# Startpage vs iShield

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Startpage at none against iShield's 3. Startpage also leads on ratings volume (7.4K vs 10) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). iShield's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 71%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. iShield sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Startpage asks for nothing beyond the download.

Startpage holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Startpage has 7.4K ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 71% of Startpage's written reviews are positive against 100% of iShield's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Startpage ships an update monthly, iShield every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Startpage | iShield |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (7.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startpage-private-browser/id6478921430/reviews)** | [4.6 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ishield-mobile-security-and-vpn/id6753861277/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.4K** | 10 |
| Positive reviews | 70.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 239 MB | 75 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Startpage BV](https://appshunter.io/developer/632832985) | [Pinata Technologies](https://appshunter.io/developer/1628107753) |

## What reviewers say

### Startpage

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startpage-private-browser/id6478921430)

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:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Lightning-fast and responsive
- 🔒 Robust privacy and security features
- 👍 Clean and user-friendly interface
- 🔍 Accurate and relevant search results
- 🕊️ Preserves user privacy and anonymity

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
- 🔍 Limited search customization options
- 🔌 Lack of built-in ad blocker
- 🔍 Inconsistent search engine behavior across platforms

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


### iShield

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ishield-mobile-security-and-vpn/id6753861277)

Enhance your digital safety with this comprehensive iPhone security tool. It offers data leak detection, Wi-Fi network analysis, device safety reviews, and password insights to help you understand and improve your online protection.

**Highlights:** Email security and data leak detection, Wi-Fi network scan and safety evaluation, IP address and network information, Quick daily protection check, iOS device safety review, Password safety insights

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium Subscription | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium Subscription | $8.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium Subscription | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Startpage free?

Startpage is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is iShield free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Startpage or iShield?

Startpage is rated higher. Startpage averages 4.8 out of 5 from 7.4K ratings, while iShield averages 4.6 from 10 ratings.

### Do Startpage or iShield have ads?

Neither Startpage nor iShield shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Startpage or iShield?

Startpage ships an update monthly, and iShield every 2 weeks. Most recently, Startpage was updated on October 26, 2026 and iShield on October 24, 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.*