Comparison

Startpage vs Norton Private Browser

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Startpage

Browse the web and search privately with a built-in search engine that protects your data. It clears your history and tabs with one tap, masks your location and IP address, and provides unprofiled search results. Enjoy a secure and private online experience.

Highlights
  • Private search engine
  • Clear tabs and history
  • Anonymous website visits
  • Private tabs and maps
  • Unprofiled search results
  • Avoid targeted ads
Features
Read full description

Rocket into the future of online privacy with the Startpage Private Browser app. This free app is the easiest way to search with Startpage on your mobile device. With Startpage as your built-in, default search engine, you're assured that every search is protected. Trusted by millions worldwide, Startpage ensures your privacy by deleting all personal data and IP addresses with each search, every single time. KEY FEATURES: - Default Private Search: Startpage's private search engine provides users with detailed knowledge panels, instant answers, localized maps, and comprehensive image, video, and news search results—all without tracking or storing any search history. - Clear All Tabs & Browsing History: Prevent privacy risks and cover your tracks with Zap by closing all open tabs and clearing browsing history with one button. - Private Browsing: Startpage's Anonymous View feature lets you visit websites anonymously from your search results. Confidently browse in total privacy. Your location, IP address, DNS masked. - Private Tabs: Securely open and manage multiple private tabs. - Private Maps: Explore local results without revealing your actual location. - Unprofiled Search Results: Experience search without biases. Startpage delivers unprofiled results, ensuring a fair and impartial exploration of the web. - Avoid Targeted Ads: Startpage prevents targeted search ads and invasive 3rd-party retargeting ads. - Strict European Privacy Standards: Trust in privacy that adheres to the highest European standards. Startpage prioritizes your data protection in line with rigorous GDPR privacy regulations. Take control of your online privacy today! Startpage has been trusted since 2006 by millions of users worldwide to protect privacy and provide best-in-class search results. Download the Startpage private browsing app for free and redefine your private search and browsing experience.

About

Norton Private Browser

Experience a secure and private browsing experience with built-in ad blocking and advanced protection against malicious websites and trackers. Encrypt your downloaded files and lock your browser for ultimate peace of mind.

Highlights
  • Built-in AdBlocker
  • Web Shield protection
  • Secure File Vault
  • Private Mode
  • Browser Lock
  • Privacy Cleaner
Read full description

Transform your everyday browsing into a fortress of security — without sacrificing speed or simplicity. Norton Private Browser is designed from the ground up for unparalleled privacy and security to help keep you safe online. It comes with a built-in AdBlocker, complete data encryption, tracking protection, Secure File Vault, and more. BUILT IN ADBLOCK Automatically blocks annoying ads and trackers, improves browsing speed, and performance while protecting your privacy. WEB SHIELD Real-time protection against malicious websites and phishing attempts, keeping your browsing secure 24/7. SECURE FILE VAULT Downloaded files are automatically encrypted and safely stored, giving you complete control over your sensitive data. PRIVATE MODE Stay incognito and leave no trace of your browsing activity with automatic history, cookie, and cache clearing. BROWSER LOCK Feel comfortable sharing your mobile device knowing your browser is encrypted and locked with a passcode or biometric lock. SEARCH ENGINES Choose your preferred search engine from popular providers directly from the address bar. DARK MODE Reduce eye strain with a less bright interface, perfect for night-time when you’re surfing the internet. PRIVACY CLEANER Clears your browsing history, cache, cookies and other data stored in your browsers, such as cached images and cookies. ABOUT NORTON Millions around the world trust Norton for security, privacy, and identity protection. Our mission is to make digital safety easy, so you and your family can live worry-free online.

Screenshots

Startpage4 screens
Norton Private Browser4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Startpage at 4.8 against Norton Private Browser's 4.2. Startpage also leads on review sentiment (70% vs 38%) and ratings volume (6.9K vs 152). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Startpage holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Startpage has 6.9K ratings behind it against 152, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of Startpage's written reviews are positive against 38% of Norton Private Browser's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Startpage ships an update monthly, Norton Private Browser every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Startpage versus Norton Private Browser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStartpageNorton Private Browser
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (6.9K ratings) — better4.2 (152 ratings)
Positive reviews70.2% of reviews — better38.5% of reviews
Number of ratings6.9K — better152
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size237 MB87 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperStartpage BVGen Digital Inc.

Customer experience

Startpage

All ratings6,914 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral2.0%
Negative1.4%
Written reviews326 reviews
Positive70.2%
Neutral11.7%
Negative18.1%

Norton Private Browser

All ratings152 ratings
Positive80.3%
Neutral5.3%
Negative14.5%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive38.5%
Neutral21.2%
Negative40.4%

Bugs and requests

Startpage

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Pages not loading properly
  • Inconsistent behavior when searching from iOS home screen
  • Anonymous view failing to load images/thumbnails

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Ability to export bookmarks and reading lists
  • One-tap history/data clearing
  • Option to set default private browsing mode
  • StartMail app integration

Norton Private Browser

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Startpage

No in-app purchases

None

Norton Private Browser

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Startpage free?
Startpage is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Norton Private Browser free?
Norton Private Browser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Startpage or Norton Private Browser?
Startpage is rated higher. Startpage averages 4.8 out of 5 from 6.9K ratings, while Norton Private Browser averages 4.2 from 152 ratings.
Do Startpage or Norton Private Browser have ads?
Neither Startpage nor Norton Private Browser shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Startpage or Norton Private Browser?
Startpage ships an update monthly, and Norton Private Browser every 5 weeks. Most recently, Startpage was updated on September 24, 2026 and Norton Private Browser on September 21, 2026.

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