Head-to-head · General Web Search Engines
Qwant vs Startpage
Qwant leads on 0 checks, Startpage on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreQwant · 9.0/10
- Free planboth
Qwant scores higher on our rubric for general web search engines: 9.0 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.
Qwant is the better fit for privacy-minded users wanting broad search coverage. Startpage is the better fit for privacy-focused users who want mainstream web results.
- Qwant fits best
Privacy-minded users wanting broad search coverage
- Startpage fits best
Privacy-focused users who want mainstream web results
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Side by side
| Feature | Qwant 9.0/10 Visit ↗ | Startpage 8.9/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.0 | 8.9 |
| Ranking | #3 in General Web Search Engines | #4 in General Web Search Engines |
| Best for | Privacy-minded users wanting broad search coverage | Privacy-focused users who want mainstream web results |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension | Cloud, Browser extension, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension | Web, Chrome extension, iOS, Android |
| Support | Tickets, Docs | Email, Docs |
| Compliance | GDPR | GDPR |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Qwant 0/4 · Startpage 0/4 | ||
| Language selection | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Region selection | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Safe search controls | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Search operators | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Index approach | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Region focus | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Qwant is a free search engine for people who want broad web coverage with privacy-oriented defaults. Its own indexing technology powers results, while partner content can also contribute. Searches work without an account, and search… Read the review → |
Startpage is a free metasearch engine for people who want mainstream web results without having their queries logged or their results profiled. It sends anonymized queries to external search and content providers, then presents web, image,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Qwant — where it wins
- Searches web, news, images, video, shopping, maps, social and music
- Choose a region and one of three SafeSearch levels
- Use browser extensions and iOS or Android apps without an account
Where it doesn't
- Partner content can also enrich results alongside Qwant's own index
- AI answers and page summaries require an account
- Search results combine sources rather than relying only on Qwant's index
Startpage — where it wins
- Anonymizes queries sent to external search and content providers
- Offers web, image, video and news search with region and language filters
- Anonymous View proxies visits to search results
Where it doesn't
- Relies on external providers rather than maintaining its own web index
- Anonymous View is a proxy for visits to search results, not a general browsing mode
- The browser extension is available for Chrome
- Qwant9.0/10 · Free plan
A free search engine with its own indexing, multiple search verticals and optional AI tools.
Visit QwantFull verdict → - Startpage8.9/10 · Free plan
A free metasearch engine that anonymizes queries and offers a proxy for visiting results.
Visit StartpageFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update