In today’s world, search engines have become our daily need. It is impossible to visualize our lives without using them. Google has eventually become a household name as we reach out to Google for every query. Do you know Google controls 92% of the search engine market share worldwide?
Search engines provide access to any information that the user requests from anywhere. However, there might be circumstances where the user would not like to get his or her queries stored by the search engines. This is where private search engine comes into the picture.
There are several private search engines available that offer a wide range of features and approaches to provide safety to your searches. Here in this article, we’ve reviewed and compiled a list of the 10 best private search engines that will get you the most secure search results.
Let's start!
Things to Look for While Choosing a Private Search Engine
While surfing the Internet, the first two things that you should look for are data security and privacy.
Business owners and individuals often practice private browsing through incognito modes on their web browsers like Google Chrome, Opera Mini, Mozilla Firefox, etc. These regular browsers don’t provide the highest level of privacy that every individual wishes to get. Besides, they invade the privacy and search history of the user. Hence, the chances of your information getting leaked increase.
Here are the five things that you should look at in deciding the best-suited search engine for your use:
- Maintains privacy
- No data tracking
- Accurate search results
- Easy-to-use user interface
- Customized setting options
- Privacy policy
- Search engine reputation
10 Best Private Search Engines
Here is a list of the 10 best private search engines with widespread features and the newest updates.
1. DuckDuckGo
Although most people prefer using Google for web searches, DuckDuckGo is a great substitute for Google as many people would want to preserve their online privacy. The privacy settings of DuckDuckGo are more secure than the InPrivate or incognito mode of regular web browsers. It doesn’t use any cookies, nor does it track your steps or collect your IP address .
Key Features
- DuckDuckGo allows the user to put a bio to their social media profile.
- It provides an option to filter the search results by region.
- DuckDuckGo has a feature called Smarter Encryption that protects user information from potential hackers.
- It comes with another unique feature named “!Bangs” that allows the user to search on another website from DuckDuckGo by simply adding a prefix to it.
Pros
- No use of social engineering techniques
- No targeted ads
- One-page search and limitless scroll
- Ads can be disabled
- Accessible for Tor hidden service
Cons
- Less personalization
- No protection from viruses and malware
- Depend on ads to generate returns
Cost: Free
2. Startpage
With many similarities with Google, Startpage has now developed as one of the best private search engines. It allows the user to browse anonymously without being tracked by any third-party cookies. The engine has a browser extension that can be used by the users to preserve their privacy on the Internet. Further, the interface of the engine offers several colors and designs.
Key Features
- Startpage allows you to browse anonymously and offers an encrypted connection.
- It blocks third parties from putting a price tracker on you.
- It avoids retargeting advertising.
- Startpage is ideal for un-profiled search results.
Pros
- Proxy browsing
- Has privacy certification
- Multiple browser extensions
- Own searching and ranking algorithm
Cons
- Only provides web, image, and video searches
- Available only for EU server
- Only access Google network
Cost: Free
3. MetaGer
MetaGer is recognized as the best uncensored private search engine. The simple-minded interface and customizable design of MetaGer are extremely satisfying, and it offers unfiltered and fair search results to its users. MetaGer also enables the user to gain access to several maps without tracking their location.
Key Features
- MetaGer blocks censorship by relating the search results of various search engines.
- Every service at MetaGer is performed by using renewable energy.
- The algorithm and source code of MetaGer are both available for free.
Pros
- Source code search
- Non-profitable organization
- Accessible for Tor hidden service
- Depends on several search engines
Cons
- Several services are only accessible in the German language
- Inferior to DuckDuckGo and Startpage
- Not user-friendly design
Cost: Free
4. Qwant
Launched in France, Qwant is a search engine that values online privacy and the personal information of the user. It allows users to filter their search results by three key categories. The categories are news, social, and web. Qwant also offers a dedicated music segment for music lovers.
Key Features
- Qwant provides an option to filter the search results by several categories.
- The search results disappear as soon as you close the browser.
- It maintains its indexing.
- Qwant also provides a special junior search engine for children.
Pros
- Anonymous search
- Emphasis on user privacy
- Fast and accurate results
Cons
- Complex design
- Available only for EU server
Cost: Free
5. Searx
Although not as flexible as the previous engines on the list, Searx is a pretty decent search engine that provides a decentralized viewpoint of the Internet to the user. The interface of the engine is simple and user-friendly. The search engine comes with a giant search bar, and the search results are extremely fast.
Key Features
- The settings of Searx are fully customizable.
- It is ideal for decentralized internet browsing.
- Tor support.
- No ads or tracking
Pros
- Easy to use
- Prioritizes privacy and security
- Fast search results
Cons
- No protection from viruses and malware
Cost: Free
6. Swisscows
Swisscows is a safe and secure private search engine that was founded in Switzerland. It blocks every adult site and content and delivers only family-friendly content. The interface of the engine may not be among the best, but its ability to provide privacy is very effective.
Key Features
- Swisscows provides its own server so that the users don’t need to get associated with any third party or cloud.
- They have one of the safest data center bunkers in Europe.
- Users can filter out their browser results by several regions and languages.
Pros
- Only provides family-friendly content
- No monitoring and storing of data
Cons
- Poor user interface
- No protection from malware and ransomware
Cost: Free
7. Mojeek
Like Qwant, Mojeek also allows the user to filter the search results in three key sections: news, social, and web. But what makes Mojeek different from Qwant is its fourth section, which enables the user to search their queries based on five key emotions. The five emotions are laughter, sadness, anger, love, and amazement.
Key Features
- Each icon in Mojeek symbolizes different emotions; users can search their queries by simply clicking on those icons.
- Users can narrow their search results by filtering them into three categories: news, web, and images.
- The settings of Mojeek are highly customizable, and users can set their preferences as well.
Pros
- Own searching and ranking algorithm
- Nice and simple user interface
- Clean interface and open-source
Cons
- Small search index
- Produces sparse results
- Not well optimized
Cost: Free
8. Ecosia
Ecosia attracts every environmental activist and individual with its unique motto. This eco-friendly search engine uses the majority of its turnover to plant trees. Besides all these, it doesn’t share or track any user data, nor does it monitor the profile of the user.
Key Features
- Ecosia runs on renewable energy and plant trees only; hence, they are CO2 neutral.
- The search engine is available both as an extension to the web browser as well as a mobile application.
- Ecosia uses more than 80% of its turnover in tree planting.
- With its annual turnover, it also shields rare animal habitats in Uganda.
Pros
- Plant a tree after every 25 searches
- Fast and relevant search results
- Supports non-profit conservation organizations
- Easy to integrate
Cons
- Limited image search results
- Forces you to download various extensions
Cost: Free
9. WolframAlpha
Another unique search engine that makes it to our list is WolframAlpha. This private search engine mainly prioritizes academic-related search queries, thus making it ideal for students, teachers, and learners. The search result of WolframAlpha is classified into four categories, viz. Mathematics, Science and Automation, Society and Civilization, and Lifestyle. It also provides the option of image search results.
Key Features
- WolframAlpha is ideal for academic search results and is very useful for students, educators, and scholars.
- It allows the user to personalize their settings and preferences.
- It is available both as a browser extension and as a mobile application.
Pros
- Provides simple, organized, and comprehensive search results
- Provides direct answers
- Mobile-optimized version available
- Covers numerous topics
- Useful for generating statistical data
Cons
- Services available only in the English language
- Queries are required to be precise to get an accurate result
- The free version of this tool only allows a limited number and time of calculations
- No anonymity
Cost
10. Disconnect Search
Disconnect Search is a very basic search engine that shortens the gap between users and other search engines like DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and Bing. It doesn’t track the data and information of the user with any third-party sites. Further, it has a browser extension that helps the user avoid tracking sites and load the web pages quickly.
Key Features
- Browsing in Disconnect Search is done under the added cloak of privacy.
- It provides a faster loading speed.
- Disconnect Search prevents other websites from tracking your search results.
Pros
- Doesn’t have any complex setting options or unnecessary filters
- Works as a VPN
- Easy to use
Cons
- Restricts local Wi-Fi services
- Supports only a few search engines, including Google, Bing, Yahoo, Blekko, and DuckDuckGo.
Cost: Free
Conclusion
As security is paramount for every individual, it becomes essential to secure all your online activities and browsing history. However, popular search engines, like Google, Yahoo!, etc., at times fail to provide the utmost security to their users.
All the aforementioned private search engines value users' privacy while providing accurate search results, as other popular search engines do. Use any browser from the above list, and enjoy the privacy.
If you use any other private search engine, let us know in the comments, and I'll add it to the above list.
Happy browsing!
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