10 Lesser Known Search Engines To Try in 2025
Well, most people use the search “Google” to browse their daily searches. Unfortunately, there are many, but not very popular search engines which provide unique features, better privacy, or special tools for specialized needs. This says we have gone through several search engines that can be referred to as lesser-known but with significant differences.
Table of Contents
1. DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo is a search engine primarily concerned with privacy and thus does not track you.
Features:
- No data collection or tracking
- Gives unbiased search results
- Instant answers for quick information
Best For:
- Everyone interested in privacy, data, and security on the internet.
2. Ecosia
Ecosia is an environmentally friendly search engine and should be counted as one that plants trees with its profits from the ads.
Features:
- Counter showing how many trees have benefited from your searches.
- Pure transparency in revenue and planting trees.
- Private and safe searches.
Best For:
- Users who are trying to benefit the environment while seeking online.
Read: Best Search Engines
3. Startpage
Unlike Google, Startpage offers phenomenal search results while keeping privacy in mind.
Features:
- Anonymous search without tracking.
- Available option to browse the web through a proxy.
- Very simple, clean user interface.
Best For:
- Those lovers of Google’s search results who feel it’s necessary to have better privacy.
4. Qwant
A European search engine promising no tracking and no personalized ads.
Features:
- Neutral results without collecting data.
- Additional functions like music or news search.
- Clear and uncluttered interface.
Best For:
- Users seeking a safe and well-balanced search result.
5. WolframAlpha
Unlike search engines, it’s actually a computational engine that provides a set of factual information.
Features:
- Answers without links to websites.
- Math Problems, Science, and Data Analysis.
- Creates Reports, Graphs, and Visualizations.
Best For:
- Students, Researchers, and Professionals looking for exact answers.
6. Yippy
Yippy organizes all the search results in clusters to facilitate navigation.
Key Features:
- Groups-related results for better organization.
- Specializes in academic and technical search.
- Filters irrelevant or inappropriate content.
Best for:
- Researchers or students who want classy results with good organization.
7. Searx
Searx is an open-source metasearch engine that gives combined results from different sources.
Key Features:
- Fully customizable search preferences.
- Results from various search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo.
- No tracking and data storage.
Best for:
- Tech-savvy people who want their search experience customized.
8. Neeva
A Google-like search engine that is free from ads and subscriptions. It has been founded by former Google engineers.
Features:
- Freedom from ad data tracking.
- Personalized and less cluttered results.
- Integration with tools such as email and calendars.
Best For:
- Perfect for users wishing to enjoy the search experience premium without ads.
9. Swisscows
Swisscows is a family search engine firmly against the idea of privacy and security.
Feature:
- Automatically filters adult content.
- No tracking; and no data storage.
- Age-safe browsing focused.
Best for:
- The families, schools, and everyone looking for a safe search engine.
10. Brave Browser
A search engine from the Brave browser’s developers, Brave Search cherishes the right to personal privacy.
Features:
- An ad-free user experience for registered members.
- Ignores user data.
Works with the Brave browser for further security.
Best For:
Users who care about privacy and existing Brave browser users.
Why Choose Lesser-known Search Engines?
- Privacy: Most lesser-known search engines are more privacy-friendly than others because they do not generally track user data.
- Special Features: Like Ecosia which plants trees, WolframAlpha has much more specific answers to computations.
- Unbiased Results: Some do not have personalized advertisements or results like Google.
Focused Searches: Specialty engines focus on particular needs like being academic or safe.
How to Choose the Right Search Engine?
- On Privacy: DuckDuckGo, Startpage, and Brave Search.
- On Environmental Concern: Ecosia.
- For Studies and Research: WolframAlpha, Searx, or Yippy.
- Family: Swisscows is good to go safe and keep kids.
- Premium: For that, you might want to try Neeva.
Final Thoughts: Most people will still go to Google, so it is important to try out unknown search engines because some will offer other benefits that one will not get from Google such as increased privacy or ad-free experience or features that cater to specific needs. So change your engine and discover a new way of browsing the web!