DuckDuckGo Launches Desktop Browser Beta on Mac

DuckDuckGo is launching a beta version of its browser for macOS by invitation, but very promising.

DuckDuckGo has just made a long awaited announcement. What its users have been asking for for years: a desktop web browser. This will be available on Mac devices first, with a Windows version coming later. Until now, the DuckDuckGo browser has existed only in the mobile version.

DuckDuckGo launches its own browser for macOS

And as you would expect from a DuckDuckGo product, this product is built on privacy. This browser uses the DuckDuckGo search engine by default, and the Smarter Encryption feature ensures that you use the HTTPS encrypted version of sites as often as possible. There’s also a tracker blocker, email protection, and everyone’s favorite Fire button that closes all open tabs and clears browsing data with a single click.

Other data, such as history, bookmarks, and other passwords, is also stored only on the machine by default. You can import bookmarks and passwords from other browsers and password managers.

in beta, by invitation, but very promising

DuckDuckGo explains that its browser also allows you to get rid of all those cookie management pop-ups. It can manage a certain number of them automatically, opting out of the maximum number of tracking cookies. This feature will be available on about half of all sites when it launches. DuckDuckGo indicates that this number will increase during beta testing.

In the privacy feed, you will be able to see which sites have tried to track you. You can also clear saved data from some sites and return to recently viewed pages with some extra protection for your privacy. DuckDuckGo also claims that its browser is fast. It uses the same rendering engine as Safari and blocks trackers before they are loaded.

Browser for Mac is currently only available in beta and by invitation. To join the waitlist, you must either download and install the DuckDuckGo mobile app or update it to the latest version. From the “More by DuckDuckGo”menu in Settings, select DuckDuckGo for Desktop and click “Join Private Waiting List”. You will then receive a notification with an invitation code and a link to install it on your Mac. The process is somewhat unusual, but you don’t have to provide any personal details.