If you are wondering what Ecosia is, the short answer is that Ecosia is a search engine and browser company best known for using its profits to support tree planting and climate projects. But most people want more than that simple answer. They want to know whether Ecosia is legit, whether Ecosia is safe, whether it actually plants trees, and whether it is good enough to use every day. This guide explains all of that in simple words. Ecosia itself says it uses 100% of its profits for the planet, presents itself as secure and private, and now also offers its own browser and AI features.
What Is Ecosia?
Ecosia is a search brand built around climate action. Instead of positioning itself as just another search site, it markets itself as a product that turns search activity into funding for environmental projects. On its official homepage, Ecosia says it uses all profits for climate action, with the majority going into tree-planting projects around the world.
That is the clearest answer to what is Ecosia, what’s Ecosia, and what is Ecosia search engine.
The reason people keep searching this topic is trust. Users want to know whether Ecosia is real, how it works, whether the tree claim is genuine, and whether it can actually replace a mainstream search engine in day-to-day life. Ecosia also publishes transparency information and project reporting, which helps explain why many users see it as more open than a typical tech platform.
Is Ecosia a Search Engine or a Browser?
Ecosia is both, but the distinction matters.
Ecosia is first and foremost a search engine, meaning it provides search results when you type queries. It also has the Ecosia Browser, which is a browser app with Ecosia search built into the address bar. Ecosia’s browser page says users can search directly from the bar, track their impact, and use AI features that are backed by renewable energy.
So if someone asks is Ecosia a browser or is Ecosia a search engine, the best answer is: it is a search engine company that now also has its own browser.
How Does Ecosia Work?
Ecosia works like a normal search engine from the user side. You type something in, you get results back, and ads may appear alongside those results.
The difference is in the business model. Ecosia’s Help Center says it is a not-for-profit search engine, not a charity, but a social business. It says it earns money through a sustainable business model and dedicates 100% of its profits to climate action, primarily by planting trees where they are needed most. Its ads FAQ also says search ads are what allow it to fund tree planting and related climate projects.
That means the simple version of how Ecosia works is this: people search, ads help generate revenue, and Ecosia says the resulting profits are directed into climate action rather than extracted as owner profit.
Does Ecosia Actually Plant Trees?
This is the biggest question around the brand, and it deserves a careful answer.
Yes, Ecosia says it really does fund tree planting and related climate work. But the way the claim works is more important than the slogan. Ecosia says it dedicates 100% of profits to climate action, and that the majority of those profits go into tree-planting projects. It also publishes transparency and regeneration reports so people can see how income is used and where projects are happening.
That means does Ecosia actually plant trees is best answered like this: not every single search instantly equals one literal tree. Instead, searches support an ad-funded model, and Ecosia says the resulting profits help finance planting and restoration projects with partners. Its support materials explain that it works with partners under service contracts and monitors progress over time.
The “searches per tree” question also needs nuance. Ecosia says the amount varies depending on when, where, and what you search, but estimates that it can take around 50 searches to help fund one tree on average. That is a rough estimate, not a fixed mechanical rule.
Is Ecosia Legit and Safe?
For most users, Ecosia appears legitimate.
The company has an official imprint, a public Help Center, a privacy page, a browser product, transparency reporting, and a long-running environmental mission. Its official imprint identifies the company as Ecosia GmbH in Berlin and lists Christian Kroll as chairman. Its support timeline also says the company became steward-owned in 2018, with a legal structure designed so no one can sell it for profit or take profits out of the company.
On safety, the answer is also generally yes. Ecosia says searches are encrypted, that it only collects data necessary to provide results, and that users control their level of personalization. That does not mean “nothing is ever processed,” but it does support the view that Ecosia is a real and reasonably safe service, not a scam or virus.
Does Ecosia Track You or Sell Your Data?
This is where a simple yes-or-no answer can be misleading.
Ecosia says it only collects data necessary to provide search results, does not use your search data to personalize ads elsewhere, does not compile data across platforms into a personal profile, and never shares your search data with ad services.
At the same time, it also explains that it processes some data needed to run search, including items such as IP address and search terms. It further says that additional usage data can be shared with search partners if you consent to certain personalized features or ads.
So the best answer to “does Ecosia track you” or “does Ecosia sell your data” is this: it does process some data needed for search, but its official position is that it does not sell or reuse your search data in the way people typically fear from big ad platforms.
Does Ecosia Use Google, Bing, or AI?
Yes, Ecosia uses outside search-result providers.
Its official support page says search results and related ads can come from Microsoft Bing, Google, and EUSP (European Search Perspective). Which source you get can depend on your location, device, and privacy or cookie permissions.
So if you are asking does Ecosia use Bing, the answer is yes. If you are asking does Ecosia use Google, the answer is also yes in some contexts. But that does not mean Google owns Ecosia. Ecosia’s official company and stewardship pages point instead to its own German corporate structure and steward-owned setup.
On AI, Ecosia’s homepage says it uses smaller, faster AI models from reliable sources, and it also has a dedicated AI Search product and browser messaging around renewable-backed AI.
If you are comparing broader AI tools beyond search, our guides to AI tools for content creation and best AI website builders are the most relevant reads.
Who Owns Ecosia?
Ecosia’s official imprint identifies the company as Ecosia GmbH, based in Berlin, and lists Christian Kroll as chairman. Its support timeline says Ecosia became steward-owned in 2018 and that no one, including the founder, can sell it for profit or take profits out of the company.
That means the most accurate answer to who owns Ecosia is not just one person’s name. It is that Ecosia is a German company with a mission-protecting stewardship structure.
Is Ecosia a Good Search Engine?
For many people, yes, Ecosia is a good search engine.
If your priorities include privacy-friendly positioning, a climate mission, and a free tool that still feels familiar enough for everyday searches, Ecosia can be a strong fit. Because it pulls results from major partners, it does not feel like a tiny experimental engine with no useful result base.
That said, it is not identical to Google. Results can vary depending on whether they are coming from Bing, Google, or EUSP, and some users may still prefer Google for certain niche, local, or ultra-specific queries.
Does Ecosia Cost Money?
No. Ecosia is free to use.
Its official pages promote switching to Ecosia for free across search, browser, and mobile experiences.
How to Start Using Ecosia
There are several ways to start using Ecosia.
You can search directly on the web through Ecosia.org. You can make Ecosia your default search engine in another browser. You can install the Ecosia extension. Or you can download the Ecosia Browser or mobile app.
How to Make Ecosia Your Default Search Engine
Ecosia’s Help Center provides official setup instructions for major browsers.
For Chrome on desktop, its guide says to open Chrome, go to Settings, then Search engine, then choose Ecosia and set it as default. The same support guide also includes browser-specific instructions for Safari, Edge, Firefox, Brave, Opera, and extensions.
For Safari on iPhone, Ecosia’s mobile guide says to open Settings, tap Safari, tap Search Engine, and choose Ecosia. For Chrome on Android, it says to open Chrome, go to Settings, tap Search Engine, and select Ecosia.
How to Remove Ecosia if You Do Not Want It
If you no longer want Ecosia, the removal method depends on how you installed it.
If you installed the desktop browser, Ecosia says you can uninstall it like any other application. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, find Ecosia, and click uninstall. On Mac, go to Applications and drag the app to the trash.
If you installed the extension, Ecosia’s uninstall page points users to browser-specific extension removal steps for Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge. If you only changed your default search engine, you usually just switch the default back in browser settings rather than “removing” Ecosia entirely.
For the official help docs, link users to Ecosia’s uninstall guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecosia
Is Ecosia legit?
Yes, it appears to be a legitimate company and product. Ecosia has an official company imprint, public support resources, privacy documentation, and a steward-owned structure.
Is Ecosia safe?
Generally yes. Ecosia says searches are encrypted and that it only collects data necessary to provide results, while letting users manage consent and personalization settings.
Does Ecosia actually plant trees?
Ecosia says it dedicates 100% of profits to climate action, mostly tree planting, and works with partners to fund and monitor projects.
Is Ecosia a browser?
It is both a search engine and a browser brand. The search engine is the main product people know, while the browser is a separate app with built-in Ecosia search.
Is Ecosia a good search engine?
For many users, yes. It is especially appealing if you want a free search tool with a climate mission and a more privacy-friendly public position.
Who owns Ecosia?
Ecosia is Ecosia GmbH, based in Berlin. Christian Kroll is listed as chairman, and the company says it has been steward-owned since 2018.
Does Ecosia use Bing?
Yes. Ecosia’s official support page says results and ads can come from Microsoft Bing.
Does Ecosia use Google?
Yes, in some situations. Its official documentation says results and ads can also come from Google.
Is Ecosia free?
Yes. Ecosia is free for users.
Does Ecosia sell your data?
Ecosia says it does not use your search data to personalize ads elsewhere, does not build cross-platform personal profiles, and never shares search data with ad services. But it still processes some data needed to run search, and more can be shared if you opt in to certain features.
Conclusion
So, what is Ecosia?
It is a search engine company with a climate-focused business model, and it also has its own browser. The bigger question, though, is whether Ecosia is legit, safe, useful, and honest enough for everyday use. Based on its official documentation, Ecosia is a real and established product with a clear revenue model, transparency reporting, a stewardship structure, and a more nuanced privacy position than either fans or critics usually claim.
If you are comparing it with other privacy-minded options, you may also want to read our guide to Google search engine alternatives.
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