Startpage just launched their own browser app where you can search/browse the internet. However it doesn’t seem open source as it’s not mentioned anywhere on their site nor their FAQ. Still it works fine. What are your thoughts on this?
Can’t their site be used as a PWA? What’s the benefit of using the dedicated app over the PWA?
Edit: Just installed and it’s a really basic browser with the default search just set to startpage. I don’t see any benefit to using it over Brave, Vanadium, or Mull.
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Redundant and useless app. It is not replacing a browser, is proprietary, and further shares analytics and diagnostics. There is not a single benefit in terms of privacy compared to using Startpage over your browser.
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Did a quick test run, and I am not impressed.
It comes over like they just downloaded the chromium source code, slapped some themes over them, removed (!) the ability to change the default search engine(atleast, I couldn’t find it, and its not on the usual spot for chromium browsers), and claim some privacy gains of which basically all come from using startpage, which you can already do with other browsers.
Frankly, this whole product seems pointless and lazy.
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I am very concerned about them keeping it up to date…
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Use Tor or Brave browser on Android. If you want to use a second browser to seperate topics you can use Brave Nightly. It’s almost the same as Brave Browser, but with some new features in it.
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I’m not saying that I’ll use it over any other browser. I just discovered it by chance, wanted to share it here and know what others think about this app. I mean they tried to copy duckduckgo app imo but forgot to copy tracker blocker I guess lol.
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Yes and if they tried to copy duckduckgo app then they failed to copy tracker blocker or delete button and moreover it’s closed source.
I’m using brave browser and brave search. I always liked startpage’s results and interface but never used it as daily driver as it usually blocked me over a VPN or Tor. I just randomly thought to give it a chance and discovered they released an app. So I thought maybe it’s something like duckduckgo app and tried it. Not impressed but still wanted to share it here.
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They could have at least forked Mulch, but then you can just add the changes to Mulch.
According to their useragent, its based on chromium 123 while 127 is the lastest version, thats not great for browser which launched 5 days ago, if thats the case.
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Here we go. I didnt have the urge to check yet. But thanks for verifying the problem already exists.
Also, while I get the use of buzzwords in a product launch in a crowded space, some of the marketing is a flat out lie.
See https://app.startpage.com. It claims “maximum anonymity”, while this is certainly not a product which will make your browser anonymous, let alone being the best at it (Tor browser anyone?).
Further down it shows a comparison graph between other browser the the startpage app, which begins with “IP Address protection”.
I double checked it, but the app does NOT shield your IP. They are probbaly hinting at their anonymous view functionality, which acts as a middle man between the website and you, but thats something you can use with other browsers as well as its a Startpage (the search engine) feature.
While anonymous view is a cool feature, marketing that their Browser provides IP protection while it does not is dishonest and honestly, rather dangerous for end users who may not be able to see through that.
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Also on IOS it seems even more limited and also I don’t know if they can choose the version of webkit or not. But it does seem a little clunky on IOS as well.
While anonymous view is a cool future, marketing that their Browser provides IP protection while it does not is dishonest and honestly, rather dangerous for end users who may not be able to see through that.
I agree that such a misleading claim constitutes significant misinformation that can be harmful to individuals who rely on this information, and it certainly undermines the credibility of Startpage.
I have been concerned about the future direction of Startpage since its acquisition by System1. Initially, I was reassured when I saw the launch of their onion service, thinking that it might lead to positive developments. However, after the latest reports and discussions, I now believe the situation has only deteriorated. It’s truly unfortunate.
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Blacklight447: "Hey @StartpageSearch ! I just saw that you guys…" - Mastodon I have pinged them on Mastodon, see what they think.
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@Niek-de-Wilde I went to mastodon through your link and from there went to startpage’s handle. Seems like they are avoiding any questions related to what technology it’s based on and whether it’s open source or not. Just look at replies under their announcements from 4 days ago.
Ok everyone, I have been researching on the startpage app and I think that this app is still in beta, I guess.
Here’s a image poster from the reddit, where they announce their new app a few days ago. Image link is in 2nd reddit post below!
In this image you can clearly see a feature “Masks IP address, DNS, Location and User Agent”. Also in many reddit comments in both the posts shared below, many people argue that this app is based on firefox (gecko based engine not sure just many people mentioned it), and if this poster image is true then maybe it’s trying to spoof user agent to chromium 123.
Also many people have requested for an AD & Tracker Blocker in reddit comments and it seems like Startpage has added this feature in their roadmaps. Also It seems the app is still in beta even since it’s release few days ago. Not Sure.
Still they haven’t replied on whether it’s open source or not, how are these features right now protecting users and related queries (Most of these queries are ignored by the Starpage’s Support Team in the comments).
Reddit Posts:
https://www.reddit.com/r/StartpageSearch/comments/1egwncx/startpage_app_private_search_beyond/
TLDR: Probably still in beta and might include ad and tracker blocking feature in future updates. Might be based on firefox (Gecko Engine) and spoofs user agent to make it look like chromium and PROBABLY not open source as there’s no reply to any comments not I can find any github repository hosting the source code. ROADMAP is also not yet prepared I guess.
I can assure you that it is chromium based.
Bit of a strange take imho. If beta, they should have communicated that instead of things it clearly does not offer.
If beta they should probaly not even be advertising it to users at all.