Brave Search
Free privacy search on an independent index
Overview
Brave Search runs on Brave Software’s own web index—not Google or Bing APIs—built after acquiring Tailcat.
Goggles apply user-defined rules to filter and rerank results. The Discussions tab surfaces Reddit and forum voices next to standard results.
Integration with Brave Browser is strong, but Web and extensions work in other browsers too. A credible free, independent search option for de-Googling.
Scores
Google Search — comparison
No personalized ads or search-history profiles. Index coverage can lag Google, but data sovereignty and privacy are much stronger. Goggles is a unique feature Google lacks.
Pros
- ✓ Free with an independent index
- ✓ No dependency on Google/Bing APIs
- ✓ Goggles for result customization
- ✓ Tight Brave Browser integration
- ✓ Discussions tab for broader perspectives
Cons & caveats
- − Index size is smaller than Google’s
- − Japanese local search accuracy varies
- − Core is open source but operated by Brave
Best for
- Users who want a free independent index
- Brave Browser users
- People who want forum discussions in results
Not ideal for
- Users who need top-tier Japanese/local search
- Open-source-only purists
- People avoiding Brave’s broader business model
Specs
- Pricing
- Free — Search is free. Brave Search API has paid developer tiers. Built-in Brave Browser search costs nothing extra.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Data location
- United States (Brave Software, Inc.). IPs and identifiers are not linked to queries; only anonymized aggregate data is used.
- Platforms
- Web · Android · iOS · Browser extension
Migration from Google Search
- 1 Try everyday queries at search.brave.com
- 2 Brave Browser users: Settings → Search engine → Brave Search
- 3 Other browsers: add via extension or custom search engine
- 4 Create Goggles rules to prioritize trusted sources
Setup steps
- 1 Visit https://search.brave.com/ and test searches
- 2 Brave Browser: Settings → Search engine → Brave Search
- 3 Firefox/Chrome: add Brave Search as a custom search engine
- 4 Explore and create Goggles at discover.brave.com/goggles
Related on Amazon
Books and devices that may help your migration. Verify specs and price before buying.
- Books
Permanent Record — Edward Snowden
Essential reading on surveillance and personal privacy—the “why” behind de-Googling.
View on Amazon ↗