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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Perplexity vs DuckDuckGo

Perplexity 4.8★ · Free + IAP 70
Winner Tie
DuckDuckGo 4.8★ · Free to download 70

Perplexity is better for users seeking an AI-powered search and research assistant, while DuckDuckGo is the stronger choice for privacy-focused web browsing and ad blocking.

Full reviews: Perplexity · DuckDuckGo

Perplexity offers advanced AI search capabilities, excels at complex research, and provides access to multiple LLMs, but faces criticism for subscription issues and recent downgrades. DuckDuckGo is praised for its privacy features and ad-free YouTube experience, though users in the UK report poor search relevance and some find its interface intrusive.

Head to head

Features & AI Capabilities edge: PerplexityR10R14R17R20
Perplexity Perplexity is highly valued for its ability to provide condensed, rapid, and extensive information, acting as an excellent research partner and often outperforming other AI models in specific queries R10R20. Users appreciate its access to various AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, and the 'Read Aloud' option R14. However, some users report a significant downgrade in its AI quality, with less smart and more superficial answers R17.
DuckDuckGo DuckDuckGo is primarily a privacy-focused search engine and browser, with users praising its ability to block trackers and ads, especially on YouTube R66R100. It's used as a dictionary and for etymology, with adaptable complexity . However, some users find it bloated with unnecessary features and gimmicks .
Ease of Use & Interface tieR1R6R12R21
Perplexity Perplexity is generally considered easy to use R12. However, many users report significant interface issues, including typing bugs R1, permanent pop-ups that erase prompts R6, and an infinite subscription page glitch that makes the free version unusable on iOS R39R41. Some find the 'Computer' feature intrusive and difficult to dismiss R21.
DuckDuckGo DuckDuckGo is described as easy to install and use . However, some users find the new bouncy animation in the address bar irritating and complain about constant pop-ups and nagging setup questions that obscure content . There are also reports of typing, editing, and zooming functions being warped on iPad .
Reliability & Performance tieR7R18R19R29
Perplexity Perplexity is praised by some for being a reliable partner that never lets them down R18. However, numerous users report critical reliability issues, including glitches, getting stuck in loops, ignoring prompts, providing incorrect information, and losing access to previous questions after updates R19R29. Pro users also report running out of credits quickly or having their usage limits downgraded R7.
DuckDuckGo DuckDuckGo is generally seen as reliable for its core function of privacy protection . However, users report issues like the app locking up, resulting in lost bookmarks , and the search bot appearing and causing a 'whirring never ending wheel' . Some updates are described as not working like previous versions .
Price & Value edge: DuckDuckGoR4R7R9R21
Perplexity Perplexity offers a free tier but many users find it unusable due to glitches and constant upsells R39R41. The Pro subscription is a major point of contention, with users feeling misled about credit allowances , experiencing massive downgrades in usage limits R7, and being charged £20 or £200 unexpectedly R4R9. Many feel the value has decreased, especially with the introduction of a 'Pro Pro' tier and additional costs for 'Computer' tokens R21.
DuckDuckGo DuckDuckGo is free to download and use, with its main value proposition being privacy and ad blocking R100. Some users appreciate the ad-free YouTube experience R66R98. There are complaints about false advertising regarding a free VPN and some users are annoyed by the app pushing for cookie acceptance or payment to avoid them .
Support & Account Management edge: DuckDuckGoR9R13R15R25
Perplexity Perplexity users report significant issues with account management and support. Problems include being locked out of Pro subscriptions without warning R15, losing Pro accounts with no help from the company R25, and being scammed with charges and no refunds R9R13.
DuckDuckGo DuckDuckGo receives positive feedback for developers addressing minor bugs quickly . However, some users report losing bookmarks after deinstalling and reinstalling the app to fix issues .
Search Quality & Relevance edge: PerplexityR10R11R20R23
Perplexity Perplexity is highly praised for its search capabilities, often providing accurate and comprehensive answers, especially for complex research R10R20. It's seen as an excellent resource for condensed information R20. However, some users report it giving incorrect information and failing to search the web effectively R29. There are also concerns about bias in answers R11R23.
DuckDuckGo DuckDuckGo is appreciated for its privacy-focused search, but its search results are a major point of criticism, particularly in the UK. Many users find results biased towards the US, irrelevant, and not good for shopping R56R57R61R77. Some feel it's 'dumbing down' the ability to search by churning out nonsense .
Pick Perplexity if

You need an AI-powered research assistant that can synthesize information, access multiple LLMs, and help with complex queries R10. You are willing to navigate potential subscription issues and recent feature changes for advanced AI capabilities R7R21.

Pick DuckDuckGo if

Your primary concern is online privacy, ad blocking, and a secure browsing experience R100. You want to watch YouTube videos without ads R66R98.

Evidence note: Perplexity's recent reviews show a significant negative skew, with many 1-star ratings related to subscription issues and perceived downgrades in service, despite a high lifetime rating. DuckDuckGo's negative reviews are heavily focused on search relevance outside the US and interface annoyances.

Frequently asked

Does Perplexity have a free version?
Yes, Perplexity has a free version, but many iOS users report it is unusable due to an infinite subscription page glitch that prevents starting new dialogues R39R41.
Is DuckDuckGo good for search results in the UK?
No, many users in the UK report that DuckDuckGo's search results are poor, often biased towards the US, irrelevant for local issues, and not effective for shopping R56R57R61R77.
Are there issues with Perplexity's Pro subscription?
Yes, many users report significant issues with Perplexity's Pro subscription, including being charged £20 or £200 unexpectedly R4R9, massive downgrades in usage limits R7, running out of credits quickly , and being locked out of their subscription R15.
Does DuckDuckGo block ads on YouTube?
Yes, DuckDuckGo's DuckDuckPlayer feature is praised by users for saving them from YouTube adverts and allowing continuous ad-free viewing R66R100. However, some users report YouTube finding ways to prevent Duck Player from working, with messages like 'we think you’re a bot' R98.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 100 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R10] Perplexity 5/5 · GB Surprisingly, only Perplexity AI could do…: Was recently asking about the report that caused Wall Street stock market drop in Feb 2026. Maybe my prompt not specific enough as I couldn’t recall the specific “Citrini Research” keywords, all ChatGPT,Gemini, Claude failed to answer correctly but Perplexity surprising answered perfectly as Citrini … well done, but not sure why as Perplexity is reusing
  2. [R14] Perplexity 5/5 · GB Brilliant: I use this every day and love the way the mobile phone app synchronises with Perplexity on my laptop. Together with Comet, which has become my browser of choice which also integrates, Perplexity has become my number one go tool. I particularly love the Read Aloud option for when I’m on the go.
  3. [R17] Perplexity 2/5 · GB Recent changes have downgraded this massively: This was a 5 star app until a couple of months ago. It’s had a noticeable downgrade. Before this was one of the best A.I. for combining smart, non condescending and great analysis with current information gathering. It did all the jobs. Now it’s that sycophantic “great question!’ fluff where it tries to make superficial and frequently wrong answers so
  4. [R20] Perplexity 5/5 · GB The real Lady: Perplexity is fantastic, it gives huge amounts of information condensed, is rapid and an excellent resource. It seems to hallucinate less than its competitors.
  5. [R1] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Typing bugs: Typing out a prompt is so difficult with all the silly mistakes the keyboard makes. Yes I've tried stock ios, Gboard and others. Nothing works. Fix please.
  6. [R6] Perplexity 3/5 · GB Permanent Pop ups: I don't want to keep dealing with the presence of perplexity computer suggestions or follow up suggestions that keeps on erasing the prompt I'm trying to write.
  7. [R12] Perplexity 5/5 · GB Easy to use: Nice
  8. [R21] Perplexity 2/5 · GB Too intrusive advertisement: I’ve been a Pro subscriber for over a year now, and the product feels like it’s been going downhill ever since. They removed DeepSeek and Grok models, then introduced a “Pro Pro” tier - fine, whatever. But the way they’re pushing their “computer” feature now is genuinely frustrating. There’s an annoying popup I can’t dismiss sometimes. I tap it just to be greeted by a
  9. [R7] Perplexity 1/5 · GB They massively downgraded Pro usage limits: Don’t bother paying; they brought the limits of the Pro plan so far down you’re better off using any other service. It’s now comparable to what it used to be in the free tier.
  10. [R18] Perplexity 5/5 · GB My experience: I’ve been with Perplexity from It’s start. I know the rules of engagement. What’s possible. So I always trust what comes back. A great partner to have. 24/7 never once letting me down.
  11. [R19] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Exhausting glitching junk.: This app is infuriatingly bad. It gets stuck in loops. It ignores what you say. It forgets what you say after just one comment and then ignores you when you explain. It provides incorrect info and then lies and says it’s correct. Dire. Deleted after a few hours.
  12. [R29] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Asking a question: Asked to identify Marin Kitagawa from My Dress Up Darling and gave me 2 Wrong answers and said GOOGLE was WRONG and persisted its answers were more accurate to the photo and didn’t even search the web
  13. [R4] Perplexity 1/5 · GB It's a lie: Not £20, but £200
  14. [R9] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Scam: Clicked on free trial, they took £20 & within an hour of playing I need to add credits
  15. [R13] Perplexity 1/5 · GB scam: just been scammer with this company so doing a charge back
  16. [R15] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Can’t access my Pro subscription: Paying for Pro but can’t access it. The app suddenly demands my phone number with no way to skip it. No warning, no explanation, no alternative. I’m locked out of a subscription I’m being charged for. Unacceptable.
  17. [R25] Perplexity 1/5 · GB No other option: You’re not helping so you get 1 star. Lost my pro account I had with a PayPal offer and perplexity did nothing. They’re not interested in your business so use other companies that are
  18. [R11] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Massive bias!: Do not expect honest or direct answers from this app. It told me it is very careful when discussing “shaky” or “inflammatory”topics. Who gets to decide what they are? It will openly criticise politicians it’s programmers don’t like.
  19. [R23] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Completely biased MAGA propaganda: Use only if you are a pro-Trump, MAGA and Israel supporter who rejects trans rights completely. If you are not, its answers are going to be very offensive to you.
  20. [R39] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Don’t download if you won’t subscribe: Free version is unusable with iOS app. Infinite subscription page glitch persists for months and doesn’t get fixed - so you cannot start any new dialogue. Plex itself says it seems to have malicious intent :-) And the bug is exclusive for iPhone app - PC, browser and Android versions work perfectly
  21. [R41] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Poor interface perpetually upselling to paid version: I was recommended the app by a friend but find it impossible to use the app. Trying to scroll text just highlights. Adjusting text from an autocorrect error in a prompt doesn’t allow editing, just opens the upgrade ad. Not impressed.
  22. [R56] DuckDuckGo 3/5 · GB Safe (presumably) but frustrating in UK: Although improving over time, the search results in UK, despite setting that location, are not good compared to the evil empire (Google), especially if attempting shopping. Also, there are some browser settings that can be irritating, eg the way pages and tabs open, re select that could be more intuitive.
  23. [R57] DuckDuckGo 2/5 · GB Poor - US search results pointless in the UK: How many times do you have to tell DDG their results are too biased towards US? What else are they manipulating?
  24. [R61] DuckDuckGo 1/5 · GB Limited compared to google: Works in america but pointless in uk.. when you search about uk issues it cant deliver... so pointless
  25. [R77] DuckDuckGo 1/5 · GB Not Good: Trying to find a petrol station near me in Taunton UK. Lists of all stations near to me in New York, deleted and back to Google
  26. [R66] DuckDuckGo 5/5 · GB Amazing app: DuckDuckPlayer saves you from YouTube adverts also it’s nice to see real search results not like ggl’s preferred biased content definitely recommend this app
  27. [R98] DuckDuckGo 5/5 · GB Duck Player: YouTube are finding ways of preventing people from using Duck Player on their platform. Messages like “we think you’re a bot” and the Duck Player sometimes saying “we can’t play this video in Duck Player but you can still watch it on YouTube”. The whole point of me getting this App was so I didn’t have to put up with advertisements shoved down my throat but because of this I can’t wat
  28. [R100] DuckDuckGo 5/5 · GB Safari is now my secondary browser.: For the past 6 month I relegate Safari to be my standby browser despite the Duck duck browser annoying well known issues, just to know I am not tracked and bombarded with ads, ohhh boy didi I mention what a pleasure to watch YouTube continuously without ads, it is not a n easy ask of Duck duck to protect its user from the giants well established snooping eyes.

Synthesized from 100 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store