Brave Browser is a modern web browser focused on privacy and speed. It is designed to block unwanted ads and trackers by default. Brave is built on the Chromium platform and ensures a familiar user experience with enhanced privacy features. It also supports most Chrome extensions, making it a versatile choice for casual and power users.
Additional benefits of Brave Browser include:
- Blocks unwanted ads and trackers automatically, enhancing privacy.
- Offers a fast browsing experience by loading pages quicker than many competitors.
- It allows the use of most Chrome extensions, adding to its versatility.
- It provides an option to earn cryptocurrency through the Brave Rewards program.
- Prioritizes user data protection, not collecting personal data without consent.
- Supports a wide range of platforms, making it accessible to a diverse user base.
- Features a built-in Tor option for those seeking extra anonymity online.
- Continuously updates to ensure security, stability, and new features.
Brave Browser elevates your web experience by making it faster and more secure. It also reimagines the economics of online advertising in favor of users. Now, let’s move on to the installation methods for getting Brave Browser up and running on your Ubuntu system.
Prerequisites for Installing Brave Browser on Ubuntu
To successfully install Brave Browser on Ubuntu, ensure you meet the following requirements:
System Requirements and Supported Ubuntu Versions
| Component | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Processor | 2 GHz or faster dual-core processor |
| RAM | 4 GB or more |
| Disk Space | 25 GB of free space |
| Network | High-speed internet connection |
| Supported Versions | Ubuntu 24.04 (Noble), Ubuntu 22.04 (Jammy), Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal) |
Additional Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Internet Connection | Necessary for downloading Brave Browser and applying updates. |
| Terminal Conventions | All terminal commands should be executed as a regular user with sudo privileges. |
| CLI Commands | Utilize the Command Line Interface (CLI) for installation and setup. |
| Browser Configuration | Ensure proper configuration for privacy and security settings. |
| GPG Key | Add the Brave public key to verify the package during installation. |
Method 1: Install Brave Browser via APT PPA
Update Ubuntu Before Brave Browser Installation
Before starting the installation process, ensuring that your Ubuntu system is up to date is essential. This will minimize potential conflicts and ensure that all dependencies are met.
To update your system, execute the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeInstall the Required Packages For Brave Browser
To successfully install Brave Browser, you need to install several software packages on your system. Run the following command in your terminal to install these required packages:
sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https curl ca-certificates -yIf unsure, run the command; it will not harm you. These are the most common software packages found on nearly all Linux distributions.
Import Brave Browser APT Repository
There are three options for the Brave Browser installation: stable, beta, and nightly builds. The stable version is recommended for most users as it offers the most reliable browsing experience. However, if you are an advanced user or curious about upcoming features, you can install the beta or nightly build repositories, which are separate installations.
Option 1 – Import Brave Browser Stable (Recommended)
To import the GPG key for the stable version of Brave Browser, execute the following command:
curl -s https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg > /dev/nullNext, add the stable repository by running this command:
echo deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg] https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/ stable main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.listOption 2 – Import Brave Browser Beta
To import the GPG key for the beta version of Brave Browser, execute the following command:
curl -s https://brave-browser-apt-beta.s3.brave.com/brave-browser-beta-archive-keyring.gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-beta-archive-keyring.gpg > /dev/nullNext, add the beta repository by running this command:
echo deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-beta-archive-keyring.gpg] https://brave-browser-apt-beta.s3.brave.com/ stable main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-beta.listOption 3 – Import Brave Browser Nightly
To import the GPG key for the nightly version of Brave Browser, execute the following command:
curl -s https://brave-browser-apt-nightly.s3.brave.com/brave-browser-nightly-archive-keyring.gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-nightly-archive-keyring.gpg > /dev/null
Next, add the nightly repository by running this command:
echo deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-nightly-archive-keyring.gpg] https://brave-browser-apt-nightly.s3.brave.com/ stable main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-nightly.listRefresh APT Package Index
After adding the desired Brave repository, you must update the package list to include the newly added repository. To do this, execute the following command:
sudo apt updateInstall Brave Browser via APT Command
Depending on the repositories you imported in the previous section, you can install the Brave Browser stable version or any other branches (beta or nightly). This guide will cover the installation commands for all options.
To install the stable version of Brave Browser, execute the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt install brave-browserAfter the installation is complete, you can verify the successful installation and check the build and version by running this command:
brave-browser --versionInstall Brave Browser Beta via APT Command
If you have imported the beta repository and would like to install the beta version of Brave Browser, run the following command:
sudo apt install brave-browser-betaTo verify the installation and check the beta version, execute the following command:
brave-browser-beta --versionInstall Brave Browser Nightly via APT Command
If you have imported the nightly repository and wish to install the nightly version of Brave Browser, use this command:
sudo apt install brave-browser-nightlyAfter installing the nightly version, you can confirm the installation and check the nightly build version by running this command:
brave-browser-nightly --versionThe next two methods, using Snap or Flatpak with Flathub to install Brave Browser, only support the stable version, which most users should use on their Ubuntu system. Use the above method if you want the latest via APT, beta, and nightly.
Method 2: Install Brave Browser via Snap
Snap offers a straightforward method for managing and deploying software. This section guides you through installing the Brave Browser through Snap.
Check for Snap’s Existence on Your Ubuntu System
Canonical, the team behind Ubuntu, introduced Snap as a tool for software management. Most Ubuntu installations come with Snap by default. However, if Snap isn’t on your system, you can install it using the command below:
sudo apt install snapd -yThis command sets up the Snap Daemon (snapd) that manages your snap packages.
Install Brave Browser on Ubuntu via Snap
Once the above steps are complete, you can install the Brave Browser. You can do so with the command below:
sudo snap install braveHere, ‘sudo’ grants you administrative rights, ‘snap’ calls the Snap package manager, ‘install’ instructs you to install a package, and ‘brave-browser’ is the software you aim to install.
Method 3: Install Brave Browser via Flatpak and Flathub
This section introduces you to installing the Brave Browser via the Flatpak package manager. Like Snap, Flatpak offers a unique approach to software deployment, ensuring applications can run across almost any Linux distribution through an isolated runtime environment.
Note: If your system doesn’t have Flatpak, please see our comprehensive guide “How to Install Flatpak on Ubuntu” for a step-by-step breakdown on installing the most up-to-date version of Flatpak.
Enable Flathub for Brave Browser
To install the Brave Browser using Flatpak, you must first activate the Flathub repository, a primary source for Flatpak apps. Run the following command to add Flathub to your Flatpak setup:
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoThis command integrates the Flathub repository, widening your access to various applications, including the Brave Browser.
Install Brave Browser via Flatpak
After setting up Flathub, you can install the Brave Browser on your Ubuntu system with the below command:
flatpak install flathub com.brave.Browser -yThis ensures you get the Brave Browser from Flathub, which guarantees the latest version.
Launch the Brave Browser via GUI or CLI Methods
After successfully installing the desired version(s) of Brave Browser, it’s time to launch the browser and start enjoying its features. There are several methods to run Brave Browser on your system, depending on your preference.
CLI Method to Launch Brave Browser
You can launch Brave Browser directly from the terminal by executing the appropriate command based on the version you have installed:
Stable installations of the Brave browser can use one of the following commands that match the method of installation:
APT installations
brave-browserSnap installations:
snap run braveFlatpak installations:
flatpak run com.brave.BrowserFor Brave beta and nightly APT installations, use the following commands depending on the version you installed and want to run:
brave-browser-betabrave-browser-nightlyGUI Method to Launch Brave Browser
While launching Brave Browser from the terminal might be helpful in some cases, it might not be the most convenient method. You can easily find and launch Brave Browser from your desktop environment using the following steps:
- Click on Activities or your system’s application launcher.
- Click on Show Apps or a similar option to display the installed applications.
- Locate the Brave Web Browser icon and click on it to launch the browser.
Additional Commands for Brave Browser
Update Brave Browser
To keep Brave Browser up-to-date, you can use the APT package manager. First, check for available updates for your entire system:
sudo apt updateIf there is an update available for Brave Browser, you can upgrade all packages:
sudo apt upgradeAlternatively, you can update Brave Browser directly without updating all the packages simultaneously. For example, to update the stable version of Brave Browser:
sudo apt upgrade brave-browserAlternatively, Snap installations can run the following terminal command to blanket-check all packages installed for updates:
snap refreshSimilar to Snap update command, the same command methodology can be used for Flatpak:
flatpak updateRemove Brave Browser
APT Remove Method For Brave Browser
If you need to uninstall Brave Browser, follow these steps based on the installed version(s).
sudo apt remove brave-browsersudo apt remove brave-browser-betasudo apt remove brave-browser-nightlyNext, if you plan not to re-install Brave, you should remove the added repositories and use the following commands based on the version(s) you have installed:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.listsudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-beta.listsudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-nightly.listThese commands will remove the specific Brave Browser repositories. By removing the repositories, you prevent future updates to the browser, and it will no longer appear in your package manager.
Snap Remove Method For Brave Browser
To remove Brave Browser that was installed via Snap, use the following command:
sudo snap remove braveFlatpak Remove Method For Brave Browser
Similar to Snap, removing Brave Browser from Ubuntu installations is as simple as one command:
flatpak uninstall flathub com.brave.BrowserConclusion
In wrapping up, this guide walked you through the steps to install Brave Browser on Ubuntu, diving into first-time tips to enhance your browsing experience with privacy, performance, and customization at the forefront. We explored everything from setting up Brave’s unique features to tweaking it for maximum security. The takeaway? Brave is more than just a browser; it’s a gateway to a safer, faster, and more private internet experience. Give it a whirl, dig into its settings, and make it yours. Remember, the web is vast, and with Brave, you’re navigating it on your terms. Happy browsing!
Useful Links
Here are some valuable links related to using the Brave browser:
- Brave Official Website: Visit the official Brave website for information about the browser, its features, and download options.
- Brave Search: Use Brave’s search engine for privacy-focused browsing.
- Web Discovery Project: Learn about the Web Discovery Project and how it enhances your browsing experience while maintaining privacy.
- Brave FAQ: Find answers to frequently asked questions about using Brave.
- Brave Community: Join the Brave community forum to discuss issues, share solutions, and get support from other users.
- Brave Latest Release Notes: Stay updated with the latest release note updates from Brave.
- Brave Transparency: Explore Brave’s transparency reports and learn about their commitment to privacy and security.
- Brave GitHub Repository: Access the Brave GitHub repository to view the source code, report issues, and contribute to the development.