Mojeek vs Brave Search: Privacy Comparison
Here we put Mojeek head-to-head with Brave Search across the six privacy factors that matter most: their data collection practices, encryption implementation, third-party data sharing, user privacy controls, transparency, and historical track record. While both products address similar requirements, the philosophies they bring to protecting users diverge sharply. Our assessment finds that Brave Search provides a noticeably better overall privacy experience, although neither service is without trade-offs that deserve a careful, detailed look.
The Headline Finding
The most useful starting point is the overall tally and the single dimension that decided it. Across the six privacy dimensions we score, Brave Search finishes ahead of Mojeek, 54/60 to 38/60. That total reflects a side-by-side review in which one service is consistently the more privacy-respecting choice, even though both cover the same functional ground.
Most of the distance between these services opens up on Encryption: Mojeek 4/10 versus Brave Search 7/10. Data Collection is where they come closest, a mere 2-point gap (8 vs 10 out of 10). Everything below justifies these totals dimension by dimension.
What Gets Collected
The starting point for judging privacy is always how data is collected. The amount of user data a service captures, keeps, and works with is the single biggest factor behind its privacy exposure. Brave Search shows more discipline on this front, collecting nothing beyond the bare minimum needed for the service to run. The competing option reaches for a much wider set of data, including behavioral patterns, device identifiers, and usage analytics that stretch beyond the essentials. In this category we rated Mojeek 8/10 and Brave Search 10/10. The gap comes down to more than raw volume -- it is about the intent behind each piece of data and whether collecting it was ever justified.
Encryption Implementation
Encryption guards user data as it moves and while it sits at rest, and how well it is built differs enormously from one service to the next. Brave Search puts tougher encryption in place, with sturdier protocols shielding data in transit and stronger safeguards for what is stored. The two implementations part ways on coverage (which data actually gets encrypted), on strength (which algorithms and key lengths back it up), and on whether end-to-end encryption is in play (which keeps even the provider from reading user content). For encryption, Mojeek scored 4/10 while Brave Search scored 7/10.
Third-Party Data Sharing
How services share data with third parties is a critical privacy dimension. This includes sharing with advertising networks, analytics providers, business partners, and in response to government requests. Brave Search maintains more restrictive policies regarding third-party data access. The data sharing practices affect not just privacy but also the security of user information, as each additional party with access represents a potential breach vector. Scores: Mojeek 5/10, Brave Search 8/10.
User Privacy Controls
The availability and effectiveness of user-facing privacy controls determine how much agency individuals have over their own data. This includes settings for data collection opt-out, download and deletion capabilities, granular permission controls, and the ease with which users can exercise their rights under applicable privacy regulations. Brave Search provides more comprehensive and accessible privacy controls. Scores: Mojeek 6/10, Brave Search 9/10.
Transparency
Transparency encompasses how clearly each service communicates its data practices. This includes the readability of privacy policies, the publication of transparency reports, responsiveness to privacy inquiries, and proactive communication about policy changes. Brave Search demonstrates stronger transparency overall. Clear, accessible privacy communication is essential for informed consent and trust. Scores: Mojeek 7/10, Brave Search 10/10.
Track Record Over Time
A service's history of privacy incidents, regulatory actions, and responses to vulnerabilities provides important context. Brave Search has a stronger historical record on privacy, with fewer incidents and more responsible handling of the issues that have arisen. Past behavior is often the best predictor of future privacy practices. Scores: Mojeek 8/10, Brave Search 10/10.
The Final Verdict
Our comprehensive analysis gives Mojeek a total score of 38/60 and Brave Search a total score of 54/60. The overall winner for privacy is Brave Search. While both services serve similar functional needs, the winner demonstrates a more privacy-respecting approach across the dimensions that matter most. That said, no service is perfect, and users should always configure privacy settings actively regardless of which option they choose. We recommend supplementing your choice with additional privacy tools, a VPN, DNS-level ad blocker, and privacy-focused browser, to build a comprehensive privacy posture. If your threat model requires the strongest possible privacy, consider whether an even more privacy-focused alternative exists in this category beyond the two compared here.