The best secure browsers for privacy in 2026: Expert tested


Brave is a Chromium-based browser that blocks ads, fingerprinting, and ad-trackers by default, and is one of my favorite browsers overall — and my top choice if privacy, combined with user-friendliness, is paramount. 

Why we like it: Brave has millions of users worldwide. The company removed Google code from its Chromium version to improve user privacy, including some account integration, background sync, and inline extensions. 

Brave also has several privacy-enhancing settings, including blocking third-party ad trackers, upgrading unsecured HTTPS connections, and blocking cookies and fingerprinting. The company says that disabling invasive ads and trackers improves loading times on desktop and mobile devices.

Brave operates a “Tor mode” that provides anonymized onion network routing. The browser developer offers a VPN and firewall service that protects sessions, even outside the browser, and an AI-based search engine.

The company’s business model relies on ads that pay publishers and users when users pay attention to adverts, but it isn’t imposed on users. Brave is transparent about this revenue stream.

Also: 10 common dangers VPNs won’t protect you from online – and how to avoid them

As of version 1.68, Brave became the first iOS browser to automatically attempt to upgrade all sites to HTTPS by default. In version 1.75 on desktop, users can add their own scriptlets to a page, which Brave says “allows for better control over [their] browsing experience.” You can also block annoying elements with a tap on Android, and the Leo AI companion roadmap has been published, outlining the tool’s latest developments. 

Recently, Brave said its OpenClaw API has been installed around 700,000 times, and its interesting Shred feature, a way to delete website data that could be used to identify users, has now been rolled out on the Android platform. 

Who it’s for: Many users say the browser exceeds their expectations, although others find some functionality, such as VPN connectivity, could be improved. I enjoy using Brave, but it takes some time to get used to, especially if you’re using Chrome or Edge. Still, it’s one of the better secure browser options on the market. 

If you don’t mind a reasonable learning curve, Brave is for you.

Brave also offers a feature called “Off the Record” (OTR) for users who may be victims of intimate partner violence. The browser developer says the feature “aims to help people who need to hide their browsing behavior from others who have access to their computer or phone.”

Who should look elsewhere: As Brave has recently updated its virtual private network (VPN) with more device support and server selections, it will be interesting to see if users report a more positive experience. But if VPN usage is important, you’ll need to find a different browser or sign up for a standalone VPN.

Also: Best VPN services: I’ve tested countless VPNs to find the fastest and most secure services for your security, streaming, and travel needs

Brave features: Chromium-based | Blocks third-party ad trackers | Private search | Blocks cookies | Incognito windows | Onion routing | VPN | Off the Record browsing | AI assistant | iOS HTTPS by default | Google Play rating: 4.7 | App Store rating: 4.8





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Virtually every new SUV will depreciate in value over its life as the miles rack up and components start to wear out. However, some of them depreciate much faster than others. At one end of the spectrum, there are some models from the likes of Cadillac, Tesla, and Infiniti, all of which can lose close to two-thirds of their value after just half a decade on the road. That makes them some of the worst-depreciating SUVs on the market. At the other end, there are SUVs like the Toyota Land Cruiser.

The exact resale value of any used car will depend on factors like its trim, condition, and mileage, but on average, Land Cruiser owners can expect a higher trade-in value than most rivals will fetch. According to data from CarEdge, a new Land Cruiser can be expected to lose around 35% of its original value after five years on the road, assuming it covers around 13,500 miles annually.

Estimates from iSeeCars make for equally encouraging reading for Land Cruiser owners, with the outlet estimating that after five years, a new example will lose just 34.4% of its sticker price. Even after seven years on the road, iSeeCars estimates that the average Land Cruiser will still be worth a little over half of what buyers originally paid for it.

The Land Cruiser holds its value well

The estimate from iSeeCars puts the Land Cruiser slightly ahead of average for value retention in the large hybrid SUV segment, and significantly ahead of the overall market average for new SUVs. According to the same data, the average new SUV can expect to lose 44.9% of its value over the same period, over 10% more than the Land Cruiser. That said, a different Toyota SUV is forecast to retain even more of its value.

Since the 2025 model year, both the Land Cruiser and the 4Runner have shared their platform and hybrid powertrains. However, according to current estimates, the 4Runner is the clear winner when it comes to resale value. Data from iSeeCars forecasts that a new, non-hybrid 4Runner is likely to lose only 25.4% of its value after its first five years, and CarEdge predicts almost exactly the same figure. According to the former outlet, a hybrid 4Runner will lose slightly more of its value over the same timeframe, shedding 28.6% on average.

While the 4Runner is the better choice purely for value retention, that only forms part of the equation for most buyers. The Land Cruiser remains appealing thanks to its mix of off-road capability and on-road refinement, with even the base 2026 trim offering plenty of standard features, despite missing out on the luxuries that higher trims include.





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