# DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai vs Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN

The clearest difference is ads: DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai at none against Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN's shown. DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai also leads on ratings volume (2.4M vs 2K) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN's advantage is review sentiment (90% vs 65%) and iOS requirement (13 vs 15.0). On price, rating, 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 Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. 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 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai has 2.4M ratings behind it against 2K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 65% of DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai's written reviews are positive against 90% of Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai ships an update weekly, Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai | Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/duckduckgo-optional-duckai/id663592361/reviews)** | [4.7 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phoenix-browser-plus-proxy-vpn/id1495750173/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.4M** | 2K |
| Positive reviews | 64.8% of reviews | **90.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#19** | — |
| Size | 256 MB | 73 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [DuckDuckGo, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/479988139) | [TIMON SOFTWARE CO., LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1483965968) |

## What reviewers say

### DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai

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

**Currently charting:** #19 Top Free · Utilities, #25 Top Grossing · Utilities (US App Store)

This privacy-focused browser and search engine blocks trackers, ads, and cookie pop-ups. It offers private AI chat and optional email protection. Take control of your personal information with a tool designed for data protection, not collection.

**Highlights:** Private search engine, Tracker blocking, Ad blocking (YouTube, web), Private AI chat, Optional email protection, HTTPS enforcement, Fingerprinting protection

**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


### Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phoenix-browser-plus-proxy-vpn/id1495750173)

A fast, private web browser offering ad blocking, data saving, and a free unlimited VPN. Download videos, browse incognito, and customize your experience with various modes and search engines.

**Highlights:** Fast browsing and downloads, Ad blocker, Data saver, Incognito browsing, Free unlimited VPN, Reader mode, Night/Bright mode

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Month Premium | $5.99 | per month |
| 3 Month Premium | $12.99 | per 3 months |
| 6 Months Premium | $19.99 | per 6 months |
| 1 Year Premium | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and smooth performance
- 🔒 Secure and private browsing
- 👍 Clean and user-friendly interface
- 🎨 Customizable settings
- 💻 Compatibility with older devices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🚫 Limitations on free VPN usage
- 📥 Lack of video download functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Display issues on certain websites
- Inconsistent VPN connectivity

**Requested features**

- Add option to set as default browser
- Improve tab management and session handling
- Implement a built-in video downloader
- Introduce a dark mode option


## Frequently asked questions

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

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

### Is Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN free?

Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai or Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN?

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai is rated higher. DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.4M ratings, while Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN averages 4.7 from 2K ratings.

### Do DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai or Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN have ads?

Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN shows ads; DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai does not.

### Which is updated more often, DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai or Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN?

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai ships an update weekly, and Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN every 3 weeks. Most recently, DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai was updated on November 12, 2026 and Phoenix Browser + Proxy VPN on November 7, 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.*