Exa vs Tavily
Which Agents AI tool is better in 2026?
Exa
Search for AI applications
Tavily
Connect your AI agents to the web with real-time search, extraction, research, and web crawling through a single, secure API.
Side-by-side
| Exa | Tavily | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Search for AI applications | Connect your AI agents to the web with real-time search, extraction, research, and web crawling through a single, secure API. |
| Founded | 2022 | — |
| HQ | San Francisco, US | — |
| Employees | 20-50 | — |
| Total funding | $17M | $25M |
| Latest round | series-a · Nov 2023 | series-a |
| Valuation | $150M | — |
| Cheapest paid plan | — | — |
| Free plan | ✓ Free | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Top tier price | Enterprise · Contact sales | Enterprise · Contact sales |
| Pricing summary | 3 published plans | 1 published plans |
| Categories |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Exa and Tavily.
| Capability | Exa | Tavily |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✓ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | 3 (Python, JavaScript, TypeScript) | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✓ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Exa
- Higher Neuron score (51 vs 25)
- Offers a free plan
- Newer company (2022)
- Verified profile
🔵 Strengths of Tavily
- Has raised more capital ($25M vs $17M)
Which should you choose?
Choose Tavily if price matters most — it starts at Enterprise · Contact sales, 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 Tavily if you want the most established option — it has raised $25M, 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 Tavily — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Exa is the leaner option; Tavily has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Exa cheaper than Tavily?
No — Tavily's cheapest paid plan is Enterprise · Contact sales, while Exa's is Free.
Do Exa and Tavily offer free plans?
Exa: Yes, has a free plan. Tavily: Free trial only.
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