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Best Ai Search Tools in 2026

These AI search tools locate information, search selected sources, and link knowledge to produce answers. The services listed run on the web, via APIs, on iOS and Android, as browser extensions, or on macOS.

21 apps
Research read 10 Oct 2026
How the order is worked out

1

Consensus

Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+2

Consensus combines broad academic search with filters, research workflows, and citations linked to paper passages.

7.7 Free plan Visit site
2

Gemini Notebook

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Gemini Notebook combines source-grounded answers with study and audio-generation tools. Check the Free plan’s daily limits and the Keep Activity requirement for certain features before choosing it.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
3

Elicit

Free plan APIWeb

Elicit brings paper search, document-based workflows, and cited outputs into one research assistant. The free Basic plan has usage limits, while API access is reserved for Pro and higher.

7.2 Free plan · paid from $11/user/mo Visit site
4

Google AI Mode

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

AI Mode combines search links and AI responses with varied input options, follow-up searches and interactive visuals.

7.2 Free plan · paid from $9.99/mo Visit site
5

Microsoft Copilot
by Microsoft Copilot
Free plan WebWindowsMac+2

Copilot offers a free entry point and paid Microsoft 365 plans with different levels of AI usage and bundled apps. Compare the plan-specific usage, storage, and family access terms before subscribing.

7.1 Free plan · paid from $9.99/mo Visit site
6

Scite

Free plan APIExtensionWeb

Scite combines citation classification, literature search, manuscript checking, and collection alerts in one service. Its free plan offers a way to start, while advanced access requires a paid plan.

6.9 Free plan · paid from $20/mo (annual) · 7-day trial Visit site
7

Semantic Scholar

Free plan APIExtensionWeb

Semantic Scholar combines paper discovery with saved libraries, reading aids, and an API at no cost.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
8

You.com

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1

You.com groups web search, extraction, research, and grounded-answer APIs for developer applications.

6.9 Free plan · paid from $15/user/mo (annual) Visit site
9

Sana AI

Free plan iPhoneWeb

Sana Agents combines organizational knowledge access with task automation, integrations, and meeting recordings.

6.8 Free plan Visit site
10

Komo Search

Free plan Web

Komo Search offers a free tier with daily credits, focus modes, and search history. Users who need deep research or premium models must move beyond the Free plan.

6.7 Free plan Visit site
11

Dropbox Dash

Free trial AndroidAPIExtension+4

Dropbox Dash brings cross-app search, sourced answers, and shared Stacks into a cloud workspace. Review its paid starting price and possible future connected-item limit before choosing it.

6.5 From $19/user/mo · 30-day trial Visit site
12

Amazon Kendra

Free trial APIWeb

Kendra combines search, source connectors, analytics, and document enrichment, with retrieval features for generative AI workflows.

6.3 From $1.12 · 30-day trial Visit site
13

Coveo
by Coveo
Free trial APIWeb

Choose Coveo when an organization needs enterprise search, recommendations, or product discovery across customer, employee, service, or commerce experiences.

6.2 Pricing on request Visit site
14

Google Vertex AI Search

Free trial AndroidAPIiPhone+1

Agent Search offers broad data-source coverage, semantic retrieval, and generated answers for web and mobile experiences. Its paid query pricing and trial limits are central planning considerations.

6.2 From $1.50 Visit site
15

Exa

Free plan

5.8 Free plan · paid from $7 Visit site
16

Slite
by Slite
Free trial AndroidAPIExtension+4

Slite combines team documentation with review workflows, connected-tool search, and AI-assisted maintenance.

5.8 From $10/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
17

Guru
by Guru
Paid AndroidAPIExtension+2

Organizations publishing content for internal teams should consider Guru for its web access, single sign-on, version history, and analytics.

5.7 Pricing on request Visit site
18

Hebbia

Paid APIiPhoneWeb

Choose Hebbia if your institution needs finance-focused AI, traceable analysis, or workflows built around firm processes.

5.5 Pricing on request Visit site
19

Glean Agent Builder

Paid Web

Glean Agent Builder offers visual workflow creation, model choices, and connections to enterprise data under organizational permissions.

5.4 Pricing on request Visit site
20

Sinequa

Paid Self-hostedWeb

Sinequa combines enterprise search, assistants, and agents with permission-aware access to organizational data.

4.8 Pricing on request Visit site
21

Kagi Search

Paid AndroidWeb

Kagi Search offers a trial and paid tiers with different search allowances. Starter has a monthly cap; Professional and Ultimate include unlimited searches at higher listed prices.

4.7 From $5/mo Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Review free plans, trial periods, entry prices, search coverage, source citations, knowledge connectors, team features, browser extensions, and API availability. If you need to read or change code, check the licence terms before choosing.

Questions

Which AI search tools have a free plan?

Free plans are listed for Consensus, Elicit, Exa, Gemini Notebook, and Google AI Mode.

Which tools offer a free trial?

Amazon Kendra and Dropbox Dash show 30-day trial periods.

What does Amazon Kendra cost?

Amazon Kendra lists pricing from $1.12 and a 30-day trial. It does not list a free plan.

Can I use these tools through an API?

API access is a comparison point for this category. Check the individual tool details for availability.

What platforms are covered?

The listed access options are web, API, iOS, Android, browser extension, and macOS.

Questions

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