Brave Software has officially launched the stable version of its new “Origin” browser, a paid release that removes a wide range of features, many of which users never requested. The browser is available for a one-time fee of $60 on all supported platforms except Linux.
The San Francisco-based company previewed Origin a few weeks ago, signaling its intention to charge for software that has long been available at no cost. Now that the browser has officially launched, users are getting their first real look at the $60 price.
Brave says Origin was created in response to user demand for a faster, more private browsing experience while also providing a sustainable source of revenue for the company. Central to its pitch is the idea that no browser is truly free, pointing to Chrome as an example where user data helps fuel Google‘s advertising business.
Brave’s free browser already includes strong privacy protections through its Shields feature, which blocks many common tracking tools. The company generates revenue through optional offerings such as Web3 domains, privacy-focused advertising, a VPN, and other services. While users can disable most of these features, Origin takes a more aggressive approach by removing them entirely during compilation, creating a notably slimmer browser than most Chromium-based alternatives.
According to Brave, Origin is designed for users who want the browser’s privacy and ad-blocking features without additional services running in the background. The browser removes a broad range of components, including Leo AI, News, Playlist, Rewards, Brave Ads, Speedreader, Talk, Tor integration, VPN functionality, Wallet, and Web3 domains, Wayback Machine integration, and the Web Discovery Project. It also excludes P3A analytics and daily usage pings.
The paid version of Origin will be updated alongside Brave’s free browser, receiving the same software improvements and Chromium security updates. Users can either download it separately or upgrade from within the browser. Linux users can access Origin at no cost, as many Linux distributions already ship Brave with several of the removed features disabled, though optional paid licenses remain available.
Origin’s payment system is based on a blind token protocol derived from Privacy Pass. Brave says the design enables license verification while keeping purchase information separate from a user’s identity and browsing behavior.
With more than 115 million users worldwide, Brave is presenting Origin as a sustainable source of funding for its ongoing development efforts and privacy-focused infrastructure. However, the response has been divided. Some users question the value of paying for a version of the browser that mainly removes features they could already disable for free, while others see it as a departure from Brave’s original philosophy.
Maybe you would like other interesting articles?