Limited Compatibility: Because Bromite blocks third-party tracking cookies and most ads by default, it may not work properly with some websites that rely on these technologies to function properly.

Overall, despite its small size, Bromite is a great choice for users who want a lightweight browser that prioritizes privacy over convenience. 

The last entry on our list is a little different from the others. Tor Browser was designed to access the Tor network (more commonly known as the dark web). However, it can also be used to browse the clearnet (the normal internet most people use). 

Tor Browser was designed to protect users’ privacy online by routing internet traffic through a network of servers to obscure the user’s identity and location. It’s particularly popular among users who want total anonymity (or as close to it as possible), especially in countries with strict internet censorship laws.

Pros:

• Anonymous Browsing: Tor Browser offers anonymous browsing by routing your internet traffic through a network of servers operated by volunteers worldwide. This feature makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activity or identify your location.
• No Tracking: Tor Browser blocks all third-party trackers by default, making it difficult for websites to collect data about your online activity.
• Encryption: It uses end-to-end encryption to protect your online activity from hackers and other third parties. This ensures that your data is secure and inaccessible to unauthorized parties.
• Private Browsing Mode: Tor Browser has a private browsing mode that ensures your browsing history, cookies, or any other data are not stored. 
• No Ads: Tor blocks all third-party trackers and most ads.

Cons:

• Slow Browsing Speed: As Tor routes internet traffic through multiple servers, it can be slower than other browsers. 
• Limited Compatibility: Tor Browser blocks all third-party trackers and cookies by default, making it incompatible with some websites that rely on these technologies to function. 
• Misconceptions About Anonymity: Tor can help protect your online activity from prying eyes but it’s not a magic bullet for anonymity. Users can still reveal their identity through other means such as logging into accounts or sharing personal information.
• Risk of Suspicion: Using Tor may draw suspicion from internet service providers or law enforcement since it is sometimes associated with illegal activities. This can be a concern for users who want to protect their privacy but also avoid unwanted attention.
• Limited Support: Tor Browser is an open-source project that relies on volunteers, so it may not have the same level of support or resources as other popular browsers like Chrome or Firefox. This can lead to potential bugs or security issues that may not be addressed as quickly as with other browsers.

This might not be the best choice for most internet users as there are plenty of other private browsers that are faster and don’t come with the same complications. However, if you have greater privacy needs, this might be right for you. 

Why should you use a private browser?

If you’ve gotten this far in the article, we’re willing to bet privacy is important to you. But if you’re still not quite sure why it’s better to opt for a privacy-focused browser, it comes down to the risks involved. 

Most browsers track and collect your data. What’s worse, they often share it with third parties, meaning that your personal information winds up being distributed, analyzed, and exploited. 

In fact, there’s a whole $257.16 Bn data broker industry built around the sale and trade of personal data. This, on its own, may not be too alarming. However, when you consider at what expense these companies are making so much money, the problem becomes clearer. 

Aside from nuisances like spam, robocalls, and junk mail, having your personal information circulating the internet unchecked can lead to increased malware and phishing attacks, harassment and stalking, discrimination, and even identity theft. Using a private browser is a great place to start protecting yourself. 

It doesn’t end there, though. While all of our top picks are great choices, no browser can protect your privacy 100%. Some of your personal information will always end up online. That’s why we recommend you regularly check data broker sites for your personal information and opt out when needed. 

To help you get started on your data removal journey, check out our quick and easy opt-out guides or subscribe to Incogni to let us handle the data broker personal information removal process automatically.