When comparing the Brave and Safari browsers in terms of syncing capabilities between an iPad, iPhone, and Mac, there are several key differences to consider:

1. Syncing Mechanism

Brave:

• Brave uses a manual sync setup that involves creating a sync chain. Users must go to the settings on their mobile device, select ‘Sync’, and then either enter a sync code or scan a QR code from the desktop version.
• Users can set up multiple profiles, but each profile needs to be synced individually, which can be cumbersome if you have several profiles for different users or purposes. More details can be found here.

Safari:

• Safari offers a more seamless integration across Apple devices, leveraging iCloud. Users can enable Safari syncing through the iCloud settings, allowing bookmarks, history, passwords, and open tabs to automatically sync across devices.
• Because it is deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, the setup is straightforward, requiring only an iCloud account and the appropriate settings enabled.

2. Types of Data Synced

Brave:

• Brave supports the syncing of bookmarks, open tabs, and browsing history, but users have reported variability in the functionality, such as issues with syncing tabs consistently across devices. User discussions highlight some syncing challenges.
• As of current versions, Brave's syncing features are still in development, and some functionality may not be as polished as established browsers.

Safari:

• Safari excels in syncing a broader range of data including bookmarks, reading lists, open tabs, and history without the need for manual setup once iCloud is configured. This makes it generally more efficient for users who rely heavily on interconnected devices.
• Safari also syncs passwords and form data across devices, enhancing the user experience by keeping all relevant data unified.

3. User Experience and Performance

Brave:

• The experience can be inconsistent in syncing speed and reliability, particularly when dealing with multiple profiles and the need for manual intervention to ensure that everything is updated correctly.
• Users have reported some issues with syncing status, often requiring fixes or troubleshooting steps, such as reinstalling the application to fix sync-related problems. More on this here.

Safari:

• Users generally find Safari's syncing capabilities to be reliable and fast, with changes immediately reflected across all devices connected to the same iCloud account.
• As part of the Apple ecosystem, Safari has optimizations that enhance performance and security, particularly for users who are already invested in Apple's suite of products.

Conclusion

Overall, Safari offers a more robust and reliable syncing experience across iPad, iPhone, and Mac due to its built-in iCloud integration. Brave provides a promising alternative with its distinctive features focused on privacy, but the syncing process can be more convoluted and may require manual intervention and troubleshooting. If seamless syncing is a priority, Safari is the better choice, while Brave may be suitable for users who value its privacy-first approach and are willing to navigate its syncing limitations.