Privacy Browser Showdown: Which Browsers Really Leave No Trace?

Installing a dedicated secure browser is one of the quickest and easiest ways to boost your privacy online. But with so many privacy-focused browsers popping up lately, which ones can you really trust for all your browsing needs, and which are best left for basic searches? Today, we put several privacy browsers to the test to find out which ones truly deliver on their promises.

The Modern Data Trade

Gone are the days when personal data was sold on CDs at local markets. Today, social networks, search engines, banks, and other commercial entities are all competing in the business of collecting and trading personal information. Tracking users now goes far beyond cookies and IP addresses, involving browser fingerprinting (collecting data like browser version, OS, language, user agent, screen resolution, and more), Evercookie technology (using JavaScript apps), and behavioral analysis (tracking page views, scrolling speed, link clicks, etc.). Blocking all these tracking methods is no easy feat.

Privacy Features in Mainstream Browsers

Most modern browsers have a “Security” section in their settings, offering privacy-related options. Chrome has a “safe browsing” mode, custom DNS, and certificate management. Opera includes a built-in VPN (more like a proxy) and can block outgoing traffic tracking. Firefox offers built-in tracking protection and customizable password, cookie, and history settings.

However, these protections can be undermined by browser plugins, which may send personal data to remote servers, track user actions, or inject ads. While basic anti-tracking features are standard, protection from user-installed plugins is often lacking.

What Makes a Secure Browser?

Secure browsers are typically “clean” programs without unnecessary add-ons, designed for maximum privacy. They minimize digital footprints, block telemetry and data collection, handle cookies and browsing history carefully, and often restrict third-party extension installations to prevent malicious add-ons.

While Tor Browser is the most famous privacy browser, it’s mainly used for darknet surfing, so we won’t cover it here. Instead, we’ll look at six alternative browsers for Windows that claim to be secure and privacy-focused.

Testing Methodology

To evaluate these browsers, I used a virtual machine with a fresh Windows install and several online security tests:

• Qualys Browser Check — Checks for browser vulnerabilities and cookie settings.
• Cloudflare Browsing Experience Security Check — Tests DNS, certificates, cookies, and known vulnerabilities.
• Privacy Analyzer — Comprehensive data leak test, including IP, fingerprint, and privacy settings.
• Panopticlick — Tests for third-party tracking cookies and browser fingerprinting.
• Webkay — Shows all information your browser shares with websites.

Let’s see how our contenders perform with default settings!

Browser Reviews

Comodo Dragon

Developer: Comodo Group
Website: comodo.com/home/browsers-toolbars/browser.php

Comodo Dragon is a well-known secure browser based on Chromium, with a sibling called Ice Dragon based on Firefox. Features include built-in malware protection, secure DNS, cookie blocking, and domain validation to fight phishing.

In tests, Comodo Dragon was recognized as an outdated version of Chrome by Qualys, flagged for not verifying DNS responses with DNSSEC, and for not supporting encrypted SNI. Privacy Analyzer showed it leaked IP, location, browser version, OS, and screen resolution. Panopticlick found a unique fingerprint and no DNT (Do Not Track) flag. Webkay revealed battery level and CPU type, but couldn’t scan the local network.

Comodo Ice Dragon

Ice Dragon looks and feels like standard Firefox. It passed Qualys with no issues, but Cloudflare and Privacy Analyzer results were similar to Dragon. Panopticlick found no ad tracking protection or DNT, and a unique fingerprint. Webkay showed a unique user agent and no hardware data except CPU architecture, but did reveal the local network IP.

Waterfox

Developer: Alex Kontos
Website: waterfox.net

Waterfox is a Firefox clone focused on privacy, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux (64-bit only). The developer claims it doesn’t collect telemetry, only sending browser and OS version for updates. In tests, Waterfox passed Qualys, but Cloudflare flagged issues with DNSSEC and Encrypted SNI, and no TLS 1.3 support. Privacy Analyzer and Panopticlick showed it leaked IP, CPU type, and screen resolution. Notably, Waterfox identifies as Firefox 56.0, far behind the current version, which could pose security risks.

SRWare Iron

Developer: SRWare
Website: srware.net/iron

Iron is a Chromium-based browser with its own ad blocker. The developer claims it doesn’t send telemetry to Google or auto-update. In tests, Qualys flagged it as an outdated and unsafe Chrome version. Cloudflare results matched Comodo’s. Panopticlick found no ad blocking, and Privacy Analyzer and Webkay showed it leaked browser version, OS, IP, and detailed hardware info, but not local network data.

Brave

Developer: Brave Software
Website: brave.com

Brave, based on Chromium, is known for blocking tracking and data leaks. It also features a built-in cryptocurrency platform (Basic Attention Token) for rewarding content creators. Available for all major platforms, Brave’s interface mimics Chrome. In tests, Qualys confirmed it was up to date. Panopticlick showed effective ad and tracking blocking, but still a unique fingerprint and no DNT. Privacy Analyzer and Webkay did not reveal IP or location, but did show OS and hardware info. Overall, Brave performed well and is worth considering.

Epic

Developer: Hidden Reflex
Website: epicbrowser.com

Epic is developed in India and based on Chromium. It claims to block tracking, fingerprinting, ads, cryptomining, and more. Some features like VPN and ad blocker require separate plugin installation. In tests, Epic passed Qualys, matched Comodo and Iron on Cloudflare, and blocked ads and tracking in Panopticlick, but still had a unique fingerprint and no DNT. Privacy Analyzer stalled on IP detection, while Webkay showed IP and OS version but little hardware info. Epic performed surprisingly well, blocking ads and tracking with minimal data leaks out of the box.

Dooble Web Browser

Developer: Dooble Project Team
Website: textbrowser.github.io/dooble/

Dooble is an open-source, cross-platform browser with a Qt-based interface. It auto-deletes cookies and encrypts stored data by default. On Windows 10, it failed to launch, but worked on Windows 7. In tests, Qualys flagged it as an unsafe Chrome version, Cloudflare results matched others, and Panopticlick failed all privacy tests. Privacy Analyzer and Webkay showed it leaked IP, OS, hardware, geolocation, and screen resolution. However, Dooble was the fastest browser tested and, as a portable app, could be useful for older systems or BSD/Linux users.

Conclusions

The results were mixed. Contrary to expectations, Brave and Epic outperformed the more famous Comodo browsers. Comodo Ice Dragon also did well, leaking less device data than its sibling. Comodo Dragon came in fourth. Dooble may appeal to users with older hardware or OS due to its speed. Waterfox and Iron ranked lowest, struggling with ad and tracking blocking.

No browser tested here can guarantee complete anonymity or security online. For true privacy, use a VPN, disable script processing, and store form data and passwords in encrypted containers. There are also many plugins designed to enhance browser security, but that’s a topic for another time.