Beyond Google: Search Engine Alternatives That Actually Work in 2025
The Google Search Problem
Google search used to be magical. Type in a query, get exactly what you needed. Now, the magic has worn off, but it is still (by far) the king of search, cornering a roughly 90% share of the global market. Heck, it’s become a verb, so you know it’s big.
But, you didn’t come here to hear about Google. You already have your reasons for switching. So let’s get right to it. Here is a an overview of 10 alternative non-Big Tech search engines that you can try out today.
The list
- DuckDuckGo
- Startpage
- Brave Search
- Swisscows
- Ecosia
- Karma
- Mojeek
- Kagi
- SearX
- AnythingLLM
The “Normal” Options
Let me start with three search engines that are most likely to give you the closest thing to the Google experience - familiar look and feel, solid search results, similar features
1. DuckDuckGo
The search engine on this list you are most likely to recognize
Why it might be for you:
- DuckDuckGo is often seen as offering the best balance between privacy and search performance
- No tracking, no ==filter bubbles==, no personalized results manipulation
- AI answers are optionally available
- Optional regional results
- Probably comes the closest to matching Google’s interactives (driving time when searching place X to place Y, weather, calculations, etc.)
Why it might not:
- Uses Microsoft’s ad network to serve ad-based results
- No exact location-based results (which is both a feature and limitation)
- Image search sometimes also shows ads
- Map results use Apple Maps, which can be less accurate than Google Maps (esp. internationally)
Index is based on: Multiple sources, incl. Bing
Other notes: DuckDuckGo also makes its own browser. It was not listed in my browser list as it doesn’t yet support Linux. It is the only search engine on this list that can whiff the 1% mark for global market share as the world’s 5th most used search engine.
2. Brave Search
An intriguing option that will likely only improve
Why it might be for you:
- Completely independent search index (not relying on Google or Bing)
- Privacy-focused with no tracking
- Goggles & Rerank features allows you to customize search results to your preferences
- Has developed its own in-house AI answers feature (==based on whose AI tech?==)
- Optional regional and location-based results filters
Why it might be for you:
- No maps built in (businesses are however shown using OpenStreetMap)
- Lacks some of the interactives at the top of Google Search (i.e. weather when searching for a location, driving directions, etc.)
- Sometimes misses local/recent content
Index is based on: Own index
Other notes: Brave, better known for its privacy-focused browser, also offers a “premium” search version that eliminates all ads. In my experience, there were relatively few ads to begin with, but if you are looking to go completely ad-free, the option is there.
3. Startpage
Google results without the tracking
Why it might be for you:
- Uses Google’s results but strips all tracking
- Familiar result quality and formatting
- Anonymous view feature for viewing pages through a VPN-like proxy
- European company with strong privacy laws
- Option to choose from three map providers (Google, Bing and Mapquest)
Why it might not:
- Slightly slower than direct Google searches
- Similar interactives performance as with Brave Search
- Sometimes gives more sponsored results than Google at the top of the search results
- Image and video search aren’t as robust
- Still indirectly supporting Google’s search monopoly
Index is based on: Google
Other notes: Startpage also makes its own app for searching (iOS and Android). Anonymous view feature is clearly slower than normal browsing, so best for use on pages with little to no media.
The Niche Search Engines
This next group usually has a particular focus or purpose that makes them unique. They generally won’t be at the top of the list in terms of features or performance, but attract users primarily through shared values. This being the case, I’ll simply highlight what makes them different.
4. Ecosia
The environmentally friendly way to search Ecosia promises to put all of its profits towards climate and environment-protecting projects. It boasts climate-neutral operations and has a high level of fiscal transparency. The company is based in Germany and uses both Google and Bing for its search results.
5. Karma
Committed to promoting biodiversity and animal welfare Similar to Ecosia, Karma donates a portion of its revenue towards biodiversity non-profit organizations. The France-based search engine uses Brave Search for its results and Bing for its ads.
6. Swisscows
A family-friendly search engine that is also committed to privacy In addition to robust privacy features, Swisscows also does not index sexually-explicit content, making it a safer choice for younger users. While I think you can guess where this company is based, like Karma it uses Brave Search for its results and Bing for its ads.
7. Mojeek
UK-based, privacy-focused search engine with its own search index and an early 2000s vibe Mojeek is a blast from the past with its text-only interface. It allows users through its “Focus” feature to rerank results to their preferences, while showing its quirky side with “emotion-based searching”. The company operates on its own search index and ad program.
8. Kagi
A paid search option that eliminates ads and has a clear commitment to privacy Based in the US, Kagi is a quickly growing search company that offers a range of features starting at around USD 5/mo. There is a free tier, but it does require a sign up to use. One standout feature is its Privacy Pass, which allows users to search anonymously via a token-based system.
The Self-Hosted Solutions
For those with the resources (mainly time) to do so, these next two options offer much more control and the possibility of comprehensive privacy - provided you know what you’re doing.
9. SearXNG
For the technically inclined
The Good:
- Open-source and self-hostable
- Aggregates results from multiple search engines
- Robust privacy and customization options
- No ads, no tracking, no corporate interests
The Reality:
- Search result quality can vary wildly, esp. when not using Google & Bing
- Response/load times can be slow
- Practically none of the interactives (weather, driving directions) appear here
- Option overload
10. AnythingLLM
Self-hosted AI-based searching
The Good:
- AI searches can provide direct answers (often with sources)
- Great for research and complex questions
- Conversational interface feels natural
The Reality:
- Not really a traditional search engine
- Can be (much) slower than instant search results
- Sometimes provides incomplete or biased answers
- Depending on setup, can be a resource hog
My Personal Use
Even though I was at least somewhat familiar with all of these options before preparing to write this article, the process actually led me to change my search engine. Initially in my degoogle process, I had been using DuckDuckGo, as it was the name I was most familiar with. However, after running some side-by-side comparisons, I found I preferred Brave Search in many cases.
- Brave is now my default search engine for most day-to-day searches. It gives solid results, is privacy focused and has minimal ads.
- I am intrigued by the idea of self-hosted solutions, but searXNG was too complex and finicky for my tastes and AnythingLLM can really bog down your machine depending on which language model you choose to run. As with all AI systems, it can also be unreliable in its answers at times, so I don’t think I would ever completely rely on this type of setup, but I will continue to test it out.
The Bottom Line
There is a search engine for every type out there, it just might take some testing to find yours. The trade-offs compared to using Google are often fairly limited, and you may prefer some of those differences in the end. In any case, every single one of these options will give you greater privacy and remove one more piece of Big Tech from your life.
Next Steps (Browsers and Email)
So, you’ve changed your search engine - now what? Here are some articles to keep the momentum going and help you take the next step on your degoogling journey.
Browser Guide Email Alternatives
