# Ghostery Private Browser — user reviews > 117 indexed App Store user reviews of Ghostery Private Browser by Ghostery GmbH, rated 3.90/5 from 869 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ghostery-private-browser/id472789016/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ghostery-private-browser/id472789016.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 472 · 4★ 173 · 3★ 53 · 2★ 44 · 1★ 127 ## What do users think of Ghostery Private Browser? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 🚀 Fast and efficient browsing - 🔒 Robust privacy and ad-blocking features - 👍 Minimalistic and user-friendly interface - 💡 Ability to add custom search engines **Cons** - 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezing issues - 🔋 Slow page loading and high resource consumption - 👎 Unreliable bookmark management and organization - 🤔 Unclear privacy practices and data collection **Commonly reported bugs** - Keyboard freezing on launch - Inconsistent behavior when clearing browsing data - Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions **Most requested features** - Dark mode option - Improved tab management and navigation - Better cookie and tracking control - Sync bookmarks and settings across devices ## Newest reviews (14 of 117) ### 4/5 — Nice minimalistic browser. *2024-09-17* I would love the option to change font size and sync bookmarks with other devices. Apart from that a great app. ### 4/5 — Deleting all data need simplifying! *2024-08-28* Brilliant app but the main problem is you need to go virtually all around the world to clear all your private data and website data via tapping the blue ghostery icon then go into the settings this is after you deleted the top sites and then history! So yeah it needs simplifying because I get the feeling that it’s a deliberate attempt to make the user believe they’ve cleared all their browsing history and data when in reality they haven’t- I’ve seen comments many times regarding this problem but apart from that if it’s privacy your after then this is a brilliant choice although BRAVE is number one in my opinion as clearing all data only takes three steps rather than six/seven that’s needed in ghostery! So to anyone struggling to clear everything (again you need to go into the settings) I’d give this a 5 🌟 if it was simplified in cleaning all data (NOT HAVING IT VIRTUALLY HIDDEN IN THE GEAR COG SETTING) “ it give me the feeling I’m being duped into thinking I’ve cleared all my private data when In fact this isn’t the case - is this app trying to retain user data? So again ( clear website data and history then hit the ghostery icon and then the “gear cog that opens a new chapter in more data you have yet to clear” ### 3/5 — Has every opportunity to be better but says nah *2023-09-05* I can tell you about the good but anyone with no understanding of what a private browser should be will take devs at their words and focus on the ease of their browsing experience and UI features. Blocking tracking and ads alone don’t make a privacy browser. It’s basically just Firefox without a sentry ID and its own search engine. So maybe more like Brave but with far less features. They still collect data though - it’s right there in my DNS filtering log - even with optional data sharing turned off. It’s still sending information in the background when I’m using neither the Safari extension or the browser. Also takes a big L since the app doesn’t address these other areas - doesn’t block WebGL or WebRTC - no say in whether Java Script is on/off, - let you change user agents, - doesn’t let you block outside access to device archetecture - doesn’t block or randomise all hash fingerprints It’s basically just Firefox with it’s own search engine ### 4/5 — Please update to work with iOS 16 *2022-11-18, version 3.1.1* Love love love the app for secure web browsing but the app hasn’t been the same since the last update and with iOS 16. The app is slow crashes constantly amongst other things. Makes it almost unbearable to use. Please release an update asap Thanks ### 2/5 — freezing *2022-10-05* After a recent update the app consistently freezes ### 2/5 — 🥶🥶🥶 *2022-05-17* Just freezes all the time. Also very very slow when searching. I use iPhone XR with latest iOS update today. Still no good. ### 4/5 — Decent *2021-10-27* Pretty good browser, overall am happy with the interface and functionality, and very satisfied with the security. A couple of issues: First up, there used to be a search feature allowing to search for a word on a page, this is a great draw since it isn’t present in any other mobile browsers (I think). While the feature still appears to be present, it no longer works, saying that the word cannot be found in the page. Additionally, since update 3.1.1, thr keyboard freezes EVERY TIME after launching the app and typing one character in the search bar (iPhone 8, iOS 15). The keyboard unfreezes after about two seconds after it originally froze. Overall, I would recommend this as an alternative to Safari for iPhone. ### 3/5 — New update is a bummer *2021-10-27, version 3.1.1* I hate the dark background. Is there a way to change it back to light? Also now when I’m searching images I can’t swipe to view the next one. I have to click the X, but when viewing them collectively the images are very grainy. It’s terrible and super inefficient for viewers. I love this app/browser and have been using for years but I have to say I’m not happy with the latest changes. ### 3/5 — Freeze issue after latest update! *2021-10-22* Hey guys been using Ghostery browser for a minute now but after the last update I’ve noticed that Ghostery browser is freezing up if you want to add another window. Also the initial startup of the app has became very sluggish. It is basically crashing or freezing every now and then. Just wanted y’all to know that. Thanx ### 4/5 — Hmm *2021-10-21* I love this browser! I’m just not fond of the new “glow” update… it’s basically like a dark mode feature, but I like having the option of switching between dark and light mode. There doesn’t seem to be an option to do that with this update. ### 4/5 — Pretty good *2021-03-28* "Find in page" is broken, and missing a Reader mode/view, but otherwise, good! I've been comparing with Brave, and might switch back to Ghostery. ### 3/5 — Clearing cookies is unreliable *2021-03-25* I tried using this because of disliking tracking, but it always takes two or three tries of pressing "clear history, including cookies, browser history and top and pinned sites" for everything to actually disappear. Frequently, you press to delete top and pinned sites and they don't delete until you do it twice, selecting the buttons multiple times. And it doesn't have the option to remember that when you want to delete history you want to purge everything. Doesn't inspire confidence. I wish there was a one-button "just nuke everything" option. ### 4/5 — iPad KB Folio no longer recognized by Ghostery *2020-12-30, version 3.0.2* Since the latest upgrade the App doesn’t recognize input from the KB Foilo KB case of my 2019 iPad Pro 12.9” for entering URLs, searching, comments on Reddit, etc. To input any text it is necessary to use the on-screen KB. But curiously when I sent a bug report to Ghostery via the support function in the app it did recognize the KB input. ??? ### 4/5 — Great browser *2020-12-07* Love that in private mode I can still have bookmarks but when I exit everything deletes itself. Only reason I give it 4 stars is I would like to see the option of opening new tab on background as opposed to only having it open to that page automatically. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Seriously broken, no level of confidence at all *2023-04-23* The app is basically one big ad, after I paid $50 for no ads. Constantly needs to be logged in, doesn’t keep settings, doesn’t clear history automatically, crashes constantly. At this point I’d be worried to make an online transaction or anything important. Cmon y’all, this is rough. honestly sketched out about my entire platform after plugging this in. After 2 hours of ownership I’m working on completely removing the app off my platform in entirety. ### 1/5 — Still has Ads *2022-08-24* So I have been using the Ghostery extension with all my browsers on my PC’s for a number of years now and it has eliminated 99% of all ads on YouTube. Truly the best extension (aka Add-on) in my opinion to thwart Ads from playing. So when I saw the Ghostery Browser app available for iPhone I was thinking it would do the same… except the extension would be already built in. I couldn’t wait to try it and I was so excited. On the very first YouTube video I clicked on using this Ghostery browser, and before the video even started, I was immediately presented with an Ad. WTH?? What’s the point of having a browser if it doesn’t work to eliminate Ads? Please fix it so it works like the extension does so well otherwise what is the point??? ### 1/5 — would give it minus 10 if i could *2022-04-05* downloaded as a very dodggy app, apple store is much worse than google play ### 1/5 — Lousy, needs update *2022-03-18* Was great, now freezes, there are other apps better than this ### 1/5 — Version 3.0 is fantastic!!! *2021-11-05* ‘Find in Page’ DOESN'T WORK!!! Keyboard freezes at launch!!! ### 1/5 — Not so private *2021-10-29, version 3.1.1* This browser is supposed to be private, but even in the private/incognito mode, it stores tons of tracking cookies. I have to clear the data every day. Also, I would give it zero stars if I could, because if you try to browse a website and have the app on your device, it automatically sends you to the app. It is so frustrating. I know I have the app Ghostery, I am not senile. I may have a reason to use a browser. Safari gives you the option whether you want to do to the app or stay in the browser, which is very helpful. Zero stars for Ghostery. **Developer response:** Hey there, we have updated Ghostery for Safari and it is now a new experience. Could you check it out and let us know if you have any questions or concerns? Reach out to us by email at support@ghostery.com. If you like it, let us know by dropping a review or an email to us as well. Thanks! ### 1/5 — Cannot Access YouTube Anymore *2021-09-19* Maybe it’s YouTube doing it, but it won’t load under Ghostery anymore. It this can’t work for YouTube, then what’s the point? ### 1/5 — Does not do what it claims. *2021-09-07* After visiting websites, closing all tabs and clearing all browsing data, traced of many websites remain. Check Settings > Data Management > Website Data and you will sometimes find that certain sites remain, even after clearing them from here and not revisiting they can sometimes reappear and are clearly using some sort of tracking technology to evade Ghosterey’s protection. If you value your privacy you have been warned. ### 1/5 — No, that isn't an adult web site. *2021-04-05, version 3.0.2* Ghostery is now automatically switching to private mode when it encounters what it believes is an adult web site. Following their logic, anything not far left leaning appears to be an adult web site. Granted, the snowflakes on the left might not be able to read scientific papers or web sites that discuss logic, but I can't imagine how they are considered adult web sites. Just another sign the dolts are gaining more control in the interweb? ### 1/5 — Release of 3.0.2 no longer supports ‘find in page’ *2020-10-29* When the 3.0.2 release updated under iOS 14.0 the browser no longer recognises the attached Logitech keyboard and ‘find in page’ no longer functions. This was flakey before but no longer resolves on restarting. A day on and the app doesn’t recognise the internal keyboard either. I suspect that the app needs a fresh install but Apple doesn’t allow this! ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Potential *2024-07-29* Please update the app! Great browser with amazing adblock capabilities, all we need are more frequent updates. Keep fighting the good fight ### 5/5 — Ghostery Private Browser *2024-03-05* I’ve tried and used lots of browsers none compare to the greatness this browser has for sure my favs of any browsers you’ll love this browsers folks it’s a keeper love it 👌❤️✌️✌️ ### 5/5 — Bookmark organization *2023-08-20* I use a lot of bookmarks but unfortunately when trying find an older bookmark it tends to be a perpetual hunt as their place in my list may vary due to other bookmarks that have been deleted. It would be nice to apply a category such as ‘financial’ or ‘sports’ etc so that they could be sorted by category for easy reference. Chris ### 5/5 — I love this browser! *2022-03-13, version 3.1.1* I love this browser but it has a couple flaws like everything. Like I can’t figure out How to export my bookmarks… Is really the only big flaw. Otherwise it would also be nice to be able to organize my bookmarks into folders or something. It would also be awesome to be able change the homepage background colors. Maybe making it so you can Customize the buttons/controls would be incredible! No joke If it had a notepad that could open in a mini sub screen that you could move around and see it while you use everything els normally. it would be the perfect browser. And I download every browser I can find on the App Store. So far this is still the best! Honestly most of that is just me being picky and liking customizing and notes too much lol. But this browser is already the best browser to search something in multiple search engines! I love the fact you can add any search engine you want! Its easy to use. definitely the fastest browser on my phone. By far the best at tracking food delivery orders from websites like doordash and postmates that most browsers won’t load. It also doesn't hurt that the ghost is cute ### 5/5 — This app is more better when I tried it *2022-01-23* The more I used this the more I realised the annoying cookie prompts all gone out the way. Every other browser is unique but Ghostery has been my go to use I driven up the traffic ### 5/5 — Excellent privacy browser *2021-03-25, version 3.0.2* I wanted to thank the developers at Ghostery! You are trying to solve our lack of privacy problem. You should have a higher rating then 4.0. People that are posting rating, please give the developers time. I am really happy with the browser! ### 5/5 — If you tired of ads, use this browser. Five stars. *2020-12-26* Very satisfied ### 5/5 — I definitely love it *2020-11-10, version 3.0.2* I knew a few years ago about the negativity that was surrounding this browser, but now with a new owner and a very informative person on Reddit ( a spokesperson/employee? ) who was clarifying a lot of the negative stigma regarding the old owner and the now new owner, so I checked it out again, and it looks good! HOWEVER, two things: I agree, would like to see which trackers were blocked like back in the old days , and the other being a question....do you guys block FINGERPRINTING, like on Brave? Hope to hear from you guys. By the way, sometimes clearing the history doesn’t clear it until a second or third try... ### 5/5 — Ghostery is really good. Download and use this. It’s The best! *2020-08-13, version 3.0.1* No tracking on searches. Government did not even try to confiscate info from them because there is no info saved. It isn't Google, which will unload all your info to govt, but then you might consider it is private. And they are working to better it all the time. Plus I can find out how many tracers were foiled along with how many ads were NOT showing up. They are doing a great job. I use Apple equipment and Safari isn’t anywhere near this app for privacy. ### 5/5 — Lame update *2020-07-02, version 3.0.0* Now a certain social networking site has detected I’m using a mobile browser even in desktop mode without ghost mode. Sorry devs, you just weakened your app with the recent update. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*