Best AI Search Engines in 2026
Updated
In short: Perplexity is ranked #1 of 27 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Andi AI and Consensus. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Andi AI. The lowest first paid tier on this page is SciSpace at $1/mo.
AI search engines combine search with features for exploring sources and research questions. Compare citation format, source filters, and deep research mode, then consider API access and browser extensions if those fit your workflow. Mobile apps, monthly query limits, free plans, and paid-from prices provide additional ways to assess access. Perplexity and Google AI Mode lead the ranking, followed by Felo Search and You.com; Consensus and SciSpace are also among the early entries. Use the listed research and access features to compare options against the questions you want to investigate.
27 AI search engines ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Perplexity iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9Free
- 2 Andi AI iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7$49/mo Deep research mode: Yes
- 3 Consensus iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7$20/mo Citation format: inlineDeep research mode: YesSource filters: Yes
- 4 Felo Search iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7$14.99/mo Citation format: footnotesDeep research mode: YesSource filters: Yes
- 5 Genspark Design iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7$19.99/mo
- 6 SciSpace iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7$1/mo Citation format: inlineDeep research mode: YesSource filters: Yes
- 7 Google AI Mode iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.1$4.99/mo Citation format: inlineDeep research mode: YesSource filters: Yes
- 8 Kimi iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.1
- 9 Brave Search iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.9$2.50/mo Deep research mode: YesSource filters: Yes
- 10 Arc Search iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8 Deep research mode: NoSource filters: No
- 11 Embase AI iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8 Citation format: inlineDeep research mode: YesSource filters: Yes
- 12 Kagi Search Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8$4.50/mo Citation format: source_listDeep research mode: YesSource filters: Yes
- 13 Yahoo Scout iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7 Citation format: inline
- 14 AlphaSense Generative Search iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6 Citation format: inlineDeep research mode: YesSource filters: Yes
- 15 OpenEvidence iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6 Citation format: inline
- 16 You.com iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6Free
- 17 Elicit No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3$11/mo
- 18 Scite No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2$14/mo Citation format: inlineDeep research mode: YesSource filters: Yes
- 19 Jina AI No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1Free Citation format: mixedDeep research mode: YesSource filters: Yes
- 20 Semantic Scholar No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1Free Source filters: Yes
- 21 Iris.ai No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Source filters: Yes
- 22 Keenious No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Source filters: Yes
- 23 Komo Search No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Citation format: source_listDeep research mode: Yes
- 24 PropensityAI No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Citation format: inlineSource filters: Yes
- 25 Undermind No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Citation format: inlineDeep research mode: Yes
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which AI search engine is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Perplexity is ranked #1 of 27 with a score of 7.9. Andi AI is second and Consensus third.
How many of these have a free plan?
11 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, SciSpace has the lowest first paid tier we found: $1/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.