Exa (formerly Metaphor) returns links matching intent rather than keyword overlap via an API. It is aimed at builders adding semantic web search, with a paid API with free trial credits for prototyping. Consumer-facing product is minimal; this is primarily a developer tool. Editorial teams should verify fit against their compliance and workflow needs before rolling it out broadly.
Exa
Exa
Neural search API for developers
PaidScore 72.0#93 overall#3 in Research & Search
81 editorial upvotes · editor score 4.4 / 5
Specs
| Pricing | Paid |
|---|---|
| Starting price | — |
| Free tier | No |
| Platforms | API, Web |
| Launched | Jan 1, 2021 |
| Last verified | Sep 26, 2026 |
| Vendor | Exa |
Highlights
- Semantic search API
- Developer docs
Pros
- Great for agents
- Unique ranking
Cons
- Not a general browser
Alternatives
- PerplexityAnswer engine with cited web sources91.9
- Semantic ScholarFree academic search with AI summaries72.6
- ConsensusSearch engine for scientific consensus71.0
- ElicitResearch assistant for academic literature70.7
- SciteSmart citations showing supporting or contrasting evidence63.9
- Connected PapersVisual graph of related academic papers63.4
Reviews
Reviews open in the next release. Editor scores on this page are editorial estimates, not user ratings.