# Onion Browser vs DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai

The clearest difference is rating: DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai at 4.8 against Onion Browser's 3.2. DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai also leads on ratings volume (2.4M vs 2.1K) and review sentiment (65% vs 42%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Onion Browser sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai has 2.4M ratings behind it against 2.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 42% of Onion Browser's written reviews are positive against 65% of DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai's.

Onion Browser ships an update every 3 weeks, DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai weekly. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Onion Browser | DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/onion-browser/id519296448/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/duckduckgo-optional-duckai/id663592361/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2.1K | **2.4M** |
| Positive reviews | 41.6% of reviews | **64.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#18** |
| Size | 86 MB | 263 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Mike Tigas](https://appshunter.io/developer/519296451) | [DuckDuckGo, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/479988139) |

## What reviewers say

### Onion Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/onion-browser/id519296448)

This app provides a secure and private way to browse the internet using the Tor network. It protects your privacy from trackers, secures your traffic on public Wi-Fi, and allows access to .onion sites. It also offers features to block scripts and clear cookies automatically.

**Highlights:** Browse internet over Tor, Protect privacy from website tracking, Secure traffic on insecure networks, Access .onion sites, Block scripts, Automatically clear cookies and tabs

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Onion Browser Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Onion Browser Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Large Onion Browser Tip | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and stable
- 🔒 Secure and private
- 👍 Recommended by Tor Project
- 💡 Customizable security settings

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and reconnections
- 🐛 Unstable and unreliable
- 🐛 Endless permission loops
- 🐛 Bookmarking issues
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly

**Reported bugs**

- Fails to connect to Tor network
- Crashes or freezes when switching apps
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- Inability to disable JavaScript completely

**Requested features**

- Add option to disable JavaScript
- Improve tab management and browsing experience
- Integrate with more privacy-focused search engines
- Allow setting custom default search engine


### DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/duckduckgo-optional-duckai/id663592361)

**Currently charting:** #18 Top Free · Utilities, #22 Top Grossing · Utilities (US App Store)

This app offers a private search engine and browser that blocks trackers and cookies by default. It includes AI chat features and optional tools like a VPN and email protection to safeguard your online activity and personal information.

**Highlights:** Private search engine, Tracker and cookie blocking, Private AI chat, Optional VPN, Email protection, Encryption enforcement, Fingerprinting escape

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DuckDuckGo (Plus, Monthly) | $9.99 | per month |
| DuckDuckGo monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| DuckDuckGo (Pro, Monthly) | $19.99 | per month |
| DuckDuckGo (Pro, Monthly) | $19.99 | per month |
| DuckDuckGo (Plus, Yearly) | $99.99 | per year |
| DuckDuckGo annual | $99.99 | per year |
| DuckDuckGo (Pro, Yearly) | $199.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 🔒 Excellent privacy protection
- 👍 Clean and intuitive interface
- 🔥 Effective ad and tracker blocking

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and glitches
- 🔍 Slower page load times compared to other browsers
- 🔍 Inconsistent search quality compared to Google

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to set DuckDuckGo as default browser on iOS
- Refresh button hidden in menu instead of standalone

**Requested features**

- Add support for voice search
- Improve tab management and history navigation
- Introduce customizable font and theme options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Onion Browser free?

Onion Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai free?

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Onion Browser or DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai?

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai is rated higher. Onion Browser averages 3.2 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai averages 4.8 from 2.4M ratings.

### Do Onion Browser or DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai have ads?

Neither Onion Browser nor DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Onion Browser or DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai?

Onion Browser ships an update every 3 weeks, and DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai weekly. Most recently, Onion Browser was updated on November 1, 2026 and DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai on November 1, 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.*