# trek noir vs Kernels

The clearest difference is rating: Kernels at 4.7 against trek noir's 3.4. Kernels also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 57%). trek noir's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Kernels holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 10 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of trek noir's written reviews are positive against 83% of Kernels's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | trek noir | Kernels |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trek-noir/id1085878790/reviews) | **[4.7 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kernels-private-search-engine/id1591632823/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **10** |
| Positive reviews | 57.1% of reviews | **83.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 39 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vladimir Solomenchuk](https://appshunter.io/developer/440270662) | [Funnls LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1591632825) |

## What reviewers say

### trek noir

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trek-noir/id1085878790)

This is a web browser designed for enhanced privacy, allowing direct connection to I2P and Tor networks. It provides a more anonymous browsing experience by routing your internet traffic through these decentralized networks.

**Highlights:** Connects to I2P, Connects to Tor, Private web browsing, Direct network connection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Kernels

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kernels-private-search-engine/id1591632823)

This app acts as a personal search engine, allowing you to index and quickly find your saved text, web pages, images, emails, and documents. It prioritizes user privacy and synchronizes your data across devices for easy access anywhere. It helps boost productivity by making your digital information instantly searchable.

**Highlights:** Personal search index, Save text, web pages, images, Search emails and documents, Privacy-focused indexing, Cross-device synchronization, Boost productivity and organization

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is trek noir free?

trek noir is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Kernels free?

Kernels is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, trek noir or Kernels?

Kernels is rated higher. trek noir averages 3.4 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Kernels averages 4.7 from 10 ratings.

### Do trek noir or Kernels have ads?

Neither trek noir nor Kernels shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, trek noir or Kernels?

trek noir ships an update every 2 months, and Kernels every 2 months. Most recently, trek noir was updated on November 6, 2026 and Kernels on November 3, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*