In context: DuckDuckGo is greatest recognized for its identically-named, privacy-centric search engine, but it surely has additionally dipped its toes into the realm of net browsers. This course of began with DuckDuckGo’s official cellular app, which was launched again in 2013. More lately, DuckDuckGo has expanded its attain into different markets, with its first correct desktop browser closed beta kicking off in December of final 12 months.
That closed beta wasn’t obtainable to the general public, however now, DuckDuckGo is opening up its browser testing to a bigger section of customers. macOS customers can join a non-public waitlist which can routinely invite them to the testing section when a slot opens up. If you are invited, you’ll obtain the browser and supply your ideas on it to the DuckDuckGo group. A Windows model is “coming quickly,” however we have now no ETA on that proper now.
So, what makes the DuckDuckGo browser particular? How is it a greater possibility than, say, Firefox or Pale Moon, which additionally declare to place privateness entrance and middle? For starters, DuckDuckGo’s browser is not a fork of some current venture: not Chromium, not Firefox. This means it has no further muddle or baggage to fret about. The browser was constructed from the bottom up to make use of your laptop’s built-in rendering engine, and all further code was written with “privateness, safety, and ease” in thoughts.
Of course, the downside of this course of is a definite lack of extension help, no less than in the interim. That means all your favourite add-ons, like Adblock Plus, Bitwarden, Return YouTube Dislikes, or any others will not be appropriate with the DuckDuckGo browser.
DuckDuckGo is engaged on methods to offer correct add-on performance, but it surely stays to be seen whether or not these makes an attempt will go anyplace.
That mentioned, DuckDuckGo is not utterly barebones when it comes to further options. It has a built-in password supervisor and a “creepy advert blocker,” which focuses on eliminating invasive advertisements (DuckDuckGo insists that this is not a “common advert blocker”). The browser additionally provides you a privateness feed on its homepage, the place it provides an at-a-glance view of all of the trackers it has blocked throughout varied web sites and companies.
Finally, DuckDuckGo’s browser for Mac can routinely block cookies and reply to cookie pop-up prompts by deciding on the least invasive possibility (comparable to “use solely needed cookies” or “block all cookies”).
As we mentioned earlier than, Mac homeowners can attempt the browser by signing up for the waitlist, however everybody else must wait somewhat longer to get their fingers on it.
