# Protect Search vs Web Shield

The clearest difference is rating: Web Shield at 4.7 against Protect Search's 4.1. Protect Search's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 7 months). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Protect Search sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Web Shield sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Web Shield holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Protect Search has 83 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Protect Search ships an update every 5 days, Web Shield every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Protect Search | Web Shield |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (83 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/protect-search/id6444733862/reviews) | **[4.7 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/web-shield-privacyprotection/id6739498419/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **83** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | 89.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 20 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PF Tech s.r.o.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1656512233) | [MIHEJEVPROMOTIONS LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1785652845) |

## What reviewers say

### Protect Search

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/protect-search/id6444733862)

This app offers an ultrafast, secure, and private browsing experience on your iPhone. It features a built-in VPN and ad blocker to ensure anonymity, prevent tracking, and remove intrusive advertisements for a cleaner web.

**Highlights:** Built-in VPN, Ad blocker, Private browsing, Fast browsing speed, IP address hiding, Website security checks

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Safari Extension

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Access | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Version | $14.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Version | $29.99 | per month |
| Premium Version | $69.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Faster site loading
- 🔒 Secure connection via VPN
- 🛡️ Enhanced online security
- 💨 Adblocker improves speed
- 👍 Easy to use interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❓ Unclear app functionality
- 📞 No customer service
- 💸 Unwanted charges
- 😠 Scam accusations
- 🤥 Deceptive advertising

**Reported bugs**

- Random country server changes
- No response to refund requests

**Requested features**

- Customer support contact
- Refund process improvement
- Clear explanation of app function


### Web Shield

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/web-shield-privacyprotection/id6739498419)

Enhance your online safety with ad and tracker blocking, email breach alerts, and a secure folder for private photos. Perform device diagnostics to boost your protection and ensure a safer, more private internet experience.

**Highlights:** Ad and tracker blocking, Email breach alerts, Secure photo storage, Device security check-up, Data leak monitoring

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Safari Extension

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Weekly | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Yearly | $59.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Protect Search free?

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

### Is Web Shield free?

Web Shield is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Protect Search or Web Shield?

Web Shield is rated higher. Protect Search averages 4.1 out of 5 from 83 ratings, while Web Shield averages 4.7 from 7 ratings.

### Do Protect Search or Web Shield have ads?

Web Shield shows ads; Protect Search does not.

### Which is updated more often, Protect Search or Web Shield?

Protect Search ships an update every 5 days, and Web Shield every 7 months. Most recently, Protect Search was updated on November 3, 2026 and Web Shield on October 30, 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.*