NordVPN
VPN
4.7/5Best for encrypting your whole connection, not just the browser
Routes all device traffic through an encrypted tunnel with Threat Protection Pro to block trackers and malicious sites at the DNS level.
From $3.09/mo
Category
Secure Browsing
12 VPNs, private browsers, tracker blockers, and private DNS/search tools — for keeping what you browse between you and nobody else.
Showing 12 of 12 tools
PV
Best Free PlanProton VPN
VPN
4.6/5Best for a genuinely unlimited free tier from a privacy-first company
From the makers of Proton Mail; the free plan has no data cap, unlike most competitors, and the paid tier adds Secure Core double-hop routing.
Free plan available
CV
CyberGhost VPN
VPN
4.4/5Best for one-click streaming-optimized servers
Dedicated streaming and torrenting server profiles make this the easiest VPN for non-technical users who just want a category picked for them.
From $2.19/mo
Brave Browser
Private Browsers
4.6/5Best for blocking ads and trackers without installing extensions
Chromium-based browser with ad/tracker blocking, fingerprint randomization, and Tor-in-a-tab built in — no add-ons required out of the box.
Free
Tor Browser
Private Browsers
4.3/5Best for maximum anonymity when identity matters most
Routes traffic through three volunteer-run encrypted relays, making it the strongest option for anonymous browsing at the cost of raw speed.
Free
DP
DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser
Private Browsers
4.4/5Best for a one-tap "Fireclean" privacy reset on mobile
Mobile-first browser that grades every site’s tracker load and lets you burn all tabs and data with one tap; built-in email protection strips trackers from links.
Free
uBlock Origin
Ad & Tracker Blocking
4.8/5Best for the lightest, most effective content blocker available
Open-source, efficient, and independently audited — the extension privacy researchers themselves recommend over paid ad-blocking alternatives.
Free
A
AdGuard
Ad & Tracker Blocking
4.5/5Best for system-wide ad blocking outside the browser too
Blocks ads and trackers at the OS level — inside apps, not just browser tabs — with a DNS-based mode that needs no extension at all.
From $1.67/mo
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NextDNS
Private DNS
4.6/5Best for blocking ads and trackers on every device on your network
Configurable DNS resolver that blocks ads, trackers, and malicious domains for every device pointed at it — router, phone, or smart TV alike.
Free plan available
CD
Control D
Private DNS
4.4/5Best for granular per-device DNS filtering profiles
Lets you build separate filtering profiles per device or family member, with malware, phishing, and adult-content blocklists applied at the DNS layer.
Free plan available
DS
DuckDuckGo Search
Private Search
4.5/5Best for a no-tracking search engine that just works as a default
Doesn’t log searches or build an ad profile from your queries, with clean results and a one-line switch to become your browser’s default engine.
Free
S
Startpage
Private Search
4.2/5Best for Google-quality results with no tracking layer
Proxies Google’s search results anonymously, so you get familiar result quality without Google ever seeing who searched for it.
Free
Frequently asked questions
Does using a private browser mean I don't need a VPN?
No — a private browser like Brave or Tor limits what sites and trackers can see about you, but your internet provider and network operator can still see which sites you connect to unless that traffic is also encrypted through a VPN. They solve different layers of the same problem.
Is incognito/private mode the same as using a private browser?
Not close. Incognito mode only stops your browser from saving local history and cookies after you close the tab — it does nothing to stop trackers, your ISP, or the sites themselves from identifying and profiling you while you browse.
What's the actual benefit of switching my DNS provider?
Your default DNS (often your ISP's) can log every domain you visit. A private DNS resolver like NextDNS or Control D can block ads, trackers, and known-malicious domains network-wide, and stops your ISP from building that log in the first place.