Why it's a strong pick

It is one extension that blocks trackers and switches your search to DuckDuckGo, from the company behind DuckDuckGo search. Its code is public on GitHub under Apache 2.0. The trade-offs: it changes your default search engine when you install it, and it does not hide your IP address.

What it does

DuckDuckGo's help pages say the extension sets DuckDuckGo as your browser's default search engine. It also blocks most hidden third-party trackers from loading and upgrades connections to HTTPS where a site offers it. It works as a tracker blocker and a search switch, not as a VPN.

Key features

Tracker blocking. DuckDuckGo says it blocks most hidden third-party trackers from loading.
HTTPS upgrades. Connections move to HTTPS where the site supports it.
Third-party cookie blocking. DuckDuckGo says it blocks third-party cookies from known trackers, with limited exceptions so sign-in and site features keep working.
Fingerprinting protection. DuckDuckGo says it overrides some browser APIs on its own list.
Link-tracking removal. DuckDuckGo lists removal of tracking parameters from links.
Embedded Facebook content blocking. DuckDuckGo lists this as part of its web tracking protections.
Privacy Dashboard. A panel that shows what the extension did on the page.
Global Privacy Control. The extension sends the GPC signal.
Open source. The code is under Apache 2.0.

Who it's for

It suits people who already like DuckDuckGo search and want tracker blocking from the same maker. It is a poor fit if you want to keep Google or Bing as your default search, or if you need to hide your IP address. For that, see Proton VPN.

Does DuckDuckGo's extension change my search engine?

Yes. DuckDuckGo's help pages say the extension makes DuckDuckGo your browser's default search engine. If you want to keep your current search engine, check your search settings after you install it and change them back. Chrome's own settings control which search engine you use.

Does DuckDuckGo's extension hide my IP address?

No. DuckDuckGo says its tracking protections can leave your IP address visible to the sites you visit. Hiding your IP is the job of its separate DuckDuckGo VPN, which DuckDuckGo says is part of a paid subscription. The extension is a tracker blocker, not a VPN. See Proton VPN for a browser VPN extension.

How does DuckDuckGo make money?

DuckDuckGo says most of its revenue comes from private search ads based on the page you are viewing, not on a profile of you. It also sells a paid subscription. DuckDuckGo's privacy policy says it does not collect personal information such as your search or browsing history. Those are DuckDuckGo's own statements, so read its policy.

What permissions does the extension ask for?

Check the install prompt on the Chrome Web Store before you add it. A tracker blocker usually needs broad access to the sites you visit so it can act on them, and permissions can change between releases. Xplorekit has not listed them here because we could not verify the current set.

FAQ

Is it the same as the DuckDuckGo browser? No. This is an extension for browsers you already use, such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Opera.

Does it work on Manifest V3? DuckDuckGo has published public work to move the extension to Manifest V3. We have not checked what the current store build uses. Our Manifest V3 guide explains what the change means for blockers.

Is it a full ad blocker? DuckDuckGo describes it as tracker protection. For ad blocking, see uBlock Origin Lite.

Good to know

Installing it changes your default search engine to DuckDuckGo. It does not hide your IP address, so pair it with a VPN if that matters to you.

Other vpn & privacy tools to compare

DuckDuckGo Search & Tracker Protection is one of 12 picks in our VPN & Privacy Tools guide, which compares them side by side and explains how to choose. The other picks:

ExpressVPN: A browser extension with two modes: a browser-only proxy, or a remote for the ExpressVPN desktop app. It needs a subscription.
NordVPN: A proxy extension that routes your browser traffic through NordVPN. It needs a NordVPN subscription.
Proton VPN: A browser VPN extension from Proton AG, the company behind Proton Mail. It has a free plan and covers browser traffic only.
Surfshark VPN: A lightweight Surfshark extension that protects browser traffic and adds ad, tracker and breach-alert tools. The 7-day trial needs payment details first.
Privacy Badger: A tracker blocker from the EFF that learns which third parties track you as you browse.
Ghostery: An open-source tracker and ad blocker that also removes cookie pop-ups and shows tracker info for each site.
I Still Don't Care About Cookies: An open-source community fork that removes cookie banners on most sites. It hides or accepts them. It does not reject them.
ZeroOmega: Open-source proxy switcher for proxies you supply. Not a VPN: it provides no servers.
FoxyProxy: Open-source proxy switcher with per-site rules for proxies you supply. Not a VPN: it provides no servers.
JShelter: Browser privacy hardening: limits what sites can read from your browser APIs and helps against fingerprinting. Not a VPN and does not hide your IP address. Open source.
NoScript: An open-source script blocker that stops JavaScript, embedded objects and media until you allow a site.

Collection: Best Chrome extensions for privacy