When someone thinks of internet searches, Google is often the first name that comes to mind. Since Google’s launch in 1998, it has steadily grown to become the undisputed leader in multiple areas of technology and digital services. It dominates the global search engine market and leads in online advertising through Google Ads.
Google also powers the world’s most widely used mobile operating system, Android, and its Chrome browser is the market leader. In addition, Google has a strong presence in cloud computing with Google Cloud, and in video streaming through YouTube. Its services like Gmail and Google Maps are globally popular, and it is one of the top corporations in AI and machine learning technologies, as well as smart home devices through Google Nest.
Even with over 90% market share, Google’s presence in the search engine market does not stop users from seeking alternatives. Multiple persons have argued the growing concerns over privacy, data collection, and not just the monopolization of information.
While Google’s dominance is unlikely to wane soon from the search engine space, these 10 best alternative search engines to Google will help you minimize your digital footprint(if you want) and enhance privacy.
Best Alternative Search Engines
- Microsoft Bing
Price: Free
Bing, powered by Microsoft, holds 6.04% of the global search engine market. It’s known for providing multimedia results and AI tools, and its tight integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem makes it a powerful alternative to Google. Additionally, Bing’s Rewards Program lets users earn points redeemable for gift cards.
Key features: Advanced image and video search, built-in AI functionalities, and extensive search integration with Windows and Microsoft 365.
- DuckDuckGo
Price: Free
DuckDuckGo has made its name as the go-to search engine for people who love privacy, as it does not track or store user data. While its global market share is less than 1%, its reputation continues to grow due to rising concerns about online privacy.
Key features: Private, non-tracked searches, no ad-targeting, and anonymous browsing.
- Brave Search
Price: Free
Brave Search is the engine for users who prioritize privacy and independent results. Launched by the creators of the Brave browser, this search engine boasts complete anonymity, with no user tracking, and has gained 40 million active users as of 2023.
Key features: customization, AI-powered summaries, and ad-free experience for paid version.
- Ecosia
Price: Free
Ecosia is an ethical search engine that donates its profits to environmental causes, particularly reforestation. With over 170 million trees planted by 2024, it appeals to environmentally conscious users who want to make a positive impact through their searches.
Key features: Privacy-focused and powered by Bing.
- Qwant
Price: Free
Qwant, based in France, is a privacy-centric search engine that offers a powerful music search feature as well as maps. It adheres to stringent European privacy laws, ensuring that no user data is stored or sold.
Key features: No tracking or personalized ads, integrated maps and music search, and GDPR compliance for users in Europe.
- Swisscows
Price: Free
Swisscows is a Swiss-based search engine, well-known for its family-friendly content filtering. With servers based in Switzerland, it adheres to some of the strongest privacy laws in the world, ensuring user data is not tracked or stored.
Key features: Semantic search technology, privacy guarantees, and a focus on music search and other media-based queries.
- Startpage
Price: Free
Startpage combines the accuracy of Google’s search results with enhanced privacy features. It functions as a proxy search engine, allowing users to browse without being tracked by Google, and is subject to EU privacy laws.
Key features: Google-powered results without data tracking, anonymous proxy for extra privacy, and EU privacy compliance.
- Mojeek
Price: Free
Mojeek is a UK-based search engine with an innovative approach. It ranks results based on emotional sentiment, allowing users to filter search results by emotions like positive or negative tones.
Key features: No tracking, independent search index, and emotion-based result filtering.
- Presearch
Price: Free
Presearch is a decentralized search engine that allows users to earn cryptocurrency (PRE tokens) for their searches. With a focus on Web3 technology, it provides an alternative for users interested in blockchain-based search engines.
Key features: Earn rewards for searches, community-driven moderation, and decentralized search infrastructure.
- Gibiru
Price: Free
Gibiru offers uncensored, private search results while still drawing on Google’s powerful search infrastructure. It strips out the tracking and personalization that normally comes with Google searches, allowing for anonymous results.
Key features: Unfiltered Google results without tracking, prioritizes user privacy, and delivers fast, unbiased search results.
Other Alternative Search Engines
- Yahoo Search: remains relevant due to its integration with Yahoo Finance, Yahoo News, and its long-standing user base.
- Seekr Search: ranks search results based on reliability and political bias, offering transparency for users concerned with misinformation.
- Seva Search: allows users to contribute to charitable causes through searches, much like Ecosia but with a broader focus on philanthropy.
- Yep Search: a search engine that directs 90% of its ad revenue towards content creators, providing a financial incentive for those producing original online content.
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