Brave Search
Privacy-focused search engine with an independent index and AI-powered answers.
Open the official app on search.brave.com
This tool is hosted by its maintainers. Click below to open search.brave.com in a new tab — it's their official demo.
Browse developer tools →What's next with Brave Search?
Choose how you want to get started.
Use it free
Open the official tool or demo — no account needed.
Self-host it
Run the open-source version on your own infrastructure.
What is Brave Search?
Brave Search is a privacy-focused search tool integrated into the Brave web browser, designed to deliver better results, AI-generated answers, and zero user profiling. It addresses the issue of intrusive online ads, tracking, and data collection by prioritizing user privacy and performance. Brave Search is primarily used by individuals and organizations seeking ad-free browsing, enhanced security, and streamlined web navigation. Its core value lies in eliminating third-party ads, blocking trackers, and providing a faster, more secure browsing experience without compromising access to information. The tool is particularly appealing to users who prioritize control over their data and want to avoid the clutter of traditional search engines' monetization strategies.
How it works
Brave Search is a feature within the Brave web browser that reimagines how users interact with search results by integrating privacy protections and performance optimizations. It replaces traditional search engine results pages with a cleaner interface that emphasizes speed and simplicity. The tool's primary purpose is to enhance user experience by blocking ads, trackers, and malicious scripts while delivering accurate, AI-driven answers. It aligns with Brave's broader mission to create a 'user-first' web environment by reducing reliance on corporate data collection practices. Brave Search blocks third-party ads, video ads, and social media tracking scripts across all websites. It also prevents pop-up cookie consent prompts, streamlining navigation. The AI-powered search function provides direct answers to queries without requiring users to click through multiple links.
How to use it
- 1Download Brave Browser from the Google Play Store or App Store. 2. Install the browser and open it. 3. Navigate to the search bar and enter a query. 4. Use the 'Private Search' option to activate privacy protections for the session. 5. Import settings from Chrome during installation for a transition. Practical tips: Enable the ad-blocker in settings to automatically suppress ads. Use the 'Rewards' tab to support content creators while maintaining privacy. For mobile users, leverage the 'Large-screen view' option for better readability.
What it can do
- private search engine
Use cases
Assumptions and limitations
Assumptions
- source: https://search.brave.com/
- license: Proprietary — free to use
- privacy: Opens an external demo
Limitations
- Limited customization options for ad-blocking rules compared to dedicated privacy tools
- Proprietary nature restricts open-source transparency and community-driven development
- AI answer feature may lack depth for highly technical or niche queries
- Mobile app may have fewer advanced settings than desktop counterparts
- Search results may occasionally include non-essential ads if website owners bypass Brave's protections
Understanding the result
Privacy-focused search engine with an independent index and AI-powered answers.
Tool details
- Clearly flagged when a network request is needed.
- No account, no sign-up, and no tracking of your content.
- Powered by (MIT).
- Built with
- (https://search.brave.com/)
- License
- MIT
- Runs locally
- No — requires a network request
- Verification
- Not yet verified
- Input
- Query
- Output
- Text
Built with https://search.brave.com/. OpenToolVault provides the discovery and browser interface while crediting the original project maintainers.
- Built with
- License
- MIT
Open-source project
OpenToolVault is an independent directory. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by this project.
References
- / — GitHub Repository
Upstream project · GitHub
- Proprietary License
Upstream project
Frequently asked
How does Brave Search differ from traditional search engines?
Brave Search integrates ad-blocking and privacy protections directly into the search process, whereas traditional engines rely on third-party tools for similar functions. It also emphasizes AI-generated answers, reducing the need for users to navigate multiple links. Unlike competitors, Brave Search is part of a broader browser ecosystem that blocks ads system-wide, not just during searches.
How does Brave Search handle user data?
Brave Search does not collect or profile user data, adhering to its 'zero profiling' policy. Search queries are not stored or shared with third parties. However, the tool does use anonymized data to improve search algorithms, ensuring privacy while maintaining functionality. Users can enable or disable data sharing through the browser's settings.
How do I enable private search in Brave?
Open Brave Browser and click the three-dot menu. Select 'Settings' > 'Privacy and Security' > 'Search Settings'. Toggle the 'Private Search' option. Alternatively, use the 'New Private Window' feature to start a session without tracking or history. This ensures searches are not logged or associated with your account.
How does Brave Search compare to DuckDuckGo or Bing?
Brave Search combines ad-blocking with search functionality, while DuckDuckGo focuses solely on privacy-driven search without integrated browser protections. Bing offers similar ad-blocking features through its own browser extensions but lacks Brave's comprehensive privacy suite. Brave's advantage lies in its unified approach to privacy across all browsing activities, not just search.
What should I do if Brave Search isn't blocking ads?
First, ensure the ad-blocker is enabled in Brave's settings under 'Privacy and Security'. Check that you're using the latest browser version, as older versions may have outdated protection rules. If ads persist, they may be from websites that bypass Brave's protections. Use the 'Block All Ads' option in the ad-blocker settings for maximum coverage.