Brave Search review
Updated October 14, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team · Facts checked October 14, 2026
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Our verdict
Brave Search is the named search-engine product. Brave describes its index as independent and presents AI-generated answers with supporting search results and follow-up questions. These are provider descriptions, not independent performance or privacy test results.
Key facts
- Best for
- Searchers comparing a search engine that Brave says uses its own index and offers AI answer summaries alongside conventional results.
- Price from
- $3 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Free plan
- Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Free plan limits
- Browser, ad-blocker, Search and Talk free; free Leo with limited access (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Platforms
- Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Logging policy
- Does not collect or retain browsing history; VPN runs a strict no-logs policy (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Jurisdiction
- US (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Open source
- Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Privacy tool type
- Ad-blocker, Browser, Search (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Legal entity
- Brave Software, Inc. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Headquarters
- United States (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Founded
- 2015 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Support channels
- Email, Help-centre, Community (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Pricing model
- Free
- Official website
- brave.com
VPN
- Monthly price
- $9.99 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Long-term plan price
- $8.33 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Devices
- 10 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Server countries
- from 40 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- No-logs audit
- Assured AB software security audit February 2024 and Guardian infrastructure security audit April 2024 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Jurisdiction
- US (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Features
- Kill-switch (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Platforms
- Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Owner
- Brave Software, Inc. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Longest plan (months)
- 12 months (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Legal entity
- Brave Software, Inc. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Headquarters
- United States (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Founded
- 2015 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Support channels
- Email, Help-centre, Community (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Features
- No logs, Streaming, Travel
- Pricing model
- Free
Apps and profiles
- Get the app
- App StoreGoogle Play
- Elsewhere
- WikidataWikipediaLinkedInXgithub.com
Pros
Pros
- Brave says Search operates from an independent index.
- The product page describes AI answers with supporting results and follow-up questions.
Who it suits
- People evaluating Brave Search’s stated index approach and AI-answer format.
Search and index
Brave identifies this product as Brave Search and says it operates from an independent search index. That index description is the provider’s claim; this profile does not independently measure search coverage or result quality. AI answers The page describes Ask Brave as combining AI chat with a search-results page, including summaries, supporting links and follow-up questions. Brave also describes an optional Premium upgrade for an ad-free experience.
How Brave Search compares
9.1 vs 9.1
9.1 vs 8.8
9.1 vs 8.5
9.1 vs 9.5
9.1 vs 9.4
9.1 vs 9.1
9.1 vs 9.2
9.1 vs 9.4
9.1 vs 9.2
9.1 vs 8.8
9.1 vs 9.3
9.1 vs 9.0
9.1 vs 9.0
9.1 vs 9.4
Frequently asked questions
Does Brave Search include AI answers?+
Brave describes Ask Brave as adding AI answers and follow-up questions alongside search results.
How is the index described?+
Brave says Brave Search operates from a fully independent search index; that statement is attributed to Brave.
How much does Brave Search cost?+
Brave Search starts at $3. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Which platforms does Brave Search support?+
Brave Search supports Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Which company operates Brave Search?+
Brave Search is operated by Brave Software, Inc.. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Where is Brave Search based?+
Brave Search is based in United States. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
When was Brave Search founded?+
Brave Search was founded in 2015. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
How can I contact Brave Search support?+
Brave Search offers support through Email, Help-centre, Community. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Sources
- brave.com checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Owner
“The Brave Browser, Brave Search, and all their various features are made by Brave Software Inc, an independent, privately-held company.”
- brave.com/about checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Founded, Headquarters, Pricing model, Platforms, Privacy tool type, Support channels
“Brave was co-founded in 2015 by Internet pioneers Brendan Eich (creator of JavaScript and co-founder of Mozilla) and Brian Bondy”
- brave.com/faq checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Free plan, Open source
“No, the Brave browser will always be free to use”
- brave.com/firewall-vpn checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Devices, Features, Features, Long-term plan price, Longest plan (months), No-logs audit, Monthly price, Server countries
“Support for up to 10 devices across Android and iOS, macOS and Windows”
- brave.com/premium checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Free plan limits, Price from
“premium-level access to 3 other free features: Leo, Search, and Talk”
- brave.com/privacy checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Jurisdiction, Logging policy
“Brave is based in the USA.”
- play.google.com/store/apps/details checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Legal entity
“About the developer Brave Software, Inc.”
Compiled from 7 source pages, checked October 14, 2026. We did not open an account.
Related by the facts
Brave Search
Searchers comparing a search engine that Brave says uses its own index and offers AI answer summaries alongside conventional results.