Cradle vs Recursion
Which Drug Discovery AI tool is better in 2026?
Cradle
Leverage AI to generate protein candidates and improve their properties, achieving more breakthroughs in fewer experiments.
Recursion
Pioneering AI-driven solutions in drug discovery to radically improve lives.
Side-by-side
| Cradle | Recursion | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Leverage AI to generate protein candidates and improve their properties, achieving more breakthroughs in fewer experiments. | Pioneering AI-driven solutions in drug discovery to radically improve lives. |
| Founded | — | 2013 |
| HQ | — | US |
| Employees | — | 501-1000 |
| Total funding | Undisclosed | Undisclosed |
| Latest round | — | — |
| Valuation | — | — |
| Cheapest paid plan | — | Pricing not disclosed |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Top tier price | Enterprise · Contact sales | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summary | 1 published plans | Enterprise · Contact sales |
| Categories |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Cradle and Recursion.
| Capability | Cradle | Recursion |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | — |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Cradle
- Strong in Drug Discovery
🔵 Strengths of Recursion
- Higher Neuron score (36 vs 12)
- Newer company (2013)
Which should you choose?
Choose Recursion if price matters most — it starts at Enterprise · Contact sales, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both Drug Discovery tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Recursion if you want the most established option — it has raised Undisclosed, 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
Cradle vs Recursion — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Cradle is the leaner option; Recursion has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Cradle cheaper than Recursion?
No — Recursion's cheapest paid plan is Enterprise · Contact sales, while Cradle's is Enterprise · Contact sales.
Do Cradle and Recursion offer free plans?
Cradle: Paid only. Recursion: Paid only.
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