# DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai vs Private Browser

The clearest difference is rating: DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai at 4.8 against Private Browser's 3.7. DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months). Private Browser's advantage is review sentiment (76% vs 65%) and iOS requirement (13 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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 Private Browser sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 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 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai has 2.4M ratings behind it against 10, 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 76% of Private Browser'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, Private Browser every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai | Private Browser |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/duckduckgo-optional-duckai/id663592361/reviews)** | [3.7 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-browser-web-browser/id1661034319/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.4M** | 10 |
| Positive reviews | 65.5% of reviews | **76.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#14** | — |
| Size | 240 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac |
| Age rating | +17 | 17+ |
| Developer | [DuckDuckGo, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/479988139) | [Unicorn VPN LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1513310581) |

## What reviewers say

### DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai

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

**Currently charting:** #14 Top Free · Utilities, #28 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


### Private Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-browser-web-browser/id1661034319)

Browse the web privately and securely with a built-in VPN. Enjoy ad-free browsing, protect your IP address, and encrypt your internet traffic. Offers advanced privacy tools and a distraction-free experience.

**Highlights:** Built-in VPN, Private browsing, Ad blocker, Encrypts web traffic, Hides IP address, No-logs policy

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly + Free Trial | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $29.99 | per month |
| Monthly Browser Subscription | $37.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $149.99 | per year |
| Yearly: Private Browser | $299.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

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

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

### Is Private Browser free?

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

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

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai is rated higher. DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.4M ratings, while Private Browser averages 3.7 from 10 ratings.

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

Neither DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai nor Private Browser shows ads.

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

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai ships an update weekly, and Private Browser every 3 months. Most recently, DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai was updated on September 25, 2026 and Private Browser on August 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.*