DuckDuckGo AI Chat

What is Duck.ai?

Duck.ai is a multi-model AI chat service offered by DuckDuckGo, with DuckDuckGo playing a key role in ensuring anonymity between users and third-party model providers. Users can use various Claude, GPT, Mistral, Gemma, and open-source models for free, without the need to create an account first.

It is suitable for Q&A, writing, summarization, coding, voice conversations, image generation, and file analysis. Duck.ai is a different function from Search Assist in search results; the former enables continuous chatting, while the latter provides supplementary answers on the search page.

How does Duck.ai protect privacy?

DuckDuckGo removes identifiable metadata such as IP addresses before the requests are sent to the model providers, so that the requests appear to originate from DuckDuckGo. The company has entered into agreements with these model providers, requiring them to retain no data from anonymous conversations, to prohibit the use of such data for training purposes, and to limit data sharing.

This does not mean that any sensitive information can be sent. The prompt itself may contain names, contracts, photos, or confidential content, and the uploaded files are also subject to security scanning by third parties.

Free models and paid models

The list of available models may change depending on updates from upstream sources and platform arrangements; the model selector in the chat interface is the standard that determines which models are available in real time. Different models also offer varying levels of support for files, images, inference tasks, and context.

Core functions

Anonymous multi-model chat

Users can switch between models on the same interface and continue to ask questions. DuckDuckGo does not modify the answers provided by the models, so errors, biases, or offensive content may still appear.

Local chat history

By default, Recent Chats saves conversations on the user’s own device, rather than on the servers of DuckDuckGo or the model providers. Users can delete conversations individually or in bulk, and they can mark up to 5 conversations as favorites.

End-to-end encrypted synchronization

The optional Sync & Backup feature saves chats in end-to-end encrypted form on DuckDuckGo’s servers, with the main decryption key being stored only on the user’s device. This function allows for the consolidation and synchronization of chat history across multiple devices.

Voice chat and dictation

Voice chats are connected to OpenAI via encrypted relays; audio is transmitted in real time and deleted once the session ends. Transcription can be recorded locally for up to 5 minutes before being sent to OpenAI for conversion, and users can edit the text before submitting it.

AI image generation

Users can start entering a description from the option \"New Image\"; once the image is created, they can continue to make modifications using the subsequent prompts. The free version has a daily limit on the number of images that can be created, while the Plus and Pro versions offer higher limits.

File and image upload

Duck.ai allows files and images to be added for analysis by the model. All uploaded content is sent anonymously to third-party content review services to check for child sexual abuse material; if such material is found, it may be retained and reported in accordance with the law.

Follow-up questions for search results

Users can go to Duck.ai from the search results on DuckDuckGo to ask further questions regarding their search topic. The answers provided by the chat model are not necessarily equivalent to the search results that include web sources.

List of main functions

• It is possible to use various third-party AI models anonymously without needing an account.
• Switch between Claude, GPT, Mistral, and open models.
• It supports text chatting, voice conversations, and dictation for up to 5 minutes.
• It is possible to generate images and make further modifications using subsequent instructions.
• It supports uploading images and files for model analysis.
• By default, recent chats are saved on the local device.
• It offers end-to-end encrypted cross-device synchronization and backup.
• Up to 5 chats can be set as pinned, and they can be deleted in bulk using the Fire Button.
• It allows moving from search results to subsequent AI Q&A sessions.
• If you don’t want to use AI, you can hide or disable the relevant options in the settings.

What use cases are suitable?

• Users who do not wish to register multiple model accounts for basic AI Q&A.
• Users who are concerned about privacy and wish to reduce the exposure of their IP addresses and account identities.
• Those who need to compare the results of writing, summaries, and code across different models.
• Temporarily process plain text, public documents, and non-sensitive images.
• Discuss ideas via voice or use dictation to enter longer questions.
• Synchronize encrypted chats across phones, computers, and third-party browsers.
• Use the free model for everyday tasks first, and upgrade to a more advanced model as needed.
• Search users who do not want AI features to appear automatically and need to be turned off at any time.

It is not very suitable for which users

• Developers who need to call the model API or integrate Duck.ai into their own applications.
• Organizations that require local offline inference, private deployment, or operations that do not involve any third-party servers at all.
• Companies that need a team workspace, member permissions, auditing, and centralized billing.
• Projects that require a fixed and public exact number of requests per day.
• Users must make use of all the original functions of the model, as well as its plugins and the enterprise control panel.
• Scenarios involving the handling of highly sensitive files where third-party content review is not acceptable.

Start using Duck.ai

1. Open Duck.ai or go to the search page of DuckDuckGo to access the chat interface.
2. After reading the privacy notice, select a model from the list of free models.
3. Use short questions that do not contain personal information to test response speed and Chinese proficiency.
4. When a different style is needed, switch to another model and compare the results using the same prompt.
5. Before opening the chat history, confirm whether the current device is a personal device.
6. An important fact is to revert to the original sources for verification, rather than relying directly on model responses.
7. Delete the chat when it’s not in use, or turn off the Duck.ai entry in the settings.

Steps to enable encrypted synchronization

1. Go to the Sync & Backup management page within Duck.ai’s settings.
2. Enable synchronization and properly save the recovery or pairing information generated by the device.
3. On the second device, choose to add a browser or synchronize with another device.
4. After completing the verification, check whether the local history has been merged correctly.
5. Do not send the decryption key or pairing information to others.
6. After losing a device, remove the associated connection promptly and check the chat records that are still accessible.

Steps for using voice chat

1. In the settings, verify that voice chat or dictation is enabled.
2. Grant microphone permissions and start recording in a quiet environment.
3. Do not disclose identification documents, passwords, or customer information in public places.
4. When using dictation, edit the transcribed text first before deciding whether to send it to the model.
5. Turn off the microphone permission or voice function after the session ends.
6. In scenarios involving sensitive identities, it is best to avoid using original voices, as such sounds can serve as biometric identifiers.

How is the usage limit calculated?

The free version imposes daily usage limits for anonymous execution, though the official party does not disclose a fixed number of requests allowed. These limits can be affected by the different requirements associated with tasks involving models, context, files, images, and voice input.

• The free quota is reset daily; the specific status can be viewed in the Duck.ai settings.
• Plus offers both a daily limit and a weekly limit that can be used over time.
• Once a paid user reaches the daily limit, they can choose to use their weekly quota to continue the current session.
• Once the weekly quota is exhausted, one must wait for the next reset period.
• The usage limit for Pro is twice that of Plus.
• The daily limit is reset at midnight UTC, while the weekly limit is reset at midnight on Sunday.
• Sharing the exit through a VPN or cellular network may cause the anonymity limit to be reached earlier than expected.

Package and price comparison

The following are the official prices for the U.S. region during verification. Plus and Pro are comprehensive subscriptions that include VPN access, personal data removal services, identity theft recovery support, and advanced AI features; they are not separate purchases intended solely for Duck.ai.

The annual payment page indicates a savings of around 16%; automatic renewal takes place after the trial period ends. Prices vary depending on the country, region, taxes, currency, and available features. Mainland China is not among the official listed subscription regions, so the details shall be as indicated on the purchase page.

How to choose between Plus and Pro?

• If you only need to handle routine questions and are willing to accept a daily limit, you can start by using the free version.
• If a VPN and GPT-5.4 or Claude Sonnet are required, Plus could be considered.
• Handle complex reasoning frequently; consider Pro only when Claude Opus is needed.
• The price of Pro is twice that of Plus, and the AI quota is also set at twice the level of Plus.
• Developers who only need the model API are not suitable for purchasing such end-user subscriptions.
• Before making a purchase, check whether your area offers services for removing personal information and restoring identity.

Chat records and Fire Button

• By default, history is saved locally; the way it is stored in browsers that are not DuckDuckGo depends on the browser itself.
• Browsers such as Safari may automatically delete website data after a long period of inactivity.
• The Fire Button available within Duck.ai allows you to delete all or the selected chats.
• Pinned chats are not deleted in bulk by Duck.ai’s Fire Button by default.
• You can unpin them one by one or delete individual chats.
• By default, the regular Fire Button in the DuckDuckGo browser does not delete Duck.ai chats.
• Once synchronization is enabled, deletion operations may affect other connected devices.

Product advantages

• It is possible to use various popular models without needing an account, making it easy to get started.
• DuckDuckGo removes identifying metadata such as IP addresses before forwarding.
• The authorities have agreed with the model providers on zero data retention and a ban on training.
• The Tinfoil hosting model supports a trusted execution environment and zero provider visibility.
• Local history and end-to-end encryption ensure both convenience and privacy.
• It offers fairly comprehensive capabilities for generating text, audio, and images, as well as for uploading files.
• The AI feature can be turned off, and users searching are not forced to use it.
• Free, Plus, and Pro cover light to heavy usage needs.

Usage restrictions and precautions

• Both free and paid plans have usage limits; the official party does not disclose a fixed number of requests.
• The list of models and their versions change over time, so it is not possible to rely on a specific model for an extended period.
• Duck.ai does not modify the model’s responses, so errors and offensive content may still appear.
• Chat responses are usually not research reports that include full web references.
• Files and images are sent to third-party content review services.
• The prompt cache of OpenAI and Anthropic can be retained in memory for up to 1 hour.
• Anthropic may retain relevant content when required by law or to combat abuse.
• Some of the privacy services included in the subscription are subject to regional restrictions.
• Duck.ai does not provide any public API for developers to use.

More detailed privacy boundaries

When users voluntarily send feedback, they can choose to share that conversation with DuckDuckGo; the platform will store and review such content. Anonymous use does not mean that the input text is already anonymized – identity and business-related information still needs to be removed before it is entered.

Privacy and security recommendations

• Do not enter passwords, API keys, identification numbers, or banking information.
• Delete the author, revision history, and hidden metadata before uploading the file.
• Customer, medical, legal, and employment data must first have authorization confirmed and be anonymized.
• Even when using the Tinfoil model, it should not be assumed that the content of files does not need to be reviewed.
• Turn off local history on public devices and delete chats before leaving.
• Properly protect the decryption key and connected devices during synchronization.
• Voice may possess biometric features, which sensitive users can completely disable.
• Conclusions regarding high risk must be reviewed by professionals and against the original data.

Official GitHub and open-source status

DuckDuckGo makes its documentation, as well as its Android browser and other clients or components, available on GitHub; the code for integrating Duck.ai’s interface can also be found in some of these client repositories. The official documentation itself is subject to public tracking and updates.

This does not mean that Duck.ai’s online services, anonymous proxies, subscription system, and all backend components are fully open source; the documentation and some client tools are marked as open source, while the core cloud services are not.

Supported platforms

Basic information

Recommendation score

4.6 / 5. Duck.ai’s anonymous forwarding feature, zero-data-retention policy, local history storage, and option to choose from multiple models set it apart among similar free chat services; however, there are still limitations such as quotas, exceptions regarding data retention by upstream services, file verification requirements, and AI-related errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Duck.ai free?

The free version does not require an account; it allows use of 6 available models, but there is a daily limit on the amount of usage in anonymous mode.

Does Duck.ai save chats?

By default, chat histories are stored on the local device. Once Sync & Backup is enabled, they are synchronized in an end-to-end encrypted format that DuckDuckGo cannot read.

Is chatting used for training models?

The authorities and service providers have agreed not to use Duck.ai sessions for model training, but there are clear exceptions in cases of caching, legal requirements, prevention of abuse, and content verification of files.

Can images be generated?

Yes. The free version has a daily limit on the number of images, while subscribers have a higher limit.

Does Duck.ai offer an API?

It does not provide public APIs for developers; it is primarily a chat service for end-users.

Is Duck.ai open source?

Some DuckDuckGo clients and documentation are available under an open source license, but Duck.ai’s cloud proxy service, subscription options, and the entire backend infrastructure are not made available in an open source format.