Compare Brave Browser VPN and Thunder VPN: Which App is the Best?
Brave Browser VPN is a privacy-focused browser with 100M+ downloads and 4.7/5 rating, offering built-in ad blocking, VPN, and AI assistant, though it has faced some recent performance issues and battery drain concerns. | Thunder VPN is a highly-rated free VPN service with 100M+ downloads, offering fast connections and minimal ads, making it one of the better free VPN options available. | |
| Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each app. |
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| Our Rating Prod Apps's expert review score for each app, based on hands-on testing and research. | 7.7 Winner in this category | 7.2 |
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 0 | 0 |
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 0 | 0 |
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | — ⭐ | — ⭐ |
| Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the app. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free |
| Android User rating and stats for the app on Android browser. |  Downloads | Downloads |
| iOS User rating and stats for the app on iOS browser. |  | |
| Features Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each app. | 8.5 Brave Browser VPN offers an impressive set of features that justify its privacy-focused positioning. The browser includes built-in ad blocking, VPN functionality, AI assistant (Brave Leo), and comprehensive privacy protection. The service also includes advanced features like tracking protection, HTTPS Everywhere, and script blocking, making it more than just a basic browser. What sets Brave Browser VPN apart is its comprehensive privacy and security features, including built-in ad blocking, VPN functionality, and AI assistant. The browser also includes advanced features like tracking protection, HTTPS Everywhere, and script blocking, making it more than just a basic browser. However, the browser lacks some advanced features found in dedicated browsers, such as extensive extension support and some cutting-edge browsing features. The browser also doesn't offer some advanced features like advanced tab management or specialized browsing modes that some competitors provide. Compared to other privacy-focused browsers like Firefox or dedicated VPNs like Proton VPN, Brave Browser VPN offers good features, but the performance issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives. The browser provides good value for users who need comprehensive privacy features. Winner in this category | 7.5 Thunder VPN delivers a solid foundation of core VPN features that meet the basic needs of most users. The app's feature set is straightforward and focused on simplicity rather than advanced functionality, which aligns well with its target audience of casual VPN users. Key features we found most valuable include:
However, Thunder VPN lacks many advanced features that users expect from premium VPN services. There's no kill switch to protect against connection drops, no split tunneling to route specific apps through the VPN, and no specialized servers for streaming or torrenting. The server selection is limited compared to premium alternatives. While the core features work well for basic privacy and geo-unblocking needs, power users will find the feature set limiting. For users who need advanced features like kill switches, split tunneling, or specialized servers, alternatives like Proton VPN offer more comprehensive free tiers, while NordVPN provides extensive advanced features for premium users. We rate features at 7.5 out of 10—good for basic VPN needs with better user experience than most free alternatives, but lacking the depth that serious users require. |
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 6.0 Brave Browser VPN's performance is inconsistent, with good speeds when working but frequent crashes and battery drain that significantly impact usability. The browser offers decent browsing speeds and privacy protection, but the frequent performance problems and battery drain make it difficult to use reliably. The browser works well for basic browsing when functioning properly, but many users report browser crashes and the need to restart the browser multiple times. The performance issues are particularly concerning given the privacy-focused positioning. The browser's performance issues are particularly concerning given the privacy-focused positioning. Users expect reliability and performance from a privacy-focused browser, but Brave Browser VPN's performance problems make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives that offer similar features with better performance. Compared to other privacy-focused browsers like Firefox or dedicated VPNs like Proton VPN, Brave Browser VPN's performance is below average. The performance issues make it difficult to justify the privacy-focused positioning, and users might find better value with alternatives that offer similar features with better reliability. | 6.5 Thunder VPN's performance presents a mixed picture that reflects the challenges of maintaining a free VPN service. While the app can deliver fast connections when working properly, reliability issues significantly impact the overall performance experience. Performance strengths include:
However, significant performance issues undermine the user experience:
User reviews reveal a pattern of performance issues, with many users praising the app's speed when it works but complaining about frequent disconnections. The app's focus on user experience over aggressive monetization may be impacting server quality and maintenance. For users seeking reliable performance, alternatives like Proton VPN offer more consistent free performance with better server maintenance, while NordVPN provides premium performance with dedicated servers and better reliability guarantees. We rate performance at 6.5 out of 10—good speeds when working but undermined by frequent connection drops and stability issues that create an inconsistent user experience. Winner in this category |
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 8.0 Brave Browser VPN's interface strikes a good balance between functionality and user-friendliness. The main screen provides quick access to browsing controls, privacy settings, and key features. The interface is clean and modern, with good attention to detail and user experience. The browser's design is intuitive and well-organized, with clear navigation between different features. The privacy status is clearly displayed, and the settings menu is well-structured. The interface doesn't overwhelm users with complex options while still providing access to advanced features. The interface is generally user-friendly and provides good visual feedback about privacy status and browser performance. The design reflects the privacy-focused positioning of the browser, making it easy for users to manage their browsing experience. Compared to other privacy-focused browsers like Firefox or dedicated VPNs like Proton VPN, Brave Browser VPN's design is competitive and well-polished. The interface is functional and professional, with good attention to detail and user experience. Winner in this category | 8.0 Thunder VPN's design philosophy centers on simplicity and user experience, which works exceptionally well for its target audience. The interface is clean, intuitive, and focuses on functionality rather than flashy design elements. Design strengths we observed include:
The design experience is significantly better than competitors like Turbo VPN and Now VPN, with much less advertising interruption. Users consistently praise the app's clean interface and ease of use, making it one of the most user-friendly free VPNs available. While the core interface design is solid, some users report that the app requires keeping the window open to maintain connections, which can be inconvenient. However, this is a minor issue compared to the overall design quality. For users who value a clean, uninterrupted interface, Thunder VPN offers one of the best free experiences available. Alternatives like Proton VPN offer similar design quality with better privacy protection, while Windscribe VPN provides a comparable free experience with fewer restrictions. We rate design at 8.0 out of 10—excellent design principles with minimal advertising that creates a genuinely user-friendly experience. Winner in this category |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 7.5 Brave Browser VPN's value proposition is mixed, with excellent privacy features but questionable reliability for the price. The browser offers competitive pricing compared to other privacy-focused browsers, with the ability to get comprehensive privacy features for free being a significant advantage. The browser's pricing is competitive with other privacy-focused browsers, and the built-in ad blocking makes it particularly attractive for users who want a comprehensive privacy solution. The comprehensive features and privacy protection add value beyond basic browsing functionality. However, the browser's value is impacted by recent performance issues and battery drain concerns. Many users report browser crashes and the need to restart the browser multiple times. The performance issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives. Compared to other privacy-focused browsers like Firefox or dedicated VPNs like Proton VPN, Brave Browser VPN offers good features but at a similar cost. The performance issues make it difficult to recommend over free alternatives that offer similar performance with fewer limitations. | 8.0 Thunder VPN's value proposition is significantly better than most free VPNs, offering a genuinely useful free service with minimal advertising and good performance. The app provides excellent value for users who can tolerate occasional connection issues. Value strengths include:
The free tier's value is significantly better than most free VPNs, with minimal advertising and good performance. However, some limitations affect the overall value:
The premium pricing is reasonable ($1.99-$59.99), but the connection stability issues may not justify the upgrade for many users. Premium VPN services like NordVPN and Surfshark VPN offer more comprehensive features and better reliability for similar or lower costs. For users seeking genuine value, Thunder VPN offers one of the best free experiences available. Alternatives like Proton VPN offer a more generous free tier with better privacy protection, while Windscribe VPN provides a more reliable free experience with fewer restrictions. We rate value for money at 8.0 out of 10—excellent value for a free VPN with minimal advertising and good performance, though connection stability issues limit the overall experience. Winner in this category |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 7.0 Brave Browser VPN is generally easy to use for basic browsing functionality, with a simple interface that requires no technical knowledge. The browser's design is intuitive, and most users can get started quickly without any setup or configuration. The browser offers built-in ad blocking and privacy protection, making it accessible to users of all technical levels. The browser doesn't require complex configuration, and the browsing process is straightforward. The browser works well for most use cases and provides good performance when functioning properly. However, the browser's ease of use is compromised by recent performance issues and battery drain concerns. Many users report browser crashes and the need to restart the browser multiple times. The browser can be slow to load, and some users experience issues with tab management and background playback not working reliably. Compared to other privacy-focused browsers like Firefox or dedicated VPNs like Proton VPN, Brave Browser VPN's ease of use is similar but not significantly better. The performance issues can be frustrating for users who expect reliability from a privacy-focused browser. Winner in this category | 7.0 Thunder VPN excels in basic usability with its one-tap connection approach, making it one of the most accessible VPN apps for beginners. The core functionality is genuinely simple and requires no technical knowledge to operate effectively. Usability strengths include:
However, the ease of use is somewhat undermined by connection stability issues. Users report that the app requires keeping the window open to maintain connections, which can be inconvenient. Additionally, frequent connection drops require reconnection, which interrupts the user experience. While the core interface is genuinely easy to use, the connection stability issues compromise the overall user experience. For users seeking a truly hassle-free VPN experience, alternatives like Proton VPN offer a cleaner free tier with better connection stability, while Windscribe VPN provides a more reliable free experience. We rate ease of use at 7.0 out of 10—excellent core usability with good interface design, but undermined by connection stability issues that require user intervention. Winner in this category |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 9.0 Brave Browser VPN takes security and privacy seriously, with comprehensive privacy protection and built-in ad blocking. The browser includes tracking protection, HTTPS Everywhere, script blocking, and cookie blocking. The browser also includes advanced features like AI assistant (Brave Leo) and VPN functionality for enhanced privacy protection. The browser's privacy features are comprehensive for a privacy-focused solution, with built-in ad blocking and tracking protection. The browser also includes advanced features like HTTPS Everywhere and script blocking for enhanced security and privacy protection. However, Brave Browser VPN has faced some privacy concerns in the past, particularly around its data collection practices and browser reliability. While the company has maintained its privacy commitments, some users remain concerned about the browser's data practices and connection stability. Compared to other privacy-focused browsers like Firefox or dedicated VPNs like Proton VPN, Brave Browser VPN's privacy practices are excellent. The browser provides comprehensive protection for most users, but those with high privacy requirements might want to consider alternatives with more advanced privacy features. Winner in this category | 6.0 Thunder VPN's security and privacy practices present a mixed picture that raises some concerns for privacy-conscious users. While the app claims to offer secure connections and privacy protection, several factors undermine confidence in its privacy commitments. Security strengths include:
However, some privacy concerns emerge from user feedback and business practices:
User reviews reveal mixed experiences, with some users praising the app's privacy features while others express concerns about data collection. The lack of transparency about the service's data handling practices further undermines trust. For users who prioritize privacy and security, alternatives like Proton VPN offer Swiss-based privacy protection with independent audits and transparency reports, while Windscribe VPN provides Canadian privacy protection with more transparent data handling practices. We rate security and privacy at 6.0 out of 10—basic security features present but concerns about data handling, jurisdiction, and transparency that compromise trust in the service. |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | Brave Browser VPN is a privacy-focused browser that offers excellent ad blocking and built-in VPN functionality, but its value proposition is compromised by recent performance issues and battery drain concerns. The browser provides comprehensive privacy features and ad blocking capabilities, but the performance problems and bugs make it difficult to recommend over more stable alternatives.
For users who prioritize privacy and are willing to work within the browser's limitations, Brave Browser VPN offers a solid feature set with excellent ad blocking when working properly. However, those seeking specialized browsing functionality or experiencing performance issues might find better value with alternatives like Proton VPN that offer similar features with better performance.
Ultimately, Brave Browser VPN's privacy-focused approach and ad blocking capabilities make it a good choice for users seeking comprehensive privacy, but the performance stability issues and battery drain problems make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives like Aloha Browser VPN that offer similar features with better performance. | Thunder VPN represents one of the better free VPN options available, offering a genuinely useful service with minimal advertising and good performance. While the app delivers on its core promise of free, unlimited VPN access with simple one-tap connection, connection stability issues and the need to keep the app window open create some usability concerns. The app's exceptional popularity (100M+ downloads, 4.8-star rating) reflects genuine demand for a user-friendly free VPN service, and many users do find value in its basic functionality. However, the frequent connection drops and stability issues suggest that the free model may be impacting server quality and maintenance. For users who can tolerate occasional connection issues, Thunder VPN provides a functional free VPN with minimal advertising. For users seeking a more reliable free VPN experience, Proton VPN offers better privacy protection and connection stability, while Windscribe VPN provides a more reliable free tier with fewer restrictions. For those willing to pay for premium features, NordVPN and Surfshark VPN offer more comprehensive solutions with better reliability and privacy guarantees. |
| Our Recommendation | ||
