# DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai vs TextPad

The clearest difference is price: DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai at Free against TextPad's $3.99. DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai also leads on chart position (#15 vs unranked) and device support (4 vs 2). TextPad's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7). On update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai is free to download; TextPad costs $3.99 up front. DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. TextPad asks for nothing beyond the download.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai | TextPad |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $3.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/duckduckgo-optional-duckai/id663592361/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2.4M** | — |
| Positive reviews | 64.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | **#15** | — |
| Size | 256 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [DuckDuckGo, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/479988139) | [App Anthology](https://appshunter.io/developer/680178710) |

## What reviewers say

### DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai

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

**Currently charting:** #15 Top Free · Utilities, #21 Top Grossing · Utilities (US App Store)

This app offers a private search engine and browser that blocks trackers and ads. It includes optional AI features for private conversations and email protection. A subscription unlocks a VPN, advanced AI, and personal information removal services.

**Highlights:** Private search engine, Ad and tracker blocking browser, Private AI chat, Email protection, Optional VPN, Personal information removal

**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


### TextPad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textpad/id6777804472)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

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

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

### Is TextPad free?

TextPad costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

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

Neither DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai nor TextPad shows ads.

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

DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai ships an update weekly, and TextPad weekly. Most recently, DuckDuckGo, optional Duck.ai was updated on November 9, 2026 and TextPad on November 5, 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.*