Desearch vs Perplexity API
Compare Desearch's web and social data APIs with Perplexity's search and model APIs.
Both can supply web results and AI answers. Desearch adds dedicated social records and URL extraction; Perplexity offers model access with integrated search through its Agent API.
At a glance
Scroll the table sideways to compare both APIs.
| Capability | Desearch | Perplexity API |
|---|---|---|
| Main workflow | Search and social data for your agent | Web search plus model and agent APIs |
| Web search | Titles, links, and snippets | Ranked results with filters and content budgets |
| AI answers | Optional AI summary with source links | Agent web-search responses; cited Sonar answers |
| Page content | Extract content from a supplied URL | Search-result content with token limits |
| Sources | Web + public X, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram data | Web retrieval and integrated agent search tools |
| Billing | Usage-based; cost metadata on billable responses | Search requests; model and tool costs by API |
Which fits your workflow?
When to consider Perplexity API
- You need raw search results with control over returned content size.
- You want multiple model providers and web search through the Agent API.
- You use Sonar's cited chat responses with OpenAI-compatible clients.
When to consider Desearch
- Your agent needs structured public social records as context.
- You need URL extraction independently of a search-result request.
- You want to choose search sources and make the AI summary optional.
How pricing works
Desearch
Usage-based billing. The billable unit varies by endpoint; cost metadata helps you track each billable request.
View Desearch pricingPerplexity API
Search requests, with separate model and tool charges. Search API uses request pricing. Agent usage combines model and tool costs, while Sonar has its own token and request rates.
View Perplexity API pricingCommon questions
Consider Desearch when your data pipeline needs public social records and URL extraction alongside search. Consider Perplexity when model access and integrated search tools are part of the API you want to use.
Yes. Desearch Web Search and Perplexity Search API both return search results without requiring a generated answer. Compare result fields, filters, and the amount of page content your application needs.
Yes. Desearch AI Search can include a summary with source links, and Perplexity Sonar returns cited answers. Perplexity also offers an Agent API with integrated web search.
Separate raw search requests from generated answers. Perplexity's Search, Agent, and Sonar APIs use different billing formulas. Desearch meters usage by endpoint and unit. Include every step required to produce your application's final result.
Sources · Reviewed
Based on official product documentation. Follow the pricing links above for current plans and rates.