Desearch vs Exa

    Exa offers configurable web retrieval. Desearch combines web search with dedicated social data APIs.

    Both return web results, page content, and AI answers. Exa offers search categories and multiple retrieval modes; Desearch adds dedicated APIs for public social records.

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    At a glance

    Scroll the table sideways to compare both APIs.

    Desearch and Exa: capabilities and workflow differences
    CapabilityDesearchExa
    Lowest listed price per 1,000 searches$1.00 (Web Search)$7.00 (/search with up to 10 results)
    SimpleQA Verified reference URL in top 10 (463 questions)99.1% (balanced)79.5% (auto)
    Main workflowWeb and social context for agentsWeb retrieval with search and research modes
    Web searchTitles, links, and snippetsResults with category filters and content options
    AI answersOptional AI summary with source linksAnswer API with citations and structured output
    Page extractionExtract content from a supplied URLPage text, highlights, and summaries
    SourcesWeb + public X, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram dataWeb categories including companies, people, and publications
    BillingUsage-based; cost metadata on billable responsesRates by search mode, content, and research product

    Prices are each vendor’s lowest self-serve list price for a standard search, checked . Billing units and result contents differ, so compare a complete task. Benchmark scores come from Desearch’s own open benchmark; metric, provider modes, and raw data.

    Which fits your workflow?

    When to consider Exa

    • You need searches focused on company pages, people profiles, or publications.
    • You want to select page text, relevant highlights, or summaries as context.
    • You need the Answer API's citations and structured output options.

    When to consider Desearch

    • Your agent needs structured public social records alongside web results.
    • You want to select AI Search sources and make the summary optional.
    • You want one account for search, page extraction, and social retrieval.

    How pricing works

    Desearch

    Usage-based billing: Web Search $1.00 per 1,000 searches, AI Search $0.40 per 1,000 items, Extract $0.50 per 1,000 pages, X Search $0.15 per 1,000 posts. Each billable response reports its cost in USD.

    View Desearch pricing

    Exa

    Pay-as-you-go rates by product. The lowest listed search price is $7.00 per 1,000 (/search with up to 10 results), checked Sep 16, 2026. Search mode, content options, and research runs affect the bill. Use the current rate card for the exact combination your application needs.

    View Exa pricing

    Common questions

    Consider Exa when search categories, retrieval modes, or page-content controls drive your requirements. Consider Desearch when an agent also needs structured public social records. Use a shared set of queries to compare relevance and output format.

    Yes. Desearch offers Extract API and AI Search. Exa offers Contents for text, highlights, and summaries, plus Answer for responses with citations. These endpoints have different request and response schemas.

    A web result links to a page. Desearch's dedicated social APIs return platform-specific records. Their scope varies: Instagram keyword search finds profiles, while Facebook keyword search uses Meta Ad Library records.

    Estimate the searches, results, content, and AI output needed to finish a task. Exa's rates vary by product and options; Desearch's vary by endpoint and unit. Compare current rates and actual responses before choosing.
    Sources · Reviewed

    Based on official product documentation. Follow the pricing links above for current plans and rates.

    Compare with your own queries.

    Try Desearch on a task you would run with Exa. Compare the source coverage, response format, and cost for your workflow.

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