The best DuckDuckGo alternatives in 2026

DuckDuckGo scores 8.9 and ranks #6 in Privacy & Security. It's not for everyone: skip it if you are deep in Google's ecosystem and rely on Chrome sync. Here's every alternative we rank, and exactly where each one is stronger or weaker.

1
1Password
Polished password manager for families and teams 9.2 +0.3 vs DuckDuckGo
- Worse value -1.7
- More features +0.9
- Better design +0.8
- Faster +0.4
Best for: Families and teams who want a password manager everyone will actually use

DuckDuckGo vs 1Password Read review
2
Bitwarden
Open-source password manager with a generous free plan 9.1 +0.2 vs DuckDuckGo
- More features +0.6
Best for: People who want a secure, cross-platform password manager without paying

DuckDuckGo vs Bitwarden Read review
3
Proton VPN
Audited no-logs VPN with a truly unlimited free plan 9.1 +0.1 vs DuckDuckGo
- More features +0.4
- More private +0.4
Best for: People who care about privacy and want a trustworthy VPN, free or paid

DuckDuckGo vs Proton VPN Read review
4
Proton Pass
Open-source password manager with built-in email aliases 9.0 +0.1 vs DuckDuckGo
- More private +0.4
Best for: Privacy-minded people who want a free password manager with email aliases

DuckDuckGo vs Proton Pass Read review
5
Ente Auth
Free, open-source 2FA codes with encrypted backup 9.0 +0.1 vs DuckDuckGo
- Better value +0.4
- More private +0.4
Best for: People who want encrypted, backed-up 2FA codes on every device for free

DuckDuckGo vs Ente Auth Read review
6
Mullvad VPN
Anonymous VPN with no email sign-up and one flat price 8.9 0.0 vs DuckDuckGo
- More private +0.6
- Weaker design -0.4
Best for: People who want a VPN that knows as little about them as possible

DuckDuckGo vs Mullvad VPN Read review
7
Proton Mail
End-to-end encrypted email from Switzerland 8.7 -0.2 vs DuckDuckGo
- Worse value -1.2
- Slower -0.6
- More private +0.4
Best for: People who want private, encrypted email without giving up a modern inbox

DuckDuckGo vs Proton Mail Read review
8
NordVPN
Fast, feature-packed VPN with a huge server network 8.7 -0.2 vs DuckDuckGo
- Worse value -2.1
- Less private -1.5
- More features +0.6
- Faster +0.4
Best for: Travelers and streamers who want a fast VPN that just works

DuckDuckGo vs NordVPN Read review
9
Malwarebytes
Malware scanning and scam protection for every device 8.0 -1.0 vs DuckDuckGo
- Worse value -1.9
- Less private -1.7
- Slower -0.8
- Fewer features -0.5
Best for: Windows and Mac users who want a trusted cleanup tool and extra scam protection

DuckDuckGo vs Malwarebytes Read review