Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Ghostery vs Qwant
Ghostery
Qwant
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | GhosteryReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | QwantReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | All features free with no limitations; optional contributions support development | Free and unlimited once you create a Qwant account |
| Platforms | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, Brave, iOS, IPadOS, Android, Meta Quest | Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, Edge extension, Firefox extension, Safari extension |
| Logging policy | No personal data collected; daily non-personal extension telemetry (opt-in extra telemetry); website access data kept four weeks | By default does not store search history or personal data; no advertising trackers or pixels |
| Jurisdiction | DE | FR |
| Open source | YesHas it | No |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker, SearchCovers more | Search |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes).
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Key differences
- Qwant scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.2.
- Platforms: only Ghostery offers Chrome, Firefox, Safari.
- Platforms: only Qwant offers Web, Chrome extension, Edge extension.
- Support channels: only Qwant offers Phone, Community.
- Open source: only Ghostery.
- Founded is lower at Ghostery: 2009 vs 2011.
- Privacy tool type: only Ghostery offers Ad blocker.
Our verdict on each
Ghostery
Ghostery is the pick if you want ad blocking and private search with nothing to pay: free covers every feature, while tools in the same group often sit near €7.89 a month. The extension is open source, runs on Chrome, Firefox and Safari, and the company behind it answers under DE.
Qwant
Qwant suits readers who want a private search engine with no cost attached, since a free plan is included. It is the fit for people who put no stored search history above open source code, while the typical starting price in the site's private-search field is €6.93.
Score breakdown
| Area | Ghostery | Qwant |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| Offer | 9.1 | 9.6Higher |
| Privacy | 9.4Higher | 8.8 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Ghostery | Qwant |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Germany | France |
Sources behind this comparison
Ghostery
- ghostery.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Qwant
- about.qwant.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Ghostery | Qwant |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 69 of 281 | 62 of 281 |
| Private browsers and search engines | 13 of 55 | 11 of 55 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Ghostery | Qwant |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | Ghostery GmbH | QWANT, SAS (RCS Paris B 532 867 256) |
| Headquarters | Germany | France |
| Founded | 2009Lower | 2011 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Pros and cons
Ghostery
Pros
- free pricing with every feature free and no limits on the free plan, contributions optional
- Open source, so the extension can be read and rebuilt by anyone
- Runs on Chrome, Firefox and Safari
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre only, so there is no live chat and no phone line
- free is the whole pricing model, so there is no paid tier with added features or priority support
- Logging is light but partial: daily non-personal extension telemetry runs, extra telemetry is opt-in, and website access data is kept for a set period
Qwant
Pros
- A free plan is included, and Free and unlimited once you create a Qwant account.
- Search history and personal data are not stored by default, and no advertising trackers or pixels are run.
- It runs on web, iOS and Android and support covers email, phone and help centre.
Cons
- Open source: no, so the code behind the engine is not published for outside review.
- The unlimited free tier depends on signing up: Free and unlimited once you create a Qwant account.
Who each suits
Ghostery
Who it suits
- People who want ad blocking and private search without paying
- Readers who care that the extension is open source and inspectable
- Multi-device households, since Chrome, Firefox and Safari covers desktop browsers, phones, tablets and headsets
Who should look elsewhere
- EasyOptOuts, if your goal is data-broker opt-out requests rather than blocking ads, since it has no free plan
- Apple Hide My Email, if you want email aliases: they are free with an Apple Account, though changing the forward-to address needs iCloud+
- Apple Inc. for the same reason, as its free aliases come with an Apple Account and forward-to changes need iCloud+
Qwant
Who it suits
- Readers who want a search engine that keeps no search history or personal data by default.
- People in the Apple ecosystem, who can pair a Qwant account with Apple Hide My Email for aliasing.
- Anyone who wants one account across web, iOS and Android.
Who should look elsewhere
- EasyOptOuts, for readers whose main task is opting out of data brokers rather than searching; it has no free plan.
- Apple Hide My Email, for email aliases: its aliases are free with an Apple Account, which is a different job from private search.
Questions about each
Ghostery
How much does Ghostery cost?+
Ghostery runs on free pricing, so the extension costs nothing and the free plan has no limitations. Contributions are optional and go toward development, so there is no subscription to renew or cancel. Tools in the privacy group commonly sit at €7.89 a month, which is the cost Ghostery does not charge.
Which devices can I run Ghostery on?+
Chrome, Firefox and Safari are all supported, so the same free plan covers desktop browsers, phones, tablets and Meta Quest. The extension blocks ads and trackers and handles private search on each of those platforms, with no difference between the mobile and desktop builds.
Qwant
Is Qwant really free?+
Yes. A free plan is included and Free and unlimited once you create a Qwant account, so the search stays free once an account exists. The only model listed is free, so there is no paid tier priced against it.
What does Qwant cost, and what happens at renewal?+
Qwant's free plan covers the search, and Free and unlimited once you create a Qwant account. There is no introductory deal to time and no renewal step for a paid plan, since free is the only model listed. For scale, the typical yearly price across tools on the site is €65.76.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Ghostery
Qwant