Pure Web Browser vs Startpage
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Pure Web Browser
Experience lightning-fast internet browsing with essential features for performance and simplicity. Enjoy private browsing, ad blocking, and customizable settings for a seamless online experience.
- Lightning-fast browsing
- Dark mode with customization
- Tabbed and full-screen browsing
- Private browsing and adblock
- Password management
- Download manager
- Reader view
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Pure Web Browser is the ultimate lite and fast browser for iOS users who want performance and simplicity in one app. It delivers lightning-fast browsing with essential features to improve your online experience. Enjoy dark mode, tabbed browsing, and swipe gestures for seamless navigation. Pure provides private browsing, adblock, and password management to keep you secure online. User Interface Features - Dark Mode - Dark Mode Style Options (Static/Dynamic) - Tabbed Browsing - Full-Screen Browsing - Font and Color Customization - Swipe Gestures Support - Keyboard Shortcuts Support Browsing Features - Sortable Bookmarks and Bookmark Folders - Download Manager - Find on Page - Reader View - Request Desktop Site - Website Translator - Search Suggestions - Change/Add Default Search Engine - Capture Website Screenshot - Autofill Passwords - Change User Agent - Manage MIME Types - Individual Website Settings - Adjust Video Playback Speed Privacy & Security Features - Adblock - Unlock with Passcode/Touch ID - Private Browsing - Password Management - Clear Website Data
Startpage
Browse the web and search privately with a built-in search engine that protects your data. It clears your history and tabs with one tap, masks your location and IP address, and provides unprofiled search results. Enjoy a secure and private online experience.
- Private search engine
- Clear tabs and history
- Anonymous website visits
- Private tabs and maps
- Unprofiled search results
- Avoid targeted ads
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Rocket into the future of online privacy with the Startpage Private Browser app. This free app is the easiest way to search with Startpage on your mobile device. With Startpage as your built-in, default search engine, you're assured that every search is protected. Trusted by millions worldwide, Startpage ensures your privacy by deleting all personal data and IP addresses with each search, every single time. KEY FEATURES: - Default Private Search: Startpage's private search engine provides users with detailed knowledge panels, instant answers, localized maps, and comprehensive image, video, and news search results—all without tracking or storing any search history. - Clear All Tabs & Browsing History: Prevent privacy risks and cover your tracks with Zap by closing all open tabs and clearing browsing history with one button. - Private Browsing: Startpage's Anonymous View feature lets you visit websites anonymously from your search results. Confidently browse in total privacy. Your location, IP address, DNS masked. - Private Tabs: Securely open and manage multiple private tabs. - Private Maps: Explore local results without revealing your actual location. - Unprofiled Search Results: Experience search without biases. Startpage delivers unprofiled results, ensuring a fair and impartial exploration of the web. - Avoid Targeted Ads: Startpage prevents targeted search ads and invasive 3rd-party retargeting ads. - Strict European Privacy Standards: Trust in privacy that adheres to the highest European standards. Startpage prioritizes your data protection in line with rigorous GDPR privacy regulations. Take control of your online privacy today! Startpage has been trusted since 2006 by millions of users worldwide to protect privacy and provide best-in-class search results. Download the Startpage private browsing app for free and redefine your private search and browsing experience.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Startpage at 4.8 against Pure Web Browser's 4.1. Startpage also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). Pure Web Browser's advantage is iOS requirement (9.3 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Pure Web Browser sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Startpage asks for nothing beyond the download.
Startpage holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Startpage has 6.9K ratings behind it against 43, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 76% of Pure Web Browser's written reviews are positive against 70% of Startpage's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Pure Web Browser ships an update every 3 months, Startpage monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Pure Web Browser | Startpage |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (43 ratings) | 4.8 (6.9K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 76.0% of reviews — better | 70.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 43 | 6.9K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.3 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 237 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Prasomsak Khunmuen | Startpage BV |
Customer experience
Pure Web Browser
Startpage
Bugs and requests
Pure Web Browser
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Startpage
Reported bugs
3 issues- Pages not loading properly
- Inconsistent behavior when searching from iOS home screen
- Anonymous view failing to load images/thumbnails
Requested features
5 requests- Dark mode option
- Ability to export bookmarks and reading lists
- One-tap history/data clearing
- Option to set default private browsing mode
- StartMail app integration
In-app purchases
Pure Web Browser
- Remove in-app ads$0.99
Startpage
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Pure Web Browser free?
Is Startpage free?
Which has better reviews, Pure Web Browser or Startpage?
Do Pure Web Browser or Startpage have ads?
Which is updated more often, Pure Web Browser or Startpage?
Other comparisons
