Search engine
Ecosia
Search the web while supporting a mission (and reducing some )
Ecosia offers a privacy-conscious alternative in the space, with a stronger focus on data protection than many mainstream tools.
Who is this for?
✓ Good for you if:
- • You want a simple search default with a social/environmental mission
- • You want less than many mainstream defaults
- • You want a mainstream-like search experience
- • You want an easy switch that works in any browser
⚠ Think twice if:
- • You want maximum privacy/anonymity for searches
- • You want a fully independent
- • You want zero ads in search results
- • You want a service focused purely on privacy (not mission + ads)
Overview
Ecosia operates as a privacy-focused search engine that partners with Bing for search results while maintaining privacy protections. The service uses HTTPS/TLS encryption for all connections. Ecosia does not create personal profiles, does not sell user data, and does not use external tracking tools. The service anonymizes all searches after 7 days, meaning search queries are not permanently linked to users. Ecosia uses contextual advertising, and 100% of profits go toward tree planting projects. The service is based in Germany and operates under German privacy laws and GDPR. Ecosia publishes monthly financial reports showing revenue allocation. The service does not log IP addresses and does not use cookies for tracking.
Privacy highlight
Privacy-focused search with environmental mission. Anonymizes searches after 7 days, no permanent profiles, German .
Quick facts
- Country:
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- Pricing:
- Free
- Platform:
- Web
- Technical:
- Beginner
- :
- No
- :
- Minimal telemetry
- :
- No
- Open-source status:
- Closed source
- :
- No
- :
- No
Key features
- that reduces and profiling.
Security & encryption Click to expand
- No
- Encryption protocols
- ,
- Ecosia uses standard / () for all connections. The service does not require user keys as it operates as a web-based . All search queries are transmitted over encrypted connections. Ecosia does not store keys for user data because it anonymizes searches after 7 days and does not create permanent user profiles. The service uses standard web security practices including certificate validation and secure connections.
- Offline support
- No
Telemetry & tracking Click to expand
- Minimal telemetry
- No
- Ip no
- Ecosia collects minimal data for service operation. The service does not create personal profiles, does not sell user data, and does not use external tools. Ecosia anonymizes searches after 7 days, meaning search queries are not permanently linked to users. The service may collect aggregated, anonymized statistics for service improvement, but these do not contain personally identifiable information. Ecosia does not use third-party tools that track users across websites.
Jurisdiction & compliance Click to expand
- Ecosia is based in Germany. Search queries are processed on Ecosia servers in Germany and Europe. The service anonymizes searches after 7 days, so there is minimal long-term data residency concern. Ecosia operates under German privacy laws and GDPR requirements.
- Ecosia anonymizes all searches after 7 days, meaning search queries are not permanently stored or linked to users. The service does not create permanent user profiles. Ecosia does not store IP addresses or personal information beyond the 7-day period. The service operates under German privacy laws and requirements. Users can request deletion of any stored data.
- Legal frameworks
- GDPR (where applicable). Ecosia is based in Germany and operates under German privacy laws.
- Revenue sources
- Ads
Editorial signals Click to expand
- 65
- Trust score
- 72
- Trust breakdown (0–10)
- Encryption: 85, Audits: 70, Open source: 50, Telemetry: 80, Jurisdiction: 90, Transparency: 85, Trackers: 90
- Editorial notes
- Usability: 90, Performance: 85, Family friendly: 90
User experience Click to expand
- Signup requirements
- No account or signup required. Ecosia works without registration, email, or personal information. Users can simply visit the website and start searching.
- Onboarding difficulty (1-5)
- 1
- Accessibility features
- Ecosia includes accessibility features such as keyboard navigation and screen reader support. The web interface follows accessibility guidelines and can be used with assistive technologies.
Backup & portability Click to expand
- No
- Migration tools
- No migration tools needed - Ecosia works as a web-based search engine. Users can simply switch their default search engine to Ecosia.
- No account recovery needed - no accounts are required. Ecosia works without user accounts.
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