# xEngine for Safari vs Customize Search Engine

The clearest difference is price: Customize Search Engine at Free against xEngine for Safari's $1.99. Customize Search Engine also leads on rating (4.4 vs 3.3) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 6 months). xEngine for Safari's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Customize Search Engine is free to download; xEngine for Safari costs $1.99 up front. Customize Search Engine sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. xEngine for Safari asks for nothing beyond the download.

Customize Search Engine holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Customize Search Engine has 66 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of xEngine for Safari's written reviews are positive against 78% of Customize Search Engine's.

xEngine for Safari ships an update every 6 months, Customize Search Engine every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | xEngine for Safari | Customize Search Engine |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.3 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xengine-for-safari/id1663123715/reviews) | **[4.4 (66 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/customize-search-engine/id6445840140/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 6 | **66** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **78.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 6 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | [磊 汪](https://appshunter.io/developer/1063627762) | [Cizzuk Shihu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1674098361) |

## What reviewers say

### xEngine for Safari

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xengine-for-safari/id1663123715)

This utility app allows users to customize their default search engine within Safari. It supports a wide variety of popular and AI-powered search engines, and enables users to add their own custom options while prioritizing privacy through local processing.

**Highlights:** Customize Safari's default search engine, Support for popular search engines, Add custom AI search engines, Local data processing for privacy, Manage your own search engines

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### 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 xEngine for Safari free?

xEngine for Safari costs $1.99, 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, xEngine for Safari or Customize Search Engine?

Customize Search Engine is rated higher. xEngine for Safari averages 3.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Customize Search Engine averages 4.4 from 66 ratings.

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

Neither xEngine for Safari nor Customize Search Engine shows ads.

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

xEngine for Safari ships an update every 6 months, and Customize Search Engine every 9 days. Most recently, xEngine for Safari was updated on September 20, 2026 and Customize Search Engine on September 29, 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.*