Choosing a web browser is no easy feat. Almost every browser offers a unique feature that makes you think twice about your default browser choice.

And, this becomes more difficult when choosing between two popular browsers such as Microsoft Edge and Brave.

Here, we shall look at some key differences between the two browsers to help you pick your default browser for security, speed, and a good user experience.

User Interface

brave edge ui

Both Microsoft Edge and Brave provide a customized user experience while being built on Chromium.

Microsoft’s Edge comes baked in with various functionalities (primarily geared for the Windows operating system), which is why the user interface may look busy. Overall, the user experience with Edge is pretty spot on.

Brave aims to offer a clean user interface when compared to Edge. It may present a close resemblance with Google Chrome, but you should still get a fresh perspective.

So, it depends on your preferences. If you want a clean user interface, Brave gets the edge. If you want a more functional (or unique) user experience, Microsoft Edge can be a good pick.

For the most part, you get a similar level of customization options. However, Edge provides multiple default theme choices that you can easily apply to the browser.

With Brave, you will have to rely on themes available on the Chrome Web Store.

Microsoft Edge vs. Brave: Security Features

microsoft edge security

Primarily, Brave is popular for its privacy and security-focused features. However, Mircosoft Edge has been adding many improvements to enhance both of these aspects.

Microsoft Edge lets you block trackers and enable special browsing protection to check for untrusted and malicious websites. While the anti-tracking feature may not be as good as Brave, you get a few more features in Microsoft Edge.

For instance, Edge integrates well with Windows security features and also offers the ability to use a secure DNS service. Additionally, you can block the download of unwanted applications and enable typosquatting checks.

When it comes to Brave, it provides solid features to block trackers and enhance your online privacy.

Brave's anti-tracking feature is more aggressive than Microsoft Edge. So, if you want better blocking features for privacy, Brave gets the point here.

brave security

Brave further offers advanced settings like the ability to toggle a WebRTC IP handling policy, enabling and disabling Google push messaging service, and a safety check option. In fact, Brave is also known for introducing some industry-leading security-focused features for a browser.

If that was not enough, you also get the ability to establish a Tor connection right through Brave to browse the web anonymously. Note that you will need to use the Tor browser for a completely private web experience.

IPFS Support

One may not commonly use it, but IPFS is a decentralized protocol that helps circumvent censorship. You can easily share files privately using the IPFS protocol without worrying about any restrictions, and the Brave browser offers in-built support for it. This is one of the reasons why Brave is becoming so popular with many online users.

Even though you can use the IPFS companion Chrome extension to enable support in Microsoft Edge, it does not feature default support.

Sync Support

Microsoft Edge lets you sign in using your Microsoft account or any work or school-assigned account to sync all your settings and browsing data.

When it comes to Brave, it does not offer cloud-based sync that can be associated with an account. Instead, it tries to keep things secure by allowing you to only sync using a Sync Code from another device. In other words, you cannot sync the browser on any other platform unless you have access to one of your systems already running Brave.

brave sync

This can be inconvenient for some, but it is potentially a secure way to sync your data.

So, if you need the cloud-based sync feature for ease of use and do not have an issue associating the browsing data with a Microsoft account, Edge should be the recommendation.

Choosing Brave as the preferred web browser should not be an issue if you can manage the slight inconvenience with Brave’s sync feature and prioritize privacy.

Performance on Microsoft Edge and Brave

Brave keeps its animation and the user interface minimal, resulting in a snappy experience.

Brave should be a fantastic choice if you want a fast browsing experience with efficient resource usage. Comparatively, Microsoft Edge also offers a great experience.

Of course, it isn't easy to notice the performance difference practically, but it is safe to say that both browsers have been optimized for the best performance.

microsoft edge

However, Edge goes the extra mile to provide options that let you tweak the browser's performance with an efficiency mode (to consume fewer resources) and sleeping tabs (to hibernate tabs if they are inactive).

Related: How to Use Efficiency Mode in Microsoft Edge

Cross-Platform Support

If you are picking a default browser, it is always good to check if it is available across all the platforms you use.

In this case, you can find both the browsers available for Windows, macOS (Intel and ARM), and Linux. They also support Android and iOS mobile devices.

Extra Features

If you are using Windows as your primary operating system and have a Microsoft account, Microsoft Edge can be a convenient option,

For instance, you may find it handy to access the Family Safety feature, which lets you keep an eye on your kids' browsing activities and prevent them from accessing harmful websites.

Brave, on the other hand, does not offer any such feature. You can find a crypto wallet and some other exciting options with Brave. It is not for everyone, but it is worth exploring if you find it helpful.

Microsoft Edge vs. Brave: Which Is the Best Choice for You?

It makes sense to choose Microsoft Edge as the default browser if you are using Windows as your primary platform. Considering you get plenty of extra features and a good user experience, Edge should be a satisfactory choice.

If you prefer a clean and straightforward user experience with features geared towards privacy, Brave can be a good pick.

Both the browsers have been adding more features to secure your web browsing experience. If you are still unsure, you should try both of them to get a conclusion for yourself.