Ecosia
Search engine that uses its ad revenue to fund tree-planting projects.
HN commenters use it as a DuckDuckGo alternative123 that gives decent, usable results,456 and some choose it to support reforestation.7 The most common caveat is that it shares user IP addresses with its search partners Google and Microsoft,89 and one user finds its built-in AI chatbot annoying.10
Why people recommend it
Usable results · 3
Commenters describe its results as decent and usable.
“Lately I've completely switched to ecosia. It gives really decent results for the time being”
“I use ecosia now, which gives at least usable results for this”
Show 1 more
“recently left duckduckgo for ecosia. It's the best alternative I've found”
DuckDuckGo alternative · 3
Several commenters switched from DuckDuckGo, and one called it the best alternative they found.
“recently left duckduckgo for ecosia. It's the best alternative I've found”
“Lately I've completely switched to ecosia. It gives really decent results for the time being”
Show 1 more
“I recommend Ecosia and DuckDuckGo but Brave Search for the most private options.”
Reforestation · 1
One commenter uses it because its searches support reforestation.
“i also use ecosia.”
Easy switch · 1
One user said it became second nature within a week or two.
“recently left duckduckgo for ecosia. It's the best alternative I've found”
Less harmful · 1
One commenter likes it as a less harmful ad-funded service.
“they do share user IP addresses with their search partners (Google and Microsoft).”
Caveats and dissent
IP sharing · 2
It shares user IP addresses with Google and Microsoft/Bing.
“they do share user IP addresses with their search partners (Google and Microsoft).”
“i also use ecosia.”
Relies on Google/Bing · 1
One commenter notes its results ultimately come from Google and Bing.
“i also use ecosia.”
AI chatbot · 1
One user finds its obligatory AI chatbot annoying but ignores it.
“recently left duckduckgo for ecosia. It's the best alternative I've found”
Google fallback · 1
One user still switches to Google when Ecosia doesn't find what they need.
“recently left duckduckgo for ecosia. It's the best alternative I've found”
Often compared with
Threads where it came up
Data: ecosia.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 7
“i also use ecosia.”
“I'll give Ecosia/Qwant a go”
“Lately I've completely switched to ecosia. It gives really decent results for the time being”
“recently left duckduckgo for ecosia. It's the best alternative I've found”
“I recommend Ecosia and DuckDuckGo but Brave Search for the most private options.”
“I use ecosia now, which gives at least usable results for this”
“they do share user IP addresses with their search partners (Google and Microsoft).”