# DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai vs UPX Private Browser

The clearest difference is ads: DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai at none against UPX Private Browser's shown. DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (2.4M vs 8.9K). On price, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and UPX Private Browser sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai has 2.4M ratings behind it against 8.9K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai's written reviews are positive against 41% of UPX Private Browser's.

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai ships an update weekly, UPX Private Browser every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai | UPX Private Browser |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/duckduckgo-optional-duckai/id663592361/reviews)** | [4.6 (8.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upx-private-browser/id1490004521/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.4M** | 8.9K |
| Positive reviews | **64.8% of reviews** | 41.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#17** | — |
| Size | 263 MB | 334 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [DuckDuckGo, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/479988139) | [Prox Solut LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1477750014) |

## What reviewers say

### DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/duckduckgo-optional-duckai/id663592361)

**Currently charting:** #17 Top Free · Utilities, #24 Top Grossing · Utilities (US App Store)

This app offers a private search engine and browser that blocks trackers and cookies by default. It includes AI chat features and optional tools like a VPN and email protection to safeguard your online activity and personal information.

**Highlights:** Private search engine, Tracker and cookie blocking, Private AI chat, Optional VPN, Email protection, Encryption enforcement, Fingerprinting escape

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DuckDuckGo (Plus, Monthly) | $9.99 | per month |
| DuckDuckGo monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| DuckDuckGo (Pro, Monthly) | $19.99 | per month |
| DuckDuckGo (Pro, Monthly) | $19.99 | per month |
| DuckDuckGo (Plus, Yearly) | $99.99 | per year |
| DuckDuckGo annual | $99.99 | per year |
| DuckDuckGo (Pro, Yearly) | $199.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 🔒 Excellent privacy protection
- 👍 Clean and intuitive interface
- 🔥 Effective ad and tracker blocking

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and glitches
- 🔍 Slower page load times compared to other browsers
- 🔍 Inconsistent search quality compared to Google

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to set DuckDuckGo as default browser on iOS
- Refresh button hidden in menu instead of standalone

**Requested features**

- Add support for voice search
- Improve tab management and history navigation
- Introduce customizable font and theme options


### UPX Private Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upx-private-browser/id1490004521)

Browse the internet securely and anonymously with advanced encryption and an incognito mode. Enjoy fast connections and leave no trace of your online activity. Premium features offer an ad-free experience and enhanced performance.

**Highlights:** Advanced encryption for data security, Anonymous surfing with IP masking, Incognito browser mode, Super fast connection speeds, No logs of browsing history, Multiple language support

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium | $7.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium | $79.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Best app to use
- 🚀 Fast and easy to use
- 🔒 Excellent internal VPN

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🐛 Doesn't work for free users
- 🔒 Requires location tracking
- 💸 Aggressive subscription upsells
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with iOS 14

**Reported bugs**

- Can't restore purchases after cancellation
- Websites not loading properly
- Video playback issues

**Requested features**

- Add a lifetime subscription option
- Improve full-screen video playback
- Add download functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai free?

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is UPX Private Browser free?

UPX Private Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai or UPX Private Browser?

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai is rated higher. DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.4M ratings, while UPX Private Browser averages 4.6 from 8.9K ratings.

### Do DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai or UPX Private Browser have ads?

UPX Private Browser shows ads; DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai does not.

### Which is updated more often, DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai or UPX Private Browser?

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai ships an update weekly, and UPX Private Browser every 2 months. Most recently, DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai was updated on October 29, 2026 and UPX Private Browser on October 26, 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.*