# Customize Search Engine vs Maculate

The clearest difference is price: Customize Search Engine at Free against Maculate's $4.99. Customize Search Engine also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.2). Maculate's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads there is nothing between them.

Customize Search Engine is free to download; Maculate costs $4.99 up front. Customize Search Engine sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Maculate asks for nothing beyond the download.

## The numbers

| Metric | Customize Search Engine | Maculate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | **[4.4 (66 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/customize-search-engine/id6445840140/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **66** | — |
| Positive reviews | 77.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | — |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 37 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** | iPhone, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cizzuk Shihu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1674098361) | [Toastcat LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1735951392) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Maculate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/maculate/id6738711535)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Customize Search Engine free?

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

### Is Maculate free?

Maculate costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Customize Search Engine or Maculate have ads?

Neither Customize Search Engine nor Maculate shows ads.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*