# Customize Search Engine vs Braver Search

The clearest difference is monetization model: Customize Search Engine at free against Braver Search's free with in-app purchases. Customize Search Engine also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 6 weeks). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Customize Search Engine sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Braver Search sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Customize Search Engine against 4.5 for Braver Search. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 66 and 24 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 78% of Customize Search Engine's written reviews are positive against 82% of Braver Search's.

Customize Search Engine ships an update every 9 days, Braver Search every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Customize Search Engine | Braver Search |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (66 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/customize-search-engine/id6445840140/reviews) | **[4.5 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/braver-search/id6740840706/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **66** | 24 |
| Positive reviews | 78.0% of reviews | **82.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 38 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cizzuk Shihu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1674098361) | [Brenden Bishop](https://appshunter.io/developer/1791889693) |

## 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 |


### Braver Search

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/braver-search/id6740840706)

This app redirects your default Safari searches to a private search engine, integrating seamlessly with Apple's ecosystem. Enjoy enhanced privacy without sacrificing features like Handoff, saved passwords, and iCloud Keychain. It offers AI summarization and cross-device sync for a convenient and secure browsing experience.

**Highlights:** One-click setup for iOS and macOS, Instant search redirection to Brave Search, Cross-device settings sync, Built-in AI summarizer support, Retains Safari ecosystem features, Zero data storage or tracking

**Features:** Safari Extension

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Thanks! | $1.99 | one-time |
| Cheers! | $4.99 | one-time |
| You're a lifesaver! | $9.99 | one-time |
| I can't thank you enough! | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Customize Search Engine free?

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

### Is Braver Search free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Customize Search Engine or Braver Search?

Braver Search is rated higher. Customize Search Engine averages 4.4 out of 5 from 66 ratings, while Braver Search averages 4.5 from 24 ratings.

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

Neither Customize Search Engine nor Braver Search shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Customize Search Engine or Braver Search?

Customize Search Engine ships an update every 9 days, and Braver Search every 6 weeks. Most recently, Customize Search Engine was updated on September 24, 2026 and Braver Search on September 22, 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.*