Brave launches Origin, paid minimalist browser with extras stripped out

Brave has released Origin, a paid, minimalist version of its browser that disables most non-core features by default while keeping ad and tracker blocking (Shields), Chromium security patches, and performance. In the standalone build, extras like Leo AI, Rewards, Wallet, Web3 domains, VPN, Tor, News, Playlist, Speedreader, Talk, and email aliases are compiled out entirely; in upgrade mode they appear in a new Settings panel, toggled off by default, and any future revenue-generating features stay excluded.

• Priced as a one-time $59.99 purchase, free on Linux, with one license covering activation across all devices in either standalone or upgrade mode.
• Live now on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, with iOS support coming; the existing free Brave browser remains unchanged and fully supported.
• CTO Brian Bondy framed Origin as a response to users who wanted Brave's privacy protections without the features that fund the business.