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DuckDuckGo

Basic Information

  • Tool Name: DuckDuckGo
  • Category: Privacy Search Engine
  • URL: https://duckduckgo.com/
  • Description: A privacy-focused search engine that doesn't track users, log personal data, or personalize search results based on prior activity, offering tracker blocking and anonymous browsing capabilities.
  • Status: Active

Core Features and Compatibility

  • Core Features: Private Search, HTTPS Upgrading, Third-Party Tracker Blocking, Cookie Protection (First and Third Party), CNAME Cloaking Protection, Fingerprinting Protection, Link Tracking Protection, Referrer Protection, Global Privacy Control, Cookie Pop-up Management, Unfiltered Search Results
  • Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Browser Extensions (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera)
  • Offline Functionality: ❌
  • Mobile Support: ✅
  • Languages Supported: 70+ languages including Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai, Sinhala, Korean, Kurdish
  • Technical Level: Beginner

Security and Privacy

  • Security Features: No IP Address Collection, No Search History Storage, HTTPS Upgrading, Third-Party Tracker Blocking, Fingerprinting Protection, Cookie Protection, Global Privacy Control (GPC), Open Source Code, No Personal Data Collection
  • Data Collection Level: Minimal
  • Security and Privacy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.00)

Deployment and Technical Details

  • Deployment Architecture: A service with a local client that's hosted by a third party - You install a client on your device, but it connects to and depends on a remote server
  • License: Apache-2.0
  • Cost: Free Core

Maintenance and Support

  • Maintenance Status: Last updated February 21, 2025. Development team is responsive with updates typically within hours. Privately held company funded through privacy-respecting search ads. Limited but active GitHub community.
  • Community Support: ⚠️
  • Maintenance and Sustainability Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.00)

Performance and Ratings

  • Operational Functionality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.00)
  • Usability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5.00)
  • Effectiveness and Reliability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⯪ (4.50)
  • Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⯪ (4.35)

Documentation & Testing

  • Full Documentation: DuckDuckGo Documentation
  • Version Tested: 2025.4.7
  • Date Tested: 2025-04-17
  • Testing Environment: HP 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11800H @ 2.30GHz, Windows 64, Network: WiFi

Additional Information

  • Limitations and Vulnerabilities: Past issues with Microsoft tracker exceptions, Universal Cross-site Scripting vulnerability identified, Protection stops on external websites exposing IP, Limited fingerprinting protection effectiveness, Android app local storage vulnerability, Blocked in China and potentially other high-censorship countries, Small open-source community with limited peer review
  • Additional Notes: Valuable for civil society organizations seeking unfiltered content without algorithmic bias. Performance metrics show efficiency (Browser Extension: 0.4% CPU, 64,712KB RAM; Browser: 13.4% CPU, 1,314MB RAM). Search performance compared to Google shows faster initial load (9.13s vs 24.66s) but longer total finish time (45.53s vs 24.66s). Not recommended for use in regions where blocked without additional circumvention tools.

Submission Information

  • Submitted By: adequatej
  • Submission Date: 2025-04-30
  • Last Updated: 2025-04-30