DuckDuckGo VPN review: Strong privacy, but missing key features

Best Prices Today: DuckDuckGo PrivacyPro

Privacy is DuckDuckGo’s forte, and while the powerful browser that dodges trackers and digital snooping has become a go-to for many, you may not be aware of its VPN service.

That’s partially because, despite DuckDuckGo offering a free browser alternative to Safari and Chrome, its VPN is a paid addition, and partially because its very existence is tied to the aforementioned browser – at least for now.

If you’re already using the DuckDuckGo browser, the VPN might just be the easiest one to recommend for you, despite the fact that it’s missing some features of its rivals. On the other hand, as a standalone product, it’s a little less easy to recommend because of those missing features.

Solid speeds and reliable geo-unblocking are one thing, but a lack of features like a kill switch is likely to be tough to swallow for experienced VPN users looking for alternatives.

Should you use DuckDuckGo VPN?

• Who it’s best for: Privacy-focused users already using DuckDuckGo’s browser and people who want a simple, low-effort VPN.
• Who should avoid it: Power users who want full control, a large server network, and multiple device coverage
• Key trade-offs and limitations: Compared to other VPNs DuckDuckGO VPN lacks key tools like a kill switch, protocol choice, and deeper controls. It also lacks the large server network others offer.

See our round up of the best VPNs for Mac and the best VPNs for iPhone and iPad.

How to get DuckDuckGo VPN

The DuckDuckGo VPN is available as part of a subscription to the DuckDuckGo Privacy Pro service that costs $9.99 a month/$99.99 a year and also includes personal information removal, and identity theft restoration.

1. Download DuckDuckGo browser (Mac, iOS or other version). You can download it from the Mac App Store.
2. Subscribe to DuckDuckGo Privacy Pro.
3. Go to Settings > VPN in the DuckDuckGo browser.

Features & Apps – What features does DuckDuckGo VPN actually offer?

Right off the bat, DuckDuckGo VPN does things a little differently. The company’s excellent browser does a great job of blocking trackers, and it’s always been fun to check the ‘Protections Report’ about how many it’s stopped from pinching your data.

It’s also now packing optional AI features, letting you engage with a chatbot with a little more privacy than a browser-based ChatGPT or Claude window.

Foundry

It’s into this ecosystem that the VPN service arrives, and you’ll need to use the browser to install it first and foremost.

Once that’s done, you can access it from the menu bar as you would many rivals, but there’s no standalone interface, so you’ll need to rely on the browser or the menu bar – no big ‘button’ to click here.

There are, as you might expect, versions for platforms like Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android, but bear in mind there’s a relatively restrictive five-device limit. While some VPNs are offering unlimited connections, at this price, we’d have liked a few more from DuckDuckGo. Still, if you’re a solo user with a handful of devices, you’ll likely get by just fine.

Foundry

Perhaps the biggest downside right now is a lack of power features. A Kill Switch, which stops traffic when a VPN goes down, isn’t in effect, for example. You’ll get a notification, but there’s no option to automatically disconnect.

Split Tunnelling is available, though, letting you route traffic from specific apps and sites through the VPN or outside of it, and you can set the VPN to connect automatically when you log in, but that’s about it for features.

Don’t expect much else, though. There are no speed testing options, no alternative VPN protocols (it’s WireGuard or nothing), and no dedicated password manager or other accoutrements.

Still, because DuckDuckGo VPN is part of the wider subscription service, you also get those AI models I mentioned earlier, regular data sweeps for your personal data, and even identity restoration if you’ve suffered at the hands of a bad actor. It’s the kind of service you hope you never need, but it’s there if you do.

Performance: How fast is DuckDuckGo VPN in real use?

DuckDuckGo’s server count is relatively low, with under 50 countries included. Some, like the UK, only have one location where rivals would have a few to choose from, making this a markedly smaller pool of servers to choose from compared to options like ExpressVPN or NordVPN.

On the positive side, though, its speeds are pretty great. While there’s no built-in speed test, we found download speeds dropped by just 12% or so in general usage when using WireGuard. There’s no other protocol to test, sadly, but upload speeds do take more of a hit at around a 70% speed loss.

For browsing, that’s doable, but you may struggle with video calls or gaming while using the VPN.

While DuckDuckGo offers a great privacy-first VPN, it’s also a dab hand at geo-unblocking, small server list notwithstanding. I was able to easily gain access to alternative versions of Netflix, for example, with no real downsides to performance.

Privacy & Security: Is DuckDuckGo VPN actually private and secure?

As you might expect from DuckDuckGo, a company founded on the principles of privacy on the internet, there’s a lot to like about its approach to a VPN.

For one, it keeps its VPN servers separate from its browser and AI servers, while using Smarter Encryption to keep data encrypted while in use.

While the company is headquartered in the United States, it maintains a no-logs policy. Still, the US being part of the Five Eyes surveillance group is something to consider if you’re looking for additional privacy, while the last audit was completed in late 2024.

Pricing and plans: Is DuckDuckGo VPN worth the price?

At $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year, DuckDuckGo’s VPN isn’t one of the cheapest around, but that doesn’t quite tell the whole story.

Its private browser is free, and you’re not just paying for the VPN on its own – you’re also getting access to AI models, data removal tools, and identity restoration.

Should you use DuckDuckGo VPN?

Already locked in to DuckDuckGo’s excellent browser? The VPN might just be a no-brainer, offering a great experience that’s easy to use, at the cost of more granularity.

Still, at this price, there are other options with more servers and features.

Best Prices Today: DuckDuckGo PrivacyPro