Best Search Engine Alternatives To Google

Fed up with the countless ads, privacy warnings, or narrow search results that Google offers? You are not alone. Many web users currently prefer specialised, privacy-focused, and purpose-driven search engines. 

Australia’s digital landscape is evolving, and various search engines, such as DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, and Brave, are gaining popularity. Whether you want to avoid tracking, help the environment, or enjoy AI integrations in your browser, here is a guide that provides you with insights into the best alternatives to Google. 

Read on to uncover what sets each alternative apart and the benefits it brings to your search experience. 

1. DuckDuckGo — Privacy First, Simple Interface

Australia’s latest search landscape indicates that DuckDuckGo holds approximately 1.13% of the total market share as of June 2025. On the other hand, Google eclipses this figure, remaining the clear favourite at 91.91%. 

Even with a fractional share, DuckDuckGo stands out by offering strong privacy protections, no tracking, and no profiling, with only contextual ads. It’s popular ‘!bang’ shortcut directly sends you to sites such as Wikipedia or Amazon, diverting from general search noise. 

Advantages

• Clean interface: Its interface is clean, minimal, and easy to use. Its !bang commands are a standout feature, letting you jump directly to other websites.
• Simplicity & privacy commitment: DuckDuckGo does not log personal information, keeping your searches between you and the search bar.
• Quick & intuitive: DuckDuckGo is ideal for fast searches.

Disadvantages

• Third-party indexing: Primarily, it uses Bing’s index, meaning that it may not show vague results as effectively as Google does. 
• Lack of features: It does not have voice search, predictive text suggestions, or AI-assisted responses. 

From the outset, DuckDuckGo is a great choice for privacy-conscious users who simply want a straightforward, lightweight search engine and experience. 

2. Bing — Microsoft’s Feature-Rich Alternative

Slightly more prominent, Bing captures 5.4% of Australia’s search engine market. That’s nearly five times the share of DuckDuckGo, propelling it to the second most-used search engine right after Google. 

Bing seamlessly integrates well with Windows and Office, offering AI-powered chat through Copilot, and features rich media previews for images and video. Another selling point of Bing is its integration with Microsoft Rewards, allowing users to earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards. 

Advantages

• Strong multimedia search: This feature enables dynamic previews when searching without the need to leave the search page. 
• AI chat support: Its strong AI integration allows seamless conversation querying, a core feature useful for research or summarising information. 
• Ecosystem perks & reward program: Offers advanced features not found in other alternatives and is seamlessly integrated with Windows and Microsoft 365. Its rewards program gives you points for using the platform, redeemable for gift cards and discounts. 

Disadvantages

• Less privacy than DuckDuckGo: Microsoft collects user data to personalise ads and experience. 
• More advertisements: Mostly personalised to your profile and search habits.

Bing easily appeals to Microsoft users and anyone who is looking for enhanced search tools with AI assistance.

3. Ecosia — Plant Trees with Every Search

Ecosia is slowly gaining turf in Australia, holding about 0.12% of the country’s search engine market share. Its core unique feature that makes it a top pick is its mission: to plant trees with revenue funded by the ads on the platform, though primarily from Bing. 

Aussies have even helped fund reforestation efforts, such as planting over 26,000 trees near Byron Bay. Using this eco-driven search engine helped restore 41 hectares devastated by wildfires in the past.

Advantages

• Eco-friendly and transparent: Every search done contributes to reforestation, with a counter that shows how many trees you have helped plant.
• User-friendly interface: Ecosia’s platform is easy to use and visually appealing because of its clean design.

Disadvantages

• Reliant on Bing: Mainly powered by Bing for search results.
• Advertisements: Funds tree planting, but may affect user experience.

Ecosia is a perfect search engine for Aussies who are eco-conscious and want to make a small impact, one search at a time. 

4. Brave Search — Independent, Decentralised Index

Brave Search offers a niche alternative, with its own index for searching and prioritising privacy. While its usage numbers are still small, it runs through blockchain-powered ranking, community input, and a premium advertisement-free option. 

Advantages

• Privacy is default: Brave Search does not collect any user data, track your searches, or profile you for ad targeting.
• It’s open: Brave is community-driven, with results shaped by the individuals who use the search engine, not algorithmic bias alone.

Disadvantages

• Smaller result database: Brave Search’s index is smaller compared to its behemoth rivals, making long-tail searches or niche-specific searches yield fewer results. 
• Less polished than major engines: Currently, Brave Search is still evolving. It falls short in terms of features compared to mainstream search engines like Google and Firefox. 

Brave Search is a strong choice for those users who value data privacy above all else while browsing the internet.

5. Startpage — Google Results with Privacy

Startpage brings search results of the same quality as Google’s, but without the trackers or cookies. Users of this search engine mostly favour the familiar look and its anonymous proxy view, which opens source pages without logging user data. 

Advantages

• No tracking: Its anonymous view option lets you open results without leaving a data trail, further increasing privacy. 
• Familiar layout: Its layout is similar to how Google ranks and formats results, giving a Google-kind of vibe minus the tracking. 

Disadvantages

• Dependent on Google’s Index: Startpage remains reliant on Google’s infrastructure, classifying it as not truly independent. 
• No advanced features like AI: It lacks enhanced features, such as chat or predictive search.

Startpage is typically for individuals who are looking for Google-level quality while maintaining their searches private. 

Other Notable Mentions

A few lesser-known search engines also offer unique benefits, particularly for users with specific niche interests or regional preferences. Let’s look closer at these notable entries.

Qwant

Qwant is a search engine based in France. It upholds a privacy-respecting engine, adhering to strict standards of the European Union’s GDPR laws. It offers category-specific searches, though it does not track or personalise results. It is a strong alternative for Aussies who are concerned about global privacy norms. 

Yandex

Yandex is popular as Russia’s top search engine. Typically useful for Cyrillic script, language learning, or accessing region-specific content that is not easily indexed by Western search engines. Trailing behind other prominent search engines, it offers strong localised tools such as maps, translations, and image recognition. 

Mojeek

A UK-based search engine that is fully independent. With its own crawler and algorithm, it does not profile users or store search data. Despite its smaller index, it appeals to users seeking a non-corporate, bias-free search experience. 

Each of these search engines offers something unique, despite their small market shares in Australia. They are worth exploring depending on your needs and curiosity. 

How to Choose the Right Alternative for You

When deciding which alternative search engine to choose, consider what matters the most to you. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Privacy: Want no tracking?
• Features: Need AI assistants or visual previews?
• Environmentally focused: Supports tree planting?
• Familiarity: Prefer an experience similar to Google?

If privacy is your top priority, DuckDuckGo, Brave Search, and Startpage are strong picks, with little to no tracking that allows anonymous browsing.

If you’re after search engine features and AI integration, Bing is difficult to beat, especially for Windows users. On the spectrum’s other end, Ecosia is the way to go for those who are eco-conscious. It lets you help reforest barren grounds with every search you make. 

However, if you are leaning toward a more neutral internet experience, Qwant or Mojeek gives you results without personalisation or algorithmic filtering. Two or three options side by side may provide ample support in your decision-making. 

For example, you could consider DuckDuckGo for everyday browsing, Bing or Startpage for deeper research, and Ecosia when you’re more inclined to support green initiatives by browsing.

The best choice ultimately depends on how you balance privacy, convenience, search quality, and personal values. Try one of these today and reclaim control of your search experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are these alternatives really private?

Yes, the search engines mentioned, such as DuckDuckGo, Brave Search, and Startpage, do not track users. However, options like Ecosia and Bing still use some data to personalise ads.

2. Do they provide as good results as Google?

Startpage is a search engine that closely matches Google results. DuckDuckGo and Brave are top picks for common searches, though they may fall short in unclear search phrases. On a good note, Ecosia and Bing remain dependable as alternatives.

3. Do these engines work on mobile and desktop?

Absolutely. All alternative search engines mentioned offer mobile-friendly sites; DuckDuckGo and Brave Search already have their mobile browser counterparts, while Bing, Ecosia, and Startpage provide browser extensions.

4. How do privacy policies compare?

Among the mentioned search engines, Startpage, DuckDuckGo, and Brave Search are particularly strict regarding their privacy policies. On the other hand, Ecosia and Bing are transparent about using data for personalised ads. Remember to always check their published policies for further details.