Onyx vs Particle
Which Search AI tool is better in 2026?
Onyx
Onyx, formerly Danswer, is an open-source enterprise AI search and assistant that connects to
Particle
AI-powered news reader from ex-Twitter leaders that summarizes every side of a story
Side-by-side
Particle is the more established option (raised $15.3M); pricing is comparable on both sides.
| Metric | Onyx | Particle |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | Onyx, formerly Danswer, is an open-source enterprise AI search and assistant that connects to | AI-powered news reader from ex-Twitter leaders that summarizes every side of a story |
| Foundedi | — | 2023🏆 |
| HQi | — | San Francisco, United States |
| Employeesi | 11-50🏆 | — |
| Neuron scorei | 72🏆 | 67 |
| Total fundingi | $10M | $15.3M🏆 |
| Latest roundi | Seed | Series A · Nov 2024 |
| 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 Onyx and Particle.
| Capability | Onyx | Particle |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✗ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Onyx
- Higher Neuron score (72 vs 67)
- Offers a free trial
🔵 Strengths of Particle
- Has raised more capital ($15.3M vs $10M)
- Newer company (2023)
Which should you choose?
Choose Particle 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 Particle if you want the most established option — it has raised $15.3M, 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
Onyx vs Particle — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Onyx is the leaner option; Particle has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Onyx cheaper than Particle?
No — Particle's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Onyx's is Free.
Do Onyx and Particle offer free plans?
Onyx: Yes, has a free plan. Particle: Yes, has a free plan.
Explore more AI Search tools
Contextual paths to related AI startups, deals and rankings.