Onyx vs Vespa.ai
Which Search AI tool is better in 2026?
Onyx
Vespa.ai
Big-data serving engine for vector and lexical search
Side-by-side
Vespa.ai leads on both fronts — more capital raised ($31M) and a lower entry price than Onyx.
| Metric | Onyx | Vespa.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | — | Big-data serving engine for vector and lexical search |
| Foundedi | — | 2023🏆 |
| HQi | — | Trondheim, NO |
| Employeesi | 11-50 | 51-100🏆 |
| Neuron scorei | 72 | 82🏆 |
| Total fundingi | $10M | $31M🏆 |
| Latest roundi | Seed | Series A · Nov 2023 |
| 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 Vespa.ai.
| Capability | Onyx | Vespa.ai |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✓ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✓ |
| SDK languages | — | 3 (python, java, rest) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✓ |
🟢 Strengths of Onyx
- Strong in AI Search
🔵 Strengths of Vespa.ai
- Has raised more capital ($31M vs $10M)
- Higher Neuron score (82 vs 72)
- Newer company (2023)
Which should you choose?
Choose Vespa.ai 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 Vespa.ai if you want the most established option — it has raised $31M, 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.
💸 Deals
Vespa Cloud — $300 in free trial credits
New Vespa Cloud accounts get $300 in trial credits to spin up production-grade vector + lexical search.
Terms: New accounts only. Expires after 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Onyx vs Vespa.ai — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Onyx is the leaner option; Vespa.ai is cheaper to start. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Onyx cheaper than Vespa.ai?
No — Vespa.ai's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Onyx's is Free.
Do Onyx and Vespa.ai offer free plans?
Onyx: Yes, has a free plan. Vespa.ai: Yes, has a free plan.
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