Startpage
Startpage: A free metasearch engine that anonymizes queries and offers a proxy for visiting results. Ranked #4 of 37 in General Web Search Engines by our editors (8.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for privacy-focused users who want mainstream web results.
At a glance
- Editor score8.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forPrivacy-focused users who want mainstream web results
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Founded2006 · The Hague, Netherlands
- Facts checked28 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Startpage
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, video and news results. The service works without an account and is available on the web, iOS and Android, with a Chrome extension for browser privacy tools. It suits privacy-focused users who want familiar search categories and controls without signing in.
Search settings include region and language filters, plus Safe Search with three levels. Instant Answers cover weather, currency conversion, dictionary and translation. Anonymous View proxies visits to search results, adding a privacy option when opening pages from search. The separate Chrome extension includes tracker blocking, privacy scores and reports. These features make Startpage broader than a basic search box, though the distinction matters: Anonymous View is for visits opened through that feature, rather than a general-purpose browsing mode.
Startpage relies on external providers, including Google and Bing, rather than maintaining its own website index. That makes it a fit for people who value query anonymization and access to provider-powered results, but less suitable for anyone seeking an independent search index. The core search service is free; settings can be saved with an optional cookie or URL rather than an account. Email and documentation are support channels. Choose Startpage for no-account search, privacy controls and broad result categories; consider another engine if its external-provider model or Chrome-specific extension does not fit your needs.
Your product? Our editors can test Startpage in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Startpage pricing
Startpage fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Index approach | Not verified |
| Region focus | Not verified |
| Language selection | Not verified |
| Region selection | Not verified |
| Safe search controls | Not verified |
| Search operators | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Browser extension, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Chrome extension, iOS, Android |
| Compliance & security | GDPR |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 2 integrations: Google, Bing |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | startpage.com |
| Facts checked | 28 Sep 2026 |
Startpage integrations
Startpage lists 2 integrations on its own site.
- Bing
Alternatives to Startpage
- Google AI ModeA free conversational search experience with cited web links and optional Google AI upgrades.9.3
- Brave SearchAn independent search index pairs web search with cited AI answers and ranking controls.9.2
- QwantA free search engine with its own indexing, multiple search verticals and optional AI tools.9.0
See all Startpage alternatives →
Startpage vs the competition
- Startpage vs Google AI Mode
- Startpage vs Brave Search
- Startpage vs Qwant
- Startpage vs Mojeek
- Startpage vs Yahoo Search
- Startpage vs Dogpile
Compare Startpage with any tool side by side →
Used Startpage? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Startpage for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Startpage is listed in our General Web Search Engines directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/startpage/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/startpage.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update