# Startpage vs BriefFuchs

Startpage and BriefFuchs are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

Startpage ships an update monthly, BriefFuchs every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Startpage | BriefFuchs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (6.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startpage-private-browser/id6478921430/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **6.9K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 70.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 237 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Startpage BV](https://appshunter.io/developer/632832985) | [Thomas Buenger](https://appshunter.io/developer/1722232943) |

## 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


### BriefFuchs

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brieffuchs/id6761754331)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Startpage free?

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

### Is BriefFuchs free?

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

### Do Startpage or BriefFuchs have ads?

Neither Startpage nor BriefFuchs shows ads.

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

Startpage ships an update monthly, and BriefFuchs every 3 weeks. Most recently, Startpage was updated on September 28, 2026 and BriefFuchs on September 13, 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.*