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Free Search Engines Tools Built in Europe

6 free and freemium search engines — GDPR-compliant, no credit card required

6 free options6 completely freeGDPR Compliant

Completely Free

No paid plans, no credit card, no hidden costs — 6 products

What You Give Up vs Paid Search Engines

What free options get right

  • +Core search engines features for personal use
  • +Full GDPR compliance and EU data residency
  • +No data harvesting or surveillance capitalism
  • +Often open source with community support

Typical trade-offs

  • -Storage or user limits on free tiers
  • -Fewer integrations with third-party tools
  • -Community support instead of priority support
  • -Less polished UI compared to big-budget US products

For most individuals and small teams, the free EU search engines listed above cover all essential features. If you need enterprise-level capabilities, browse all Search Engines including paid options.

Free Alternatives to US Search Engines

Looking for a free replacement? These EU tools can replace popular US services at no cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these search engines really free?

Yes. Products in our "Completely Free" section like Startpage, Qwant, Mojeek are genuinely free to use with no payment required. They are funded through donations, grants, or as open-source community projects. The "Free Plans Available" section lists products with generous free tiers that cover most personal use, though they also offer paid plans for advanced features.

What's the catch with freemium search engines?

Freemium search engines offer a free tier with core features, but limit certain capabilities such as storage space, number of users, or advanced functionality. The free plan is typically sufficient for personal use or small teams. If you outgrow it, you can upgrade to a paid plan -- but unlike US freemium services, these EU-based products do not monetize your personal data.

Which free search engines is best?

The best free search engines depends on your needs. Startpage is our top-rated option based on quality score, features, and user feedback. Qwant is also excellent. All listed products are EU-based and GDPR-compliant, so your data stays protected regardless of which you choose.

Are free EU search engines as good as US products?

Many free EU search engines are comparable to or better than their US counterparts for core features. The main advantage is that EU-based services are natively GDPR-compliant and do not sell your data or expose it to US surveillance laws. While some US products may have larger ecosystems, the free EU alternatives listed here cover the essential features most users need.