A new version of the Brave browser called Brave Origin has started appearing in Nightly and Beta builds, offering a stripped-down experience for users who prefer privacy without extra features.
This new variant removes several built-in tools, including Rewards, Wallet, VPN, and the Leo AI assistant. The goal is simple: deliver a cleaner browser focused purely on performance and privacy.
Currently, Brave Origin is available as pre-release builds — version 1.91.33 in Nightly and 1.90.102 in Beta — both running on Chromium 147. While this marks real progress since the initial announcement, a stable release is still on the horizon.
When users install Brave Origin, they are greeted with a welcome message that reads:
“Thanks for installing Brave Origin, a version of the browser for users who don’t need all the features that support Brave as a business, but still want the privacy that only Brave offers.”
That message quickly drew criticism on Reddit, where some users described the tone as passive-aggressive. Brave co-founder Brian Bondy responded directly, confirming that the wording will be revised before the official release.
According to project details shared on GitHub, Brave Origin comes in two different implementations. One is a completely separate build where removed features are not included at all. The other works as an upgrade option for existing users, disabling features through admin or group policies.
The key difference between the two approaches lies in updates. The standalone build avoids updating removed components entirely, while the policy-based version allows users to re-enable certain features if needed.
Interestingly, Brave Origin is being offered free of charge on Linux, while users on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS will need to pay a one-time fee of $59.99.
Brave says the Linux decision is intentional. Because of the platform’s open-source nature, developers could compile similar builds independently, making it difficult to enforce a paid model. Offering it for free also encourages community testing and feedback.
However, the pricing on other platforms has sparked mixed reactions. Some users see it as a fair trade-off for a privacy-focused browser that avoids ads and tracking. Others argue it may struggle to compete with fully free alternatives.
This isn’t the first time Brave has faced questions about its product direction. Earlier this year, CEO Brendan Eich addressed confusion around Origin, emphasizing that the standard Brave browser will remain unchanged and free to use.
For now, users interested in testing Brave Origin can try it through the Nightly channel. If development continues on schedule, the stable release is expected to arrive with the Brave 1.91 update.
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