Q4Search 1.3.7.3

Overview

QSearch is a bit of an interesting curiosity. It is its own Chrome based web browser inside its own application. Different types of search queries are sectioned off with a navigational list down the left hand side and a typical search box is present at the top of their interface. However, searches are then pushed out to other search engines that do the heavy lifting. Therefore, the result is basically a dedicated search application as “QSearch” which does benefit from segmenting search types a bit more for different kinds of searches, but beyond that the results are basically the same as being received from any web browser.

Interface

QSearch has its own interface which is pleasing to look at. There is a menu system as a left sidebar which includes sections for Personal, Translation, Books, Health, Music, Finance, Torrents, and Files.

The QSearch search bar is shown at the top of the page in blue, with a back and forward arrow, plus a reload curled icon. There is also a search button to the right, and minimize, maximize and close icons in the top right corner. The search result is shown below as a full web page, so you can search through the program and its own search bar, then see a Google or Bing search page below with two search boxes then showing. Hopefully not confusing for users.

Pros

• The main feature of Q4Search is the ability to open any highlighted text as a Google search. You can basically open any local or web document, highlight some words, press Ctrl+Q and that will open a Google search for those highlighted words.
• Performs web searches without a web browser (theoretically)
• Run searches directly within the package
• Search for content, movies, books, and more
• Useful for people who don't want to have to fire up their web browser each time they wish to benefit from web search facilities
• Runs on Windows 7, 8, 10

Cons

• Two search bars through searches that display when both the search interface for the application and the search site displays its results
• Now uses Chrome as its web browser core, so essentially it is just another web browser but only for searching

Conclusion

QSearch is a useful search function which doesn't require a web browser page to be loaded in order to make use of the power of Google search. With that said, the app is essentially its own web browser anyway and merely forwards the search on to other search engines for processing. Therefore, there could be privacy concerns as now not only Google, Bing, etc., but also QSearch know all that you're searching for. Where's the real benefit here?