P
PDuckDuckGo vs Microsoft Recall
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
D
Choose DuckDuckGo if…
- you want a free plan to start with
- you work on Web, iOS, Android
- you're in its core audience: privacy-conscious internet users, everyday searchers
M
Choose Microsoft Recall if…
- you're in its core audience: windows 11 copilot+ pc owners, knowledge workers
Side by side
Feature DuckDuckGo Microsoft Recall
Pricing modelFreePricing unknown
Starting priceFree—
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
Trains AI on your contentNoNo
Data retention—Oldest snapshots deleted when max storage reached; user chooses how long snapshots are kept
Model choice—
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, ChromeWindows
CategoryAI SearchPersonal Assistants
CompanyDuck Duck Go, Inc.Microsoft
Based inUnited StatesUnited States
Founded2008—
Part of——
Key features
D DuckDuckGo
- Private web search
- Duck.ai chat available from the search box
- Browsers for iOS, Android, Mac and Windows
- Browser extension that blocks web trackers
- Email Protection service
- Themes and search settings
M Microsoft Recall
- Automatic screen snapshots every few seconds and on content change
- Search by typed or spoken description
- Text and visual matches labeled close or related
- Timeline browsing and per-app result filtering
- Exclude specific apps and websites
- Sensitive information filtering for passwords and card numbers
- Local encrypted storage protected by Windows Hello
- Click to Do actions on text and images in snapshots
Plans and prices
From each vendor's site. Prices change — confirm before buying.
DuckDuckGo
FreeFree
Microsoft Recall
Pricing unknown. Plan details aren't published.
Strengths and limitations
DuckDuckGo
- Search is described as private and free
- Browsers available for iOS, Android, Mac and Windows
- Free tracker-blocking extension
- AI chat (Duck.ai) built into the search experience
- The home page does not describe Duck.ai's features or which AI models it uses
- No API or developer access listed
Microsoft Recall
- Snapshots are stored locally and encrypted, and the page says they are not shared with Microsoft
- Off by default, with app, website and sensitive-data filters
- Search works by text or voice and also matches images
- Admins can't secretly turn on snapshots on managed devices
- Requires a Copilot+ PC with a 40 TOPS NPU and 16 GB RAM
- Needs at least 50 GB of free storage to enable
- Optimized for only six languages
- Website filtering is limited in some Chromium browsers
More comparisons
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G
GG
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G
Google's AI assistant for chat, research, images, video and everyday tasks
AI ChatbotsFree planAPI
C
CC
Free, from $17/mo
D
DD
Paid
Facts from each vendor's public pages, prices checked Oct 26, 2026. Editorial policy