# DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai vs Private Browser (Auto Refresh)

The clearest difference is rating: DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai at 4.8 against Private Browser (Auto Refresh)'s 4.3. DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai also leads on ratings volume (2.4M vs 58) and review sentiment (65% vs 50%). On price, ads, 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 Private Browser (Auto Refresh) sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 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 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai has 2.4M ratings behind it against 58, 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 50% of Private Browser (Auto Refresh)'s.

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai ships an update weekly, Private Browser (Auto Refresh) every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai | Private Browser (Auto Refresh) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/duckduckgo-optional-duckai/id663592361/reviews)** | [4.3 (58 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-browser-auto-refresh/id1666228697/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.4M** | 58 |
| Positive reviews | **65.3% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#14** | — |
| Size | 240 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | +17 | 17+ |
| Developer | [DuckDuckGo, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/479988139) | [Rufat Babayev](https://appshunter.io/developer/1388465272) |

## What reviewers say

### DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai

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

**Currently charting:** #14 Top Free · Utilities, #23 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 (Auto Refresh)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-browser-auto-refresh/id1666228697)

This utility allows you to automatically refresh web pages at custom intervals, saving you time and effort. It's designed for users who need real-time updates from specific websites without constant manual intervention. Enjoy a clean interface and full-screen mode for an optimized browsing experience.

**Highlights:** Automatic page refreshing, Customizable refresh intervals, Full-screen mode, Modern design, Easy to use interface, Pro version to disable ads

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro | $1.99 | per month |
| Pro | $6.99 | 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 (Auto Refresh) free?

Private Browser (Auto Refresh) is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai or Private Browser (Auto Refresh)?

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai is rated higher. DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.4M ratings, while Private Browser (Auto Refresh) averages 4.3 from 58 ratings.

### Do DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai or Private Browser (Auto Refresh) have ads?

Neither DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai nor Private Browser (Auto Refresh) shows ads.

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

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai ships an update weekly, and Private Browser (Auto Refresh) every 2 weeks. Most recently, DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai was updated on September 24, 2026 and Private Browser (Auto Refresh) on September 6, 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.*