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Brave cuts adblock memory use by 75% with new update

Brave Cuts Adblock Memory Usage by 75% | Users Share Mixed Reactions

By

Mark Patel

Jan 7, 2026, 05:58 AM

Edited By

Sarah O'Neil

Updated

Jan 7, 2026, 10:26 PM

2 minutes needed to read

Brave browser showing improved adblock features and reduced memory usage
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Brave recently rolled out an update to its adblock engine, achieving a 75% reduction in memory consumption. This improvement has triggered varied reactions from the community, as people discuss both the technical gains and lingering concerns over Braveโ€™s management and future direction.

Evaluating the Update

Many people express enthusiasm for the memory savings, but some remain skeptical. The Brave browser, now compared to mainstream options, is navigating a wave of opinions about its effectiveness amid ongoing leadership controversies.

Users Reflect on Performance

  • One user stated, "Speed and simplicity, thereโ€™s no extras, no bloat."

  • Another mentioned conducting speed tests, noting "pages opened and closed faster."

  • In contrast, some like a user comment, "Curiously, I still prefer Zooming and scrolling to the garbage Facebook version that's now 'normal.'"

Leadership Concerns Persist

  • Users continue to voice dissatisfaction with Brave's leadership. One comment read, "Did they overhaul their bigoted leadership?" highlighting frustration with prior decisions.

  • Another person switched to Firefox due to management issues, underscoring that technical improvements aren't enough to retain users.

Subscription Model Debate

The introduction of a paid version, Brave Origin, aimed at streamlining performance, has stirred anxiety among free users worried it could lead to reduced features. A common concern echoes, "Iโ€™m worried about free Brave being enshittified."

Community Sentiment

Despite the positive feedback on memory efficiency, the overall sentiment remains mixed, with ongoing worries about management and future updates. Some see Brave as a backup browser due to lingering performance concerns related to leadership.

"Iโ€™m still using Brave rn, but itโ€™s been demoted to my backup backup browser," noted a frustrated user.

Key Insights

  • ๐Ÿ”น Users appreciate a notable 75% drop in memory consumption, valuing efficiency.

  • ๐Ÿ”ธ Leadership controversies lead to ongoing calls for reform.

  • โญ The prospect of the paid version raises fears of diminishing the free versionโ€™s appeal.

With Brave aiming to enhance its competitive edge in the browser market, the stakes are high. Will users embrace the upgrades, or will doubts about leadership derail Braveโ€™s efforts? The coming updates will be critical in shaping perceptions and user loyalty.