Comparison

Privacy Screen Browser vs Surf

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

Head to head
About

Privacy Screen Browser

This browser offers enhanced privacy with features like Face ID lock, a screen shield, and tilt-to-hide functionality. It allows users to browse privately in public spaces, control what's visible on their screen, and set site-specific privacy rules.

Highlights
  • Face ID lock
  • Screen shield
  • Peek mode
  • Tilt to Hide
  • Panic mode
  • Site-specific privacy rules
Features
Read full description

Privacy Screen Browser is a private web browser designed for real-world screen privacy. Private browsing is not only about clearing history. Sometimes you also need to protect what is visible on your screen — in public places, shared spaces, while commuting, or whenever someone is nearby. Privacy Screen Browser combines a clean web browser with privacy tools like Face ID lock, screen shield, Peek mode, Panic mode, Tilt to Hide, tabs, bookmarks, history controls, and site-specific privacy rules. PRIVATE BROWSER Browse with a clean, familiar web experience. • Search or open URLs from one address bar • Choose your preferred search engine • Use tabs, bookmarks, favorites, and history • Quickly share pages or save websites SCREEN PRIVACY SHIELD Protect what is visible on your screen. • Cover your browsing content instantly • Use Peek mode to reveal only a small movable area • Adjust shield opacity up to full coverage • Choose whether the address bar stays visible, hidden, or protected • Keep gestures working while your screen shield is active TILT TO HIDE Privacy Screen Browser can react when your iPhone is tilted. • Enable Tilt to Hide for Cover and Peek modes • Choose Low, Medium, or High sensitivity • Increase shield opacity as the device angle changes • Protect your screen quickly without searching for a button PANIC MODE Switch to a discreet privacy screen when you need an instant cover. • Choose from multiple cover styles • Hold to return with a smooth progress animation • Use Panic mode as a fast privacy layer for sensitive moments FACE ID LOCK Add an extra layer of protection before opening the app. • Lock the app with Face ID • Cover content in the app switcher • Protect the screen when the app becomes inactive • Get a warning when a screenshot is detected SITE-SPECIFIC PRIVACY RULES Create privacy rules for websites you choose. • Auto-enable Shield for selected domains • Include subdomains when needed • Override address bar privacy per site • Hide tab titles for private sites • Prevent history saving for selected sites • Clear existing history for a site BOOKMARKS, FAVORITES & HISTORY Keep useful websites close while staying in control. • Add custom favorites to the Start Page • Save bookmarks for later • View and clear browsing history • Delete all browsing data from Settings • Turn automatic history saving on or off BUILT FOR SIMPLE, PERSONAL PRIVACY Privacy Screen Browser is made for people who want a private, focused, and discreet browsing experience on iPhone. No account is required. Your browser data is stored locally on your device unless you choose to share it or visit websites that use their own services.

About

Surf

Features
Read full description

Browse, read and keep useful pages in one place. Surf Pro brings your bookmarks, history, Reading List and open tabs across iPhone, iPad and Mac. START WITH A COMPLETE BROWSER Browse for free, with no Surf account required. • Multiple tabs and private browsing • Webpage ad and tracker blocking, with per-site exceptions • Bookmarks, folders and history search • Reader with adjustable text and light, sepia or dark appearance • A file library with folders, tags, search and Recently Deleted • Import, rename, move and share ordinary documents, and create or open ZIP archives READ NOW, KEEP FOR LATER Save a readable article from Reader to keep its archived content for offline reading. Open it later from Reading List, even without a connection. Pages saved only as links still need the web. KEEP MORE WITH SURF PRO One subscription covers iPhone, iPad and Mac. • Sync bookmarks, history, Reading List and open tabs through your own iCloud • Keep an unlimited reading list and remember more website sign-ins • Remove the daily file-saving limit and save several files at once • Remember desktop mode and text size for each site Free includes up to five reading-list entries and five remembered sign-ins. Saved articles and sign-ins remain accessible if Pro ends. Browser-data sync requires Pro, iCloud sign-in and iCloud Sync enabled in Surf. File-library iCloud sync is available on every plan when those iCloud settings are enabled. CHOOSE YOUR PLAN Monthly and Yearly subscriptions offer a 3-day free trial for eligible new subscribers. Surf shows your localized price, billing period and applicable trial before you confirm with Apple. Membership shows your current plan and renewal or expiry details when available, with Restore Purchases and Manage Subscription. PRIVACY WITH CLEAR BOUNDARIES Surf includes no advertising or analytics SDK. Websites and your chosen search engine receive the requests needed to browse. Private tabs, cookies and form contents do not participate in browser-data sync. Saved sign-ins use the device keychain, with optional iCloud Keychain sync separately. Payment is charged to your Apple Account. Eligible free trials convert to a paid subscription unless cancelled. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage or cancel in your Apple Account settings. Privacy Policy: https://mwsupplylimited.github.io/surf/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Privacy Screen Browser3 screens
Surf4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Privacy Screen Browser at none against Surf's 2. Surf's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Surf sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Privacy Screen Browser asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Privacy Screen Browser ships an update monthly, Surf every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Privacy Screen Browser versus Surf: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrivacy Screen BrowserSurf
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB6 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperHa Do Thi ThuMatthew Wong

In-app purchases

None

Privacy Screen Browser

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Surf

Subscriptions2
  • Surf Pro (Monthly)$4.991 Month
  • Surf Pro (Yearly)$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Privacy Screen Browser free?
Privacy Screen Browser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Surf free?
Surf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Privacy Screen Browser or Surf have ads?
Neither Privacy Screen Browser nor Surf shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Privacy Screen Browser or Surf?
Privacy Screen Browser ships an update monthly, and Surf every 5 days. Most recently, Privacy Screen Browser was updated on October 24, 2026 and Surf on October 20, 2026.

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