# BlockYT for Safari vs Customize Search Engine

The clearest difference is price: Customize Search Engine at Free against BlockYT for Safari's $2.99. Customize Search Engine also leads on rating (4.4 vs 4.0) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). BlockYT for Safari's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Customize Search Engine is free to download; BlockYT for Safari costs $2.99 up front. Customize Search Engine sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. BlockYT for Safari asks for nothing beyond the download.

Customize Search Engine holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 36 and 66 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of BlockYT for Safari's written reviews are positive against 77% of Customize Search Engine's.

BlockYT for Safari ships an update every 2 months, Customize Search Engine every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BlockYT for Safari | Customize Search Engine |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.0 (36 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blockyt-for-safari/id1575379461/reviews) | **[4.4 (66 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/customize-search-engine/id6445840140/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 36 | **66** |
| Positive reviews | 72.6% of reviews | **77.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 1 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nikita Kukushkin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1575379463) | [Cizzuk Shihu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1674098361) |

## What reviewers say

### BlockYT for Safari

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blockyt-for-safari/id1575379461)

This Safari extension helps you focus by blocking distractions on the YouTube website. It removes recommendations, Shorts, and comments, allowing for a more focused viewing experience. Advertisements are not blocked.

**Highlights:** Block YouTube recommendations, Hide YouTube Shorts, Disable YouTube comments, Safari extension for iOS and macOS

**Features:** Safari Extension, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Effectively blocks YT Shorts
- ⏱️ Saves significant time
- 🎯 Helps with focus and reduces distractions
- 👍 Works perfectly on Safari
- 💰 Good value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't always block Shorts completely
- 🐛 Comments section blocking is inconsistent
- 🐛 Unstable on macOS Safari
- 🐛 Blocks all videos on the main feed for some users
- 🐛 Doesn't work in the YouTube app

**Reported bugs**

- Shorts still appear in the side menu
- YouTube won't open or parts of the screen won't open on macOS Safari
- Not a single short is blocked for some users
- Comment sections are not blocked
- Shorts are not blocked from the search history or homepage

**Requested features**

- Option to select specific YouTube channels to block
- Ability to lock the app with a PIN or passcode
- Feature to block Instagram Reels and Explore Page
- More customizability options (e.g., Home Feed, Video Sidebar, Subscriptions, Video Info)
- Option to replace blocked content with custom text, icon, or image


### Customize Search Engine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/customize-search-engine/id6445840140)

This Safari extension lets you customize your default search engine and settings. Easily switch between preferred search engines, including AI assistants, and modify options like hiding AI Overviews or changing language. It offers quick search shortcuts and emoji search functionality.

**Highlights:** Customize default search engine, Use custom search engines in Private Browse, Quick search with keywords, Emoji search on Emojipedia, Switch search engines by shortcuts

**Features:** Safari Extension

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change App icon | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Blocks Google AI overviews
- 👍 Enables custom search engines
- 👍 Works on iPhone, Mac, iPad
- 👍 Seamless integration with Safari
- 👍 Free and no ads

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent performance
- 🐛 Setup can be difficult
- 🐛 Causes rapid redirects/CAPTCHAs
- 🐛 Redirect screen displayed
- 🐛 App crashes on export

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes during export settings
- Inconsistent search results
- Safari freezes when using Brave Search
- Unremovable 'Open in the Google app' banner
- Rapid redirecting causing CAPTCHA issues

**Requested features**

- Add Ecosia as an option
- Support full-width space in quick search
- Sync settings between devices
- Improve redirect screen simplicity


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BlockYT for Safari free?

BlockYT for Safari costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Customize Search Engine free?

Customize Search Engine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, BlockYT for Safari or Customize Search Engine?

Customize Search Engine is rated higher. BlockYT for Safari averages 4.0 out of 5 from 36 ratings, while Customize Search Engine averages 4.4 from 66 ratings.

### Do BlockYT for Safari or Customize Search Engine have ads?

Neither BlockYT for Safari nor Customize Search Engine shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BlockYT for Safari or Customize Search Engine?

BlockYT for Safari ships an update every 2 months, and Customize Search Engine every 10 days. Most recently, BlockYT for Safari was updated on October 27, 2026 and Customize Search Engine on October 21, 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.*