Exa vs primitive
Which Agents AI tool is better in 2026?
Exa
Search for AI applications
primitive
Communication infrastructure that lets autonomous agents talk to humans and to each other.
Side-by-side
Exa is the more established option (raised $102M); pricing is comparable on both sides.
| Metric | Exa | primitive |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | Search for AI applications | Communication infrastructure that lets autonomous agents talk to humans and to each other. |
| Foundedi | 2022🏆 | 2026 |
| HQi | San Francisco, US | San Francisco, US |
| Employeesi | 20-50🏆 | — |
| Neuron scorei | 56🏆 | 50 |
| Total fundingi | $102M🏆 | $500K |
| Latest roundi | Series B · Sep 2025 | Seed · Mar 2026 |
| Valuationi | $700M🏆 | — |
| Cheapest paid plani | — | Pricing not disclosed |
| Free plani | ✓ Free | ✓ |
| Free triali | ✓ | ✓ |
| Top tier pricei | Enterprise · Contact sales | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summaryi | 3 published plans | Free |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Exa and primitive.
| Capability | Exa | primitive |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✓ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | 3 (Python, JavaScript, TypeScript) | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✓ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Exa
- Has raised more capital ($102M vs $500K)
- Higher Neuron score (56 vs 50)
- More mature (2022)
- Verified profile
🔵 Strengths of primitive
- Newer company (2026)
Which should you choose?
Choose primitive if price matters most — it starts at Free, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Agents tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Exa if you want the most established option — it has raised $102M, 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
Exa vs primitive — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Exa has raised more capital and is the more established option; primitive has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Exa cheaper than primitive?
No — primitive's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Exa's is Free.
Do Exa and primitive offer free plans?
Exa: Yes, has a free plan. primitive: Yes, has a free plan.
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