Ecosia: Search to plant trees icon
Ecosia for iOS: Can an Ethical Search Engine Compete?

by Ecosia GmbH

4.7
IOSUtilities
A powerful tool for turning everyday web searches into environmental action. The Ecosia app functions as a full-featured search engine and browser, channeling its ad revenue toward global reforestation projects. For anyone who wants their digital habits to have a tangible positive impact, this app presents a compelling alternative to mainstream options.

Detailed Review

Ecosia positions itself not just as another search utility but as an ethical alternative in a crowded market. The core premise is straightforward: searches generate ad revenue, and that revenue funds tree planting worldwide. Operating as a certified B Corporation, Ecosia publishes monthly financial reports and tree-planting receipts, aiming for a level of transparency uncommon in the tech industry. This model has attracted a dedicated user base looking to align their technology use with environmental values. Functionally, the app provides a robust search experience powered by Microsoft Bing, enhanced with Ecosia's own algorithms. Key features include a built-in privacy mode that doesn't track searches or create personal profiles, ad-generated search results clearly marked as 'sponsored,' and a green leaf icon that animates once a search contributes to the tree-planting goal—approximately every 45 searches. A notable and frequently praised feature is the toggle to disable AI-generated search summaries, a direct response to user concerns about energy consumption and information reliability. The interface is clean and familiar, with a focus button to minimize distractions and a dedicated tab displaying a personal counter of searches contributed. In real-world use, the search results are generally reliable for everyday queries, from quick facts to local business lookups. However, for highly specialized or local information, some users might occasionally find results differ slightly from those on more dominant platforms. The browsing experience is solid, with adequate page load times and essential tools like tab management and bookmarks. Its true utility shines in passive contribution; it effectively turns a mundane activity into a small, collective environmental action without requiring extra time or effort from the user. Analyzing user feedback reveals strong trends. Reviews consistently highlight two aspects: appreciation for the ethical mission and general satisfaction with search quality. Many users, like one quoted below, express relief at an option that feels less commercially saturated. A recurring discussion point in the feedback is the inclusion of AI overviews, with a segment of the user base expressing concern over the environmental cost of such features. Ecosia's response—adding an easy-to-find opt-out switch in settings—is often cited as a positive example of a company listening to its community. Ultimately, the Ecosia app delivers on its primary promise: it’s a competent search tool that funds tree planting. Its strengths are a clear, purpose-driven model, respectful privacy standards, and a straightforward user experience. The limitations are those inherent to a smaller search index, which may occasionally affect result depth for niche queries. For users prioritizing ethical alignment and transparency in their digital tools, Ecosia represents a meaningful choice, even with the minor trade-offs.

Key Features

  • Tree Planting Tracker: A counter on the app's main screen shows your personal contribution toward tree planting, providing tangible feedback on your environmental impact with each search.
  • Carbon-Negative Servers: The search engine runs on 200% renewable energy, with excess solar power fed back into the grid, aiming to offset the carbon cost of every search made.
  • Ad Revenue Model: Sponsored search results generate income, and 100% of Ecosia's profits are directed toward nonprofit tree-planting partners in biodiversity hotspots.
  • Privacy-Focused Searching: The app does not sell user data to advertisers, doesn't create permanent search profiles, and uses encryption to protect search queries from external tracking.
  • AI Summary Toggle: A dedicated setting allows users to completely disable AI-generated answer overviews at the top of search results, addressing concerns about energy use and preference for traditional links.

Why Users Love It

Direct environmental impact from routine use
Clean, uncluttered search results page

Perfect for: Environmentally conscious users seeking a practical, everyday method to support reforestation without compromising on basic search functionality.

Ranking History

Track Ecosia: Search to plant trees's performance in Utilities over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#10

+38 from last week

Best Rank

#6

All-time high

Average Rank

#18

30-day average

User Reviews

wren.prue
Dec 27, 2025

Browser search results depend on more than your search terms. Companies buy premium placement so sometimes, no matter how you change your search, your first 100 (?) results will reflect who paid, not what is most accurate. There has been so much tweaking of search results to maximize profits that Internet results, to me, are nearly useless. If not for Ecosia, I would return to books. Ecosia provides not just more accurate search results, but the results list also pulls from the available sites, not just those which have paid to bother you, so that your results include results from smaller companies/websites/non-profits. Your results will be delightful again not grimly exhausting. There is so much garbage on the internet now - ‘articles’ which don’t answer a single question, ‘articles’ filled with so many other advertisements you’ll be lucky to read the results - that the internet has smothered itself. On the larger browsers, it is obnoxiously obvious that whatever you look at exists SOLELY to sell you other stuff. I’ve pulled up ten ‘articles’ in a row which were entirely useless per any definitive information but also so filled with popup ads running that I couldn’t have read it if I’d wanted to. It’s not that there are no popup ads attempting to direct you to other sites or ‘articles’ that clearly exist to direct you elsewhere on Ecosia, but I’ve yet to click on an article that I had to give up on in disgust. Hands down best browser Browser search results depend on more than your search terms. Companies buy premium placement so sometimes, no matter how you change your search, your first 100 (?) results will reflect who paid, not what is most accurate. There has been so much tweaking of search results to maximize profits that Internet results, to me, are nearly useless. If not for Ecosia, I would return to books. Ecosia provides not just more accurate search results, but the results list also pulls from the available sites, not just those which have paid to bother you, so that your results include results from smaller companies/websites/non-profits. Your results will be delightful again not grimly exhausting. There is so much garbage on the internet now - ‘articles’ which don’t answer a single question, ‘articles’ filled with so many other advertisements you’ll be lucky to read the results - that the internet has smothered itself. On the larger browsers, it is obnoxiously obvious that whatever you look at exists SOLELY to sell you other stuff. I’ve pulled up ten ‘articles’ in a row which were entirely useless per any definitive information but also so filled with popup ads running that I couldn’t have read it if I’d wanted to. It’s not that there are no popup ads attempting to direct you to other sites or ‘articles’ that clearly exist to direct you elsewhere on Ecosia, but I’ve yet to click on an article that I had to give up on in disgust.

Hamlovespie
Dec 24, 2025

This is the technology we were meant to be designing This This is the technology we were meant to be designing

Kid c0ntra
Dec 24, 2025

This app inspired me to to good and help restore our planet. The search engine is actually really good and useful and convenient when I want to help out a bit. Really good app 100% recommend This app inspired me This app inspired me to to good and help restore our planet. The search engine is actually really good and useful and convenient when I want to help out a bit. Really good app 100% recommend

Rainy!!!!!!!!!!
Dec 20, 2025

Better option than ChatGPT and other search engines, helps our planet Better than other ai Better option than ChatGPT and other search engines, helps our planet

rush.13.08
Dec 16, 2025

It works just as well as (if not better than) google. They use their profits to fight the climate crisis. There is an option to turn off all AI features within the app. It’s so simple and easy to make a difference with this app!! SAVE THE PLANET ONE SEARCH AT A TIME!! ❤️ Exceptional App It works just as well as (if not better than) google. They use their profits to fight the climate crisis. There is an option to turn off all AI features within the app. It’s so simple and easy to make a difference with this app!! SAVE THE PLANET ONE SEARCH AT A TIME!! ❤️

App Details

Developer

Ecosia GmbH

Platform

ios

Rating

4.7

Last Updated

1/9/2026