Choosing a privacy-focused browser is one of the most impactful steps you can take to protect your data online. But not all “private” browsers are equal — some block a handful of trackers while others defeat fingerprinting, state partitioning, and network-level tracking.

We compared six privacy browsers using real test data from PrivacyTests.org — the most comprehensive automated browser privacy benchmark. All scores come from our browsers.json dataset.

Privacy Test Scores

These scores represent the number of privacy tests passed out of the total tests run by PrivacyTests.org. Higher is better.

Key insight: Mullvad Browser and LibreWolf lead by a wide margin. Both are based on Firefox/Gecko with aggressive privacy hardening. Standard Firefox, despite being the base for these forks, scores significantly lower with its default settings.

Mullvad Browser

Mullvad Browser is built by the Tor Project in collaboration with Mullvad VPN. It passes 130 out of 133 privacy tests (97.7%) — the highest score in our comparison.

The browser applies the Tor Browser’s anti-fingerprinting technology without routing traffic through the Tor network. Instead, it’s designed to be paired with Mullvad VPN (or any VPN) for network-level privacy.

Fingerprint resistance is maximized: Mullvad Browser makes all users look identical by standardizing window size, fonts, and other fingerprintable parameters. This is the Tor uplift approach — blend into the crowd rather than randomize.

The trade-off is usability. Like Tor Browser, some websites may break due to aggressive anti-fingerprinting. It’s also desktop-only (Windows, macOS, Linux) with no mobile version.

LibreWolf

LibreWolf is a community-maintained Firefox fork focused on privacy and security. It scores 126 out of 140 tests passed (90.0%), making it the second-best option.

Out of the box, LibreWolf ships with uBlock Origin pre-installed, telemetry completely removed, and privacy-hardened settings (resist fingerprinting, strict tracking protection, HTTPS-only mode). There’s no need to manually configure about:config — it’s done for you.

The browser is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux via LibreWolf.net. It tracks Firefox releases closely, typically releasing updates within days of upstream Firefox.

The main limitation: no mobile version and no sync service (you can self-host Firefox Sync, but it’s not built in). LibreWolf is ideal for desktop power users who want maximum privacy without manual Firefox hardening.

Tor Browser

Tor Browser is the gold standard for anonymity, routing all traffic through the Tor network — a system of volunteer-run encrypted relays. It passes 104 out of 130 tests (80.0%).

The lower pass rate compared to Mullvad/LibreWolf is partly because Tor Browser is tested with a different test profile (some tests don’t apply when traffic goes through Tor). Its anti-fingerprinting is identical to Mullvad Browser’s — both use the same technology.

Network-level privacy is where Tor Browser is unmatched: your IP address is hidden behind three layers of encryption and multiple relays. No VPN can replicate this level of anonymity.

The trade-off is speed — Tor routing adds significant latency (200-600ms per request). Many websites also block or challenge Tor exit nodes. It’s essential for high-risk situations (journalism, activism) but impractical for daily browsing.

Brave

Brave is the most mainstream privacy browser with over 100 million monthly active users. It passes 103 out of 146 tests (70.5%) — strong for a Chromium-based browser.

Brave includes a built-in ad and tracker blocker (Brave Shields), fingerprint randomization, bounce tracking protection, and HTTPS upgrades by default. It also features Brave Search, a crypto wallet, and a VPN service (paid add-on).

As a Chromium-based browser, Brave maintains full compatibility with Chrome extensions and websites. This is its biggest advantage over Firefox-based privacy browsers — you get strong privacy without breaking websites.

Brave is available on all major platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. For most users who want good privacy with zero configuration and full web compatibility, Brave is the practical choice.

DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo browser passes 79 out of 134 tests (59.0%). Originally a privacy search engine, DuckDuckGo expanded into browsers on mobile (2018) and desktop (2022).

The browser features 3rd-party tracker blocking, cookie consent management (auto-rejects popups), email protection (@duck.com aliases), and a fire button that clears all browsing data instantly.

DuckDuckGo uses the platform’s native rendering engine — WebKit on macOS/iOS and Chromium on Windows/Android. This means privacy features depend partly on the underlying engine.

The browser is a good choice for non-technical users who want simple privacy improvements. However, it lacks the advanced fingerprint resistance of Brave, LibreWolf, or Mullvad Browser.

Firefox

Firefox by Mozilla passes 57 out of 146 tests (39.0%) in its default configuration. This may surprise users who consider Firefox a “privacy browser” — but the defaults prioritize compatibility over privacy.

Firefox does include Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP), which blocks known trackers, social media trackers, and cryptominers. It also has Total Cookie Protection (TCP), which partitions cookies by site — a significant privacy improvement introduced in 2022.

The real power of Firefox is its configurability. With manual hardening via about:config settings (resistFingerprinting, HTTPS-only, etc.), Firefox can match LibreWolf’s scores. But most users won’t do this — which is why forks like LibreWolf exist.

Firefox has ~178 million desktop monthly active users and is available on all platforms. It’s the foundation for the best privacy browsers (LibreWolf, Mullvad, Tor Browser) but needs significant configuration to match them.

Feature Comparison

Who Should Use What?

For maximum anonymity: Use Tor Browser when you need to hide your identity from adversaries — journalists, whistleblowers, activists.

For best privacy test scores: Mullvad Browser + Mullvad VPN gives you the highest PrivacyTests score with usable speed. LibreWolf is the free alternative without VPN.

For daily driving: Brave offers the best balance of privacy, compatibility, and features. It works on all platforms, supports Chrome extensions, and requires zero configuration.

For simple privacy: DuckDuckGo browser is the easiest option for non-technical users, especially on mobile.

For power users: Firefox with manual hardening (or the Arkenfox user.js) gives you full control, though you should consider LibreWolf to save the effort.

Verdict

Based on PrivacyTests.org scores and real-world usability:

1. Mullvad Browser (97.7% pass rate) is the most private browser available — but it’s desktop-only and best paired with Mullvad VPN.
2. LibreWolf (90.0%) is the best free, no-compromises privacy browser for desktop users.
3. Brave (70.5%) is the best overall recommendation for most people — strong privacy, all platforms, full compatibility, and no learning curve.
4. Tor Browser (80.0%) remains essential for anonymity, but too slow for daily use.
5. Firefox (39.0% by default) needs manual configuration to compete — use LibreWolf instead.
6. DuckDuckGo (59.0%) is solid for simple mobile privacy but lacks advanced features.

The privacy browser landscape in 2026 is mature. You don’t have to sacrifice usability for privacy — Brave and LibreWolf prove that. Choose based on your platform needs and threat model.

Sources

• PrivacyTests.org — automated browser privacy test scores for all browsers
• Brave 2024 Annual Report (100M+ MAU)
• Firefox User Activity Data (~178M desktop MAU)
• Mozilla Total Cookie Protection Announcement
• Tor Network Performance Metrics
• Mullvad Browser
• LibreWolf.net
• DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser Launch
• DuckDuckGo Desktop Launch
• Arkenfox user.js