Whoogle Search

Self-Hosted

Open-source, privacy-focused alternative to Google Search

Overview

Whoogle Search is an open-source, privacy-respecting search engine that retrieves results from Google without tracking your activity, displaying ads, or storing personal data. It supports dark mode, can bypass certain paywalls, and works with or without JavaScript. Deployable via Docker (simplest method), Heroku, or manual installation on your server, it gives full control over your search data—no account creation required.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  whoogle_search:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: whoogle-search
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

No user tracking or targeted ads
Easy self-hosting (Docker, Heroku, manual setup)
Bypass select paywalls
Dark mode and JavaScript-free support

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Whoogle hard to install?

No—Whoogle can be installed in minutes using Docker (via a single command), or deployed on platforms like Heroku or Railway. If you prefer manual setup, it works on most servers. Public instances are also available if you don’t want to self-host.

? Is it a good alternative to Google Search?

Yes—Whoogle fetches results directly from Google, so relevance is similar, but without tracking, ads, or personalized recommendations. It’s perfect for users who want Google’s result quality while protecting their privacy.

? Is it completely free?

Yes—Whoogle is open-source under the MIT License, so it’s completely free to use, self-host, or modify. There are no hidden costs or paid features.

Top Alternatives

Google Search Search Google

Bing Search Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Search Engines

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ 100% privacy-focused (no data collection or profiling)
⊕ No subscription fees or paid tiers
⊕ Lightweight and fast performance
⊕ Customizable themes and settings

Cons

⊖ May face rate limits from Google with heavy usage
⊖ Requires server setup for self-hosting (public instances available)
⊖ Simpler UI compared to Google Search
⊖ Limited advanced search filters