Brave Software has Introduced Brave OriginsA paid version of the Brave browser that removes features related to cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, rewards, and other monetization methods. The browser can be downloaded separately or as an upgrade to an existing Brave installation.
A one-time license costs $59.99 and supports up to 10 devices. Linux users can access Brave Origin for free. Brave describes Origin as being for users who want a simple, privacy-oriented browser without the company’s optional revenue features.
What Brave Origins removes, and why some users are criticizing it
Brave Origin disables many features found in the standard Brave browser, including:
- bravery award,
- brave wallet,
- brave vpn promotion,
- O brave lion,
- adventurous news,
- Brave Talk, sponsored images, and other promotional and monetization components.
The browser’s built-in privacy and ad-blocking system, Brave Shields, remains fully functional when using Origin.
The launch has faced criticism from privacy-conscious users, who argue that Brave is charging a fee to remove features that many consider unnecessary additions that should not have been in the browser to begin with.
One Reddit user said, “My criticism is that Brave started offering a browser that protects users from the monetization layers of the web.
Over time, the browser itself became another monetization layer. Now Brave Origins seems to confirm that issue: If you want the simpler, privacy-focused version, it becomes a paid product.”
Others have pointed out that many of the features that Origin can disable can already be turned off in the free Brave browser using enterprise group policies, raising the question of whether Origin offers significant technical differences beyond presenting those settings in a simplified interface.
Proponents of the project argue that most users will not configure enterprise policies manually. They see Origin as a more accessible way to achieve a cleaner browsing experience, while also providing a means to financially support the underlying privacy project.
What Brave users should consider before paying for Origin
Users wanting a simplified Brave experience have three options: pay $59.99 for Origin, manually set enterprise group policies in the free version to disable certain features, or switch to an alternative privacy-focused browser like Firefox or LibreWolf.
Both Brave and Origin have the same core privacy features, but they differ in which optional Brave services are enabled by default. Users comfortable with browser configuration may find the free version sufficient with manual policy adjustments.
Brave Origin offers a more streamlined process but it comes at a cost. It is now available on Brave’s website, and Linux users can download it for free.
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