🎶Wouldn’t it be nice if we could browse, without being tracked or surveilled? 🎶
We’re back baby! I’ve gone through browser alternatives to Chrome, with a few recommendations on password and ad-block extensions. You can also check out my De-Google Series Part 1 article for Search and ChatGPT/Google Gemini alternatives, or my recent article on America’s surveillance state to learn more about why privacy is so important now.
If you’re especially concerned about privacy, I highly recommend checking out YK Hong’s blog Liberation Toolbox or a more visual version at Decolonize.digital. They’re an incredible privacy resource.
Watch or listen to my interview with The Philosophy of Chillin’, where I discuss the creative side of making videos, my focus on integrity and accuracy, and what I have in mind for the future of Cut Off the Spigot.
I joined Left of the Projector pod again to discuss Being John Malkovich, which led to a discussion on alienation. Listen here.
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If you are switching to a “non-standard” browser, aka anything besides Chrome, Safari, and Edge, certain web-based programs or sites may not function or require you to use one of those browsers for it to work. For example, my podcast recording software won’t work in Firefox, only in Chrome, Safari & Edge. If you feel like this may be an issue for you, I recommend keeping Chrome or one of the others installed on your computer though you can adjust settings to minimize data collection when you’re using it in these limited cases.
I created two versions of a recommended setup based on my research and what your main concern is.
Maximum Functionality Recommended Setup:
Search engine: DuckDuckGo
Browser: Vivaldi, Opera, or DuckDuckGo
Password Manager: Can use built-in versions for Vivaldi, Opera, and DuckDuckGo. If you want a third-party password manager, Proton Pass doesn’t have an extension for these browsers, but you can use the web-based version. Bitwarden is one of the few password managers that works with DuckDuckGo.
Ad-Block Browser Extension: uBlock Origin works with Opera
Maximum Privacy Recommended Setup:
Search engine: Mojeek, SearXNG
Browser: Tor, Mullvad, or Librefox
Password Manager: KeePassXC
Vivaldi: If you like customizing your browser and prefer European-based technology firms, Vivaldi is a good option. It’s also compatible with most Chrome extensions which is helpful if you use a lot of those.
The Details: Owned by Vivaldi Technologies AS, which is employee-owned and based out of Norway and Iceland. Vivaldi does not have a profile on OpenSecrets nor a public diversity policy, though that can be common for European companies. Vivaldi does not have external investors, you can learn more about their business model here.
Pros: Works with most Chrome extensions because it’s built on the Chromium platform. Super customizable, has app versions for both iOS & Android and can sync across devices, and a built-in password manager. Full list of features here.
Cons: Can be slower on older devices, and if you’re less tech savvy the customization & setup can be overwhelming.
Privacy: Browsing history is kept in your client profile and Vivaldi cannot access it. They do include links to bookmark partners that they share revenue with, based on their privacy policy its unclear if they share your personal data with them.
Cost: Free
Available on: Desktop (Mac, Windows, Linux), iOS and Android apps, Android Auto
Opera: Another decent privacy-focused option based out of Europe if you’re looking for non-American tech companies. Tends to be faster so can be a better option for those with older devices or slower internet connections.
The Details: Opera based out of Europe and publicly traded with investment firms as the largest stockholders. Opera does not have a profile on OpenSecrets, nor a public diversity policy.
Pros: Built-in adblocker, free VPN, and can sync across devices. More features here.
Cons: Limited browser extensions. Don’t love that they share some personal data with advertisers.
Privacy: Opera does not share your browsing history or interests with anyone. Since their products are free with ads, Opera will share your IP address, hashed user ID and location with their advertising partners to provide targeted and personalized ads, though you can adjust your ad settings.
Cost: Free
Available on: Desktop (Mac, Windows, Linux, Chromebook). Android, iOS.
DuckDuckGo: Decent privacy-focused option that’s simpler to use, but relatively new so less supported with browser extensions.
The Details: More info here. US-based and privately held and majority owned by the founder, Gabriel Weinberg with venture capital investment. DuckDuckGo has not spent money on lobbying, and 100% of their $10.8K in management and employee contributions went to Democrats. DuckDuckGo does not have a clear, public diversity policy though they note they “embrace diverse perspectives.”
Pros: Built-in password manager. I’ve found DuckDuckGo browser to be pretty fast, especially compared to Firefox.
Cons: More limited extensions, like password managers from other organizations.
Privacy: They do not track your personal browsing history or share your personal data with their hosting or content providers.
Cost: Free
Available on: Desktop (Mac, Windows), iOS, Android
Tor: Hardcore privacy. Tor stands for “The Onion Routing”, a method of disguising your online activity through multiple encrypted layers.
The Details: Owned by The Tor Project, Inc, a non-profit organization founded in 2006. The Tor Project is committed to providing ways to use the internet privately, and you can check out their Social Contract for their core values. They do not have a profile on OpenSecrets and nor a public diversity policy, though they do have a diverse international team.
Pros: One of the best ways to browse the internet privately.
Cons: No iOS app available. From limited personal testing, sometimes Tor is slower and websites can load weird or not at all based on your re-routed location information.
Privacy: Tor Browser is built for privacy by routing your information through multiple servers. They do not collect or sell your personal information (including IP address, browsing history, device IDs, or location) or even ask you to create an account.
Cost: Free
Available on: Desktop (Mac, Windows, Linux), Android (Google Play & F-Droid)
Librewolf: Independent and custom version of Firefox with enhanced privacy and security.
The Details: Largely community-driven project of volunteers.
Pros: Very secure for private browsing.
Cons: Has a super high security threshold so will not work with some sites, also may be slower, no mobile app versions.
Privacy: Librewolf’s goal is to remove the user behavior and data collection from Mozilla, but since it is built off of a Mozilla product (Firefox) there may be some data leakage that Librewolf cannot prevent, though they aim to avoid that to the best of their ability.
Cost: Free
Available on: Desktop (Mac, Windows, Linux)
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Firefox: My thoughts: Firefox is I think the best option out of the “mainstream” browsers, aka Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox, so it can be helpful if you’re using sites that don’t work well with non-standard browsers. But given Mozilla’s controversies, lobbying, and privacy policy changes, it’s not the best option out there if you want something more privacy-focused or with less organizational issues.
The Details: Ultimately owned by the Mozilla Foundation, a non-profit organization, with a for-profit subsidiary, the Mozilla Corporation. Mozilla has spent $420K on lobbying since 2023 on issues related to AI, data privacy and content liability. Mozilla has a clear DEI policy and supports diversity through employee resource groups. One nice thing about the Mozilla Foundation is that they’re one of the few tech organizations I’ve found with FEMALE diversity in their leadership! Their Executive Director is a woman of color, and their COO and 3 out of 4 of their VP positions are held by women including one woman of color.
Mozilla Controversies:
Mozilla partnered with Onerep, a personal data removal service, to offer their service for their Mozilla Monitor Plus. Onerep’s founder also created dozens of people-search companies and continued to operate Nuwber, a data broker, which are dangerous to privacy and directly contradict Onerep’s motto. While Mozilla was made aware of this in March 2024, they continued to work with Onerep until December 2025 when they discontinued the Mozilla Monitor Plus service.
Mozilla updated their privacy policy and terms of use in March 2025 with broad language that seemed to give Mozilla ownership of all information uploaded by users and had modified language about selling personal data, though they revised that policy within days to remove ownership terms and clarify their data practices.
Mozilla settled a lawsuit in January 2025 for $300K because they refused to hire a former Apple engineer, Cher Scarlett, who was pushed out of Apple because she advocated for wage transparency.
Originally co-founded by Brendan Eich, who frankly sucks – see more info under Brave. Eich was forced out of Mozilla in 2014.
Privacy: Mozilla shares data with a number of partners, including Google Marketing, search engines, Accuweather, Yelp and others.
Cost: Free
Available on: Desktop (Mac, Windows, Linux), iOS, Android.
UPDATE 9/2/26: Mullvad is no longer recommended due to their co-founder, co-CEO and co-owner Daniel Berntsson contributing to an anti-immigration party, Örebro, in Sweden. The Örebro Party’s stances include “we don’t want Islamic influence in Sweden” and compelling immigrants to leave the country. Berntsson’s donation was significant – it was the largest single private donation to any political party in Sweden and represented 72% of the party’s income in 2025, likely funding their change from a local party into a national one. Berntsson made these donations as an individual and not through his company Amagicom AB, but if you pay for Mullvad services the money Berntsson makes from your subscription could be used to fund Örebro or similar parties.
Mullvad Browser: Built in conjunction with the Tor Project, the Mullvad Browser has similar protection against fingerprinting, or personally identifiable browser information. The difference is that it doesn’t connect to the internet via the Tor Network. The Mullvad Browser also uses uBlock Origin to block third-party trackers.
The Details: Owned by their parent company Amagicom AB, which is 100% owned by the founders Fredrick Strömberd and Daniel Berntsson and based out of Sweden. Neither Mullvad nor Amagicom AB have a profile on OpenSecrets and do not have a public diversity policy, but their employee headcount is low.
Pros: Uses the same security/framework as the Tor Browser, but because it’s not routing through the Tor Network it may be faster than the Tor Browser itself.
Cons: No app version for iOS or Android.
Privacy: Uses a similar “fingerprint” for all users to avoid personal identification through browser data collection. Does not collect unique user data (telemetry).
Cost: Free
Available on: Desktop (Mac, Windows, Linux)
Brave: More info here.
Safari: Owned by Apple, which I covered before as part of my Spotify Alternatives series for Apple Music.
Proton Pass: Although not supported across all browsers, it’s a good privacy-focused option.
The Details: Created by Proton, more information here.
Privacy: All password data is end-to-end encrypted. Proton Pass only collects your email address for your login.
Features: You can organize your passwords into different “vaults” and share passwords with secure links. If you need to keep work passwords separate from personal passwords, the vaults feature is handy. You can also use Proton Pass to save your address and similar details to easily fill out forms online.
Able to sync across devices: Yes
Cost: Free
Available on: No extension for DuckDuckGo, though you can use their web version. Firefox, Brave, Edge, Safari, Chrome. iOS & Android apps. Desktop: Mac, Windows, Linux.
Bitwarden: Bitwarden has significant venture capital investment including from a private equity firm, so normally I wouldn’t recommend them. However, they were one of the only password managers I found that had an extension for DuckDuckGo, so I included them on the list for that specific use case.
The Details: Bitwarden is held privately and has significant venture capital investment, including $100 million from PSG, a private equity firm. Bitwarden spent $60K on lobbying in 2023 on issues related to password management, security, and GSA-related matters. Bitwarden supports inclusion and has it as one of their 4 key values.
Able to sync across devices: Yes
Cost: Free for basic password management, or get enhanced features for $1.65/month, or $19.80 for the year for personal use, with family plan options for up to 6 users.
Available on: DuckDuckGo, Vivaldi, Tor, Firefox, Edge, Chrome, Safari, Opera. Desktop: Mac, Window
KeePassXC: Non-cloud based password manager option if you want even more security.
The Details: Open-source project created by a group of 4 developers.
Privacy: Since your password data is stored locally, no data is sent to KeepPassXC or third parties.
Able to sync across devices: No, because it’s not cloud-based.
Cost: Free
Available on: Tor, Vivaldi, Brave, Firefox, Chrome, Edge browsers. You can use their Mac, Windows, or Linux desktop version
If you are using a browser like Firefox or Opera, uBlock origin helps protect your privacy.
uBlock Origin: Open-source wide spectrum ad and content blocker, can block ads on YouTube, Twitch, and other video platforms.
The Details: Maintained and developed by Raymond Hill and Nik Rolls. uBlock does not accept donations, though you can volunteer, and does not have a profile on OpenSecrets.
Privacy: uBlock Origin does not collect data of any kind or have any data collection pieces within their code, and has no home server.
Cost: Free
Available for: Firefox, Brave, Edge, Opera. The Chrome version has limited functionality, and there is no supported version for Safari.
That’s all for this round of De-Googling, I hope you found it helpful!
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