Search engines that don't track you, sell your data, or force AI on you.
Every search you make on Google is tracked, stored, and used to build a profile about you. This data is used to:
Private search engines break this cycle by not tracking your searches in the first place.
| Engine | Index Source | Tracking | AI Features | Based In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DuckDuckGo | Bing + own | None | Optional | USA |
| Startpage | None | None | Netherlands | |
| Brave Search | Own index | None | Optional | USA |
| Qwant | Own + Bing | None | None | France |
| Mojeek | Own index | None | None | UK |
| Presearch | Multiple | None | None | Decentralized |
The most well-known private search engine. Uses Bing's index combined with their own crawler, but doesn't track you.
Acts as a privacy proxy for Google. You get Google-quality results without Google tracking you.
Built by the Brave browser team with their own independent search index - not relying on Google or Bing.
European privacy-focused search engine based in France. Uses their own index supplemented by Bing.
UK-based search engine with a completely independent index. No reliance on Google, Bing, or any other search provider.
Decentralized search engine that aggregates results from multiple sources. Earn crypto tokens for searching.
It depends on your priorities. For the best results, use Startpage (Google results without tracking). For full independence, use Mojeek or Brave Search. For the best balance, DuckDuckGo is a solid choice.
Yes. DuckDuckGo doesn't store your searches, IP address, or any personal information. However, they use Bing's index, which means Microsoft sees anonymized queries. For complete independence, consider Mojeek or Brave Search.
All engines on this page have no-tracking policies: DuckDuckGo, Startpage, Brave Search, Qwant, Mojeek, and Presearch. The most verifiable are Mojeek and Brave, which use their own independent indexes.
Both are excellent for privacy. Startpage is based in the Netherlands (better privacy laws) and provides Google results. DuckDuckGo is US-based and uses Bing. Startpage's Anonymous View feature gives it an edge for browsing privacy.
Most don't. Startpage, Qwant, Mojeek, and Presearch have no AI features. DuckDuckGo and Brave have optional AI that can be disabled. Use Unslop Search to automatically disable AI across all engines.