5 internet browsers to try if you think Google Chrome tracks you

Worried about who’s tracking your online moves? Check out these top five browsers if you want to browse privately and keep your personal data safe.

As tech companies continue to expand their reach into users’ browsing habits and digital behaviour, online privacy remains a growing concern in 2025. From tracking cookies to IP addresses, user data has become a valuable resource for major platforms. However, a few browsers now offer ways to surf the internet without being constantly monitored. Here’s a look at some of the top privacy-friendly browsers available today.

Brave

Here’s how these browsers from Brave, Tor, to DuckDuckGo help you browse with privacy. (Pexels)

By MD Ijaj Khan

Ijaj Khan is a technology journalist and Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience covering the consumer technology industry. His work spans smartphones, laptops, wearables, gaming, appliances and AI - from hands-on reviews, comparison and buying guides to breaking news and in-depth features that help readers cut through the noise and make informed decisions. Before joining HT Tech, he worked with Jagran New Media, where he sharpened his instincts for fast-paced digital reporting. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. Whether he's testing the latest flagship smartphone, tracking a major AI announcement, or putting a gaming laptop through its paces, Ijaj approaches every story with the same goal - making technology feel relevant and easy to understand for everyday users, not just enthusiasts. When he's not in front of a screen for work, he's usually travelling to a new city, hunting for great food, or keeping tabs on what's next in tech before everyone else catches on.

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Brave offers a balance between privacy and convenience. It is built on Chromium, the same foundation as Google Chrome, but it blocks ads and trackers by default. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Cover Your Tracks tool, Brave offers strong protection against web tracking. The browser also integrates private messaging, news, video calling, and its own search feature designed to safeguard data. Users can enable or disable the crypto rewards system and can subscribe to a VPN service for added privacy.

DuckDuckGo Browser

DuckDuckGo, widely known for its privacy-first search engine, has expanded into web browsing on both desktop and mobile. Its browser, based on Chromium, suggests minimal data collection and automatically manages cookie consent. It includes Duck Player, a tool that lets users watch YouTube videos without ads or tracking. The DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials extension further enhances protection by blocking third-party trackers and ensuring secure HTTPS connections whenever possible.

Firefox

Tor Browser

Lastly, the Tor browser remains a top choice for those who prioritise complete anonymity. It routes internet traffic through several encrypted layers, which makes it difficult for anyone to trace a user’s activity. Though often associated with the dark web, Tor’s main purpose is to preserve privacy by concealing user identity and location. Its multi-layer encryption, however, can slow browsing speeds and affect website functionality.