I am setting up a new laptop. Thinking it's time to get past Chrome as a default browser. What do you all recommend? I am thinking DuckDuckGo or Safari? I would like more privacy.
Replies
I am using Safari on my apple products and Firefox on my windows. Switched to duckduckgo for my search engine.
aug 11, 2025, 7:20 am • 0 0 • view
On Windows, Zen is great
aug 11, 2025, 12:10 am • 1 0 • view
Vivaldi. Same backend engine as chrome but has a customizable UI not bound by google itself.
aug 11, 2025, 12:27 am • 2 0 • view
I was hoping someone would say Vivaldi. I switched to it and never went back.
aug 11, 2025, 1:16 am • 1 0 • view
I HATE Duck Duck Go. Safari is ok. Bing is terrible but getting better.
aug 11, 2025, 12:46 am • 0 0 • view
I’d try Duck Duck Go since privacy is supposed to be there thing.
aug 11, 2025, 4:26 am • 0 0 • view
I like Safari.
aug 11, 2025, 12:05 am • 2 0 • view
I switched to Waterfox on Linux, but I don't know what's available for the Mac.
aug 11, 2025, 3:14 am • 0 0 • view
Safari is not a bad choice.
aug 11, 2025, 12:03 am • 1 0 • view
Duck Duck Go 👍
aug 11, 2025, 12:13 am • 7 0 • view
📌
aug 11, 2025, 12:16 am • 0 0 • view
I have committed to Safari. Sometimes you have to tinker with settings and turn off content blocking. But mostly okay. The password mgmt is excellent.
aug 11, 2025, 12:19 am • 1 0 • view
safari is fine. people who pay for kagi really like it
aug 11, 2025, 12:03 am • 14 0 • view
yeah, both of those have reasonably straightforward obvious ways that they make profit, so their focus on privacy also makes sense. though cook handing a gold bar to trump is potentially long-term ominous.
aug 11, 2025, 12:06 am • 7 0 • view
Yeah I’m not at all happy about that little stunt.
aug 11, 2025, 1:36 am • 2 0 • view
I think people on MacOS that pay for Kagi Search, would also use Kagi's own browser "Orion" 🤔. kagi.com/orion/
aug 11, 2025, 5:38 am • 1 0 • view
NCSA Mosaic. Just swallow the vomit when remembering Marc Andreessen’s involvement.
aug 11, 2025, 12:36 am • 2 0 • view
ncsa ftw
aug 11, 2025, 12:45 am • 2 0 • view
Good Jerry post™️
aug 11, 2025, 12:47 am • 1 0 • view
I’d second Jerry’s comment, been meaning to try Vivaldi but my habits die hard. I was underwhelmed by Duck Duck Go but Google is barely usable now anyway
aug 11, 2025, 12:55 am • 1 0 • view
Vivaldi is a browser, not a search engine. You can choose to use different search engines within Vivaldi, though.
aug 26, 2025, 9:09 pm • 1 0 • view
I've been using Kagi since September 2023 (costs me about 2 cents per search) and haven't touched Google Search since 😎. I understand these last two years Google has been enshittified even further 😬?
aug 11, 2025, 5:46 am • 1 0 • view
Vivaldi and startpage as my search engine. Love both!
aug 11, 2025, 6:37 am • 1 0 • view
I use dicksuckgo
aug 11, 2025, 3:29 am • 0 0 • view
For the less adventurous, Firefox is a solid mainstream alternative
aug 11, 2025, 12:04 am • 23 0 • view
I like Firefox. I’ve heard brave is good for privacy
aug 11, 2025, 12:03 am • 6 0 • view
I went back to Firefox. Somethings it does very well, others, not so much. So I use it as my main browser and Chrome for other specialized taks.
aug 11, 2025, 1:24 am • 3 0 • view
If you want privacy, I don't know how to help you. No browser offers that anymore. (17 years in IT.) get a VPN maybe - but even then. Always assume anything you put online is available to everyone and operate from there. The internet is run by people who are not interested in freedom or privacy.
aug 11, 2025, 12:06 am • 16 1 • view
The best browser in terms of performance right now is actually Edge. It is what Chrome used to be in terms of performance. It's crazy to say that as someone who shit talked the MSFT broswer most of my life. But. It's legit.
aug 11, 2025, 12:04 am • 6 0 • view
Browser*
aug 11, 2025, 12:23 am • 0 0 • view
I like DuckDuck for the search engine-- I can turn off the AI clutter
aug 11, 2025, 12:05 am • 7 0 • view
been testing out orion as it has ublock origin and allows for firefox/chrome extensions... seems a little buggy, but the back button swipe feels more responsive than firefox. i flip between orion and firefox. torn.
aug 11, 2025, 12:35 am • 1 0 • view
The problem with Brave is knowing that the founder and CEO is a rightwingnutjob douchebag. Not just some rich prick who gives money to Republicans or whoever is in power and wants access and tax cuts. He's a RWNJ culture warrior kook and crypto-gangster.
aug 11, 2025, 12:45 am • 5 0 • view
I went with Firefox. ChatGPT helped me set it up to be more private. So far it's pretty reasonable. andrewmarder.net/posts/firefox/
aug 11, 2025, 11:50 am • 0 0 • view
I'm a sucker for Safari because it just works with the infrastructure of MacOS. Plus, privacy is their main priority.
aug 11, 2025, 12:14 am • 1 0 • view
I use Safari and DuckDuckGo! I love it, highly suggest.
aug 11, 2025, 12:09 am • 3 0 • view
I've been really happy with Brave. Chromium, so it looks/feels better. Privacy focused which is cool given *waves hands*. There is some kind of crypto thing built in? But I deactivated it and only ever think about it when I'm recommending the browser to people just as a "fyi".
aug 11, 2025, 12:04 am • 9 0 • view
I hear you on the crypto addition. It took me two or three days to get BAT set up last week. Super confusing and not easy to navigate at all. Brave browser is a dream. But not the crypto part.
aug 19, 2025, 12:04 am • 0 0 • view
I'm using Brave, too, but am curious about alternatives. One thing I like about Brave is that uBlock Origin still seems to work fine.
aug 11, 2025, 1:36 am • 1 0 • view
I did a moderate amount of research when I switched since I was interested in ditching chrome, but not sacrificing much. It honestly checked every box for me. I tend to know enough about these things to be dangerous but am in no way an expert. I've been happy enough to tell others and change my VPN.
aug 11, 2025, 1:53 am • 1 0 • view
DuckDuckGo
aug 11, 2025, 12:26 am • 1 0 • view
Maybe Brave? Orion? I like Kagi search enough to pay for it
aug 11, 2025, 12:03 am • 3 0 • view
Ungoogled Chromium or Waterfox. Both are privacy-oriented. The former is Chromium with all of the Google plumbing removed and none of the crypto/AI crap like Brave; it makes extensions trickier but that's a one-time pain point. Waterfox is similar but Firefox-based; extensions are easier.
aug 11, 2025, 12:11 am • 1 0 • view
I have always used DuckDuckGo & find it to be an excellent browser that values privacy. Their optional Search Assist is also very useful.
aug 11, 2025, 5:37 am • 0 0 • view
I used Ecosia
aug 11, 2025, 8:09 am • 1 0 • view
Firefox+Kagi+Proton
aug 11, 2025, 12:05 am • 4 0 • view
Safari is a perfectly good choice and has solid privacy defaults. Firefox is also a decent option. Stay away from Brave.
aug 11, 2025, 12:16 am • 1 0 • view
Brave is pretty good, but does have this creepy crypto aspect
aug 11, 2025, 6:20 am • 3 0 • view
I like Firefox with ublock origin for daily stuff where I want to stay signed in on trusted websites and to transfer tabs between phone and pc. Brave for everything else like random searches and dodgy streaming websites Been working great
aug 11, 2025, 12:08 am • 2 0 • view
I’m trying Vivaldi right now
aug 11, 2025, 12:03 am • 2 0 • view
Firefox with DuckDuckGo for search
aug 11, 2025, 12:55 am • 8 1 • view
This. Firefox has an addon called NoScript. I don't allow java to run unless I toggle it on. Very effective privacy/anti-tracking tool.
aug 11, 2025, 1:34 am • 7 0 • view
I tried Duck Duck Go on my laptop and all was going well with it and as I had hoped but they have recently announced they will be 'using AI' in searches, so that probably going to plummet in usefulness. I also use Vivaldi on my phone, which is 'a Norwegian freeware cross-platform, browser'.
aug 11, 2025, 6:48 am • 0 0 • view
I've been using Brave for awhile, which is still Chromium-based so you get most of the familiar features. Takes a little tweaking to get some sites happy but at least a bit more private.
aug 11, 2025, 12:03 am • 1 0 • view
Brave and Safari are my mains, Firefox and Chrome as last resorts
aug 11, 2025, 12:07 am • 0 0 • view
DuckDuckGo has been great for blocking out annoying ads & other clutter.
aug 11, 2025, 12:08 am • 2 0 • view
Check out Brave browser for a very functional privacy-oriented browser.
aug 11, 2025, 12:02 am • 3 0 • view
Are they still into bitcoin shenanigans?
aug 11, 2025, 1:39 am • 0 0 • view
Crypto, kind of. They block a LOT of ads. To make up for that revenue they have an option (not mandatory) that allows very small ads to appear in the lower right corner. If you click on the ad a small amount of a crypto coin can be added to an account, and you can choose to distribute that coin to
aug 11, 2025, 1:46 am • 1 0 • view
To your most visited sites.
aug 11, 2025, 1:46 am • 1 0 • view
Safari with private relay is tier 2 and mulvad vpn with a unique instance of DuckDuckGo where you aren’t signed into any accounts is tier 1.
aug 11, 2025, 1:22 am • 1 0 • view
I switched to Zen recently, and I like it. zen-browser.app
aug 11, 2025, 12:11 am • 2 0 • view
Safari best with DuckDuckGo for very private work
aug 11, 2025, 12:59 am • 1 0 • view
Firefox
aug 11, 2025, 1:13 am • 3 0 • view
Brave
aug 11, 2025, 12:03 am • 1 0 • view
We use DuckDuckGo. Like it.
aug 11, 2025, 12:40 am • 1 0 • view
Duck Duck
aug 11, 2025, 12:33 am • 1 0 • view
DuckDuckGo!!!
aug 11, 2025, 12:21 am • 2 0 • view
kagi + orion is pretyy cool otherwise, Edge
aug 11, 2025, 12:10 am • 3 0 • view
I typically use Firefox with Ghostery installed.
aug 11, 2025, 12:06 am • 2 0 • view
Duck
aug 11, 2025, 1:42 am • 1 0 • view
I use both of those options.
aug 11, 2025, 12:02 am • 1 0 • view
Libre wolf runs great if you actually read the documentation, Firefox overall is a fine mainstream browser.
aug 11, 2025, 12:20 am • 0 0 • view
Can someone fill me in on what is wrong with Chrome? I’m missing something I think
aug 11, 2025, 12:14 am • 1 0 • view
Google is what’s wrong with Chrome. They’re some of the worst offenders when it comes to selling our data.
aug 11, 2025, 12:28 am • 2 0 • view
Ok thanks 👍🏼
aug 11, 2025, 12:40 am • 1 0 • view
I've used Brave on PC, Android, & iPad. Blocks junk very well out of the box. Safari doesn't come close without an extension.
aug 11, 2025, 5:41 am • 2 0 • view
I use Brave for YouTube and that's it. It blocks the interruptions.
aug 11, 2025, 8:16 am • 1 0 • view
That it does well. But, 🤫
aug 11, 2025, 8:23 am • 0 0 • view
I use Firefox. But whatever browser you go with, install the EFF's Privacy Badger extension. It will break some website (that you can fix by selectively allowing cookies), but it's worth the hassle!
aug 11, 2025, 1:45 am • 4 0 • view
Safari is fine, but be prepared to have to occasionally use an alternate browser when filling out forms. Some organizations just don’t support it.
aug 11, 2025, 12:04 am • 6 0 • view
Pretty happy with Firefox
aug 11, 2025, 12:41 am • 2 0 • view
Librawolf
aug 11, 2025, 6:12 am • 1 0 • view
Arc
aug 11, 2025, 1:11 am • 0 0 • view
I’ve been considering LibreWolf, which is a fork of Firefox.
aug 11, 2025, 12:04 am • 0 0 • view
DuckDuckGo. It has ai, but you can turn it off. Safari has been poisoned by ai generated results that you can’t opt out of it.
aug 11, 2025, 12:07 am • 12 0 • view
? Safari uses the Duck Duck Go search engine by default.
aug 11, 2025, 1:37 am • 0 0 • view
I’ve been happy with DuckDuckGo so far - especially bc of the ad/cookie blockers. The search results are fine(ish) and it’s so far the only browser that doesn’t give me hell for using a VPN.
aug 11, 2025, 12:16 am • 1 0 • view
Safari. Security is great, and the Apple ecosystem is pretty amazing when integrated across all Apple devices.
aug 11, 2025, 12:03 am • 1 0 • view
Safari with Kagi (need to install a plugin to make it the default search engine, but worth the extra step).
aug 11, 2025, 2:02 am • 1 0 • view
Ducko👍
aug 11, 2025, 6:35 am • 0 0 • view
Firefox permits substantial customization, but Vivaldi has become my regular browser. A versatile browser that seems to lack the baggage of some of its competitors.
aug 11, 2025, 12:07 am • 3 0 • view
Brave browser brave.com/download/
aug 11, 2025, 12:34 am • 7 0 • view
my husband chose DuckDuckGo for me. He's always right.
aug 11, 2025, 12:12 am • 7 0 • view
I’m using Orion as my daily driver with a kagi subscription. It’s as good as I could find.
aug 11, 2025, 12:06 am • 2 0 • view
I have Safari as browser but use DuckDuckGo Go for search. Pretty happy.
aug 11, 2025, 12:26 am • 1 0 • view
FireFox been good to me.
aug 11, 2025, 1:06 am • 1 0 • view
I mean Brave is completely functional and has built-in privacy stuff not that I'd blanket trust any "privacy stuff" but it's at least worth a look. Also there's privacy vs security so depends what you want right? But as far as working, Brave works and feels great.
aug 11, 2025, 12:29 am • 0 0 • view