Consensus vs Onyx
Which Search AI tool is better in 2026?
Consensus
AI search engine that answers research questions from 220M+ peer-reviewed papers
Onyx
Onyx, formerly Danswer, is an open-source enterprise AI search and assistant that connects to
Side-by-side
Onyx is the more established option (raised $10M); pricing is comparable on both sides.
| Metric | Consensus | Onyx |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | AI search engine that answers research questions from 220M+ peer-reviewed papers | Onyx, formerly Danswer, is an open-source enterprise AI search and assistant that connects to |
| Foundedi | 2021🏆 | — |
| HQi | Boston, United States | — |
| Employeesi | 11-50 | 11-50 |
| Neuron scorei | 61 | 72🏆 |
| Total fundingi | Undisclosed | $10M🏆 |
| Latest roundi | Series B · May 2026 | Seed |
| Valuationi | — | — |
| Cheapest paid plani | Pricing not disclosed | Pricing not disclosed |
| Free plani | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free triali | ✗ | ✓ |
| Top tier pricei | Pricing not disclosed | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summaryi | Free | Free |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Consensus and Onyx.
| Capability | Consensus | Onyx |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Consensus
- Newer company (2021)
🔵 Strengths of Onyx
- Has raised more capital ($10M vs Undisclosed)
- Higher Neuron score (72 vs 61)
- Offers a free trial
Which should you choose?
Choose Onyx if price matters most — it starts at Free, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Search tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Onyx if you want the most established option — it has raised $10M, suggesting more runway for enterprise features, support, and long-term roadmap. For mission-critical workflows or larger teams, that stability often outweighs a lower monthly price.
Frequently asked questions
Consensus vs Onyx — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Consensus is the leaner option; Onyx has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Consensus cheaper than Onyx?
No — Onyx's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Consensus's is Free.
Do Consensus and Onyx offer free plans?
Consensus: Yes, has a free plan. Onyx: Yes, has a free plan.
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