Privacy and safety are critical when browsing online. From search engines and browsers saving your browsing history to websites recording your browsing activity, the internet can leave you feeling vulnerable.
Most websites have trackers, too. Trackers often collect personal habits about shopping, habits, and locations. These websites may share this personal information with third parties.
Luckily, tools like DuckDuckGo and Tor come in handy to increase your privacy and security when browsing the internet.
The two tools pack a punch in terms of privacy features. But, you may be wondering, should I use Tor or DuckDuckGo?
In this guide, I break down the features of each tool to help you see which one can suit your browsing needs. We will also examine the similarities and differences and the pros and cons of each.
Let us compare Tor and DuckDuckGo.
What Is DuckDuckGo?
DuckDuckGo is a search engine developed by the DuckDuckGo Company to empower users to take charge of their personal information online. The free, all-in-one privacy solution offers protection from hackers and gives you a private search desktop extension.
After downloading it, you get a new everyday tool that will protect you from third-party trackers. You will also get email protection and protection when using other apps on your devices.
How Does DuckDuckGo Work?
DuckDuckGo works like any search engine. However, it is a private search engine.
With DuckDuckGo, you will not get personalized search results because the tool doesn’t collect your personal data. However, this feature ensures you are not caught in an information echo chamber when browsing.
Using DuckDuckGo is like using a Google search engine. It also comes with extensions and apps like any other search engine.
It provides quality search experiences while maintaining your online privacy. You can use the app on your mobile and desktop devices.
It also offers online protection through various functions. Privacy settings are built into the search engine to give you default privacy when searching the web. It also comes with block tracking cookies which will prevent third-party cookies from tracking your web activity.
DuckDuckGo also automatically blocks hidden third-party scripts to prevent companies from tracking and collecting your personal data. It also ensures that the sites you visit use an encrypted (HTTPS) connection, thus preventing you from prying eyes in addition to giving you privacy.
The tool also offers email protection by blocking email trackers and hiding your email addresses without needing you to change your email service providers.
What Is Tor?
Tor is a browser and network developed by the Tor Project, a US nonprofit. The browser developers believe they advance human rights and freedoms by offering privacy and anonymity. Also, they ensured that the browser is open source hence its availability is unrestricted.
Tor offers privacy while browsing by protecting you from surveillance, censorship, and tracking.
How Does Tor Work?
Tor utilizes the Onion routing technology, a peer-to-peer overlay network that ensures online privacy and security.
Once a user downloads and installs Tor, data goes from the servers to an exit node, where data leaves the network. The data undergoes multiple encryptions before going through the second node, then the third node.
The multiple encryption layers function by blocking trackers; it does this by isolating every website you visit to prevent third-party hackers and ads from following you. Moreover, it automatically clears cookies after you have finished browsing.
With Tor, you are safe from surveillance. Everyone who tries to monitor your web activity will only see that you are using Tor, and thus they will not be able to see the websites you visit.
Tor also prevents anyone from fingerprinting you based on your device information and browser. Because of this, all uses will appear the same to trackers.
When you use Tor on your Android device, the traffic that passes through the Tor network is encrypted three times.
You can also access internet services blocked by your internet service provider when you use Tor.
Tor also uses DuckDuckGo as its primary search engine.
Operating Systems
DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo is available for Android, macOS, iOS, Linux/GNU, and Windows.
The latest version of DuckDuckGo is 5.134.0, and it is available for download on Android 6.0 and up. On Android, you can use it like any other search engine, type in your keywords, and wait for search results. DuckDuckGo will clear your search data and search history immediately after each session.
On iOS and macOS, DuckDuckGo works like any other search engine. It has features like bookmarks, tabs, and privacy controls. It also comes with a Tap Fire Button that clears your search history and all other browsing data with just one tap.
Linux distributions have included DuckDuckGo as a search option. Some of these include Ubuntu (Canonical), ZevenOS, Webconverger, UberStudent, Linux OS, Linux Mint, Peppermint, Porteus, and Kubuntu. All you need to do is to download and install ddgr which is a free and open DuckDuckGo search tool.
Tor
Tor is available for download on Windows, iOS, macOS, Linux, BSD, and Android devices. Tor will offer protection from third-party trackers and ads on all devices by clearing cookies after each browsing session.
It also offers protection from fingerprinting and surveillance through multi-layered encryption to ensure you browse freely and safely.
Some countries have blocked the use of Tor in their region. However, you can still access it by setting it up to connect to a bridge when installing and setting it up on your device.
Verdict
Here, it is a tie. Both run on all popular operating systems.
Interface Customization
DuckDuckGo
The DuckDuckGo user interface is simple but can be customized based on user preferences. Search results can be changed based on region and also based on the preferred language.
You can also modify themes based on color, placement, and URL format. Users can customize fonts, page width, header behavior, and color based on preference.
Tor
Tor already comes customized to match Firefox and Chrome’s interface. Tor is customized to look like Firefox and Chrome based on typography, color, and buttons.
The tool is simple, the menus are streamlined with Chrome and Firefox, and an all-new tab design is included.
Verdict
Tor is the winner because it requires less customization based on the interface, making it easier to install and use. Also, it looks similar to the default browser, making it easier to use if you already know how to use tools like Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and more.
Privacy
DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo provides the best privacy features in four distinct ways.
Web protection– DuckDuckGo utilizes robust tracker blocking measures to stop trackers. It also protects you from hidden data collectors using search browsers and social media apps.
Search protection– DuckDuckGo does not track your search, it does not monitor what you buy or where you go.
App Protection– Many apps invade privacy by using location to map your movement and track your activity. DuckDuckGo protects you from privacy invasion by blocking trackers.
Email Protection– DuckDuckGo identifies email trackers, intercepts, and removes them so you can read your emails in peace.
Tor
Tor ensures your privacy by blocking cookies on ads and third-party trackers because of this, your web activity remains private and secure.
It also has an inbuilt application that blocks surveillance; no one will be able to monitor your location or activities.
Verdict
DuckDuckGo carries the trophy. Even though both guarantee privacy when browsing through the internet and when using apps, DuckDuckGo has a privacy option that intercepts and removes email trackers. The email protection functionality in DuckDuckGo ensures maximum privacy for you.
Security
DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo has security features that keep you secure as you use the internet. The security features are listed here.
Tap Fire Button, Burn Data – This feature is unique to DuckDuckGo. You can clear all your tabs and browsing data with one button tap.
Signal Privacy Preference with Global Privacy Control (GPC) – The GPC function of DuckDuckGo is inbuilt, informing apps and websites not to share or sell your personal information.
Third-Party Tracker Loading Protection – Ad Clicks requests are stopped in many contexts when using DuckDuckGo except for requests from bat.bing.com because of the partnership DuckDuckGo has with Microsoft. However, ads viewership remains anonymous, and Microsoft will not use the information from ads to profile DuckDuckGo users.
Tor
Tor has several security functions to allow you to browse the internet safely. Read on to discover them.
Block Trackers – This function clears cookies automatically, ensuring that you are protected from ads and third-party trackers.
Defense Against Surveillance – This feature protects you from anyone monitoring your activity online.
Resist Fingerprinting – This feature ensures that all Tor users appear the same online, so no one will be able to profile you based on your activities.
Multi-Layered Encryption – Tor network consists of Tor relays which are thousands of volunteer-run servers. Your traffic passes through the servers three times, ensuring maximum security for your browsing activities.
Verdict
Here, there is a tie. DuckDuckGo and Tor have utilized fantastic security features to ensure the security of user data.
Browser Extensions
DuckDuckGo
You do not have to download the DuckDuckGo app to your device to access it. You can install a browser extension and use it as a search engine in your favorite browsers.
The DuckDuckGo extension is available for the following browsers
- Chrome
- Firefox
- Internet Explorer
- Microsoft Edge
- Opera
- Safari
To access these, you can download the extension to your preferred browser through extension direct links, then add DuckDuckGo to integrate into your browser.
Other browsers that can include DuckDuckGo as an extension include Adblock Browser, Chromium Portable, Brave, Dillo, Dooble, Otter Browser, OmniWeb, Waterfox, Min, SeaMonkey, Pale Moon, Slimjet, SRWare Iron, and Vimprobable.
DuckDuckGo developers also hope to get more browsers to make their service available to more users.
Tor
The Tor extension known as the Onion Browser button is available for Firefox Browser, Opera, Chrome, and Microsoft Edge.
Verdict
The DuckDuckGo extension is available on more browsers than Tor.
Syncing
DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo allows users to transfer bookmarks between different devices without using the cloud.
To transfer your bookmarks between Android devices, select the bookmark option on the settings, then select export and save HTML file on your Android device. Save the copy on your laptop, then transfer it to a new Android device.
Tor
Tor allows users to export and import bookmarks from other browsers. Bookmarks can also be restored and backed up when using Tor.
To import bookmarks, click on the Hamburger menu, then bookmarks, manage bookmarks, and select import or backup.
To export bookmarks, select the export bookmarks to HTML option, choose the location to export the bookmarks, then save the process.
Bookmarks can also be imported from Firefox Browser to Tor using JSON or HTML files.
However, it is not possible to export or import bookmarks on Android.
Verdict
Both allow you to import and export bookmarks between browsers. However, only DuckDuckGo lets you import bookmarks between Android devices, so DuckDuckGo wins.
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Ratings
DuckDuckGo
On Google Play Store, DuckDuckGo is rated 4.5 out of 5 after 1.69 million reviews. Over 10M users have downloaded the app, most of whom have given the app a five-star rating.
The app has a higher rating on the Apple App Store, with 4.9 out of 5 stars, after reviews by 1.4 million users. It is also rated number 19 in utilities, making it one of the most popular apps.
Tor
Tor has a star rating of 4.3 in Google Play Store. It has over 10 million downloads, and most users gave the app a 5-star rating.
On the Apple App Store, Tor has a 4.5-star rating after over 2,800 downloads. On the Microsoft Store, Tor has a star rating of 4.5 and has been downloaded over 3,000 times.
Verdict
Based on the rating, DuckDuckGo has the highest rating, with a star rating of 4.5 on the Google Play Store and 4.9 on the Apple App Store, indicating that most users loved using it.
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Pricing
DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo is freely available for download and use. They make money through affiliate partnerships and private ads run on their search engines.
The ads on DuckDuckGo are not based on personal information, including purchase, browsing, and search history. Instead, they use search results from the page you are currently viewing to optimize their ads.
Tor
Tor is an open source software available to download and use for free. Tor relies on donations from wellwishers. The donations are used to improve the software and make Tor accessible to more people.
Tor relies on volunteers to develop and run the servers, ensuring users access Tor for free. The US nonprofit believes Tor advances human rights by providing accessible, safe, and private technologies.
Verdict
Here, it is a tie. Both tools are freely available to users.
Also Read: Vivaldi vs Brave
Duckduckgo vs Tor: Pros and Cons
DuckDuckGo
Pros
- Protects user privacy. The tool does not share or collect your personal information. The data on the tool will not be used to tailor results. Therefore you will not be exposed to the ‘filter bubble”.
- You get a wide spectrum of instant answers. If you have any queries concerning and you type a keyword on the search box, you will get results from what you are looking for and also a list of other related words to broaden your search results.
- You can search from specific sites. The Bangs function, which are commands that let you search from different websites, directs you to particular web pages rather than using the website’s search engine.
- DuckDuckGo gives you infinite search results. When you use DuckDuckGo, you will not need to click through the pages, and results will present as an endless scroll. Thus ensuring that you can easily access search results.
- The available ads will not track you. Also, the ads are not obstructive. They are also based on what you are currently searching for and not based on your search history.
- You can disable ads. Disabling ads on DuckDuckGo is easy. You do not need to download another application since the option is included in the settings.
- You can customize the interface. DuckDuckGo will give you many customizing options. You can change the color, fonts, page width, header behavior, alignment, and site actions. Also, you can select from a list of premade themes.
- You can access the Onion site. You can access websites with the Onion domain name extension on the dark web.
- DuckDuckGo can work without JavaScript. If you do not want to enable JavaScript or your browser is too limited, you can still access DuckDuckGo.
- You can easily access other sites. You can watch videos on YouTube from the DuckDuckGo site rather than on YouTube.com. You can also access Wikipedia on DuckDuckGo. Because of this feature, you will get more privacy than browsing these sites directly.
- It is great for Linux users. DuckDuckGo has an Application Programming Interface with Linux making it easier to use.
- DuckDuckGo has no filter bubble. Because of this, you can access everything the Internet offers privately and safely.
Cons
- Sometimes you get irrelevant search results. Because the tool does not collect information about you, you will not get customized search results. You will have to modify your keywords and browse several search results to get what you want.
- Search results do not come with dates. Because you do not automatically and immediately get dates of publications, you may not know that the page is outdated. However, you can limit your search results to specific time frames on the settings page.
- Censors activism. The tool blocks results that are based on activism. They also mentioned that they are downranking the results of news from Russia about the war between Ukraine and Russia.
Tor
Pros
- Tor has a three-layer encryption process that increases online privacy and security.
- Anyone who tries to monitor your online activity will see traffic from any of the three nodes, making it difficult for them to track you.
- Tor does not keep a log of your browsing activities. All your search history, cookies, and other tracking data are immediately cleared, ensuring that no software will be able to trace you.
- Tor prevents fingerprinting and uses NoScript.
- You get to access sites that are hidden on the Onion. These sites are only available on Tor.
- It is open source and can be downloaded and used without paying anything.
- It is relatively fast.
- It has a gateway built in to allow you to browse completely anonymously. So, surveillance marketers, internet service providers, or the government cannot monitor your activity.
- It is safe to use as long as you avoid malicious websites.
Cons
- You have to adopt new browsing habits when using Tor. This is because Tor doesn’t recommend running several activities on the browser.
- Because of the security features on Tor, browsing is lower, and many modern features are not supported.
- Some information on the dark web is illegal and could promote unlawful activities.
Conclusion – Tor vs DuckDuckGo
I found DuckDuckGo better than Tor. This is because it is more user-friendly and feature-rich. The feature that blocks email trackers and hides email addresses is a highlight.
Additionally, the Tap, Fire Button, and Burn Data features give you control over your privacy by allowing you to clear your search and browsing data.
DuckDuckGo makes it possible to transfer bookmarks between devices and browsers, so you will not lose them when you change your device.
