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Brave VS GNU IceCat

Compare Brave VS GNU IceCat and see what are their differences

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Brave logo Brave

Fast and secure, ad and tracker blocking browser.

GNU IceCat logo GNU IceCat

Gnuzilla is the GNU version of the Mozilla suite, and GNU IceCat is the GNU version of the ...
  • Brave Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-29
  • GNU IceCat Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-11-01

Brave

Website
brave.com
$ Details
Release Date
2015 January
Startup details
Country
United States
State
California
City
San Francisco
Founder(s)
Brendan Eich
Employees
100 - 249
Edit details

GNU IceCat

Website
gnu.org
$ Details
-
Release Date
-
Edit details

Brave features and specs

  • Privacy
    Brave blocks trackers and ads by default, providing users with increased privacy and preventing third-party companies from collecting their data.
  • Speed
    Due to its ad-blocking capabilities, Brave loads pages faster compared to browsers that display ads, enhancing the user experience.
  • Ad Blocking
    Brave automatically blocks intrusive ads, which not only helps with privacy but also reduces page clutter.
  • BAT Rewards
    Users can earn Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) by opting into Brave’s privacy-respecting ads, providing an incentive for users to view ads.
  • Security
    Brave includes features such as HTTPS Everywhere, ensuring secure connections, and a built-in password manager.
  • Open Source
    The Brave browser is open-source, allowing anyone to inspect the code and contribute to its development, fostering transparency and community involvement.
  • Chromium-Based
    Being based on Chromium, Brave supports a wide range of extensions available from the Chrome Web Store.

Possible disadvantages of Brave

  • Extension Compatibility
    While Brave supports many Chrome extensions, there are occasional compatibility issues with certain extensions.
  • Syncing Data
    Brave's data sync feature is still maturing and may not be as reliable or comprehensive as competitors’ syncing services.
  • Advertising Model
    Some users might find the BAT ad model confusing or may not be interested in participating, preferring traditional ad-free browsing.
  • New Ecosystem
    Brave is relatively new compared to other browsers like Chrome and Firefox, which might make users hesitant due to its less established ecosystem.
  • Customization
    While Brave offers various customization options, it may still lack certain features and settings that power-users expect from more established browsers.

GNU IceCat features and specs

  • Privacy-Focused
    GNU IceCat includes a number of privacy-oriented features such as resistance against fingerprinting and built-in ad blocking, which enhance user privacy.
  • Free Software
    Being part of the GNU Project, IceCat is free software and respects users' freedom, providing full transparency and control over the source code.
  • LibreJS
    IceCat comes with LibreJS, which blocks non-free JavaScript, helping to ensure that all JavaScript executed by the browser is free software.
  • Enhanced Security
    Regular security updates and a philosophy aligned with free software make IceCat a secure option for users who prioritize safety and transparency.
  • Customizable
    As a derivative of Firefox, IceCat supports a range of customization options, allowing users to tailor their browsing experience to their needs.

Possible disadvantages of GNU IceCat

  • Limited Add-ons
    Due to its restrictive stance on non-free software, some popular Firefox add-ons might not work with IceCat, limiting the browser's extensibility.
  • Performance Issues
    Compared to mainstream browsers, IceCat may experience slower performance or compatibility issues with certain websites.
  • Less Support
    Being a niche browser, IceCat has less community support and fewer resources available for troubleshooting compared to more popular browsers.
  • User Interface
    The user interface might not be as polished or intuitive as more mainstream browsers, which can result in a less user-friendly experience.
  • Compatibility
    Due to its focus on free software, some web features or services that rely on proprietary technologies might not function properly.

Analysis of Brave

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Brave is generally considered a good web browser.

Why this product is good

  • Brave is recognized for its strong privacy features, fast browsing speed, and built-in ad and tracker blocking. It also offers innovative features like Brave Rewards, which allow users to earn cryptocurrency for viewing select ads, and its integration with the Tor network for enhanced privacy.

Recommended for

  • Privacy-conscious users who want enhanced control over their data and browsing activity.
  • Individuals looking for a faster browsing experience by blocking ads and trackers.
  • Users interested in earning cryptocurrency through passive activities like viewing ads.
  • People who appreciate open-source software.

Analysis of GNU IceCat

Overall verdict

  • GNU IceCat is considered a good browser for users who value privacy, security, and open-source software. While it might not have the same level of polish or feature-set as some mainstream browsers, its dedication to user rights and privacy sets it apart.

Why this product is good

  • GNU IceCat is a free and open-source browser developed by the Free Software Foundation. It focuses on user privacy and freedom, offering features that block non-free software, prevent tracking, and provide HTTPS by default. Its commitment to user privacy makes it a strong choice for those who prioritize security and ethical software usage.

Recommended for

    Users who prioritize privacy and free software principles. It's ideal for those who want a browsing experience that minimizes tracking, avoids proprietary software, and prefers open-source solutions.

Brave videos

+ Add

Brave browser review

More videos:

  • Review - Brave Browser Review 2020: Why You NEED To Switch!
  • Review - Does the Brave Browser Really Beat Fingerprinting? Let's Test!
  • Demo - This Is Brave
  • Demo - song

GNU IceCat videos

+ Add

GNU Icecat Installation & Review

More videos:

  • Review - Aaron Jones: Intro to GNU IceCat

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Brave and GNU IceCat)

Brave

GNU IceCat

Web Browsers
94 94%
Web Browsers
6% 6
Security & Privacy
100 100%
Security & Privacy
0% 0
Customisable Web Browser
89 89%
Customisable Web Browser
11% 11
Web Development Tools
86 86%
Web Development Tools
14% 14

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Brave and GNU IceCat

Brave Reviews

The 7 best web browsers in 2025
Unlike ad blockers, though, Brave doesn't just ban advertisements: it replaces them with its own, far less intrusive and private promotions. Every time you browse Brave and see its ads, it rewards you with points, which you can then use to compensate your favorite publishers and creators. For this to work, the website must be a Brave partner. Many popular ones, like The...
Source: zapier.com
Brave Alternative - 8 Privacy-Focused and Reliable Options
Performance-wise, I found it to be a bit better than the Brave browser, but it doesn’t receive as frequent updates as Brave.
Source: mspoweruser.com
Best Tor Browser Alternative for Risk-Free Web Surfing
Brave Browser is a relatively newer entrant in the world of privacy-conscious browsers. Known for its aggressive approach to blocking advertisements and trackers, Brave Browser aims to deliver a fast and secure browsing experience. Additionally, Brave Browser supports Basic Attention Token (BAT), a cryptocurrency reward system for viewing privacy-respecting ads.
Source: www.geeksforgeeks.org
5 Most Privacy Focused Web Browsers
Brave features numerous privacy-centric settings, like the ability to sync browser data securely, without needing to create an account. The browser effectively blocks trackers to give you a private web experience.
Source: itsfoss.com
Avoid The Hack: 6 Best Privacy Browser Picks for Windows
Brave has a native adblocker ("shields") enabled by default. Brave proxies all/any requests to Google, effectively substituting Google Services with "Brave Services." For example, when "Safe Browsing" is enabled, Brave proxies the request to the Google Safe Browsing service.
Source: avoidthehack.com

GNU IceCat Reviews

We have no reviews of GNU IceCat yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Brave seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 585 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Brave mentions (585)

  • Useful Sites for Privacy and Security
    Brave - Privacy-focused browser with ad-blocking. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Google Being Forced to Sell Chrome Is Not Good for the Web
    We can always use Chromium https://www.chromium.org/chromium-projects/ This is like if Microsoft was forced to sell Edge or Apple sold Safari. I am thinking of switching from Chrome to Brave https://brave.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • uBlock Origin is no longer available on the Chrome Store
    Https://brave.com/ Ignore the crypto; enjoy the integrated ad-blocking. Most seamless ad-blocking I've ever experienced. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • uBlock Origin is no longer available on the Chrome Store
    If you are in tech do your friends and family and a favor: Download and setup Brave browser on their device. I haven't seen an ad in years. https://brave.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Personal TODO list on how I set up my dev machine
    I install: Discord, Brave, [Telegram(https://desktop.telegram.org/) and VSCode, which then I sync with my github profile to pull down my settings. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
View more

GNU IceCat mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of GNU IceCat yet. Tracking of GNU IceCat recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Brave and GNU IceCat, you can also consider the following products

Mozilla Firefox - Get the browsers that put your privacy first — and always have

Pale Moon - Pale Moon is an Open Source, Mozilla-derived web browser available for Microsoft Windows and Linux, focusing on efficiency and ease of use.

Google Chrome - Google Chrome is a fast, secure, and free web browser, built for the modern web. Give it a try on your desktop today.

Vivaldi - Vivaldi is a free, fast web browser designed for power-users. You decide how you browse. Download Vivaldi's fully customisable browser now and browse your way.

qutebrowser - An actively developped, keyboard-focused browser with a minimal GUI, inspired by other...

Opera - Opera is a browser with innovative features, speed and security.

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