# DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai vs VPN Proxy

The clearest difference is ratings volume: DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai at 2.4M against VPN Proxy's 13. DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai also leads on review sentiment (65% vs 43%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 VPN Proxy sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 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 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai has 2.4M ratings behind it against 13, 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 43% of VPN Proxy's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai | VPN Proxy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/duckduckgo-optional-duckai/id663592361/reviews)** | [4.5 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vpn-proxy-private-browser/id6469455194/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.4M** | 13 |
| Positive reviews | **64.7% of reviews** | 42.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#21** | — |
| Size | 256 MB | 51 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [DuckDuckGo, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/479988139) | [Meta Word](https://appshunter.io/developer/1612590054) |

## What reviewers say

### DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai

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

**Currently charting:** #21 Top Free · Utilities, #29 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


### VPN Proxy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vpn-proxy-private-browser/id6469455194)

This app provides a secure and private browsing experience by masking your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic. It offers unlimited bandwidth and data, with a simple one-tap connection to protect your online activity, especially on public Wi-Fi.

**Highlights:** Unlimited time, data, and bandwidth, No registration or login required, No user logs saved, One-tap VPN connection, Enhanced online privacy, Public Wi-Fi protection, Secure connection to other networks

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Shield Weekly Vip | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Shield Weekly Vip | $12.99 | per month |
| Shield Yearly Vip | $39.99 | 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 VPN Proxy free?

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

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

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai is rated higher. DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.4M ratings, while VPN Proxy averages 4.5 from 13 ratings.

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

Neither DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai nor VPN Proxy shows ads.

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

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai ships an update weekly, and VPN Proxy weekly. Most recently, DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai was updated on November 11, 2026 and VPN Proxy on November 3, 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.*