Desktop Meta Search Engines

Last updated Jul. 12, 2023.
by Greg R.

Desktop meta search engines are downloadable software programs which can be used to search multiple search engines simultaneously. Most also provide post-processing options such as downloading the results, checking for duplicates, verifying keywords, sorting, and storage. Prices rounded to nearest dollar and current as of Feb. 2003.

Product	Price
BullsEye Free, Plus, & Pro	Free; $50, or $199
Copernic Agent Basic, Personal, & Professional	Free; $30;  $80
WebFerret (Free or Pro)	Free; $30
EasySeeker from BlueSquirrel	Free or $20 (no ads)
WebSeeker from BlueSquirrel	$25
X-Portal Findware	Discontinued
Infoseek Express	Discontinued
Internet FastFind	Discontinued
WebCompass	Discontinued

See my column published in ONLINE for more information:

• May 1997: Mega-Searching From the Desktop

Problems: These multiple search engines are a commendable effort; however, the problems still outweigh their benefits. All have significant limitations as a comprehensive search tool. They are subject to time outs, when search processing takes too long. Since most only retrieve the top 10-50 hits from each search engine, the total number of hits retrieved may be considerably less than found by doing a direct search on one of the search engines. Advanced search features on individual search engines are not usually available. Phrase and Boolean searching may not be properly processed or available. Few really search all the major search engine databases. Be sure to check for results from Google, FAST, Teoma, and Inktomi.