What is the best free or low-cost alternative to Exa AI?

Perplexity offers a free tier suitable for testing real-time AI search with sources. It provides up to 100 queries per day historically, making it accessible for developers prototyping agent workflows. Other options like BrowserAct typically feature freemium models for no-code scraping, though exact limits vary as of 2026.

Is Perplexity better than Exa AI for AI agents?

Perplexity excels in delivering real-time AI answers with trusted sources, differing from Exa AI's focus on raw crawling and extraction. It suits agents needing synthesized insights over pure data pulls. Developers prioritizing citation-backed responses often prefer it for research workflows.

What is the best Exa AI alternative for no-code automation?

BrowserAct provides no-code AI browser automation and scraping for any site. It targets users avoiding custom code for web data tasks similar to Exa AI. This makes it a strong pick for rapid prototyping in development pipelines.

Can these alternatives handle real-time web search like Exa AI?

Yes, tools like Perplexity and Shaped offer real-time search capabilities with AI optimizations. They provide structured outputs for agents, though some emphasize recommendations or visibility tracking over pure crawling. Feature parity depends on specific needs like extraction depth.

What is a good Exa AI alternative for teams tracking AI visibility?

Searchable helps measure and improve visibility in AI search results. Scriptbee complements this by tracking brand visibility across AI search engines. These suit development teams optimizing content for agent discovery.

Is there an open-source alternative to Exa AI on this page?

None of the listed alternatives are confirmed open-source as of 2026 based on available information. Most appear proprietary or API-based, like Perplexity and BrowserAct. Developers seeking open-source options may need to explore beyond this curated list.