Video summary

Web Browser Tier List (For Privacy)

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Technology

Tech/Privacy-Based Browser Tier List (Key Concepts + Features)

The video ranks web browsers primarily by privacy and security, arguing these are tightly linked (e.g., ad blocking reduces tracking and can also reduce exposure to malicious ads).

The host uses multiple tiers, including “S tier,” “A tier,” “B tier,” “not great,” and a “niche” category for special cases.

Brave (Chromium-based) — A tier / “not great”

  • Emphasizes that Brave’s controversial crypto/VPN/wallet/rewards features are optional and can be disabled in settings (including analytics collection).
  • Has a Tor-in-Brave option, but the host says it’s not as private/secure as using the standalone Tor Browser, especially for onion sites.
  • Main criticism: it’s Chromium-based, implying more Google ecosystem influence/control.

Google Chrome — “big absolute turd” (very low)

  • Praises speed/functionality, but highlights major privacy/security concerns:
    • Google revenue depends on advertising → concerns about user data/analytics.
    • Malvertising risk: claims Google ads have been used to spread malware.
    • Advertising control via Manifest V3 rollout (timeline mentioned around June 2024) is expected to restrict ad blockers like uBlock Origin.
    • Claims Google has discussed blocking ad blockers outright.
    • WEI / Web Environment Integrity is described as invasive “DRM/trusted computing” that could restrict access and effectively force Chrome.

Microsoft Edge — S tier in a niche use case

  • Security focus: Defender Application Guard (requires Windows Pro + Hyper-V).
  • Opens sites inside a Hyper-V container, aiming for stronger isolation against malware.
  • Can also enable Enhanced Security Mode (e.g., hardware-enforced protections like stack protection), with the caveat it may break websites.
  • Notes UBlock Origin can be used alongside this setup.
  • Mentions Edge availability on Linux, but the host does not recommend it there.
  • Privacy caveat: Chromium-based, and the host dislikes associated Microsoft/advertising data concerns.

Vivaldi — A tier

  • Good overall privacy posture, includes built-in ad blocking, and is described as compliant with EU privacy laws (host believes the company is Norway-based).
  • Main drawback (prevents S-tier): Chromium-based.

PaleMoon — Not recommended

  • Described as lightweight, customizable, and privacy-focused, with ad-blocking support (notes need for something like uBlock Legacy).
  • Positives:
    • Some privacy focus and add-ons like “Pale Fill” to address site rendering problems.
  • Concerns:
    • Fingerprinting risk mentioned due to a small user base.
    • More than technology is discussed: includes a dispute involving OpenBSD packaging and official branding/IP/trademark enforcement.
    • The dispute is framed as hostile toward volunteers, leading the host to conclude it affects the recommendation.

Chromium / “un-Google Chromium” — B tier

  • Generally “pretty good,” but:
    • Un-Google Chromium may be slower to get security updates.
    • Uses the WebP vulnerability example (image format) to argue that fast patching matters for serious zero-days.
  • Chrome-equivalents: privacy issues tied to Google are considered more “average” than Chrome’s described harms around DRM/ad-blocking.

Tor — Niche category (excellent, but not everyday)

  • Strong endorsement of Tor/onion routing as an excellent privacy/security protocol.
  • Operational guidance to reduce fingerprinting:
    • Don’t change default settings (example: avoid disabling NoScript).
    • Keep Tor’s default window size; resizing may increase fingerprint uniqueness.
  • Practical limitations:
    • Speed is reduced, even with fast internet.
    • Not recommended for sensitive logins like banks or possibly major platforms due to fraud detection and risk of breaking flows.
  • Tier choice: niche, not S-tier, because it’s excellent but not for everything.

LibreWolf (Hardened Firefox Fork) — S tier

  • Presented as “hardened Firefox out of the box.”
  • Highlighted defaults:
    • Telemetry minimized/disabled compared to standard Firefox.
    • HTTPS-only mode enforced broadly (host criticizes Firefox for only applying it to private windows).
    • Tracking protection and cookie behavior (deletes cookies/site data on close).
    • UBlock Origin preinstalled.
    • Resist fingerprinting protections (with caveat: may rarely break websites).
  • Update behavior: may require manual updates unless configured.
  • Host states it’s among their favorites.

Firefox — Baseline B, Hardened Setup S

  • Claims Firefox still collects telemetry by default → requires manual disabling.
  • Recommends:
    • Add UBlock Origin
    • Disable distractions (shortcuts/recommended Pocket content)
  • Security suggestions:
    • Consider disabling WebRTC to prevent potential real-IP leaks (example context: video conferencing tools using WebRTC such as Jitsi/Zoom/Teams).
  • HTTPS-only mode note:
    • Host says Firefox does not have HTTPS-only fully enabled by default and calls it “ridiculous,” but easy to work around.
  • Ad-blocking discussion:
    • Mentions Firefox moving to Manifest V3, while keeping parts of Manifest V2 for ad-blocker compatibility and updates.
  • Tiering:
    • Out-of-the-box: B
    • With hardening (telemetry off, UBlock Origin, tracking protections): S

Mulvad Browser — S+ (Top Pick)

  • Described as built on Tor Browser, which is built on Firefox.
  • Key protections/features:
    • Resist fingerprinting and anti-fingerprinting UI like letterboxing (defense against canvas fingerprinting).
    • Auto-clears everything on close.
    • Notes NoScript + UBlock Origin can be left enabled.
  • DNS feature:
    • Discusses issues when encrypted DNS is already enabled elsewhere (router/OS), which can cause loading/hanging until disabled in the browser.
    • If not already set system-wide, encrypted DNS is praised for malware filtering (host references a prior video).
  • Captcha/compatibility caveat:
    • May get stuck in infinite loops with some CAPTCHAs; workaround: use another browser (e.g., Brave).

Safari — A tier

  • Good for iOS/iPadOS use and acceptable for macOS.
  • Highlights Private Relay / “private access tokens”:
    • Framed as multi-hop-like privacy in spirit to Tor/multi-hop VPN, with emphasis on trust in Apple infrastructure.
  • “Always Private Browsing” clears data on close.
  • Ad blocking limitation:
    • UBlock Origin not available on Safari; host suggests AdGuard instead.
  • Not S-tier.

Waterfox — B tier

  • Privacy-focused, telemetry disabled, lightweight fork of Firefox.
  • Main issues:
    • Slow update cadence (security risk because timely patches matter).
    • Small user base → potentially more unique fingerprinting.
    • Recommends avoiding Waterfox Classic Edition due to unpatched vulnerabilities.

Opera — Hard “No”

  • Claims built-in ad blocker is a positive.
  • Overall rejection is due to company/CEO ties (compared to “TikTok”-like concerns).
  • Doesn’t focus on technical privacy/security mechanisms beyond that.

Main Speakers / Sources

  • Main speaker: The video’s host (no name given in the subtitle text). The speaker references “my previous videos” and the Privacy Guides community, but the transcript excerpt does not identify them.
  • External sources mentioned:
    • Tor Project documentation
    • Privacy Guides community
    • OpenBSD/GitHub threads related to PaleMoon branding/IP and packaging.

Original video