Epic Browser

Privacy focused but partially Closed-Source? Yeah... I don't know, too risky. It seems it hasn't been updated since late 2022 too (Edit: I have validated that its Chromium under the hood is being updated, as of now; is on some version of 133, on contrast Chrome is on some version of 134) they only have a 32-Bit version too.

They lack a lot of transparency, they could easily be Data-Mining without you even knowing due to their Closed-Source implementations.

It is also focused for Indian-specific users, use at your own risk (Edit: I had to use a program to force the uninstall as it simply refused to proceed with Epic's uninstaller), can't recommend it.

Epic is months behind in updates compared to Chrome and it dubs itself to be a "privacy-centric" browser despite being closed-source. And coming from India-based Hidden Reflex, I suspect it to be a scam (especially considering the epicbrowser.com website itself looks a bit fishy). The last update for the iOS release was in 2020, and every other release has last been updated in late 2024 as of this comment. There is no Linux release either, showing more of its proprietary nature. (Additionally, it's barely posted any blogs, e.g. with only one in 2023, two in 2022, and one in 2021.)

While Epic may have had its ten "Epic" firsts (or so it seems) over the last 15 years, technology has evolved, and it seems like Epic wants to stay dated and cannot match the likes of other open-source browsers that took multiple advancements in privacy since 2010.

2025: Sad to say, Epic did away with its built-in VPN. Woe is me.. It was nice while it lasted. While Tor is a popular privacy browser, it is painfully slow. Opera now seems to be the only other free browser with free VPN built-in. It handles much better than Tor.

Deleted for good.

More like an EPIC FAIL! -- here's a CinemaSins' style litany of fails for a programme which proclaims loudly and insistently of being a champion of privacy.

1. They only offer an streaming install - a small executable (called a 'stub') is available for download, executing which then causes the 'stub' to "phone home" and fetch the rest of the install.

Thats Privacy Fail even before you begin using this p.o.s.

2. This method of install will fail silently on securely locked down computers - like mine - meaning that it'll present a dialogue with a close button lulling you into thinking that it installed successfully, but there'll be no means to launch the programme - no icon on the desktop, quick launch toolbar, or the start menu. Nothing in the Program Files folders.

Also no error message is displayed. You'll be left troubleshooting on your own. And the only mention of this issue is raised as a thread on their forum their reply to which please judge for yourself:

german.delendik: Guest

Can't find the Epic browser application (being approved)

Hello. Today I wanted to give Epic browser a try, and installed it. Then I decided to launch it but IDK what application launches it. Please help

alok_epicteam Administrator

Re: Can't find the Epic browser application (being approved)

Hmmm, there should be an Epic icon there to click. In case the online installer didn't work and Epic didn't get installed, please go to %localappdata% then delete the Epic folder there then try installing Epic again.

---end quote---

Also, in order to seek help, this forum is the only resource. But you have to REGISTER agreeing to their terms and conditions and sharing an inordinate amount of personal information; help which should have been made available in a help file or a wiki not requiring registration -- another Privacy Fail!

This is in addition to the other fails called out in the reviews over here.

Verdict: Not even worth your time to evaluate or keep as a back-up browser on your computer. You're better off with K-Meleon instead.

I tried it on my mac. In Mojave, it worked for one day and now I cannot force quit it. I removed the app and am waiting to restart the iMac.

Sigh. It seemed like a good match....