# Brave Browser & Search Engine vs Private Web Browser

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Brave Browser & Search Engine at 655K against Private Web Browser's 332. Brave Browser & Search Engine also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and chart position (#17 vs unranked). Private Web Browser's advantage is review sentiment (85% vs 73%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Brave Browser & Search Engine sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Private Web Browser sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Brave Browser & Search Engine holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Brave Browser & Search Engine has 655K ratings behind it against 332, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of Brave Browser & Search Engine's written reviews are positive against 85% of Private Web Browser's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Brave Browser & Search Engine | Private Web Browser |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (655K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brave-browser-and-search-engine/id1052879175/reviews)** | [4.5 (332 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-web-browser-orin/id1237872910/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **655K** | 332 |
| Positive reviews | 73.3% of reviews | **84.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#17** | — |
| Size | 361 MB | 143 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Brave Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/1052874328) | [OCTALCODE](https://appshunter.io/developer/1599675065) |

## What reviewers say

### Brave Browser & Search Engine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brave-browser-and-search-engine/id1052879175)

**Currently charting:** #17 Top Free · Utilities, #122 Top Grossing · Utilities (US App Store)

A fast, private web browser with built-in ad blocking and a VPN. It offers an AI assistant, a crypto wallet, and a privacy-focused search engine. Enjoy offline media playback and enhanced security features.

**Highlights:** Built-in Adblock and Pop-up Blocker, Firewall + VPN, AI Assistant (Brave Leo), Secure Crypto Wallet (Brave Wallet), Privacy-Focused Search Engine (Brave Search), Offline Media Playback (Brave Playlist), Voice Search

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Firewall + VPN | $9.99 | per month |
| Brave Leo AI (monthly) | $14.99 | per month |
| Annual Firewall + VPN | $99.99 | per year |
| Brave Leo AI (annual) | $149.99 | per year |
| Brave Origin | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient browsing
- 🔒 Strong privacy and security features
- 👍 Customizable settings and options
- 💰 Earning potential with Brave Rewards

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🔋 Battery drain issues
- 🤔 Confusing or unintuitive UI changes
- 🚫 Lack of full sync capabilities across devices

**Reported bugs**

- Disappearing tabs and lost browsing data
- Compatibility issues with certain websites
- Problems with the Brave Playlist feature

**Requested features**

- Ability to clear browsing history and data in bulk
- More customization options for the home screen and UI
- Improved integration with other apps and services
- Expanded Brave Rewards program and payouts


### Private Web Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-web-browser-orin/id1237872910)

This app provides a secure and anonymous browsing experience by routing your internet connection through the Tor network. It protects your identity, hides your IP address, and prevents tracking and data logging for enhanced online privacy.

**Highlights:** Anonymous browsing, Private internet access, Encrypted traffic, Hidden IP address, No data logging, Secure browsing

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly Promo | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Brave Browser & Search Engine free?

Brave Browser & Search Engine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Private Web Browser free?

Private Web Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Brave Browser & Search Engine or Private Web Browser?

Brave Browser & Search Engine is rated higher. Brave Browser & Search Engine averages 4.8 out of 5 from 655K ratings, while Private Web Browser averages 4.5 from 332 ratings.

### Do Brave Browser & Search Engine or Private Web Browser have ads?

Neither Brave Browser & Search Engine nor Private Web Browser shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Brave Browser & Search Engine or Private Web Browser?

Brave Browser & Search Engine ships an update every 3 weeks, and Private Web Browser every 3 weeks. Most recently, Brave Browser & Search Engine was updated on September 25, 2026 and Private Web Browser on September 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*