Self-Hosted / Projects / SearXNG
SearXNG
StableSpecs verified August 28, 2026 · against v2026.8.22+9fea41204
Overview
Self-hosted private metasearch engine that aggregates results without tracking.
SearXNG is a self-hosted private metasearch engine for people who want web search without handing every query to a single advertising platform.
Why people choose SearXNG
Official SearXNG docs frame it around privacy, no tracking, and broad engine coverage. It can aggregate results from many upstream search services while letting you control the interface and deployment.
What is included in the stack
The project documents configurable search engines, categories, search syntax, a search API, plugins, favicons, theming, and container deployment paths for Docker or Podman. The broader ecosystem also includes public instance discovery through searx.space.
What to know before you deploy
SearXNG is a metasearch layer, not a full independent web index, so your results still depend on upstream engines. The docs also note that the recommended compose deployment includes extra components like Valkey for a fuller setup, and public-facing instances may need tuning around rate limits, bot protection, or CAPTCHA behavior.
Best fit
Choose SearXNG when you want a private search gateway for yourself, your household, or a small community and you are comfortable maintaining upstream engine settings. If you specifically want to run your own crawler and index, this is a different category of tool.
Interface previews
Screenshots of the SearXNG interface.
Feature support
| Feature | Support |
|---|---|
| Aggregates many search servicesThe official docs say SearXNG can aggregate results from up to 272 search services. | Supported |
| No user tracking or profilingPrivacy is a core project claim in the official documentation. | Supported |
| Tor-friendly usageThe docs explicitly say SearXNG can be used over Tor for additional anonymity. | Supported |
| Docker or Podman deploymentThe installation docs provide official container deployment guidance for Docker and Podman. | Supported |
| Search syntax and category controlsThe user documentation covers search syntax and configurable search categories. | Supported |
| Search API and extensibilityOfficial developer documentation includes a search API, plugins, and engine implementation details. | Supported |
| Recommended compose stack with extra servicesThe official container docs recommend a compose setup that adds components like Valkey for a fuller deployment, while manual single-container setups are also possible for advanced users. | Partial support |
| Public instance discoveryOfficial docs point users to searx.space for public instance discovery and status. | Supported |
Community signals
- Stars
- 38.2k
- Forks
- 3.5k
- Open issues
- 192
- Last commit
- 18h ago
- Repo created
- Apr 2021
Includes open pull requests
Refreshed nightly from the GitHub API.
Questions
What is SearXNG used for?
SearXNG is used to run a private metasearch engine that aggregates results from many upstream search services without profiling users.
Is SearXNG a Google alternative?
It can be used as a privacy-focused search alternative, but it is a metasearch engine rather than an independent crawler, so it still relies on upstream search providers for many results.
Does SearXNG track users?
No. The official docs say users are neither tracked nor profiled.
Does SearXNG support Docker?
Yes. The official container installation docs cover Docker and Podman deployments and recommend compose templates for most users.
Does SearXNG need Valkey or Redis?
For the fuller recommended compose setup, yes, the official docs include Valkey alongside the core service. Advanced users can also run more minimal manual container setups, but the recommended stack is broader than one container.
Can SearXNG run over Tor?
Yes. The official docs explicitly say SearXNG can be used over Tor for additional anonymity.
How many search engines can SearXNG aggregate?
The official documentation says SearXNG can aggregate results from up to 272 search services.
support // the lab
Found this write-up useful?
If it saved you time or a rebuild, you can support more practical homelab guides.