saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

web browser · DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo Browser

Free browser that blocks trackers and ads by default and has encrypted sync.

53/100

#9 of 12 web browsers
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

DuckDuckGo Browser suits people who want trackers, ads and cookie pop-ups handled without setup, plus encrypted sync of bookmarks and passwords1,3,5. It costs nothing1. The catch: the vendor's pages do not describe tab groups, vertical tabs, profiles or translation, and its open-source list has no Windows repository4,11.

Best for: People who want privacy settings already switched on.

Where the points come from

Systems6 of 8
Privacy and security25 of 37
Sync and sign-in17 of 22
Extensions0 of 12
Tabs and tools0 of 16
Price5 of 5

Systems 6 of 8 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Other systemsmacOS, iOS, AndroidApp page lists Windows, Mac, Android and iOS; Linux is not listed1,3.6 / 8

Privacy and security 25 of 37 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Blocks trackers by defaultYesApp page says it blocks third-party trackers; the tracking page says the protection is built into the apps1,2.8 / 8
Built-in ad blockerYesVendor pages say the browser blocks most ads, including YouTube and invasive web ads, with no extension1,3.5 / 5
Fingerprinting protectionYesWindows app: fingerprinting scripts from third-party trackers are blocked and browser APIs overridden2.7 / 7
Built-in VPN or proxyNoThe VPN covers the whole device, not only browser traffic, and comes with the paid subscription8.0 / 3
Open sourceNot publishedOpen-source page lists repositories for iOS, Mac and Android, none for Windows4.0 / 5
Public bug bountyNot publishedNot published on the vendor's open-source page4.0 / 4
Phishing and malware warningsYesBuilt-in Scam Blocker warns about phishing and malware sites and can be turned off in settings; page names no platform12.5 / 5

Sync and sign-in 17 of 22 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Free sync across devicesYesSync & Backup is a free feature of the browser; it syncs bookmarks and passwords between devices5,6.6 / 6
End-to-end encrypted syncYesData is encrypted on your device; DuckDuckGo says it has no access to the key5.8 / 8
Built-in password managerYesHelp page describes a built-in password manager that stores, fills and generates passwords without an account13.3 / 3
Saves passkeysNot publishedNot published on the vendor's password manager page7.0 / 5

Extensions 0 of 12 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Chrome Web Store extensionsNot publishedNot found on the vendor's pages; the Windows help page does not mention extensions10.0 / 6
Manifest V2 extensions still workNot publishedNot found on the vendor's pages; the Windows help page does not mention extensions10.0 / 6

Tabs and tools 0 of 16 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Vertical tabsNot publishedNot found on the vendor's pages3,11.0 / 4
Tab groupsNot publishedNot found on the vendor's pages3,11.0 / 4
Built-in page translationNot publishedNot found on the vendor's pages; its translation page covers search results only11.0 / 4
Separate profilesNot publishedNot found on the vendor's pages3,11.0 / 4

Price 5 of 5 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Cost to use$0The app page calls the browser free1.5 / 5

The rule behind each line: how we score web browsers.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
Browser1 personFree1,8$0Windows, Mac, Android and iOS; the VPN needs a paid subscription

Strengths

  • Free, with no paid tier needed for the browser itself1.
  • Third-party trackers are blocked and fingerprinting scripts are blocked in the Windows app2.
  • Sync & Backup is free and end-to-end encrypted5,6.
  • Built-in password manager that encrypts passwords with 256-bit AES on your device7.

Limits

  • The vendor's open-source list names repositories for iOS, Mac and Android, but none for Windows4.
  • Its Windows crash-report page calls the Windows browser "DuckDuckGo Preview"9.
  • The vendor's pages do not describe tab groups, vertical tabs, profiles or page translation3,11.
  • The VPN is a paid subscription service that protects the whole device8.

What DuckDuckGo says

Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.

  • DuckDuckGo says the browser blocks YouTube ads, invasive web ads and cookie pop-ups3.

Other web browsers

  1. 1
    BravePeople who want privacy protections on from the first launch
    84/100
    $0cost to use
  2. 2
    Mozilla FirefoxPeople who want open-source code, tracker blocking and sync that Mozilla cannot read
    80/100
    $0cost to use
  3. 3
    Microsoft EdgeWindows users who want tracker blocking by default and Chrome extensions
    73/100
    Not publishedcost to use
  4. 4
    Google ChromePeople who want the Chrome Web Store and sync across Windows, Mac, Linux and phones
    66/100
    $0cost to use

All 12 web browsers

Sources

  1. DuckDuckGo Browser, DuckDuckGo. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. Web tracking protections, DuckDuckGo. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. Does DuckDuckGo make a browser?, DuckDuckGo. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. DuckDuckGo open source, DuckDuckGo. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. Sync & Backup privacy, DuckDuckGo. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. Enable Sync & Backup, DuckDuckGo. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. Password manager security, DuckDuckGo. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. About DuckDuckGo VPN, DuckDuckGo. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  9. DuckDuckGo Windows crash disclaimer, DuckDuckGo. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  10. Get the DuckDuckGo Browser on Windows, DuckDuckGo. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  11. The Fire Button, Fire Windows, and Fire Tabs, DuckDuckGo. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  12. Scam Blocker, DuckDuckGo. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  13. Passwords & Autofill, DuckDuckGo. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: duckduckgo.com/app · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with DuckDuckGo.