About
Brave Leo is a built-in AI assistant for the Brave browser, designed with privacy as its core principle. Unlike standalone AI chatbots, Leo operates directly within your browsing session — no account, no login, and no data retention. Your chats are not stored on Brave's servers or used for model training, making it one of the most private AI assistants available. Leo can summarize webpages, PDFs, Google Docs, and Google Sheets in seconds, helping you extract key information without reading every word. It supports content creation (articles, essays, emails), language translation, coding assistance, and general Q&A. On mobile, voice-to-text input lets you ask questions hands-free. Leo integrates with Brave Search to deliver answers enriched with up-to-date web results. Users can bring their own local or remote AI models via the Bring Your Own Model (BYOM) feature, giving advanced users fine-grained control. Temporary chats that auto-delete and local-only chat history ensure your conversations stay on your device. The free tier provides access to capable models including Mixtral, Claude, and Meta's Llama. Leo Premium unlocks additional model options and faster response speeds. Available across macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android, Brave Leo is ideal for privacy-conscious users, researchers, students, and professionals who want AI assistance without surveillance.
Key Features
- Privacy-First Design: Leo never retains chats, shares conversations, or uses them for model training. No account or login is required to start chatting.
- In-Browser Document Analysis: Analyze PDFs, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and any open webpage directly within your tab without copying and pasting content elsewhere.
- Brave Search Integration: Leo taps into Brave Search to enrich answers with real-time, up-to-date web information for more accurate and relevant responses.
- Bring Your Own Model (BYOM): Connect local or remote AI models, including third-party APIs, giving power users full control over which AI engine processes their queries.
- Multi-Model Access: Free and Premium users get access to top-tier models including Mixtral, Anthropic's Claude, and Meta's Llama, switchable on demand.
Use Cases
- Summarizing long articles, research papers, or PDFs without leaving the browser tab
- Getting real-time answers to questions enriched with up-to-date Brave Search results
- Drafting emails, blog posts, or essays with AI-generated content suggestions
- Analyzing spreadsheets or documents from Google Docs and Google Sheets for quick insights
- Getting coding help, including sample code and database query suggestions, while browsing developer documentation
Pros
- Exceptional Privacy: No account needed, no chat history on servers, and no data used for training — a rare combination among AI assistants.
- Seamless Browser Integration: Accessible directly from the address bar or toolbar, Leo removes friction by keeping AI assistance within your existing browsing workflow.
- Cross-Platform Availability: Works on all major platforms — macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android — keeping your AI experience consistent across devices.
- Flexible Model Options: Supports multiple leading LLMs and lets users bring their own models, accommodating a wide range of use cases and preferences.
Cons
- Requires Brave Browser: Leo is exclusive to the Brave browser, so users who prefer Chrome, Firefox, or Safari cannot access it without switching browsers.
- Best Features Behind Premium: Access to the fastest models and expanded model selection requires a paid Leo Premium subscription.
- Limited Third-Party Integrations: Unlike standalone AI tools, Leo does not integrate with external productivity platforms like Notion, Slack, or Zapier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brave Leo free to use?
Yes, Brave Leo has a free tier with access to several capable models. A Leo Premium subscription is also available for users who want faster responses and access to additional models.
Does Brave Leo store my conversations?
No. Brave Leo does not retain or share your chats, and they are never used for model training. Chat history is saved locally on your device only if you enable that feature.
What can I use Brave Leo for?
Leo can summarize webpages, PDFs, and documents; answer general questions; create content like articles and emails; translate languages; assist with coding; and organize browser tabs.
Which AI models does Brave Leo support?
Leo provides access to models from Mixtral, Anthropic (Claude), and Meta (Llama). Users can also connect their own local or remote models via the Bring Your Own Model (BYOM) feature.
Is Brave Leo available on mobile?
Yes, Brave Leo is available on iOS and Android through the Brave mobile browser. On iOS, you can also use voice-to-text to ask Leo questions without typing.
