Brave is a full-featured web browser with built-in privacy protections and cryptocurrency rewards, while DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused search engine that can be used across any browser. Brave offers comprehensive browsing privacy; DuckDuckGo specializes in anonymous search results.
Brave Browser vs DuckDuckGo — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Privacy-first Chromium browser with built-in ad blocking and BAT token rewards.
Privacy-focused search engine that doesn't track or profile users
Primary Function. Built-in Ad Blocking. Search Query Tracking. Cryptocurrency Rewards. Cross-Browser Compatibility. Market Share. HTTPS Everywhere
Choose Brave if you want complete browsing privacy with ad blocking, tracker blocking, and potential earnings through BAT rewards—it's ideal for users who want an all-in-one private browsing experience. Choose DuckDuckGo if you want a privacy-respecting search engine that works seamlessly across your existing browser setup and prefer simplicity and universal compatibility over a full browser switch.
Brave Browser: 101 million | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Yes (Brave Shields) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Limited | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Chromium-based | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Yes (BAT token rewards) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Yes (native Shields) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Chromium 147.0.7727.102 | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: 6 platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Raspberry Pi) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Good (Chromium overhead) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Third-party trackers, fingerprinting, scripts | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: v1.89.137 (Apr 2026) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Yes (Chromium 147) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: 100+ million users | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Yes, enabled by default | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Yes, built-in | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Brave Leo (free, integrated) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Brave browser required; Brave Search available elsewhere | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: ~180-220 MB | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: ~950 ms | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Ad blocker, tracker blocking, HTTPS enforcement, fingerprint protection (4) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Basic theme and extension settings | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: 2026 (v1.89.137, April 2026) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Standard tab restoration on restart | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Minimal - works effectively out of box | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: 2.1s (with blocking) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: None; privacy-first | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Yes (built-in) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Partial (manual workarounds) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: ~200 MB | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Tab grouping, standard organization | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: No (extensions required) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Yes (Brave Wallet + BAT rewards) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: 2016 (stable, mature) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: +27% (faster) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: 100% (default Shields) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: 5 (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Leo AI (optional paid) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: BAT token (Brave Rewards program) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Standard tabs (extension support) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: 78 points | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: 180,000+ (Chrome Store) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: 50+ million | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: None (data not shared with advertisers) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Strong fingerprint blocking + tracker blocking | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: 1.5% | DuckDuckGo: N/A (not a browser)
Brave Browser: N/A (not a search engine) | DuckDuckGo: 2.8%
Brave Browser: Blocks ~95% of tracking requests | DuckDuckGo: Protects search queries only, 0% website tracking blocked
Brave Browser: Brave browser only (1 browser) | DuckDuckGo: All major browsers (6+ browsers supported)
Brave Browser: N/A (not a search engine) | DuckDuckGo: 500+ million pages (smaller than Google's 100+ billion)
Brave Browser: 0.5 to 5 USD per month (depends on ad views) | DuckDuckGo: No earnings (0)
Brave Browser: ~95 MB (full browser) | DuckDuckGo: No installation required (extension or bookmark)
Brave Browser: Zero browsing data collection | DuckDuckGo: Zero search data collection
Brave Browser: 60+ million | DuckDuckGo: 100 million
Brave Browser: None (third-party only) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Maximum (no telemetry, blocking enabled) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: $0 (optional Brave Search premium: $10/month) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: ~280 MB (idle) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Stable/Production (since 2016) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: 4.2 hours | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: 5 platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Yes, BAT token rewards | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: Shields default (blocks trackers) | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: ~13,000 Chrome extensions supported | DuckDuckGo: N/A
Brave Browser: N/A | DuckDuckGo: None (zero data retention)
Brave Browser: N/A | DuckDuckGo: 0 proprietary models
Brave Browser: N/A | DuckDuckGo: 10,000+
Brave Browser: N/A | DuckDuckGo: Limited third-party
Brave Browser: N/A | DuckDuckGo: Non-personalized affiliate commissions
Brave Browser: N/A | DuckDuckGo: $0.50-$1.50
Brave Browser: N/A | DuckDuckGo: Limited instant answers only
Brave Browser: N/A | DuckDuckGo: No data sharing
Brave Browser: N/A | DuckDuckGo: Estimated 50+ billion (not disclosed)
How to choose between Brave Browser and DuckDuckGo
Brave Browser vs DuckDuckGo — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Brave Browser vs DuckDuckGo. Contains 96 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Brave Browser vs DuckDuckGo — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Brave Browser vs DuckDuckGo.
Can I use DuckDuckGo as my search engine in Brave?
Yes, absolutely. Brave allows you to set DuckDuckGo as your default search engine. This combination provides maximum privacy—Brave blocks trackers and ads while browsing, and DuckDuckGo ensures your searches aren't tracked or logged. This is recommended for users seeking comprehensive privacy protection.
Does Brave Browser have a search engine?
No, Brave is a web browser only. It doesn't have its own search engine. When you search in the Brave address bar, it defaults to a search engine of your choice (DuckDuckGo, Google, Bing, etc.). Most Brave users pair it with DuckDuckGo for maximum privacy.
How much money can I actually make with Brave's BAT rewards?
Brave users typically earn $0.50 to $5 USD per month depending on ad engagement and location. Some power users report $10+ monthly. Earnings are paid in BAT cryptocurrency, which fluctuates in value. It's not a significant income source but adds minor value for privacy-conscious users already using the browser.
Is DuckDuckGo as good as Google for search results?
DuckDuckGo's search results are generally comparable to Google for most queries, though it has a smaller index (500+ million pages vs Google's 100+ billion). For niche topics or highly specific searches, Google often provides more relevant results. DuckDuckGo excels for privacy and simplicity, while Google wins on comprehensiveness.
Which is better for privacy—Brave or DuckDuckGo?
They serve different functions: Brave protects all your browsing activity (blocks trackers, ads, fingerprinting), while DuckDuckGo protects your searches specifically. For maximum privacy, use both together. If you can only choose one, Brave offers broader protection; DuckDuckGo offers simplicity without switching browsers.
How to Choose Between Brave Browser and DuckDuckGo
Primary Function: Brave Browser has Full web browser, while DuckDuckGo has Search engine only.
Built-in Ad Blocking: Brave Browser has Yes, blocks 3rd-party ads and trackers by default, while DuckDuckGo has No, search engine cannot block website ads.
Search Query Tracking: Brave Browser has Does not store user searches, while DuckDuckGo has Does not store user searches.
Cryptocurrency Rewards: Brave Browser has Yes, earns BAT tokens for viewing optional ads, while DuckDuckGo has No rewards program.
Cross-Browser Compatibility: Brave Browser has Only on Brave browser, while DuckDuckGo has Works with all browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.).
Market Share: Brave Browser has 1.5% browser market share (as of 2026), while DuckDuckGo has 2.8% search engine market share (as of 2026).
HTTPS Everywhere: Brave Browser has Built-in HTTPS Everywhere upgrades connections, while DuckDuckGo has Not applicable (search engine only).