OpenEvidence vs Surf
Which Research Assistants AI tool is better in 2026?
OpenEvidence
AI medical assistant for clinicians
Surf
AI research model purpose-built for crypto and digital-asset intelligence
Side-by-side
OpenEvidence is the more established option (raised $735M); pricing is comparable on both sides.
| Metric | OpenEvidence | Surf |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | AI medical assistant for clinicians | AI research model purpose-built for crypto and digital-asset intelligence |
| Foundedi | 2022🏆 | 2025 |
| HQi | San Francisco, US | San Francisco, US |
| Employeesi | 50-200 | 11-50🏆 |
| Neuron scorei | 63🏆 | 55 |
| Total fundingi | $735M🏆 | $15M |
| Latest roundi | Series D · Jan 2026 | Seed |
| Valuationi | $12B🏆 | — |
| Cheapest paid plani | — | Pricing not disclosed |
| Free plani | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free triali | ✗ | ✓ |
| Top tier pricei | Enterprise · Contact sales | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summaryi | 1 published plans | Free |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for OpenEvidence and Surf.
| Capability | OpenEvidence | Surf |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✓ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | 2 (TypeScript, Python) | — |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✓ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of OpenEvidence
- Has raised more capital ($735M vs $15M)
- Higher Neuron score (63 vs 55)
- More mature (2022)
- Verified profile
🔵 Strengths of Surf
- Offers a free plan
- Offers a free trial
- Newer company (2025)
Which should you choose?
Choose Surf if price matters most — it starts at Free, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both Research Assistants tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose OpenEvidence if you want the most established option — it has raised $735M, 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
OpenEvidence vs Surf — which is better?
It depends on your priority. OpenEvidence has raised more capital and is the more established option; Surf has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is OpenEvidence cheaper than Surf?
No — Surf's cheapest paid plan is Free, while OpenEvidence's is Freemium.
Do OpenEvidence and Surf offer free plans?
OpenEvidence: Paid only. Surf: Yes, has a free plan.
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