Secure browsers and speed test ads

TL;DR

If you want to use a speed test like Ookla's Speedtest without ads, it's best to use a secure and privacy-friendly browser like Brave (Chromium-based) or Mullvad (Firefox-based).

 

Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Method of measurement
  3. Browsers to test
  4. The measurements
  5. Conclusions
 

Introduction

Recently we tested the clutter-free score of speed tests and whether speed tests show ads. For these tests we did not use the standard web browser (Firefox) because it does not show advertisements by default.

This raised the question of which web browsers do or do not show ads. Or more generally: we are looking for a privacy-friendly browser that at least Cover Your Tracks.

 

Method of measurement

For this test, we run Cover Your Tracks and investigate Ookla's Speedtest in several browsers.

The Ookla Speedtest was deliberately chosen because it has a very low clutter-free score.

 

Browsers to test

We will test the web browsers Brave, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Librewolf and Mullvad. Brave, Librewolf and Mullvad because they have, according to PrivacyTests.org, a strong fingerprinting resistance. The other browsers where already installed and are used as a reference.

Firefox, Librewolf and Mullvad use the Gecko engine, while Chrome, Brave and Edge use the Blink engine.

Note that we don't test the TOR browser. This is because we know that using TOR is disastrous for your internet speed.

 

The measurements

First we test hoe secure the browsers are according to Cover Your Tracks.

  1. Brave does block ads and invisible trackers, this browser has a randomized fingerprint
  2. Chrome does not block ads and does not block invisible trackers, this browser has a unique fingerprint
  3. Edge does not block ads and does not block invisible trackers, this browser has a nearly-unique fingerprint
  4. Firefox does block ads and invisible trackers, this browser has a nearly-unique fingerprint
  5. Librewolf does block ads and invisible trackers, this browser has partial fingerprinting protection
  6. Mullvad does block ads and invisible trackers, this browser has a non-unique fingerprint

In second instance we test the working of Ookla's speedtest.

  1. Brave Speedtest works fine, there are no ads, you can start the test directly
  2. Chrome Speedtest works fine, there are ads and two pop-up windows you have to close
  3. Edge Speedtest works fine, there are ads and two pop-up windows you have to close
  4. Firefox Speedtest works fine, there are no ads, you have to close two pop-up windows
  5. Librewolf Speedtest works fine, there are no ads, you have to close two pop-up windows
  6. Mullvad Speedtest works fine, there are no ads, you can start the test directly

Some examples

In Chrome (and Edge) there is a cookie banner and a reference to the privacy policy. Ads are shown after accepting cookies.

In Firefox (and Librewolf) there are two (!) references to the privacy policy. No ads are shown after closing both banners.

In Brave (and Mullvad) there are no pop-up windows and no ads.

 

Conclusions

Based on the above measurements, we conclude that:

  1. Brave and Mullvad have the best fingerprint protection
  2. Brave, Firefox, Librewolf and Mullvad blocks ads and invisible trackers
  3. Ookla's speedtest works fine in all tested browsers
  4. Brave and Mullvad offers the best user experience when you want to test your internet speed with Ookla's speedtest

Brave and Mullvad don't show ads, and are -spring 2024- the most secure browsers. If you prefer a Firefox based (Gecko) secure browser, use Mullvad. If you prefer a Chromium based (Blink) secure browser, use Brave.