Comparison

The Browser 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

The Browser

A fast, private web browser with on-device AI for summarizing pages and answering questions. It blocks ads and trackers by default, offers private tabs, and supports extensions.

Highlights
  • On-device AI for summarization and Q&A
  • Blocks ads, trackers, and fingerprinting
  • Private tabs with Face ID lock
  • Supports Chrome and Firefox extensions
  • Hide distracting elements on web pages
  • Reader mode for articles
  • Offline page translation
Features
Read full description

The Browser is a fast, private web browser with a built-in AI that runs entirely on your device — no account, no data collection, no tracking. PRIVATE BY DEFAULT • Blocks ads, trackers, and fingerprinting out of the box • Automatically declines cookie-consent pop-ups • Private tabs locked with Face ID • Nothing is collected — your browsing stays on your device ON-DEVICE AI • Summarize any page or ask questions about it • Runs locally with a compact model — works even without Apple Intelligence • No prompts or pages are sent to a server EXTENSIONS (BETA) • Install Chrome and Firefox extensions — one tap from their web stores or from a file • Manage permissions and per-site access BUILT FOR FOCUS • Hide Distracting Items — tap to remove clutter on any page, remembered per site • Reader mode for clean, readable articles • Offline translation of pages in many languages MADE FOR iPHONE & iPAD • Optimized iPad layout with a sidebar and multiple windows • Voice search, downloads manager, per-site settings • A customizable start page Fast, focused, and private — the way browsing should be.

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

The Browser4 screens
Private Browser4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: The Browser at none against Private Browser's 4. The Browser also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 weeks). 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. Private Browser sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. The Browser asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Browser ships an update every 2 days, Private Browser every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
The Browser versus Private Browser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe BrowserPrivate Browser
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.417.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB31 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperCristian Camilo Arias BoteroMD. NASAR UDDIN REDOY

In-app purchases

None

The Browser

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Private Browser

Subscriptions2
  • Private Browser Pro (Weekly)$9.997 Days
  • Private Browser Pro (Yearly)3 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime Special Offer$99.99
  • Private Browser Pro Lifetime$149.99

Questions

Is The Browser free?
The Browser 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 The Browser or Private Browser have ads?
Neither The Browser nor Private Browser shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The Browser or Private Browser?
The Browser ships an update every 2 days, and Private Browser every 2 weeks. Most recently, The Browser was updated on October 28, 2026 and Private Browser on October 27, 2026.

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