DuckDuckGo – Privacy-Oriented Internet Search Engine – Launched a desktop browser to capture the likes of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. The new browser, which is currently in beta testing for macOS, is said to offer built-in privacy features including cookie pop-up protection and a feature called Smart Encryption that helps navigate the encryption of websites (HTTPS). It has DuckDuckGo as the default search engine. In 2018, DuckDuckGo entered the world of web browsers by launching its first browser for mobile devices. It is claimed to have been downloaded 150 million times since launch. The same experience is coming to the desktop through new steps.
Unlike an existing web browser, DuckDuckGo for Mac comes with cookie pop-up protection that helps reject annoying cookie tracking pop-ups from up to 50 percent of websites right now. Security will be extended to other sites throughout the beta, the company said.
By blocking trackers, DuckDuckGo claims that it uses about 60 percent less data than Chrome. The browser is offered for faster graphics performance than Google offers.
DuckDuckGo uses the same rendering engine that powers Safari on MacOS to make the browser more compatible with the Mac system. It basically helps provide a faster web browsing experience to Chrome and other browsers (including Edge) that use Chromium as their rendering engine.
The DuckDuckGo browser also has a Fire button to clear users’ one-click data. Additionally, there are features including email protection and a built-in password manager to make your web browsing easier. Password Manager 1 helps import passwords from other browsers and browser extensions, including passwords and LastPass. DuckDuckGo’s mobile app plans to bring similar password management to allow users to sync passwords and bookmarks between devices individually.
The new browser also has an ad blocker that helps “attacker trackers” restrict themselves from blocking ads.
Like other browsers, DuckDuckGo includes regular browsing features such as tab management and bookmarks.
“DuckDuckGo for Mac is not just a replacement for ‘incognito mode’ (which isn’t actually personal!) – instead DuckDuckGo for Mac is designed to be used as an everyday browser that really protects your privacy,” the company said in a statement. Blog post.
DuckDuckGo for Mac is currently an invite-only beta. You can go and join the personal waiting list Settings > DuckDuckGo for desktop From the DuckDuckGo mobile app (more under the DuckDuckGo section).
Once you receive the invitation, you will be notified from the mobile app. This will include the link you need to open on your Mac computer to download the browser.
As a beta app, the DuckDuckGo desktop browser has some limitations at the moment. It does not, for example, support extensions. You may notice some bugs at this stage, although the browser was already tested among the initial testers before the beta version was released.
There are plans to bring a Windows version of DuckDuckGo Later this year, Although an exact timeline on that front has not yet been announced. The company is also interested in Linux, but the initial plan is to offer the browser on Mac and Windows devices.
Moreover, DuckDuckGo plans to open source the Mac app when it expires in beta to make privacy-protected browser code available to third-party developers – this is how it offers open-source versions of its iOS and Android apps.
Companies, including Google, have been tested for not providing their users with privacy-first browsing experience. In such a scenario, DuckDuckGo’s expansion into the browser market will help the company attract some user attention and grow its business.