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Whoogle Search alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Whoogle Search: no longer returns search results, and repository archived and no longer maintained. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Whoogle Search, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. SearXNG currently ranks first.

Whoogle Search has been discontinued. The maintainer announced in July 2026 that Whoogle no longer returns results and archived the repository in August 2026.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1SearXNG logoSearXNGOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted4 of 466.5
2Startpage logoStartpageFreeNoWeb, iOS, Android +14 of 462.6
3YaCy logoYaCyOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +13 of 359.6
4DuckDuckGo logoDuckDuckGoFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 457.2
  1. SearXNG logo

    1. SearXNGTop pick

    Best for: Self-hosters who want private search pulling from many engines at once

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Whoogle Search

    The maintained self-hosted choice, querying many engines including Google where possible.

    Pros

    • Combines results from many engines in one page
    • No tracking or profiling, with optional JavaScript and cookies
    • Fully self-hostable and configurable

    Cons

    • Upstream engines sometimes block or rate-limit instances
    • Public instances vary in speed and reliability
    • Running your own takes some server know-how
    Visit SearXNG Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is SearXNG a good Whoogle Search alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Engines supported
    Up to 261 search services
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.searxng.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Origin
    Fork of searx (2021)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.searxng.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Container, script or manual install
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.searxng.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Startpage logo

    2. Startpage

    Best for: People who want Google-quality results without Google tracking them

    FreeWeb, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Whoogle Search

    Hosted, private access to Google-sourced results with nothing to run.

    Pros

    • Familiar Google-sourced results without personalisation
    • Anonymous View proxy hides your IP from the sites you open
    • Does not record your IP address or search history

    Cons

    • Fewer rich features such as maps and local listings
    • Anonymous View breaks some interactive sites
    • Ads are still shown, just not personalised
    Visit Startpage Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Startpage a good Whoogle Search alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Founded
    2006, the Netherlands
    Checked Oct 25, 2026startpage.com(opens source in a new tab)
    IP logging
    No
    Checked Oct 25, 2026startpage.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Proxy browsing
    Anonymous View
    Checked Oct 25, 2026startpage.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Data protection
    GDPR
    Checked Oct 25, 2026startpage.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. YaCy logo

    3. YaCy

    Best for: Tinkerers and organisations wanting their own crawler, index and intranet search

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Whoogle Search

    Self-hosted search with its own index, so no dependence on Google.

    Pros

    • Runs your own crawler and index, no central provider
    • Works for intranet and file-share search too
    • No data collection or phoning home

    Cons

    • Peer-to-peer web results are slow and patchy
    • Needs a machine running continuously
    • Interface feels dated
    Visit YaCy Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is YaCy a good Whoogle Search alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    GPL 2.0 or later
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Modes
    P2P network, own portal or intranet
    Checked Oct 25, 2026yacy.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Data collection
    None, no phoning home
    Checked Oct 25, 2026yacy.net(opens source in a new tab)
  4. DuckDuckGo logo

    4. DuckDuckGo

    Best for: People who want a familiar, free search engine without being profiled

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Whoogle Search

    Simple hosted private search for those done with self-hosting.

    Pros

    • No search history or ad profile tied to you
    • Bangs make jumping to other sites' search very fast
    • Optional private AI chat and a tracker-blocking browser

    Cons

    • Relies heavily on Bing, so results are rarely unique
    • Weaker than Google for local and breaking-news queries
    • Still shows ads, just not personalised ones
    Visit DuckDuckGo Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is DuckDuckGo a good Whoogle Search alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Launched
    2008
    Checked Oct 25, 2026duckduckgo.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Monthly searches
    3 billion
    Checked Oct 25, 2026duckduckgo.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Result sources
    Many sources plus own crawler (DuckDuckBot)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026duckduckgo.com(opens source in a new tab)
    AI chat
    Duck.ai, free and optional
    Checked Oct 25, 2026duckduckgo.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Whoogle Search alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

SearXNG logo

Best Whoogle Search alternative for most people

SearXNG

The maintained self-hosted choice, querying many engines including Google where possible.

Startpage logo

Best Whoogle Search alternative for a free option

Startpage

Hosted, private access to Google-sourced results with nothing to run.

DuckDuckGo logo

Best Whoogle Search alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

DuckDuckGo

Simple hosted private search for those done with self-hosting.

YaCy logo

Best Whoogle Search alternative for open source

YaCy

Self-hosted search with its own index, so no dependence on Google.

SearXNG logo

Best Whoogle Search alternative for self-hosting

SearXNG

The maintained self-hosted choice, querying many engines including Google where possible.

YaCy logo

Best Whoogle Search alternative for Mac

YaCy

Self-hosted search with its own index, so no dependence on Google.

YaCy logo

Best Whoogle Search alternative for Windows

YaCy

Self-hosted search with its own index, so no dependence on Google.

YaCy logo

Best Whoogle Search alternative for Linux

YaCy

Self-hosted search with its own index, so no dependence on Google.

Startpage logo

Best Whoogle Search alternative for iPhone and Android

Startpage

Hosted, private access to Google-sourced results with nothing to run.

SearXNG logo

Best Whoogle Search alternative for working in the browser

SearXNG

The maintained self-hosted choice, querying many engines including Google where possible.

Whoogle Search alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Whoogle Search?

SearXNG ranks first right now. The maintained self-hosted choice, querying many engines including Google where possible. Startpage and YaCy follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Whoogle Search?

Yes. SearXNG (open source), Startpage (free), YaCy (open source) and DuckDuckGo (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Whoogle Search?

Yes: SearXNG and YaCy. SearXNG and YaCy can also be self-hosted.

Which Whoogle Search alternatives work on Linux?

YaCy runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Whoogle Search?

The complaints we hear most: no longer returns search results; repository archived and no longer maintained; depended entirely on Google allowing access.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Whoogle Search, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.