Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Privacy Browsers

Waterfox vs DuckDuckGo Browser

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Waterfox #3 in Privacy Browsers 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Waterfox
DuckDuckGo Browser #6 in Privacy Browsers 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit DuckDuckGo

Waterfox leads on 0 checks, DuckDuckGo Browser on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreWaterfox · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresWaterfox · 1 of 4

Waterfox scores higher on our rubric for privacy browsers: 9.2 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Waterfox is the better fit for free privacy with everyday browser features. DuckDuckGo Browser is the better fit for privacy users wanting polished multi-device sync.

  • Waterfox fits best

    Free privacy with everyday browser features

  • DuckDuckGo Browser fits best

    Privacy users wanting polished multi-device sync

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Waterfox 9.2/10 Visit ↗ DuckDuckGo Browser 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.9
Ranking #3 in Privacy Browsers #6 in Privacy Browsers
Best for Free privacy with everyday browser features Privacy users wanting polished multi-device sync
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $99.99/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Waterfox 1/4 · DuckDuckGo Browser 0/4
Tracker blocking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Ad blocking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Built-in VPN Not checked yet Not checked yet
Open source ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Fingerprint protection Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • Built-in ad, tracker, pop-up, and overlay blocking
  • Enhanced Tracking Protection with Standard, Strict, and Custom modes
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android with sync support
  • Blocks trackers, ads, cookie pop-ups, and email trackers
  • Syncs bookmarks, passwords, autofill, settings, and chats with encryption
  • Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
Cons
  • Support channels are centered on documentation
  • No paid tier for users seeking premium browser features
  • No built-in AI features
  • VPN and identity protection require a paid subscription
  • Plus and Pro plans add significant recurring costs
  • Support is limited to community and documentation channels
Our verdict

Waterfox is a free, open-source web browser for privacy-conscious users who want control over tracking, browsing data, interface layout, and extensions. Built on Mozilla’s Gecko engine, it supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. Its…

Read the review →

DuckDuckGo Browser is a free privacy browser for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It combines DuckDuckGo Search with third-party tracker blocking, ad blocking including YouTube ads, cookie pop-up blocking, email tracker protection, and…

Read the review →
  1. WaterfoxPrivacy Browsers 9.2Free plan
  2. DuckDuckGo BrowserPrivacy Browsers 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Waterfox — where it wins

    • Built-in ad, tracker, pop-up, and overlay blocking
    • Enhanced Tracking Protection with Standard, Strict, and Custom modes
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android with sync support

    Where it doesn't

    • Support channels are centered on documentation
    • No paid tier for users seeking premium browser features
    • No built-in AI features
  • DuckDuckGo Browser — where it wins

    • Blocks trackers, ads, cookie pop-ups, and email trackers
    • Syncs bookmarks, passwords, autofill, settings, and chats with encryption
    • Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • VPN and identity protection require a paid subscription
    • Plus and Pro plans add significant recurring costs
    • Support is limited to community and documentation channels

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update