Brave

Brave is Brave Software, Inc.'s Chromium-based browser for everyday browsing on desktop and mobile. It combines a familiar tabbed browser with built-in Shields privacy controls and optional search, AI, communication and Web3 services. This listing is the standard stable Brave Browser, not Brave Origin, Beta or Nightly.

Features

• Shields blocks many third-party ads and trackers and offers per-site controls for fingerprinting, cookies and other protections.
• Chromium-based browsing with bookmarks, password management, developer tools and compatible browser extensions.
• Import settings and bookmarks from an existing browser when switching.
• Private windows and a separate desktop private-window-with-Tor option; this is not a guarantee of anonymity or a replacement for Tor Browser.
• Optional Brave Search, Leo AI assistance, News, Rewards and Wallet integrations.
• Optional paid Firewall + VPN and other premium services; these are distinct from the free core browser.

Install and first use

Install brew install --cask brave-browser, or obtain the official architecture-specific macOS DMG, open it and move Brave Browser.app to Applications. Launch it, optionally import existing browser data and choose default-browser and Shields settings. Do not install a separate Chromium package merely to use Brave: the browser includes its engine. Keep Brave updated because its engine and privacy fixes evolve regularly.

Systems and platforms

The current official requirements page and Homebrew cask require macOS Ventura13 or newer, with Intel and Apple Silicon downloads. Individual GitHub release boilerplate still says macOS12+; use the current requirements and cask for this installation rather than relying on that older boilerplate. The current default Apple Silicon1.97.56 DMG is229,349,863 bytes, verified against the official release asset; installed profile, cache and browsing data require additional space. No fixed RAM or disk-space minimum was confirmed.

The publisher also provides Windows, Linux, Android and iOS applications; this cask installs the macOS application. Current requirements list Windows10+, 64-bit Linux distributions including Ubuntu18.04+, Mint19+, Debian10+, openSUSE15+, Fedora28+ and Rocky9+, Android10+, and iOS18+. Windows/Linux hardware requirements depend on architecture; consult the current official page when choosing a build. Mobile feature availability can differ from desktop.

Dependencies, conflicts and privacy controls

The cask declares no extra formula dependency or explicit conflicting cask. Network access is needed for online sites and services. Extensions, enterprise policies, proxies, authentication and a website's compatibility requirements are separate. Shields can interfere with some site features; change the affected site's controls deliberately rather than disabling all protections by default. Running a second browser is supported, but only one can be the default for a given association. Beta/Nightly have separate channels and do not make their prerelease changes part of stable.

Private browsing is not invisibility to websites, networks or services, and browser protections cannot eliminate every tracking or security risk. Rewards participation is optional; BAT, custody, regional eligibility and account requirements are separate from ordinary browsing. Optional VPN, AI and other remote services have their own terms, billing and data handling. Back up valuable bookmarks and passwords before deleting a browser profile; Homebrew zap can remove Brave application-support/profile data and related caches/preferences.

Accounts, costs and license

The standard browser and ordinary browsing are free and do not require a paid Brave account. Site accounts remain independent. Rewards, subscriptions and other optional features can need their own setup/account and may have geographic or usage restrictions. Paid premium features are not included free merely by installing the browser. Brave Origin is a separate paid offering/upgrade, not this standard free listing. Check current product terms and prices before purchasing.

Brave's own client code uses Mozilla Public License2.0, and the Chromium engine and third-party components retain their respective licenses and notices. Open-source client licensing does not grant free entitlement to subscription services.

Official references

• Official browser and services
• Current system requirements
• Source and releases
• Client license