What is the Difference Between Firefox and DuckDuckGo?

When you want to protect your online data, it’s logical to start with a new browser. The two most popular privacy-friendly options are DuckDuckGo and Firefox Focus.

They have similar features and can be used for the same purpose. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between the two search engines and help you choose the perfect browser for you.

Where Can I Use Them?

One of the major differences is that you can use DuckDuckGo both on your mobile and desktop, while Firefox Focus has only a mobile version. The reason becomes clear when you understand why each browser was created in the first place.

In 2008, DuckDuckGo was founded by a small group of enthusiasts who wanted to allow people to search the web privately. There weren’t many apps back then, and that’s why DuckDuckGo started as an extension for desktop. With time, they introduced the free DuckDuckGo app for Android and iOS devices.

Firefox Focus was created as an app that can block tracking on your phone. It became very popular in 2015, and evolved into a private browser with advanced tracking protection. We wouldn’t be surprised if they introduced a desktop version as well. But for now, they don’t have it.

This shouldn’t prevent you from using Firefox Focus. Who said you have to use the same browser on your phone and desktop? After all, there’s no difference as neither of the two is tracking you, and both provide unbiased search results. That said, there’s no need to sync between mobile and laptop.

Search Results

While DuckDuckGo has its own built-in search engine, Firefox uses Google (with all safety precautions). Let’s face it: no matter how a search engine is developed, it’s hard to beat Google on its own terrain. Therefore, in this category, Firefox wins.

The DuckDuckGo search engine is somewhat limited, but we hope they’ll improve it in the future. The biggest challenges appear when you search for images, or you want to see results in a language other than English. They’re able to show only a limited number of photos, which is usually unsatisfactory.

When it comes to other languages, DuckDuckGo isn’t yet as developed as some more powerful browsers. The good thing is that the company is aware of that, and they allow you to use other browsers (Google included) from the DuckDuckGo app, thus keeping you protected from tracking.

Grading System

DuckDuckGo went above and beyond, ensuring that its users have a lot of choices when it comes to privacy. It has a unique grading system that no other browser has, not even Firefox (although it offers decent privacy protection as well.)

DuckDuckGo allows you to manually disable its privacy features on any site you want. However, they won’t let you do it until you see their assessment. Browser ranks all websites on a scale from A to E, according to the level of privacy they offer. You won’t see many A-s, though. Even the websites that claim to be privacy-friendly are usually rated with a B.

It’s as if they’re saying: We warned you! Now it’s up to you to decide!

Interface

Last but not least, there’s a big difference when it comes to interface. Although both browsers have similar features, their color is what makes all the difference. On the one hand, there’s DuckDuckGo that allows you to choose from neutral colors such as gray or black, which all look very simple and low-key. On the other hand, there’s Firefox Focus with a bright purple interface!

Some people love it, others don’t, but there’s no way anyone would mistake it for another browser. And that was probably their goal! You now know why many ladies opt for Firefox as their first choice.

Final Verdict

It’s hard to say which of the two private browsers is better. As you can see, they both offer a high level of privacy and security. Although DuckDuckGo has many fans and supporters, Firefox delivers a broader range of search results. But then, DuckDuckGo has some unique features like grading websites according to their safety level.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to choose the one you feel more comfortable using. Have you tried one of these browsers before? Which one do you like better? Are there any improvements you’d like to see? Let us know in the comments section below.