Best for Google syncing
Google Chrome vs Samsung Browser vs Brave: which mobile browser should you choose?
Choose Chrome for Google syncing and broad reach, Samsung Browser for a customizable Android experience, or Brave for built-in ad and tracker blocking.
At a glance
| App | Google Play | Price | In-app purchases | Platforms | Age rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google ChromeGoogle LLC | 4.1 out of 548,957,807 ratings | Free | No | Android, iOS | Everyone |
 Samsung BrowserSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | 3.6 out of 55,904,109 ratings | Free | No | Android | Everyone |
 Brave Private Web Browser, VPNBrave Software | 4.7 out of 53,629,848 ratings | Free | Yes ($9.99 - $149.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Everyone |
Ratings, prices and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Listings change over time.
How we compared them
All three are free Android browsers with privacy and security features, but they take different approaches: Chrome emphasizes Google syncing, Samsung Browser offers a customizable mobile interface, and Brave builds ad and tracker blocking into the browser.
This comparison weighs their Google Play ratings and reach alongside their features and trade-offs, so you can choose the browser that fits your priorities.
How we compared them
We compared each browser’s Google Play rating, install count, price, ad status, and in-app purchases, using figures read on November 7, 2026. Store ratings reflect user feedback, while install counts indicate broad reach; neither alone establishes which browser is right for you.
We also considered each app’s stated features and the strengths and drawbacks relevant to choosing a mobile browser. No data-safety declarations were supplied for this comparison, so we have not assessed or inferred them.
Google Chrome
Google LLC
4.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forpeople who want Google syncing and a familiar browser
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 48,957,807
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
Chrome’s strongest advantage over Samsung Browser and Brave is its combination of Google account syncing and enormous reach: it has 10 billion-plus installs and a 4.1 rating from 48,957,807 ratings. Its familiar interface and extension ecosystem also make it a versatile everyday choice.
That convenience comes with trade-offs. Chrome is associated with substantial RAM use and data-tracking concerns, and ad blocking generally requires an added extension. The mobile app can also face site compatibility problems and battery drain.
What we like
- Google sync across devices
- 10 billion-plus installs
- Broad extension selection
What to know
- Ad blocking needs an extension
- RAM use and tracking are concerns
Samsung Browser
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
3.6 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forAndroid users who value customization and video playback
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 5,904,109
- Platforms
- Android
- Age rating
- Everyone
Samsung Browser offers a customizable interface, privacy features, extension support, and strong video playback, making it a compelling mobile-focused alternative to Chrome and Brave. It has no ads or in-app purchases and has reached 1 billion-plus installs.
Its main compromise is ecosystem reach: cross-device syncing is more limited than Chrome’s, and it is not pre-installed on non-Samsung devices. It can also have site compatibility issues and higher battery use than some competitors.
What we like
- Customizable interface
- No ads or in-app purchases
- Strong video playback
What to know
- More limited cross-device sync than Chrome
- Not pre-installed on non-Samsung devices
Brave Private Web Browser, VPN
Brave Software
4.7 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forprivacy-minded users who want built-in ad and tracker blocking
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 3,629,848
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
Brave is the clearest choice here for built-in ad and tracker blocking, which sets it apart from Chrome’s reliance on extensions and Samsung Browser’s more general privacy features. It also leads the group in Google Play rating at 4.7 from 3,629,848 ratings, and offers optional Brave Rewards.
Brave’s privacy-focused tools are not without compromises: its VPN has limited locations, it supports fewer extensions than Chrome, and some sites may not work as expected. The app can also use more battery, and its settings may need adjustment to suit you.
What we like
- Built-in ad and tracker blocking
- Highest Google Play rating of the three
- Brave Rewards option
What to know
- Fewer extensions than Chrome
- VPN has limited locations
Which one should you pick?
Best for customization and video
Samsung Browser
Best for built-in ad blocking
Brave Private Web Browser, VPN
Frequently Asked Questions
Which browser has the highest Google Play rating?
Brave has the highest rating of these three, at 4.7 from 3,629,848 ratings. Chrome is rated 4.1 from 48,957,807 ratings, while Samsung Browser is rated 3.6 from 5,904,109 ratings.
Which browser blocks ads without an extension?
Brave includes built-in ad and tracker blocking. Chrome generally requires an additional extension for ad blocking.
Which browser is best for syncing across devices?
Chrome is the strongest choice for syncing across devices. Samsung Browser has more limited cross-device syncing.
Are these mobile browsers free?
Chrome and Samsung Browser are free with no in-app purchases. Brave is free to download and has in-app purchases priced from $9.99 to $149.99 per item.
ViaAPK compares apps independently. We don't make, own or distribute any of these apps and have no affiliation with their developers, Google or Apple. Names, icons and trademarks belong to their owners; store details and prices are shown for reference and can change.