# Smart Search & Web Browser vs Private Browser

The clearest difference is ads: Private Browser at none against Smart Search & Web Browser's shown. Private Browser also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). Smart Search & Web Browser's advantage is ratings volume (12K vs 768). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Smart Search & Web Browser sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Private Browser sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Smart Search & Web Browser against 4.5 for Private Browser. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smart Search & Web Browser has 12K ratings behind it against 768, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 81% and 81% positive.

Smart Search & Web Browser ships an update every 3 months, Private Browser every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Smart Search & Web Browser | Private Browser |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (12K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-search-and-web-browser/id555717978/reviews)** | [4.5 (768 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-browser-surf-safe/id928439050/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **12K** | 768 |
| Positive reviews | **81.3% of reviews** | 81.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 23 MB | 67 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Reactive Phone Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/407204784) | [KeepSolid Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/674978021) |

## What reviewers say

### Smart Search & Web Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-search-and-web-browser/id555717978)

This app offers a streamlined web browsing experience with enhanced search capabilities. It features rapid switching between search engines, ad blocking, and AI integration for efficient information retrieval. Customize your view with themes and personalized news feeds.

**Highlights:** Fast switching between search sources, AI integration (ChatGPT), Ad blocking and data saving, Customizable themes and backgrounds, Built-in voice input and QR scanner, Personalized news feed, Autocomplete queries

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Support developer | $0.99 | one-time |
| Full version without ads | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pro version without ads | $1.99 | one-time |
| Pro version without ads | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient search
- 👍 Convenient all-in-one solution
- 🔍 Powerful search capabilities
- 💡 Customizable search options
- 🔍 Smart search and web browsing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent search accuracy
- 💤 Slow performance on older devices
- 📢 Intrusive ads
- 🔒 Privacy and security concerns
- 🔍 Difficulty navigating search results

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes and freezes
- Automatic language switching issues
- Broken back button functionality
- Compatibility problems on iPad

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Improved ad-blocking functionality
- Ability to save search history
- Support for more search engines
- Better integration with other apps


### Private Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-browser-surf-safe/id928439050)

Browse the internet anonymously and securely with advanced encryption and proxy technology. Protect your online activity from prying eyes and hide your location by selecting servers worldwide. Offers local security features for individual app access.

**Highlights:** Anonymous internet surfing, Proxy technology over VPN, Powerful encryption methods, Global server selection, Local security (passcode, Touch ID), Clear-all-browsing-data feature

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Auto-Renewable Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Auto-Renewable Subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Subscription | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 🔒 Secure and private
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 💡 Useful features like VPN and content blocking

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
- 🔋 High data and battery usage
- 📉 Unreliable and inconsistent performance
- 💰 Expensive subscription model

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues and account management problems
- Websites not loading properly or SSL connections failing
- Frequent crashes and app shutdowns

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Improved compatibility with older devices
- Better integration with other security/privacy tools
- Offline browsing capabilities


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Smart Search & Web Browser free?

Smart Search & Web Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Private Browser free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Smart Search & Web Browser or Private Browser?

Smart Search & Web Browser is rated higher. Smart Search & Web Browser averages 4.5 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Private Browser averages 4.5 from 768 ratings.

### Do Smart Search & Web Browser or Private Browser have ads?

Smart Search & Web Browser shows ads; Private Browser does not.

### Which is updated more often, Smart Search & Web Browser or Private Browser?

Smart Search & Web Browser ships an update every 3 months, and Private Browser every 6 weeks. Most recently, Smart Search & Web Browser was updated on October 31, 2026 and Private Browser on October 24, 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.*