Brave vs. Vivaldi: Which Browser Is Better and Why

Brave and Vivaldi are two popular browsers, each with its own unique features and advantages. In this article, we will compare the two and help you decide which one is more suitable for you.

Interface and Layout

Brave browser has a simple and clean layout, with a beautiful wallpaper loaded on every new tab. It displays valuable statistics on ads and trackers blocked, time saved, and HTTPS requests. The open tabs are located at the top, with the address and bookmarks bar below. There are convenient shortcuts to settings and bookmarks at the bottom.

Vivaldi, on the other hand, offers a more vibrant and flexible user interface. It allows you to create quick shortcuts to different sites, take notes, and view history in the sidebar. The tabs and other elements can be repositioned to suit your preferences. Vivaldi also offers features like screenshots, making it a highly customizable browser.

Customizations

Brave browser allows you to customize how web pages or sites load, giving you the ability to block specific elements like ads and social media buttons. However, there are limited customization options for the UI itself.

Vivaldi takes customization to the next level. You can reposition tabs to appear on either side of the browser or at the bottom of the screen, making it easier to keep track of all your open web pages. The address bar and the panel with shortcuts and notes can be placed on the right. Vivaldi also offers a reader mode, where you can control the font type, color, and size. Additionally, you can choose where to save screenshots, adding to the browser's versatility.

Blocking Ads

Brave browser is known for its exceptional ad-blocking capabilities. It blocks ads by default, and you can choose to allow ads universally or on a per-website basis. Brave also blocks cookies and forces websites to use HTTPS, providing a secure browsing experience. By blocking ads, trackers, and scripts, Brave browser delivers incredible speed.

Vivaldi recently added DuckDuckGo Tracker Radar to block third-party trackers. It also has a built-in adblocker that can be enabled in the browser settings. However, it is not enabled by default. While Vivaldi offers some level of ad-blocking, it is not as comprehensive as Brave's ad-blocking capabilities.

Privacy and Security

Both Brave and Vivaldi prioritize user privacy and security. Brave blocks third-parties from collecting user data and selling it to advertisers. It also offers a private window mode, where you can choose between using DuckDuckGo or TOR integration for enhanced privacy and security.

Vivaldi has a “Do Not Track” option that asks websites not to track you. However, most sites tend to ignore these requests. While Vivaldi itself doesn't collect or sell user data like Chrome does, it does little to prevent websites and apps from doing so. Vivaldi does offer phishing and malware protection and employs Google DNS for added security.

Rewards Program

Brave browser stands out with its unique rewards program. It blocks ads by default and rewards users with a percentage of the advertising revenue for viewing ads. Users can choose to tip content creators for their efforts. The rewards program is powered by blockchain technology and uses the BAT (Basic Attention Token) native token. This program is currently available in a few countries.

Vivaldi does not have a rewards program like Brave. However, it offers a range of other features and customization options.

Platform

Both Brave and Vivaldi are available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. However, there is a difference in cross-platform data sync. Brave can only sync bookmarks between devices, while Vivaldi can sync data, history, opened tabs, and more between all your signed devices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Brave browser is better if you prioritize speed, security, and privacy. It also offers a unique rewards program. On the other hand, Vivaldi browser is highly customizable and flexible, but may lag behind in terms of privacy. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your preferences and priorities. Some users even opt to use both browsers for different purposes.