# Customize Search Engine vs The Link Inspector

The clearest difference is update cadence: Customize Search Engine at every 10 days against The Link Inspector's every 2 months. Customize Search Engine also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.6). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

Customize Search Engine ships an update every 10 days, The Link Inspector every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 16, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Customize Search Engine | The Link Inspector |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| 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 | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 37 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cizzuk Shihu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1674098361) | [Øyvind Berget](https://appshunter.io/developer/1844195759) |

## 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


### The Link Inspector

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-link-inspector/id6777491927)

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plus | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Customize Search Engine free?

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

### Is The Link Inspector free?

The Link Inspector is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Customize Search Engine or The Link Inspector have ads?

Neither Customize Search Engine nor The Link Inspector shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Customize Search Engine or The Link Inspector?

Customize Search Engine ships an update every 10 days, and The Link Inspector every 2 months. Most recently, Customize Search Engine was updated on October 16, 2026 and The Link Inspector on October 16, 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.*