Google is undoubtedly the top dog among search engines—over 90% of all search queries worldwide run through the US corporation. But market dominance also has its downsides: personalized advertising, tracking across countless services, the collection of huge amounts of data, and results that are often determined more by advertisers than by neutral relevance.
Many users are now realizing that Google doesn’t always give them the best answers, but often what is most economically attractive to Google. At the same time, there is a growing need for more data protection, transparency, and independence on the internet. This is exactly where alternative search engines come into play.
Whether it’s sustainability, more privacy, European data security, or Google results without tracking, there are really good alternatives that offer you a whole new search experience. In this article, I’ll introduce you to four search engines that are better than Google in many ways: Ecosia, DuckDuckGo, Qwant, and Startpage.
1. Ecosia – the green search engine
Ecosia is probably the best-known Google alternative when it comes to sustainability . The search engine was founded in Berlin in 2009 with a simple yet ingenious idea: search the internet and plant trees at the same time.
The business model works like this: Like Google, ads are displayed. However, a portion of the revenue goes not into corporate profits but directly into global reforestation projects. According to Ecosia, it has already planted over 200 million trees in more than 30 countries – including Brazil, Burkina Faso, and Indonesia.
Why Ecosia is interesting for you:
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Climate neutrality : All servers run on 100% renewable energy.
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Transparency : Every month the company publishes a financial report in which you can see exactly how much money has been spent on new trees.
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Privacy : Ecosia does not create personal search profiles and does not sell data to advertisers.
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Community effect : You can track live the counter of how many trees have already been funded through community searches.
Practical tip:
On average, about 45 searches fund one new tree . So, if you search the internet regularly, you can easily plant dozens of trees over the course of a year—without having to invest any additional time or money.
👉 Ecosia is ideal for anyone who wants to make small changes in their everyday life to make a positive contribution to climate protection . Especially if you search for information online every day, Ecosia is an easy way to combine digital habits with sustainability.
2. DuckDuckGo – Pure privacy
If you value your privacy, DuckDuckGo is arguably the best-known alternative to Google. The US search engine was founded in 2008 and has been committed to protecting user data from the very beginning. While Google meticulously stores search queries, creates user profiles, and collects data across various services, DuckDuckGo takes a completely different approach: no storage, no tracking, no filter bubbles.
What this means for you: Every search is neutral. You won’t see personalized results based on your previous behavior, but rather an objective overview – regardless of what or how often you’ve searched before. This helps you escape the so-called “filter bubble” that many Google users don’t even notice.
Advantages of DuckDuckGo at a glance
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No personalized advertising : your data remains with you.
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No tracking : No information about your search queries or surfing behavior is stored.
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Neutral results : You get independent results, not what an algorithm thinks is “appropriate” for you.
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Clear operation : The design is minimalist and self-explanatory.
Fun Facts & Special Features
DuckDuckGo has been growing steadily for years. Millions of people around the world already use the search engine daily. In 2021, the company surpassed the 100 million searches per day mark for the first time —a clear sign that the desire for greater data protection is growing.
Particularly useful: DuckDuckGo offers so-called “bangs .” These allow you to search directly on other platforms without having to access them first. For example, if you !a Laptoptype, you’ll immediately land on Amazon and see the results there. Or !w Berlinit will take you directly to the relevant Wikipedia article.
Practical tip
If you want to use DuckDuckGo in your daily life, you can easily set the search engine as the default search in your browser—whether Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. This way, every search will automatically start with DuckDuckGo, without having to consciously choose to do so each time.
👉 DuckDuckGo is the perfect choice for anyone tired of constant ads, tracking cookies, and personalized results. You retain control over your data—and it’s completely free.
3. Qwant – the European answer to Google
While Google is an American company and DuckDuckGo is also based in the US, Qwant is European—more specifically, French. The search engine was founded in 2013 and has since made a name for itself as a privacy-friendly alternative with European aspirations . The goal: a fair, transparent, and independent search that complies with strict European data protection guidelines.
Qwant stands out from other providers both visually and in terms of content. The clean, modern design , which organizes search results into different categories, is immediately noticeable . This helps you find what you’re really looking for faster.
Special features of Qwant
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European data protection : Qwant does not store personal data and does not create user profiles.
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Neutral results : All users see the same results – regardless of their previous search behavior.
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Extra search areas : In addition to the classic web search, there are dedicated categories such as Qwant News , Qwant Social (for posts from social networks) and Qwant Music to discover new artists and songs.
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Visual homepage : Unlike Google, Qwant presents a varied homepage with current topics, trends and images.
Fun Fact
Qwant is now so established in France that it is used as the default search engine in many public institutions, schools, and government agencies. Qwant is thus consciously positioning itself as a European answer to Google’s dominance .
Practical tip
If you frequently access news or social media content, it’s worth using the dedicated Qwant sections. Qwant News provides you with an overview of current news from various sources – without being filtered by algorithms based on personal preferences. This way, you stay neutral and comprehensively informed.
👉 Qwant is the ideal choice for those who prefer a European data protection standard , value transparency and want a search engine that doesn’t just copy Google but goes its own way.
4. Startpage – Google without tracking
If you value the quality of Google search results but want to protect your privacy, Startpage is the perfect solution. The search engine originates from the Netherlands and has been around since 1998. It uses Google results in the background – but without tracking, storing, or sharing your data .
This means you get the precise results you’re used to from Google, but without personalized advertising, data collection, and filter bubbles. Startpage acts as a kind of privacy filter between you and Google.
Benefits of Startpage
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Google results without risk : You benefit from the power of Google search without revealing your data.
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No storage : Neither IP address nor search history is recorded.
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Proxy service : With an integrated proxy, you can even visit websites anonymously without revealing your own IP.
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European data protection : As a Dutch company, Startpage is subject to strict EU data protection laws.
Fun Fact
Startpage calls itself the ” world’s most discreet search engine .” In fact, it was the first search engine to adopt HTTPS encryption by default—long before Google.
Practical tip
If you plan to use Startpage regularly, you can not only set the search engine as your default browser, but also install the browser add-on . This will automatically provide you with the privacy-friendly version of Google for every search query – convenient, fast, and anonymous.
👉 Startpage is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to miss out on the quality of Google results, but is tired of data collection, personalized advertising, or transparent user profiles.
Conclusion: Top 4 search engines better than Google in 2025
Although Google remains the largest and best-known search engine in the world, there have long been alternatives that offer more – be it in terms of data protection, sustainability or independence .
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With Ecosia you make an active contribution to climate protection.
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DuckDuckGo protects your privacy and consistently avoids tracking.
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Qwant relies on European values and a fresh approach to presenting results.
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Startpage delivers the usual Google quality – but without data collection.
So, if you’re looking for a better alternative to Google in 2025, these four search engines are highly recommended. Just try them out and decide which one best fits your personal values and your digital lifestyle.
👉 This way you can easily discover that it is possible without Google – and even better.
Remember, in a digitally connected world where cyber threats are constantly evolving, it is invaluable to be proactive. Stay up to date on security trends and technologies, and don’t hesitate to seek expert advice if you need assistance. Your efforts to secure your website are an investment in the future of your online business.
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