# Brave search - Private Search Engine

> Private, independent search for everything you do online. No profiling, no bias, no Big Tech. Now with a powerful Answer Engine, easy options to customize results ranking, and more.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/brave-search](https://chrome-stats.com/d/brave-search)

## Overview

- **ID:** `brave-search`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Brave Software
- **Category:** feeds-news-blogging,privacy-security,search-tools
- **Daily users:** 16,185
- **Weekly downloads:** 293
- **Rating:** 4.21 / 5 (67 ratings)
- **Version:** 1.3.0
- **Last updated:** 2024-04-30
- **First published:** 2021-07-04
- **Size:** 10 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-07
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/brave-search/)
- **Website:** [https://github.com/brave/brave-search-extension](https://github.com/brave/brave-search-extension)

## Description

Brave Search extension allows users to seamlessly integrate Brave Search into their browser as a default search engine. Enjoy enhanced privacy with ad-free, unbiased search results powered by Brave's independent indexing technology. This lightweight extension ensures a faster, safer online search experience without compromising your data security. Ideal for users seeking an alternative to mainstream search engines that respects user privacy and delivers relevant results.

## Rankings

- #585 — Overall
- #32 — Feeds, News & Blogging
- #62 — Search Tools
- #138 — Privacy & Security
- #7 — engine
- #10 — search box

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** Low risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** Low risk likelihood

### Analysis details

- Can change search providers, which could redirect searches to malicious sites, posing moderate risk.
- This extension has medium user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.

> Some risk analysis details are omitted from this free response. [Upgrade to view the full analysis](https://chrome-stats.com/pricing).

## Review summary

Users say the add-on does let you reach Brave Search and is simple to use, but several reviewers report it won’t save quick settings and call it unnecessary because Brave’s site provides a built-in way to set the default search. Some also note stability or slow-loading issues.

### Pros

- Provides a direct way to reach Brave Search (users report it does the job)
- Simple/straightforward to use for accessing Brave Search
- Some users were able to use it to set Brave Search quickly (i.e., serves its basic purpose)

### Cons

- Does not retain or permanently save quick settings (settings reset each time)
- Considered unnecessary or redundant — Brave’s own site/tutorial can set Brave Search as default without the extension
- Stability/usability issues reported (e.g., slow to load or odd behavior when opening the search)

## Similar extensions and apps

- [Brave Search (official) - Private Search Engine](https://chrome-stats.com/d/bravesearch) — 3,363 users, 4.27 / 5
- [Power Search: Uncensored & Private Search Engine](https://chrome-stats.com/d/powersearch-for-firefox) — 23 users, 4.50 / 5
- [SeekIt](https://chrome-stats.com/d/seekit) — 15 users
- [Brave Search Engine](https://chrome-stats.com/d/brave-search-engine) — 71 users
- [Startpage](https://chrome-stats.com/d/startpage-private-search) — 200,676 users, 4.36 / 5
- [AstianGO Private Search](https://chrome-stats.com/d/astiango-search) — 6 users, 1.00 / 5
- [Privoogle — Private Search Engine](https://chrome-stats.com/d/privoogle-private-search) — 2 users, 3.00 / 5
- [Privado Private Search](https://chrome-stats.com/d/privado-private-search) — 29 users, 2.57 / 5
- [Brave Search (unofficial)](https://chrome-stats.com/d/brave-search-extension) — 17 users, 5.00 / 5
- [Ghostery Private Search for Firefox](https://chrome-stats.com/d/ghostery-glow-for-firefox) — 1,030 users, 4.21 / 5
- [Ghostery Private Search for Firefox](https://chrome-stats.com/d/ghostery-private-search) — 1,418 users, 4.10 / 5
- [Brave Search Engine and Keyword](https://chrome-stats.com/d/brave-search-engine-keyword) — 1 users

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/brave-search)