Best Internet Browsers for Security

Our pick: Which internet browser is the most secure?

Firefox is our top pick as the most secure browser because it’s completely open source and contains no hidden or proprietary code. As a result, it can be examined by any security expert to confirm that it doesn’t secretly track you across the internet and sell your browsing habits.

In contrast, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge are only partially open source, as they include proprietary components security experts can’t thoroughly inspect.

The 6 most secure browsers

• Best overall: Firefox
• Best for anonymity: Tor Browser
• Best for customization: Vivaldi
• Best for blocking ads: Brave
• Best for extreme privacy: Epic Privacy Browser
• Best for VPN use: Opera

Compare secure browser features and availability

What should you look for in a secure browser?

You want a web browser that blocks everything that can identify you. While some cookies are necessary for websites to function, others are intrusive and intentionally collect your information to track you across the internet.

A web browser should also verify that every destination you visit is safe so you’re not unintentionally loading a site full of malware or one that secretly runs scripts in the background to mine digital currency at your expense.

Lastly, a browser should offer secure connections. For example, the Tor Browser offers triple encryption, while Opera has a built-in virtual private network (VPN) component. Most web browsers support HTTPS connections.

Compatible browsers will display a lock symbol in the address bar when you load a website that offers HTTPS connections. If the website doesn’t support HTTPS, the browser will display a “not secure” message or something similar.

You may find browsers that include an HTTPS-Only Mode. Firefox, for example, can force all connections to use HTTPS when you enable this setting. Conversely, if the website does not use HTTPS, Firefox will block access with a warning page containing “Continue to HTTP Site” and “Go Back” buttons.

Malware prevention

A secure web browser should check with a trusted database to verify that a website is safe to use.

For example, malware may secretly infect a legitimate website, or a website may appear official but is instead a “spoof” to fool you into downloading unwanted software. Both situations are typically reported and listed in a database that the browser downloads and updates frequently.

A browser should also verify that the file you are downloading is legitimate. For instance, Firefox will verify the site’s integrity against a database provided by Google Safe Browsing. If Google blacklists the site for malware, Firefox will block the download. This verification also helps prevent unwanted files too, like automatic downloads, when you visit a website.

So, where are Chrome, Safari, and Edge on this list?

On a security level, we don’t recommend using browsers provided by Apple, Google, and Microsoft.

Google Chrome

Google makes a big chunk of revenue from advertising and data collection. Those two factors alone should be enough reason to shy away from Google Chrome. The browser is undoubtedly convenient given its native ties to Google’s services, and it’s one of the fastest based on our tests, but Chrome collects an alarming amount of data—more than any other browser on our list.

Apple Safari

Apple is a “device first” company. Its most significant source of revenue is sales from Macs, iPhones, iPads, and so on. Safari is undoubtedly the better native option over Google Chrome on these devices, and its security and privacy aspects have improved over the last few years. 

But Safari isn’t completely transparent in terms of code, nor is it available on any other platform outside the Apple ecosystem. It’s also had its share of eye-opening security and privacy issues in the past.

Microsoft Edge

Finally, the new Microsoft Edge ditches the previous in-house EdgeHTML engine for Chromium. It collects data about the websites you visit, and there’s no option to turn this data collection off. Moreover, Microsoft Edge shares details regarding web pages visited, whether you use the search autocomplete function or not.

The bottom line

You can’t expect total security and privacy from companies that have other agendas. All three browsers listed above provide operating systems that already know what you do and where you go every day.

What you need is a browser provided by a developer with one single, razor-sharp mission: to give you the best, most secure window to the internet.

FAQ about secure browsers

What is Incognito Mode?

Also known as Private Mode or something similar, Incognito Mode keeps your browser history private. In Firefox, for instance, the browser deletes all cookies when closed. It also blocks tracking cookies by default. For more information, read our explanation about what Incognito Mode actually does to protect you online.

What is fingerprinting?

Fingerprinting is a form of data collection that pieces information together to identify you. Data is collected through the web browser or through apps or programs installed on your device.

Websites use third-party trackers to continue collecting data (shopping habits, frequented websites) and create a larger snapshot of your internet presence. This “fingerprint” includes your device, operating system, preferred browser, and so on.

What is the Tor network?

The Tor network consists of over 7,000 volunteer-operated relay servers located around the globe that perform as “onion” routers. Here’s what happens when you access a website using a Tor client:

Step 1: The Tor client determines the best path to the destination and generates three encryption keys. 

Step 2: The client sends the three-layer encrypted data to the first Tor server, the Entry Node.

Step 3: The Entry Node decrypts the first layer, discovers the second server’s location, and relays the two-layer encrypted data.

Step 4: The second server, or Middle Node, decrypts the second layer, discovers the third server’s location, and relays the single-layer encrypted data.

Step 5: The third server, or Exit Node, decrypts the final layer and relays the plaintext data to the destination.

In a nutshell, the Tor client creates a “circuit” between you and the destination that remains open for around ten minutes. Once that window expires, Tor creates a new circuit to prevent eavesdroppers from tracking your activities. A new circuit is also created when you visit another website.

“Tor” is an acronym for The Onion Router.

What is a virtual private network (VPN)?

A virtual private network is a secure, private connection that works over the internet.

VPN software you install on your device encrypts your data and then establishes a direct, encrypted connection (or “tunnel”) between you and the VPN server. Once the server receives your encrypted data, it decrypts the data and then sends it in plaintext to the destination.

This way, the destination cannot collect your information, such as your IP address, web browser, and operating system.

How does cryptocurrency mining work in a browser?

Cryptocurrency mining within a browser works by using JavaScript code. Every web page you view on the internet is downloaded to your device as cache, including JavaScript code that quietly runs in the background to run basic web components.

In this case, the JavaScript code runs complex mathematical calculations to create digital currency. Mining requires heavy processing and will slow your device to a near crawl as the CPU computes the heavy math. You could see your browser use 90% or more of your CPU’s total processing capacity.

Some websites, however, use cryptocurrency mining in the browser as a form of “payment” for consuming their content. This payment is typically voluntary on your part.

What is phishing?

Phishing is a method of obtaining your personal information through a link embedded in an email, text message, instant message, and so on. The attackers pose as a person, company, or service you trust and attach a link. The resulting website looks legitimate, but it’s a “spoofed” site created to steal your information.

What is address bar tracking?

Address bar tracking is a method of obtaining your browsing habits through the autocomplete function. When you type a search query or URL in the address bar, the browser analyzes that data to provide suggestions. The browser may also send that information to remote servers. As a result, companies like Google and Microsoft know where you’re going and where you’ve been.

What is a Device ID?

A Device Identifier (ID) is a unique string of numbers that identifies your device, whether it’s a computer or smartphone. It’s stored on the device and is derived from other hardware-identifying numbers, like the IMEI number or MAC address.

What is a User ID?

Web browsers typically create a user identifier profile upon installation that includes information like your processor, storage, screen resolution, and operating system. This profile is assigned a unique identifier that the browser stores locally in a cookie.

What is Chromium?

Chromium is a free and open-source browser “foundation” developed and maintained by Google. Developers can compile the code “as is” and distribute it as a basic Chromium browser or compile it to include proprietary components and unique designs. The latter group includes Brave, Epic Privacy Browser, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Vivaldi.

What is Google Safe Browsing?

Google Safe Browsing is a service provided by Google. It contains a database of known websites containing malware and phishing content. This database is available to internet service providers and used by Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Vivaldi. According to Google, this service protects over 4 billion devices each day.