# Customize Search Engine vs Loopback

The clearest difference is price: Customize Search Engine at Free against Loopback's $0.99. Customize Search Engine also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 5 months) and device support (4 vs 2). Loopback's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Customize Search Engine is free to download; Loopback costs $0.99 up front. Customize Search Engine sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Loopback asks for nothing beyond the download.

Customize Search Engine ships an update every 10 days, Loopback every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Customize Search Engine | Loopback |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $0.99 |
| Rating | **[4.4 (66 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/customize-search-engine/id6445840140/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **66** | — |
| Positive reviews | 78.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 37 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cizzuk Shihu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1674098361) | [yifan z](https://appshunter.io/developer/1865765499) |

## 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


### Loopback

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/loopback-tunnel-browser/id6757280702)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**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 Loopback free?

Loopback costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

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

Neither Customize Search Engine nor Loopback shows ads.

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

Customize Search Engine ships an update every 10 days, and Loopback every 5 months. Most recently, Customize Search Engine was updated on October 8, 2026 and Loopback on October 7, 2026.

---

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