DuckDuckGo Browser vs Lightning Browser
DuckDuckGo Browser
duckduckgo.comLightning Browser
github.comSide by side
| Figure | DuckDuckGo Browser | Lightning Browser |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $8.33/mo | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 6 | 0 |
| Spec score · Web browsers | 9.3 (#4) | 7.0 (#146) |
| Ad blocking | Blocks most ads, including ads on videos and YouTube. | Release notes describe ad blocking, per-site allowlisting, and custom host sources, with custom host sources listed as Plus-only. |
| Built-in ad blocking | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 2008 | 2014 |
| Supported platforms | both | mobile |
Plans
DuckDuckGo Browser
- Free BrowserFree
- Plus Monthly$9.99 a month
- Plus Annual$99.99 a year
- Pro Monthly$19.99 a month
- Pro Annual$199.99 a year
- Pro$199.99 a year
In their own words
DuckDuckGo Browser
DuckDuckGo Browser is a browser for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, with a free plan and paid subscriptions. It blocks third-party trackers, including those from Facebook and Google, and most ads, including video and YouTube ads. It can block most cookie pop-ups and may opt users out automatically. Cross-device sync and a password manager are included, and a one-click control clears tabs, history, and browsing data. Email protection blocks hidden trackers in emails, while Duck.ai offers optional private chats with popular AI models. DuckDuckGo says those conversations are not used to train AI and that it does not track searches; its tracker list and exceptions are open source. Paid plans add VPN protection, advanced AI models, personal information removal, and identity restoration. Plus costs $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year. Pro costs $19.99 a month or $199.99 a year and adds Claude Opus 4.8, GPT-5.6 Sol, higher reasoning effort, and twice Plus’s Duck.ai usage limits. DuckDuckGo has been independent since its founding in 2008 and is based in Paoli, Pennsylvania.
Lightning Browser
Lightning Browser has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.