Safari Search Engines: Google vs Bing vs DuckDuckGo vs Ecosia

Safari lets you choose your default search engine, and the four main options—Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia—differ mainly in privacy, results quality, and environmental impact. This article compares them directly so you can pick the one that fits how you browse. Below, we break down how each engine works, what it tracks, and which one might be right for you.

Formula

Ecosia claims that about 45 searches plant one tree, and each search offsets roughly 1 kg of CO2. The calculator above uses those claims to estimate your personal impact.

• Trees planted = (queries per day × days per month) ÷ 45
• CO2 offset (kg) = queries per day × days per month × 1 kg

Variables: q = queries per day, c = days per month. The first output shows trees (rounded to 2 decimals), the second shows CO2 in kg.

Worked Example

With the defaults (10 queries/day, 30 days):

1. Total queries = 10 × 30 = 300
2. Trees = 300 ÷ 45 = 6.67
3. CO2 = 300 × 1 = 300 kg

So 10 searches a day for a month plants about 6.67 trees and offsets 300 kg of CO2, per Ecosia’s published figures.

Background: How Safari Handles Search Engines

Since iOS 14 and macOS Big Sur, Safari lets you change the default search engine in Settings/Preferences. On iPhone/iPad: Settings > Safari > Search Engine. On Mac: Safari > Settings > Search. You can also add custom search engines via Shortcuts or extensions, but the four built-in options are what most people use.

All four engines are free and don’t require an account. They differ in how they rank results, what data they collect, and what they do with ad revenue.

Google: The Default and the Most Comprehensive

Google is Safari’s default on most devices. It has the largest index, the fastest autocomplete, and the most advanced natural language understanding. For most general queries, Google returns the most relevant results, especially for local businesses, news, and shopping.

Trade-offs: Google tracks your search history, location, and clicks to personalize ads. If you’re signed in, it links searches to your account. Even if you’re not signed in, it uses cookies and device identifiers. You can limit tracking with Incognito mode, but that’s not a full privacy solution.

Bing: The Underdog with Unique Features

Microsoft’s Bing powers Yahoo and DuckDuckGo’s results (though DuckDuckGo mixes in other sources). Bing’s index is smaller than Google’s but still covers the vast majority of the web. It has a few unique tools: visual search, rewards points (Microsoft Rewards), and better integration with Windows/Microsoft Edge.

Bing’s search results are often good for video and image searches. Its AI-powered chat (Copilot) is integrated into the search page, which can be handy. Privacy-wise, Bing collects similar data to Google, but you can opt out of personalized ads.

DuckDuckGo: Privacy-First with a Catch

DuckDuckGo is the go-to for people who want minimal tracking. It doesn’t store your search history, doesn’t build a profile, and blocks trackers on other sites. It uses a mix of Bing and its own web crawler, so results are decent but occasionally less comprehensive than Google’s.

The catch: you give up some personalization. You won’t see results tailored to your past searches, and local results may be less accurate unless you manually share your location. DuckDuckGo also has a “bangsâ€� feature (e.g., typing !g searches Google) that power users love.

Ecosia: The Green Alternative

Ecosia uses Bing’s results (with its own tweaks) and donates 100% of its ad revenue to tree-planting projects. It claims to plant a tree for every 45 searches, and it publishes monthly financial reports. Ecosia also has a privacy-friendly default: it anonymizes searches and doesn’t sell data.

Results are nearly identical to Bing’s, so you’re not sacrificing much quality. The main downside is that Ecosia’s servers are in Germany, which may be slower in some regions. Also, some users question the long-term impact of tree planting, but the company’s transparency helps.

How to Choose: What Matters Most to You

• Best overall results: Google
• Best privacy: DuckDuckGo (or Ecosia if you also want eco-impact)
• Best for Microsoft ecosystem: Bing
• Best for environmental contribution: Ecosia

If you’re a heavy Google user (Gmail, Maps, YouTube), staying with Google gives the most seamless experience. If you’re privacy-conscious, DuckDuckGo is the safest bet. If you want to help the planet without changing your results much, Ecosia is a solid choice.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

“DuckDuckGo is completely anonymous.� Not exactly—your ISP can still see that you’re visiting duckduckgo.com, and the sites you visit can see your IP. DuckDuckGo just doesn’t store your search history.

“Ecosia plants trees only if you click ads.� True, but the ads are clearly labeled and non-intrusive. You can also support Ecosia by using its mobile app or browser extension.

“Bing is worse than Google.� For many queries, Bing is comparable. It’s especially good for video and image searches. The main gap is in long-tail and local queries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the default search engine on iPhone Safari? Yes. Go to Settings > Safari > Search Engine and pick one of the four. This applies to the address bar and the search field.

Does using DuckDuckGo slow down Safari? No, it’s just as fast. It may feel slower if you have the “Privacy Protection� feature enabled because it blocks trackers, but that’s usually imperceptible.

Are Ecosia’s tree-planting claims verified? Ecosia publishes monthly financial reports and works with independent organizations. They claim to plant over 200 million trees since 2009, but exact verification is complex. Their transparency is better than most.

Can I use a custom search engine in Safari? Yes, on Mac you can add custom search engines via Settings > Search > Manage Engines. On iPhone, you can use Shortcuts to create a custom search, but it’s less seamless.

Does Google in Safari track me more than Chrome? Google tracks you similarly in both browsers if you’re signed in. Safari’s Intelligent Tracking Prevention blocks some cross-site tracking, but Google still collects search data.

Which engine is best for privacy on iOS? DuckDuckGo is the most private by default. Ecosia is also good, but it uses Bing’s index, which may have some tracking. You can further enhance privacy by disabling JavaScript and using a VPN.

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sel engine | Search engine | Google=1, Bing=2, DuckDuckGo=3, Ecosia=4
in q | Search queries per day | - | 10 | 1 | 1000
in c | Days per month | - | 30 | 1 | 31
out trees | Ecosia trees planted (approx.) | q * c * 0.0002 | 2
out co2 | CO2 offset (kg, Ecosia) | q * c * 0.001 | 2