Hello everyone,

After years of using Brave on android and desktop I have decided to make the switch to another browser after I found out about partnering with weird games (link) and integrating new and vague AI bots (link) into their browser.

Since I am using GrapheneOS, I have multiple options. Either I use Chromite (which is basically Bromite but not dead :stuck_out_tongue: ), or Vanadium. I already use NextDNS to block ads system-wide and use a VPN. Note that I am aware of Gecko-based browsers such as Mull, but I don't like them on Android. Personal reasons.

Which of these 2 browsers is the best comparing privacy/security for the average user? Which one would you prefer? Please let me know!
Cheers

    mnvut52f

    yeah on desktop i would never even think of using brave, but unfortunately on android it's the best right now. i really don't wanna use it but i am because 1. it has the best adblock on android 2. background video playback 3. stable and constant updates 4. more secure and performant than firefox :(((((

      mnvut52f Hi all, the problem with small navigators like bromite or cromite is that they're only maintained by one or two people, so over time I don't know if it's very good. Brave has a whole team behind it and has proven itself.

      Piracydonut
      On desktop ublock is better.

      On android i feel like brave as a complete package (regarding browser+content blocker)is more optimized. Mozilla doesn't have the resources to optimize firefox so much. It's slowly cathing up but they fired their android engineers to increase the salary of their SJW CEO lol

        • [deleted]

        To address the original question, I can't see an argument for Chromite (when compared against Vanadium).

        If Graphene has earned your trust and Vanadium is a part of the package, concieved by and maintened by GOS team with DM's insights, then I can't see how one could not see it as the best option bar none.

        Especially since it includes other, not insignificant, minutiae, such as self-updated, always current, trusted code (none of these 'should I get it from FD or GH or PS or Aurora', no having to consider updating mechanisms, signature trustworthiness, tracking, etc.).

        Needless to add, Vanadium is my primary browser.

        Other than Vanadium and Brave, the only other browser I'd recommend is Mulch. It has many or the Vanadium's patches and gets timely updates.

        You may want to use both Vanadium and Mulch, actually, one for logged accounts and PWAs, and the other one for general browsing.

        I have been a big fan on Android of Brave primarily b/c it is so fast. Yeah, their crypto ad revenue and other mentioned things concerned me compared to non-revenue based interfaces like GOS and I think Vanadium. Since moving to GOS I have been fine with Vanadium. Good speed. Gets the job done. Do wonder about DDG as default search engine. Has that been discussed?

        Its a great question and one I have as well. I prefer using cromite because I like to always be in incognito mode without my browsing history saved. Vanadium requires me to clear this manually while cromite doesnt save it if used this way.

          • [deleted]

          • Edited

          panopticon
          I'm nearly always in an incognito mode in Vanadium.

          An elegant solution that makes it easier to achieve it, is to use a widget. One of four widgets offered has a direct incognito button. With a single click, you get a tab that saves no history.

          That, and the fact "add to a home screen' items likewise are configured to open via an incognito tab, is why I can't remember last time I had to access Vanadium via its app button. (Nor do i remember when I had to empty its history.)

            6 months later

            [deleted] Nova Launcher users can add a 1x1 custom shortcut to Vanadium in incognito mode to the home screen. Don't think this is possible in the stock launcher though I haven't tried.

            Edit: This can be done in the stock launcher as well. Long-press the vanadium app, long press the "launch incognito tab" in the pop-up and drag it to the home screen. Now you have a 1x1 shortcut to Vanadium in incognito mode.

            Brave has been pinging gstatic, Amazon, eBay, ESPN and a bunch more concerning connections upon opening the app. You can check this your self with a custom DNS like Next DNS and observing the logs. Even if you turn off and delete top sites in brave, it will continue to occasionally make connections to these service when you first open the app. I am using Cromite and Vanadium. I am hoping Vanadium will add some additional anti fingerprinting measures soon. I would like to drop Cromite, but Cromite works better in some ways.

              Both.
              Vanadium for important things whose logins I don't want leaked and who not spew filth at me like ads.

              Cromite for opening random sites that are not terribly important because it has an ok-ish adblocker.

              Use a thing that catches intents to open links as default browser, so you always see the URL and can choose which browser opens it.

              I don't trust Brave. From analyzing their incentives I do not believe they will be longterm invested in user choice or not fucking trust up.

              Fingerprinting is a lost cause. Any of the big browsers in comfy config will be fingerprintable. If you really mean it use Torbrowser in most restrictive mode.

                [deleted]

                Here is a screenshot of the logs.
                https://wormhole.app/LAkp9#TWLG8TZb9AiB81DAS4euQQ

                I have no bookmarks. Have top sites removed and these logs still show. It's an issue that my IP address is being sent to websites such as Instagram for just opening the brave browser with all history and cookies cleared. I would like to drop cromite for brave and would like to drop brave for only Vanadium but each have their issues.

                  I am using Next DNS through the browser settings. I have noticed when using Next DNS through network system settings less logs are shown I'm not sure why.