Top 10 Alternative Search Engines You Should Be Using in 2025
Author Brad Sacks
Posted on April 25, 2025

Top 10 Alternative Search Engines You Should Be Using in 2025

People are becoming more conscious of how they search online. From privacy to sustainability, users are moving beyond standard options in favour of more innovative and user-friendly tools. While Google still dominates the market, it is far from being the only choice. Whether you’re a tech-savvy user or a business, there’s a wide world of search engines out there that offer better alignment with your needs. Here’s a look at the top 10 alternative search engines that we have explored in 2025, so far:

Reinventing search with a new AI-powered Microsoft Bing and Edge, your copilot for the web - The Official Microsoft Blog
Microsoft's Bing Search has come a long way in recent years. Backed by powerful AI, including integration with Chatgpt and Microsoft's own AI tools, Bing now offers smarter, more conversational search results. Its visual search, news, shopping, and maps are strong competitors to Google's ecosystem. For marketers and businesses, it's also worth noting that Bing powers Yahoo Search, which means your reach goes even further. If you're working with an internet marketing agency or seeking web marketing services, optimizing for Bing can help you reach an audience that many overlook.

2. DuckDuckGo

Download the DuckDuckGo browser app
DuckDuckGo is one of the best-known privacy-first search engines. It doesn’t track your personal data or browsing history, which makes it ideal for users who want anonymity. DuckDuckGo is one of the most recognized privacy first search engines on the market, and in 2025, it continues to grow in popularity among users who value anonymity and control over their data. Unlike traditional search engines that build detailed user profiles based on browsing history, clicks, and behaviour, DuckDuckGo takes a radically different approach—it doesn’t collect or store any personal information. This means no targeted ads, no search history tied to your identity, and no data sold to third parties. Its clean, minimalistic interface is easy to use, and it pulls results from hundreds of sources, including Bing, Yahoo, and its own web crawler, ensuring high-quality and accurate search results.  Despite its minimalist interface, it delivers results from a wide range of sources. As privacy becomes a bigger issue, SEO experts in Montreal now include DuckDuckGo in their broader list of search engines.
Yahoo Search Engine
Yahoo Search may no longer be the giant it once was, but in 2025, it remains a relevant and valuable search engine, thanks in part to its integration with Bing. This partnership allows Yahoo to deliver reliable results while maintaining its familiar interface, which continues to appeal to long-time users. Its homepage, combining news, weather, and email, continues to attract a loyal audience. Despite growing interest in privacy-first alternatives, Yahoo retains a notable share of global traffic, making it a smart addition to digital marketing strategies. Many internet marketing agencies, including those offering web marketing services in Canada, still target Yahoo, especially for older demographics, and benefit from its seamless ad integration with Microsoft Ads, which provides a broader reach.

4. You.com

You.com Review (Features, Capabilities & Limitations)
You.com is a newer AI-powered engine that puts users in control. It lets you customize how results appear, includes built-in apps for coding, writing, and summarizing, and integrates directly with AI assistants. It’s a great tool for researchers, students, or marketers looking to stay organized. If you're involved in online marketing campaigns in Montreal, You.com might be a great asset for finding quick insights and data summaries.
What is Brave Search? | Brave
Built by the makers of the Brave Browser, Brave Search is focused on independence and privacy. It doesn’t rely on big tech indexes and doesn’t track user behaviour. It’s a popular choice for privacy-conscious users, especially those who use ad-blocking and anti-tracking tools. If you're running campaigns for privacy-focused brands, your web marketing services strategy should definitely include Brave.

6. Kagi

Meet Kagi, a Google search alternative worth paying for
Kagi is a premium search engine that stands out in 2025 by offering a clean, ad-free, and high-quality search experience—something that's becoming increasingly rare in the age of information overload. Unlike traditional search engines that rely on advertising revenue and data tracking, Kagi operates on a monthly subscription model, providing users with full access to powerful, clutter-free search results, free from ads and sponsored content. If you're a developer, researcher, or content creator, Kagi can help you cut through the noise and find relevant sources faster—something even the best internet marketing agency can appreciate.

7. Ecosia

Ecosia - daverupert.com
Ecosia is a search engine with a mission. It uses its ad revenue to plant trees worldwide. Every search contributes to global reforestation. For every search made, a small portion of the income generated from sponsored results is donated to planting trees in regions affected by deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss. To date, Ecosia has helped plant millions of trees across countries like Brazil, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. Bing powers it, so the results are reliable, and it’s perfect for eco-conscious users. For sustainability-focused brands working with a Canadian digital marketing agency, this is a great platform to align their values and increase visibility.

8. Qwant

Qwant search engine review | TechRadar
A France-based alternative, Qwant prides itself on neutrality and user privacy. It doesn’t use cookies or trackers and doesn’t filter search results based on personal history. Qwant offers a strong visual interface and even a dedicated search engine for children. It’s increasingly used in Europe and by privacy-first users worldwide.

9. Mojeek

Getting the Best out of Keyword Web Search | Mojeek Blog
Mojeek is one of the few search engines that has built its independent index from the ground up. Based in the UK, it offers unbiased results with a strong commitment to privacy. It’s especially valued by researchers and journalists who need unfiltered data and information.

10. Ekoru

We Are Ekoru. Meet the people behind Ekoru.org | by Ekoru | ekoru | Medium
Another eco-friendly choice, Ekoru donates a portion of its revenue to ocean and climate-based charities. It uses hydro-powered data centres to minimize its environmental footprint. With privacy built in and a social good mission, Ecosia is an excellent choice for anyone looking to make a difference with every search. By combining reliable search results with eco-conscious values, it stands out as more than just a browsing tool—it becomes part of a larger purpose. For businesses offering web marketing services, Ecosia also presents a unique opportunity to align brand strategies with sustainability efforts.

Final Thoughts: Explore Search Engines Other Than Google

It’s easy to default to Google, but the digital world is evolving fast. These alternative search engines offer you more control, privacy, and purpose. Whether you're looking to reduce tracking, support green causes, or explore AI-powered platforms, this search engine list gives you plenty of room to find what suits you best. From a business perspective, especially if you're working with a Canadian digital marketing agency or an SEO expert in Montreal, diversifying your presence across these platforms can enhance your visibility, reach new audiences, and improve your return on investment (ROI). Whether you're part of an internet marketing agency or simply exploring more innovative ways to surf, the world beyond Google is wide open—and well worth exploring.

About the author:

Brad Sacks
Founder of Optiweb Marketing

Brad Sacks is the founder of OptiWeb Marketing, one of Montreal's pioneering SEO firms, established in 2010. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University with a BBA in Management, Brad is a certified digital marketing professional with credentials from Semrush and a proud BNI member. Under his leadership, OptiWeb Marketing has grown from supporting local businesses to becoming a globally recognized agency specializing in SEO, SMM, and website development on platforms like WordPress and Shopify. Passionate about helping businesses thrive, Brad and his team have partnered with over 1,500 companies across Canada and the U.S., delivering tailored strategies for measurable growth.

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