Privacy comparison · 2026
DuckDuckGo vs Google Search
DuckDuckGo and Google Search are often weighed against each other. This side-by-side compares how each protects you by default, whether the code can be inspected, who runs it, and how to pick the more private option.
Side by side
| DuckDuckGo | Google Search | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Search engine | Search engine |
| Default protection | No search-history profiling | Personalised using account/activity data |
| Open source | Partial | No |
| Operator | DuckDuckGo, Inc. | |
| Jurisdiction | United States | United States (Google) |
| Cost | Free | Free |
DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo returns search results without logging searches to a personal profile or tailoring results based on a tracked history. It sources results from its own crawler plus partners and offers a companion browser and extension.
Privacy strengths
- ✓Does not build a personal search profile or personalise results from tracking
- ✓Companion app and extension add tracker blocking while browsing
- ✓Simple, no-account experience
Caveats
- !Results partly rely on third-party partners for some queries
- !The core search engine is not fully open source
Google Search
Google Search delivers highly relevant results in part by using data tied to your account and activity. Because Google’s business is advertising, signed-in searches can contribute to the ad profile Google holds about you.
Privacy strengths
- ✓Largest index and typically the most comprehensive results
- ✓Deep integration with other Google services
Caveats
- !Searches can be linked to your Google account and ad profile
- !Results are personalised using tracked activity
- !Closed source
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between DuckDuckGo and Google Search?
DuckDuckGo: DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused search engine that does not build a personal profile from your searches. Google Search: Google Search is the most widely used search engine and personalises results using data linked to your Google activity.
Which is more private by default, DuckDuckGo or Google Search?
DuckDuckGo — No search-history profiling. Google Search — Personalised using account/activity data. Choose based on which default matches how you use it.
Are DuckDuckGo and Google Search open source?
DuckDuckGo: partly open source. Google Search: no, closed source.
Does DuckDuckGo track my searches?
DuckDuckGo does not log your searches to a personal profile or personalise results based on tracked history, which is the core difference from profile-driven search engines.
Does Google track what I search?
When signed in, Google can associate your searches with your account and use them to personalise results and ads. Privacy search engines avoid building that profile.
Whichever you choose, block trackers everywhere
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