← SERP / search results API
Serper vs Brave Search API for SERP / search results API (Oct 2026)
Depot Pick for this job: Serper. Brave Search API is a ranked runner-up. Both have a sourced price in usd_per_1k_searches, so this comparison is like for like on price. Prices are each provider's lowest sourced SKU in that unit only (no blending across units, input/output or context tiers), not quality-adjusted.
Scores as of 2026-09-14 / 2026-09-14 (43 / 43 days; stale after 30). Prices carry their own dates.
| Serper (Depot Pick) | Brave Search API | |
|---|---|---|
| Job-weighted overall | 8.03 | 8.33 |
| Capability fit | 8 | 8.2 |
| Price / performance | 9.5 | 8.5 |
| Latency / reliability | 8 | 8.6 |
| Developer & agent DX | 8.8 | 8.2 |
| Privacy / data retention | 6 | 9.2 |
| Lock-in risk (higher = worse) | 4 | 3.5 |
| Maturity / track record | 7.8 | 8.5 |
| Lowest sourced SKU (usd_per_1k_searches) | $1 (Google SERP API, Starter top-up) source · as of 2026-10-19 | $5 (Search API) source · as of 2026-10-19 · re-checked 2026-10-27 |
| Free option for this job | none listed | none listed |
| Score kind / confidence | curated_estimate / high | curated_estimate / high |
When not to use Serper
privacy index — Brave; AI-agent search — Tavily/Exa.
Lock-in
Stored lock-in risk (0–10, higher = more lock-in): Serper 4, Brave Search API 3.5.
Agents: GET /api/compare?providers=serper,brave-search&jtbd=serp-scrape · full job page · methodology