Apps and tools for a calm, enjoyable life

Privacy Wall

Free

Privacy Wall is a search engine that prioritizes user privacy by blocking ads and trackers, offering a more secure browsing experience.

Our take

Search with peace of mind knowing your privacy is protected.

So, I got my hands on this thing called "Privacy Wall," which is supposed to keep your online stuff safe and sound. Right out of the gate, it’s pretty easy to use, which is always a win in my book. No one likes fiddling with complicated setups when you just want to get things going. The interface is clean and straightforward, and it doesn’t make you feel like you need a computer science degree to navigate it. That’s a big plus for folks who just want to protect their data without the hassle.

Now, when it comes to actually doing its job, Privacy Wall seems to hold up its end of the bargain. It blocks those pesky trackers and ads like a champ. You know, those things that seem to follow you around like a lost puppy every time you browse? Yeah, it handles those pretty well. But, and it's a big but, sometimes it can be a bit too aggressive. Occasionally, it blocks stuff you actually need, so there’s a bit of a learning curve figuring out what to whitelist. Not a deal-breaker, but kinda annoying.

On the performance side of things, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. While it doesn’t slow things down to a crawl, you might notice a slight lag, especially if you’re streaming or doing something bandwidth-heavy. It’s not the end of the world, but it’s there, and if you’re super picky about speed, it might get on your nerves. Most days, it’s fine, but sometimes I just wanted to turn it off to get that extra pep back in my browsing.

Now, let’s talk about the pricing because that's always a big deal. It’s not the cheapest privacy tool out there. If you’re on a tight budget, you might find it a bit steep. But, if keeping your online footprint to a minimum is a priority for you, it could be worth the investment. There are free options that do a decent job, but Privacy Wall does offer a tad more in terms of features. It’s one of those things where you get what you pay for, I guess.

Overall, Privacy Wall is a solid option if you’re looking to beef up your online privacy. It’s not perfect, but it does a good job of keeping those nosy trackers at bay. Just be ready for a bit of tweaking here and there to get it just right for you. If you’re okay with paying a bit more for something that’s easy to use and pretty effective, it’s worth checking out. But if you’re looking for something free and fast, you might want to keep looking. It all boils down to what you’re willing to trade off for a bit more privacy.