New Brave Browser Release Available for General Download on Brave.com

Redesigned Chromium-based desktop version
replaces previous Muon-based browser and delivers 22% faster load time

Starting today, users who download a new version of the Brave desktop browser from the Brave website will be presented with Brave’s latest browser release, which was recently redesigned and is based on Chromium. This new release (0.55) is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Today’s release is a milestone on our path to Brave 1.0, and it will be followed by several releases before 1.0 is officially launched in order to include new features in Brave Rewards (currently in beta), as well as cross-platform sync. This Chromium-based release was originally made available to developers and early adopters on September 6th, and then as an initial beta for a larger base on September 27th. Developers can continue to see the latest advances in Brave’s Build Channels, which feature the Brave Dev and Brave Beta builds. Developers who would like to file issues can post them here.

The Muon-based Brave browser is no longer available for download on our site, but users who currently browse with it (latest version is 0.25.2) will continue to receive necessary updates until they are fully upgraded to this new release in the near future. They can also choose to download the new version today.

Along with today’s release, we are sharing internal performance tests and metrics highlighting significant performance advantages with this new Chromium-based browser, beyond what is achieved by simply blocking unwanted content. On average, it has a 22% faster load time than the Brave Muon version, making this release our fastest browser ever. These gains can represent savings of 8 to 12 seconds on certain sites. Details and methodology can be found here.

Today’s release also features the following updates from the September 27th beta version (overall feature descriptions are here):

  • Tab shape and color changes
  • URL bar centered changes
  • Brave Rewards beta: Brave Rewards replaces Brave Payments with improved usability, more visibility, and new features. With this release, Brave Rewards enters beta.We look forward to getting your feedback on this redesigned approach.  
  • Default Brave Shield settings
  • Several Tor-related privacy enhancements (including disabling features that can leak information like the IP address)
  • A private search engine can now be set separately
  • Disable WebRTC setting
  • Fixes to Widevine functionality
  • PDF files can now load file:// URLs
  • Removing links to unused sign-ins to Google
  • Localization updates
  • Multiple web compatibility fixes
  • Various crash fixes

We’re grateful for all the user feedback we have received since the developer version came out, which has resulted in many improvements. In the coming weeks, we will be releasing more upgrades as we get ready for 1.0 and we hope to continue hearing from you in our Community forum.

For information about the release schedule, please visit: https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/wiki/Brave-Release-Schedule

A detailed rundown of the roadmap is available here: https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/wiki/Roadmap

Related articles

Ready for a better Internet?

Brave’s easy-to-use browser blocks ads by default, making the Web cleaner, faster, and safer for people all over the world.

close

Almost there…

You’re just 60 seconds away from the best privacy online

If your download didn’t start automatically, .

  1. Download Brave

    Click “Save” in the window that pops up, and wait for the download to complete.

    Wait for the download to complete (you may need to click “Save” in a window that pops up).

  2. Run the installer

    Click the downloaded file at the top right of your screen, and follow the instructions to install Brave.

    Click the downloaded file, and follow the instructions to install Brave.

  3. Import settings

    During setup, import bookmarks, extensions, & passwords from your old browser.

Need help?

Get better privacy. Everywhere!

Download Brave mobile for privacy on the go.

Download QR code
Click this file to install Brave Brave logo
Click this file to install Brave Brave logo
Click this file to install Brave Brave logo