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Serper vs Brave Search API
Agent-native side-by-side. Scores are curated estimates on a 0–10 scale. Lock-in: higher = worse. Prefer JTBD picks via /api/decide when choosing for a job.
| Dimension | Serper | Brave Search API |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 8.0 | 8.3 |
| Capability fit | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| Price / performance | 9.5 | 8.5 |
| Latency / reliability | 8.0 | 8.6 |
| Developer & agent DX | 8.8 | 8.2 |
| Privacy / data retention | 6.0 | 9.2 |
| Lock-in risk (higher = worse) | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Maturity / track record | 7.8 | 8.5 |
| Pricing | As of 2026-09-14: Low-cost Google SERP API; pay-per-query JSON results with generous free starter credits historically. Excellent budget hammer; prefer Tavily/Exa for LLM-shaped agent search long-term. | Independent index search API; plan-based request quotas; privacy-oriented positioning. |
| Tagline | Budget SERP hammer. Great for hacks; prefer Tavily/Exa for cleaner long-term agent search. | Best privacy-forward search API with an independent index. Strong complement to Tavily/Exa. |
Serper
Budget SERP hammer. Great for hacks; prefer Tavily/Exa for cleaner long-term agent search. Strengths: Cheap Google-like SERP; Simple JSON; Fast to integrate.
Strengths
- Cheap Google-like SERP
- Simple JSON
- Fast to integrate
Weaknesses
- Depends on scraping Google results — ToS/fragility risk
- Less 'AI-native' packaging
- Enterprise procurement may balk
Brave Search API
Best privacy-forward search API with an independent index. Strong complement to Tavily/Exa. Strengths: Own index (not just Google scrape); Privacy brand alignment; Straightforward HTTP API.
Strengths
- Own index (not just Google scrape)
- Privacy brand alignment
- Straightforward HTTP API
Weaknesses
- Index coverage vs Google still debated
- Less agent-specific packaging than Tavily
- Newer AI integrations
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