Comparison · Search engines
Brave Search vs SearXNG: which is better in 2026?
Brave Search ranks higher in our list of search engines (#3 against #8, score 88.0 against 77.5).
- 88.0Editorial score77.5
- 1Platforms2
- YesFree to useYes
- NoOpen sourceYes
Which should you choose?
Choose Brave Search if you want
Independent results with AI answers.
Runs on an independent index with AI answers and a Search API for developers. Its results can differ from Google's, and the AI answers are a central part of the experience.
Choose SearXNG if you want
Self-hosted metasearch for people who run a server.
An open-source metasearch engine that you run yourself, with no tracking and AGPL-3.0 code. It needs a server and setup, and its results depend on the services that are enabled.
The main differences
- SearXNG is open source; Brave Search is not.
Side by side
 Brave Search |  SearXNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 88.0 | 77.5 |
| Rank in list | #3 of 10 | #8 of 10 |
| Price | Free plan, paid upgradesFree to use; the Search API is paid per request with $5 in free monthly credits | Free and open sourceFree software to run on your own server under AGPL-3.0 |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Platforms | WebWeb | WebSelf-hostedWeb, Self-hosted |
| Made by | Brave | Not stated |
| Privacy model | No profiling | No tracking or profiling |
| AI answers | Yes | No |
| Best for | Independent results with AI answers | Self-hosted metasearch for people who run a server |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about Brave Search vs SearXNG
- Is Brave Search better than SearXNG?
- Brave Search ranks higher in our list of search engines (#3 against #8, score 88.0 against 77.5). Brave Search is best for: independent results with AI answers. SearXNG is best for: self-hosted metasearch for people who run a server.
- Which is cheaper, Brave Search or SearXNG?
- Brave Search: Free to use; the Search API is paid per request with $5 in free monthly credits. SearXNG: Free software to run on your own server under AGPL-3.0.
- Do Brave Search and SearXNG run on the same platforms?
- Brave Search supports Web. SearXNG supports Web, Self-hosted.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.
