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Comparison · Search engines

Kagi vs SearXNG: which is better in 2026?

Kagi85.5#4 in best search enginesSearXNG77.5#8 in best search engines

Kagi ranks higher in our list of search engines (#4 against #8, score 85.5 against 77.5).

How we rank Share

  • 85.5
    Editorial score
    77.5
  • 3
    Platforms
    2
  • No
    Free to use
    Yes
  • No
    Open source
    Yes

Which should you choose?

Choose Kagi if you want

Paying for ad-free search.

Ad-free search funded by subscribers, with an AI assistant and Kagi Translate. The monthly fee from $5 is the cost of entry, and the pricing page lists no free search plan.

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

  • Only Kagi runs on iOS.
  • Only Kagi runs on Android.
  • SearXNG is open source; Kagi is not.
  • SearXNG can be used for free; Kagi requires payment.

Side by side

KagiSearXNG
Score85.577.5
Rank in list#4 of 10#8 of 10
PriceSubscriptionStarter $5 a month for 300 searches; Ultimate $25 a month; 100-search trialFree and open sourceFree software to run on your own server under AGPL-3.0
Free to useNoYes
Open sourceNoYes
PlatformsWebiOSAndroidWeb, iOS, AndroidWebSelf-hostedWeb, Self-hosted
Made byNot statedNot stated
Privacy modelNo ads, paid by usersNo tracking or profiling
AI answersYesNo
Best forPaying for ad-free searchSelf-hosted metasearch for people who run a server
Strengths
  • No ads in search results
  • Assistant with Quick and Research modes
  • Monthly plans with a visible search count
  • Open source under AGPL-3.0
  • Says users are neither tracked nor profiled
  • Self-hosting gives control over sources
Limits
  • Requires a subscription after the 100-search trial
  • Top AI models are limited to the highest plan
  • Needs a server and setup
  • Results depend on which upstream services are enabled
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about Kagi vs SearXNG

Is Kagi better than SearXNG?
Kagi ranks higher in our list of search engines (#4 against #8, score 85.5 against 77.5). Kagi is best for: paying for ad-free search. SearXNG is best for: self-hosted metasearch for people who run a server.
Which is cheaper, Kagi or SearXNG?
Kagi: Starter $5 a month for 300 searches; Ultimate $25 a month; 100-search trial. SearXNG: Free software to run on your own server under AGPL-3.0.
Do Kagi and SearXNG run on the same platforms?
Kagi supports Web, iOS, Android. SearXNG supports Web, Self-hosted.

Choosing between the two

Learning Center
1:17Beginner · 4 min readHow 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.1:20Beginner · 6 min readHow 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.

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