Introduction
DuckDuckGo is a well-known search engine that emphasizes privacy and not collecting user data. Many users wonder if the DuckDuckGo browser is based on Chromium, Gecko, or WebView. This article aims to answer these questions and provide detailed insights.
Is the DuckDuckGo Browser Based on Chromium?
The short answer is that the DuckDuckGo browser app is indeed based on Chromium 84. This conclusion is supported by the user-agent information provided and confirmed by browser detection tools.
User-Agent Information and Browser Detection Tools
Multiple sources, including user-agent string analysis and third-party browser detection tools, have confirmed that the DuckDuckGo browser app uses Chromium 84. This is consistent with the widely used Chromium-based browsers such as Google Chrome, Vivaldi, Opera, and Brave.
For example, when the DuckDuckGo browser sends its user-agent string, it is clearly marked as a Chromium-based browser. This is a strong indicator that the backend is indeed built on the Chromium framework.
WebView and Potential Changes
There is a common misconception that the DuckDuckGo browser might use WebView instead of Chromium. However, a Redditor's response indicates that the browser app does indeed use WebView, which is currently powered by parts of the Chromium/Chrome codebase.
According to the Redditor, while WebView is primarily a web rendering engine for mobile devices, it can theoretically use the Firefox codebase in the future if GeckoView succeeds. This potential future switch would make the browser even more interesting from an engineering perspective, but it is not the current state.
It is also worth noting that the Android version of the DuckDuckGo browser is open-source, as shown by the GitHub repository: duckduckgo/Android. Therefore, anyone interested in verifying the browser's engine can review the codebase directly.
Browser Engine Details
The only browsers offered by DuckDuckGo are for Android and iOS. The company does not specify the exact browser engine used in their applications, but the user-agent information clearly indicates that they are Chromium-based.
Moreover, the browser extensions available for DuckDuckGo are compatible with Chrome and Firefox, further confirming the Chromium-based nature of the browser.
Conclusion
Based on the available information, it is clear that the DuckDuckGo browser app is indeed based on Chromium 84. This makes it consistent with other widely popular Chromium-based browsers, offering a seamless and familiar user experience to users accustomed to these browsers.
If you are interested in the privacy benefits offered by DuckDuckGo while enjoying the familiar features of a Chromium-based browser, it is a great choice. Whether you are on Android or iOS, the DuckDuckGo browser ensures a secure and private browsing experience.