If you like Brave’s built-in privacy protections but don’t use its AI, crypto or other extra features, Brave Origin might be worth a look.
It’s a streamlined version of Brave that keeps its core browsing and privacy features while removing a selection of optional extras.
There’s one particularly interesting detail: Brave Origin normally costs $59.99 as a one-time purchase, but Linux users can get it free.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to install or activate Brave Origin on Linux, explain what’s different from regular Brave and walk through a few privacy settings worth checking.
The instructions focus on desktop Linux, including Linux Mint. Menu names may vary slightly depending on your Brave version.
Watch the Video Walkthrough
Prefer to see how it works? Watch my original Brave Origin walkthrough below, then follow the updated instructions in this article.
Note: The video demonstrates an earlier Nightly based installation. Brave now provides dedicated Origin downloads, so the instructions below reflect the current options.
What Is Brave Origin?
Brave Origin is a minimalist version of the Brave browser.
It retains Brave Shields, which provides built-in tracker and ad blocking, along with the browser’s regular security updates.
The main difference is what happens to Brave’s additional features.
For example, the standalone Origin browser removes features including:
- Leo AI
- Brave Rewards and browser-based Brave Ads
- Brave Wallet
- Brave VPN
- Brave News
- Brave Talk
- Brave’s built-in Tor feature
- Email Aliases and several other optional features
Brave also states that Origin removes its daily usage ping, crash reporting and privacy preserving product analytics.
This doesn’t mean every network connection disappears or that the browser makes you anonymous. It means specific optional features and reporting mechanisms are removed.
There are two ways to use Origin on desktop: install it as a separate application or upgrade an existing Brave installation.
Step 1: Choose How You Want to Use Brave Origin
Before installing anything, decide whether you want a separate browser or prefer to keep your existing Brave setup.
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Standalone Brave Origin | Installs a separate, streamlined browser with optional features removed from the build. |
| Upgrade existing Brave | Enables Origin within your current installation, with optional features disabled through its settings. |
If you want to keep your existing Brave installation untouched while trying Origin, the standalone version is a useful choice.
If you’re already using Brave and want to continue with your existing browser, the upgrade option may be more convenient.
Both options are available free to Linux users.
Step 2: Install Brave Origin on Linux
For a fresh installation, start with Brave’s official website.
- Visit Brave Origin for Linux.
- Select the regular Release version rather than Beta or Nightly, unless you specifically want a testing build.
- Follow Brave’s installation instructions for Linux.
- Once installation finishes, open Brave Origin.
Brave also provides an official installation script for supported Linux distributions.
At the time of writing, the Release installation command shown on Brave’s website is:
curl -fsS https://dl.brave.com/install.sh | FLAVOR=origin sh
Only use installation commands obtained from Brave’s official website. Because this command downloads and runs a shell script, review the script and its signature verification instructions before executing it.
The FLAVOR=origin part selects the standalone Origin build. This is different from installing the standard Brave Nightly browser.
Step 3: Activate Brave Origin for Free
After installing Brave Origin, open the browser.
You may see an activation screen asking you to verify a purchase or buy a licence.
On Linux, you don’t need to pay to use Origin.
- Look for the Proceed with Origin for free on Linux option.
- Select it.
- Complete the remaining setup prompts.
- Allow the browser to restart if requested.
Brave states that the free Linux activation option appears during the initial standalone setup.
Once the process finishes, you can use Brave Origin without purchasing the $59.99 licence.
The free offer is specific to Linux. It doesn’t give you a paid licence for Windows, macOS or mobile devices.
Alternative: Activate Origin in Your Existing Brave Browser
Already have Brave installed on Linux? You may not need another browser.
Brave supports upgrading an existing installation to Origin.
- Open Brave.
- Click the three line menu in the top right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Open System.
- Scroll to the Brave Origin section.
- Select Proceed with Origin for free on Linux.
- Follow the prompts and restart Brave when requested.
After activation, Brave provides an Origin settings panel where supported optional features can be managed.
The upgraded version differs from the standalone application. Optional features are disabled rather than completely removed from the browser build.
For a cleaner installation with those features removed, choose the standalone version instead.
Step 4: Check Your Brave Shields Settings
Origin keeps Brave’s built-in Shields protections.
Even though these protections work without installing extra extensions, I still recommend reviewing a few settings.
Open Brave’s menu, select Settings, then choose Shields.
You can also enter brave://settings/shields in the address bar.
Here are the options worth checking:
| Setting | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Trackers & ad blocking | Aggressive blocking for stronger filtering |
| Fingerprinting protection | Keep enabled |
| Forget me when I close this site | Enable for sites whose stored data you don’t want to retain |
Aggressive tracker blocking
Aggressive blocking can reduce unwanted advertising and tracking requests.
However, stronger filtering can sometimes interfere with website features.
If a trusted website stops working properly, use the Shields icon in the address bar to adjust its protection for that site rather than weakening your settings everywhere.
Fingerprinting protection
Browser fingerprinting involves using information about your browser and device to help recognise you across visits.
Brave includes fingerprinting protections designed to reduce this type of tracking.
Check that the protection is enabled, but remember that no browser can guarantee complete protection against every tracking technique.
Forgetful Browsing
Brave’s Forgetful Browsing feature clears stored site information after you finish using a website.
You can enable it globally through Shields settings or selectively for individual websites.
It’s useful when you don’t want websites retaining cookies and other stored data between visits.
The downside is that websites may forget your preferences or sign you out.
For everyday services where you want to remain logged in, consider using site specific exceptions rather than enabling it everywhere.
For a more detailed walkthrough of these protections, see my Brave Privacy Settings Guide.
Is Brave Origin More Private Than Regular Brave?
Not necessarily in every situation.
Both browsers use Brave’s core privacy protections, including Shields. Origin isn’t a separate anonymity system or an entirely different browser engine.
Its main advantage is having fewer optional features included or enabled.
That may appeal to you if you want a browser focused on ordinary browsing without AI assistants, crypto features or other built-in extras.
However, those removals also involve trade offs.
For example, Brave Origin removes Email Aliases and other features some people find genuinely useful.
If you regularly use those tools, the standard free Brave browser may suit you better.
You can read about two of those features in my guide to Brave Email Aliases and Containers.
It’s also worth remembering that you can hide or disable many optional features in regular Brave without paying for Origin.
Is Brave Origin Worth Using on Linux?
If you’re happy with the standard Brave browser, there’s no urgent need to switch.
Regular Brave already includes strong built-in tracking protections, receives security updates and remains free.
But if you prefer a more minimal browser, Origin gives you another option without an additional licence cost on Linux.
Personally, I think the appeal is having fewer unwanted features to manage, rather than expecting some dramatic improvement in anonymity.
It’s still important to keep your browser updated, check site permissions and use sensible security practices.
Final Thoughts
Brave Origin offers Linux users a straightforward way to run a more streamlined version of Brave without paying the usual one time licence fee.
You can install it separately or activate Origin in an existing Brave installation.
Whichever option you choose, take a few minutes to review Shields, fingerprinting protection and the way your browser handles website data.
A simpler browser can be useful, but your privacy still depends on the settings you choose and how you use it.
If you prefer video tutorials, you can also follow Safe Web Life on YouTube for more practical guides to online privacy and security.
