AI Tools·Standings

AI Search Tools

AI search tools find answers across the web or connected files; choose by search scope, source citations, and the apps and platforms you need.

Read the signal score out of 10 alongside marks for a public API, open-source code, and a free tier. Compare free plans, starting prices, cited sources, knowledge connectors, team access, and browser extensions.

• 21 platforms
• 1 with a public API on this page
• 11 with a free tier
• Checked 10 Oct 2026

1. #PlatformSignalPlugs inPrice
2. 1
   MC

   Microsoft Copilotcopilot.microsoft.com
   6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $99.99/yr
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3. 2
   C

   Consensusconsensus.app

   Consensus is an AI academic search engine that retrieves scientific papers and produces cited syntheses.

   6.6 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $20/mo
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4. 3
   DD

   Dropbox Dashdash.dropbox.com

   AI workspace finds work files across connected apps and answers questions from their content.

   6.3 APIOpenFree From $15/mo
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5. 4
   YC

   You.comyou.com
   6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
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6. 5
   GN

   Gemini Notebooknotebook.google

   Research notebook answers from supplied files, sites, videos, and audio with exact-quote citations.

   6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
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7. 6
   S

   Sliteslite.com

   Team knowledge workspace with publishing and custom domains, from $10 per user monthly annually.

   6.2 APIOpenFree From $120/yr
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8. 7
   GA

   Google AI Modegoogle.com

   Google search mode handles text, voice, images, and files, with linked answers and follow-ups.

   6.2 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $4.99/mo
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9. 8
   SA

   Sana AIsana.ai

   Knowledge assistant creates agents from chosen sources and records meetings from Zoom, Teams, and Meet.

   6.1 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $30/mo
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10. 9
    SS

    Semantic Scholarsemanticscholar.org

    Free AI search for scientific literature with web access, an API, and a browser extension.

    6.0 APIOpenFree Free tier
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11. 10
    S

    Scitescite.ai

    Scite helps researchers discover and evaluate scientific literature through Smart Citations that show whether later studies support, contradict, or mention a…

    6.0 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $14/mo
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12. 11
    E

    Elicitelicit.com
    5.9 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $11/mo
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13. 12
    GV

    Google Vertex AI Searchcloud.google.com

    Agent Search, formerly Vertex AI Search, builds AI-enabled search and recommendation experiences for public websites and mobile applications.

    5.7 APIOpenFree From $4/mo
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14. 13
    KS

    Komo Searchkomo.ai

    Free web AI search gives sourced answers, daily credits, focus modes, and search history.

    5.6 APIOpenFree Free tier
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15. 14
    G

    Gurugetguru.com

    Paid internal knowledge platform with mobile apps, web access, an API, extensions, SSO, and version history.

    5.5 APIOpenFree —
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16. 15
    AK

    Amazon Kendraaws.amazon.com

    Enterprise search service for websites and applications, with service connectors and question answering.

    5.5 APIOpenFree From $0.32/mo
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17. 16
    H

    Hebbiahebbia.com

    Hebbia describes its platform as institutional AI for investors, bankers, lawyers, consultants, and Fortune 500 companies.

    5.3 APIOpenFree —
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18. 17
    C

    Coveocoveo.com

    Paid search service for websites and applications through web and API access, with a free trial.

    5.3 APIOpenFree —
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19. 18
    S

    Sinequasinequa.com

    Enterprise search platform with over 200 connectors and support for more than 130 languages.

    5.2 APIOpenFree —
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20. 19
    GA

    Glean Agent Builderglean.com

    Web tool builds AI agents with plain-language instructions, templates, branching, and loops.

    4.8 APIOpenFree —
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21. 20
    E

    Exaexa.ai
    4.6 APIOpenFree Free tier
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22. 21
    KS

    Kagi Searchkagi.com

    Paid Android and web search from $5 monthly, offering source lists and deep research mode.

    4.5 APIOpenFree From $54/yr
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Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this board are open to sponsors. Take #1 · Other ways to advertise

How to choose

Which search scope and sources do you need?

Start with the places you want searched, then compare the Search scope and Cited sources fields. These show whether a tool fits web research, internal files, or source-backed answers.

Consensus and Elicit are listed with free plans; Google AI Mode also has a free plan and a paid option from $9.99 per month.

Which platforms does it need to run on?

Match the platform marks to your workflow: options on this board include web, API, iOS, Android, browser extension, and macOS.

An API is a way for another app to send requests to the search tool. Check the API access mark when you want to connect search with software you already use.

Do you need a free plan or a trial?

Use the Free plan and Paid from fields to set a starting budget, and check trial notes before committing. Elicit lists a free plan with paid access from $11 per user each month; Exa lists a free plan with paid access from $7.

Amazon Kendra starts at $1.12 and lists a 30-day trial. Dropbox Dash starts at $19 per user per month and also lists a 30-day trial.

Will it connect to team knowledge and apps?

Check Knowledge connectors, Team access, and API access together. Connectors link the search tool to stored company information, while team access supports shared use.

Pricing on request is listed for Glean Agent Builder and Hebbia, so ask those makers for a quote before comparing total cost.

Do you need open-source code?

Use the open-source mark when licence access and the ability to inspect or change code matter. If you need to read or modify code, check the licence for the tool you are considering.

Questions

Which AI search tools have a free plan?

The board marks free plans. Examples include Consensus, Elicit, Exa, Gemini Notebook, and Google AI Mode.

Which AI search tools offer an API?

Use the API access field to compare tools that can connect with other software. The API platform mark also shows tools designed to run through an API.

What platforms do AI search tools support?

Platform marks cover web, API, iOS, Android, browser extension, and macOS. Check the marks for the device or connection you use.

Which AI search tools include a free trial?

Trial details appear in pricing notes. Amazon Kendra and Dropbox Dash list 30-day trials.

How much does Elicit cost?

Elicit lists a free plan and paid access from $11 per user per month.

Some top positions on this board can be paid placements, standing where they were sold. The facts on each platform are not for sale. How we rank · Disclosure