Staying safe online is as imperative as ever, especially since AI has inadvertently increased the volume of cyber attacks. Good online safety leans more on preventing attacks from happening in the first place than on countering them, and certain tools help you do that.
DuckDuckGo is most famous for its privacy-focused search engine and browser (we’ve reviewed it here), but it also provides other tools that help users surf the web without giving out their identities. These tools are offered under a single, cost-competitive Pro bundle. It’s a VPN, AI tool, and data removal service all in one.
I’m reviewing the DuckDuckGo Pro bundle to help you decide if it’s worth adopting for your online security. Read on to learn what this bundle offers, its pros, cons, and how it compares to the competition.
DuckDuckGo: Plans and pricing
DuckDuckGo follows a simple pricing system, which I like – you can see all the plans by clicking here. A monthly subscription costs $19.99 and unlocks access to all Pro features. An annual subscription is discounted to $200, equivalent to $17 per month instead of the $19.99 paid on a month-to-month basis. This discount is quite small compared to what I’ve seen on rivals, but is a discount nonetheless.
The pricing varies slightly for users who live outside the U.S. For example, U.K.-based users pay 19.99 pounds monthly and 200 pounds annually. Converted to the U.S. dollar, that sums up to $27 per month and $273 annually (inclusive of value-added tax). Other countries have similar pricing variations, so you may pay more (or less) than the sticker price mentioned.
DuckDuckGo offers a 7-day free trial for its Pro plan. This is shorter than the 14 to 30-day free trials I’ve used on various online security platforms, but still provides an opportunity to test the features before deciding whether to pay.
Subscriptions can be cancelled anytime, but DuckDuckGo’s website doesn’t mention a specific money-back guarantee period. It seems that refunds can be requested, but it’ll take a lot of back and forth, which I consider a drawback.
DuckDuckGo: Setup
Setting up DuckDuckGo Privacy Pro isn’t as straightforward as most security software bundles I’ve reviewed. You’ll need to first download the DuckDuckGo browser on your PC or smartphone (you can’t use Pro features on Chrome, Firefox, or Edge). The privacy-focused browser is the foundation of DuckDuckGo’s Pro package: it blocks ads, trackers, and cookies that pose privacy risks. The browser is free, but the Pro bundle unlocks enhanced security features, which are the focus of this review.
After paying for a Pro subscription, the first feature to take note of is the VPN. This VPN, built into the DuckDuckGo browser, routes your traffic through remote servers to prevent third-party tracking. Your location, IP address, and browsing history get hidden from third parties, like advertisers or, at worst, malicious actors.
There’s a limitation, though. DuckDuckGo’s VPN servers are concentrated in the U.S. and Europe, with few outside these locations. If you’re surfing the web from, let’s say, the Middle East, connections can get a bit slower because of the server distance. DuckDuckGo’s VPN isn’t like full-fledged VPNs that let you choose from dozens of countries.
On the bright side, DuckDuckGo’s VPN has a default kill switch, which automatically cuts off your internet connection if the VPN malfunctions, ensuring your data doesn’t leak because of a slight network mishap. I checked thoroughly, but didn’t find any button to turn off this kill switch, which is a plus in my perspective. Turning off a kill switch poses privacy risks during network lapses.
The VPN coverage can be used on five devices simultaneously. For example, you can install it on your work PC, home PC, and smartphoneonnected devices
Another key feature offered under DuckDuckGo Pro is quite unique: identity theft restoration. If you face any incident of identity theft, you can work with an expert to mitigate the effects. For example, the expert helps identify fraudulent transactions that your card may have been used for and then files reimbursement claims with your bank. You’ll also get help in fixing any credit report errors from fraudulent transactions.
There’s a catch, though: DuckDuckGo doesn’t offer identity theft restoration services directly. Rather, it has partnered with Iris, a prominent ID protection platform, to provide this service. You’ll be working with Iris’ experts if you use this service.
In this AI era, you’ll hardly find a security platform that doesn’t offer an AI-centric feature. For Pro subscribers, DuckDuckGo offers advanced chatbots (based on ChatGPT and Claude) with active privacy protection. This way, you won’t have to pay separately for the premium versions of Claude and ChatGPT, as DuckDuckGo offers access under the Pro bundle.
Overall, DuckDuckGo’s Pro bundle is feature-rich and effective at maximizing online privacy. However, with plans starting at $19.99 per month, I think it’s quite pricey.
DuckDuckGo: Ease of use
DuckDuckGo is a mixed bag when it comes to ease of use. Its features are exclusive to the DuckDuckGo browser, not the more popular Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers.
For most people, paying for the Pro bundle means learning to use a new browser on Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android. I didn’t find it difficult to get adapted to the DuckDuckGo browser, but it took some time because the browser worked differently from the ones I was used to.
DuckDuckGo: Security and privacy
DuckDuckGo offers a very effective online privacy suite, starting with a browser that doesn’t allow cookies, trackers, or anything that keeps a trail of the sites you visit. The built-in VPN encrypts your online traffic and prevents third-party prying eyes.
Identity theft restoration is another valuable service, and so is the bonus of interacting with advanced chatbots. You’ll be a lot safer online when using DuckDuckGo’s Pro bundle.
DuckDuckGo: Support
DuckDuckGo offers decent support resources. You can start with the help page, which lists answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). I liked the breakdown of questions people often ask about DuckDuckGo’s privacy features and the detailed answers provided.
Users who need direct help can contact DuckDuckGo’s support teamon to interact with DuckDuckGo’s staffr live chat support, which I consider a major drawback given the price of a DuckDuckGo Pro subscription
DuckDuckGo: Competition
Given the many features offered under DuckDuckGo Pro, it’s hard to pinpoint an exact competitor. Instead, I’ll highlight some competitors to key DuckDuckGo Pro features.
For the private browser, Brave is a notable option. After using both, I’ll say Brave offers more privacy controls and is more advanced in general. For instance, Brave supports browser extensions just like you’ll find on Chrome, but the DuckDuckGo Browser doesn’t.
For DuckDuckGo’s VPN, I’ll say any dedicated VPN app like Surfshark and Windscribe would be a better option, with broader server locations to choose from.
However, the point of DuckDuckGo Pro is to kill multiple birds with one stone: you won’t get the best of each feature, but, overall, you’ll get a good deal.
DuckDuckGo: Final verdict
A DuckDuckGo Pro bundle maximizes your online privacy, preventing third parties from tracking your online activities. If you want to surf the web without leaking data that’ll stay on the internet for a long time, I highly recommend it. However, you’d need to be ready to switch to a new browser and pay a significant amount, which I would see as drawbacks.
