Comparison

Stacks vs Private Browser

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Stacks

Features
Read full description

Stacks - Ultimate Stackable Web Browser Pinch from the corners of a window to resize it Description Stacks is a revolutionary SwiftUI-based web browser that reimagines how we interact with multiple web pages. Unlike traditional browsers with static tabs, Stacks presents each webpage as an independent, floating window that can be freely moved, resized, and stacked in three-dimensional space. Core Innovation The browser treats each tab as a draggable, resizable window that exists in a shared workspace. Users can organize their browsing experience spatially - stacking related pages, spreading out research materials, or creating custom layouts that match their workflow. Key Features Advanced Window Management • Drag & Drop: Move windows anywhere by dragging title bars • Pinch-to-Zoom: Scale windows from 50% to 200% with gesture support • Resize Handles: Precise window sizing with corner drag controls • Layer Management: Bring windows to front with a single click Professional Web Browsing • Full WebKit Integration: Complete web browsing with modern standards support • Smart Navigation: Back/Forward buttons with real-time state management • URL Synchronization: Address bars automatically update when clicking links • Loading Optimization: 15-second timeouts prevent hanging pages Rich Customization • 6 Beautiful Themes: Default, Dark, Blue, Green, Purple, and Red color schemes • Dynamic Theming: Each window can have its own visual identity • Animated Backgrounds: Flowing gradients that respond to user interaction • Visual Feedback: Smooth animations for all interactions Privacy & Security • Private Browsing: True private mode with non-persistent data stores • Isolated Sessions: Private and regular browsing completely separated • Visual Indicators: Clear privacy status with lock-shield icons Enhanced User Experience • Grid/Stack Modes: Toggle between organized grid and free-form layouts • Magic Organization: Auto-arrange windows in perfect layouts • Search Integration: Create tabs from search queries or direct URLs • Bookmark Management: Integrated bookmark system with quick access Browser Tab Model: Each tab (BrowserTab) acts as an independent window with position, size, theme, history, and states (minimized/maximized). Supports private browsing, bookmarking, loading progress, and animations (scale/rotation/opacity). UI Components: Draggable Windows: Tabs can be moved, resized, minimized, or maximized. Theming: 6 color themes (default, dark, blue, green, purple, red) with gradient accents. Title Bar: Shows favicons, titles, loading progress, and window controls. URL Bar: Smart URL handling (auto-adds https://). Animated Background: Dynamic gradient effects. Advanced Features: Tab Organization: Grid/stack layout toggling. Tab Overview: Grid view of all open tabs. Bookmarks: Save/load frequently visited sites. Floating Action Menu: Quick actions (new tab, private tab, randomize themes, animations). Visual Effects: Smooth animations for opening/closing tabs, scaling, and rotation. State Management: Tabs maintain navigation history, loading progress, and interaction states. Z-index handling ensures focused windows stay on top. Summary Dynamic Tab Management: Tabs support dragging, resizing, minimizing, theming, and visual effects (e.g., "magic" animations). Rich Web Experience: Robust WebView with history tracking, loading states, and gesture-based navigation. User-Centric Tools: Tab overview for quick navigation. Bookmarks manager. Theming and layout customization. Floating action menu for common tasks. Aesthetic Polish: Animated gradients, smooth transitions, and tactile feedback for interactions. Use Case: Ideal for demonstrating advanced SwiftUI capabilities in building complex, interactive multi-window UIs with real-world browser functionality. Enjoy today!

About

Private Browser

Features
Read full description

Private Browser is a fast, ad-free way to use the web on iPhone. It blocks ads and trackers before they load, keeps your browsing to yourself, and puts a lock on the whole app. No account. No profile. Nothing sold. BLOCK ADS AND TRACKERS • Over 135,000 filter rules from EasyList and EasyPrivacy, applied before a page starts loading • Pages load faster and use less data, because the ads never arrive • Cookie banners hidden automatically • A live counter shows exactly what was blocked on the page you are reading • Turn protection off for one site you trust, without turning it off everywhere PRIVATE TABS THAT REALLY ARE PRIVATE • Private tabs use a separate, temporary store — nothing is written to disk • Close the last private tab and the whole session is destroyed, not just hidden • Normal tabs keep history only for as long as you want it; clear any part of it in one tap LOCK THE APP, NOT JUST THE SCREEN • Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode to open the app • The page is covered the moment you switch apps, so nothing shows in the app switcher • Files you download are stored with iOS file protection and stay unreadable while the device is locked BUILT FOR READING, NOT FOR ADS • Reader mode strips a page down to the article • Dark mode for any website, not just the ones that support it • Toolbars get out of the way as you scroll and come straight back • Tabs, bookmarks, reading list and downloads, all where you expect them SEARCH THE WAY YOU PREFER • Choose from DuckDuckGo, Google, Bing, Brave, Startpage, Ecosia, Yahoo or Baidu • HTTPS-Only mode, so an insecure page never loads by accident • Encrypted DNS guidance built in • QR scanner, downloads manager and full backup SPEAKS YOUR LANGUAGE Every screen is translated into 36 languages, including Arabic and Hebrew with full right-to-left layout. PRIVATE BROWSER PRO Private Browser Pro removes every upgrade prompt, includes each new feature as it arrives, and comes with priority email support. Choose a weekly or yearly subscription, or buy Lifetime once and own it outright with no subscription at all. The price for your country, the renewal date, and the length of any free trial offered are always shown in the app before you confirm. Nothing is charged until you do, and a free trial is free. A subscription renews automatically unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your Apple Account is charged for renewal within 24 hours of the end of that period. You can manage or cancel a subscription at any time in Settings on your device. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/privacy-policy-004/home Support: https://sites.google.com/view/eteamhelp

Screenshots

Stacks4 screens
Private Browser4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Stacks at none against Private Browser's 3. Stacks also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 2 weeks) and device support (4 vs 2). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. Private Browser sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Stacks asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stacks ships an update daily, Private Browser every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences Ā· 2 level
Stacks versus Private Browser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStacksPrivate Browser
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyDaily — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB31 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperElliot WilliamsMD. NASAR UDDIN REDOY

In-app purchases

None

Stacks

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Private Browser

Subscriptions2
  • Private Browser Pro (Weekly)$9.997 Days
  • Private Browser Pro (Yearly)3 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Private Browser Pro Lifetime$149.99

Questions

Is Stacks free?
Stacks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Private Browser free?
Private Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Stacks or Private Browser have ads?
Neither Stacks nor Private Browser shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stacks or Private Browser?
Stacks ships an update daily, and Private Browser every 2 weeks. Most recently, Stacks was updated on October 7, 2026 and Private Browser on October 5, 2026.

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