Top AI Search Engines Worth Trying

Unleashing the Power of AI Search Engines: A Comprehensive Guide

Have you ever started a simple search only to find yourself entangled in a web of related topics, spiraling down a rabbit hole of information overload? The journey from "How to make a latte?" to exploring the nuances of "Latte vs. americano?" and delving into the health implications of caffeine consumption is all too familiar. However, with the advent of AI-powered search engines, navigating through the vast sea of information has become more efficient and rewarding, provided you know how to harness their potential.

In a quest to demystify the realm of AI search engines, I embarked on a journey of testing nearly a dozen platforms to curate a list of the top contenders. These nine options stand out for their unique features tailored to cater to diverse user preferences, whether you’re a seasoned marketer or a novice venturing into the world of AI-driven searches. So, grab your favorite cup of coffee or its alternative, and let’s delve into the realm of AI-powered search engines.

What are AI Search Engines?

AI search engines leverage a blend of web crawlers, artificial intelligence algorithms, and user data to enhance search experiences by delivering more relevant and personalized results. Despite their machine-driven nature, these engines are remarkably intuitive, ranking among the top contenders in the search engine landscape. By deciphering human intent more effectively, AI search engines streamline the search process, eliminating the guesswork involved in crafting search queries to yield desired outcomes. Moreover, they often present AI-generated summaries with verifiable sources on search engine results pages, eliminating the need to sift through multiple URLs for validation.

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How I Tested AI Search Engines

To evaluate the prowess of each AI search engine, I conducted standardized tests on Chrome, posing a common query: "What are the latest content marketing trends for SaaS companies in 2025?" Operating in incognito mode with cache clearance between searches, I focused on assessing the comprehensiveness, readability, user experience, citation quality, and suitability for various user profiles. Notably, while many platforms offer free access, some feature tiered pricing structures with additional perks for premium subscriptions, catering to diverse user needs based on AI usage.

9 Best AI Search Engines

1. Perplexity: Best Overall

Perplexity emerges as a top contender for its user-friendly interface, comprehensive results, and rich resource depth. Noteworthy features include a "Sources" tab for easy citation verification and a summary table for quick insights, making it ideal for both novice and experienced marketers.

Pros:

  • Visually appealing and highly readable interface.
  • Extensive citations with 20 sources, including YouTube and Reddit.
  • Detailed trend breakdown and summary table for in-depth research.

Cons:

  • No significant areas for improvement noted.

Pricing:

  • Free forever plan with limited Pro searches.
  • Professional plan at $20/month for enhanced features.

2. Komo: Best for Visual Learners

Komo stands out for its innovative "Perspective Pulse" summary and customizable search options catering to visual learners. With features like persona selection and AI model choice, Komo offers a tailored search experience for diverse user preferences.

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface with color-coded summaries.
  • Customizable search corpus and personas for personalized results.
  • Decent search diversity with 10 listed sources.

Cons:

  • Overwhelming options for new AI search users.
  • Limited search diversity compared to top contenders.

Pricing:

  • Free plan available with tiered pricing from $15 to $200/month.

3. Arc Search: Best for Mobile

Arc Search excels in mobile usability, offering seamless navigation and voice search functionality. With clean results presentation and citation transparency, Arc is a reliable choice for on-the-go users seeking quality search outcomes.

Pros:

  • User-friendly mobile interface with voice search support.
  • Source transparency and YouTube integration.
  • Seamless integration with Google search for enhanced usability.

Cons:

  • Cluttered user experience on mobile.
  • Unclear messaging on certain features.

Pricing:

  • Free plan with no ads for mobile users.

4. Gemini: Best for Google Users

Gemini, formerly known as Bard, caters to Google enthusiasts with its seamless integration into the Google ecosystem. Offering comprehensive results with a focus on content marketing trends and AI insights, Gemini is a go-to choice for users deeply embedded in Google’s suite of products.

Pros:

  • Good search diversity with 13 cited sources.
  • "Double-check response" feature for result validation.
  • Integration with Google’s AI Overviews for enhanced insights.

Cons:

  • Source visibility could be improved for user convenience.

Pricing:

  • Free plan with advanced features available at $20/month.

5. Brave Search: Best for the Privacy-Concerned

Brave Search prioritizes user privacy, offering a secure and ad-free search experience. While excelling in privacy protection, Brave Search falls short in search diversity, but its commitment to data security makes it a compelling option for privacy-conscious users.

Pros:

  • Privacy-centric search engine with no user tracking.
  • Tabbed results for Images, News, and Videos.
  • Google-like interface for user familiarity.

Cons:

  • Limited search diversity with only four sources cited.
  • Unclear advantages in AI-powered search functionality.

Pricing:

  • Free Brave Search with premium ad-free option at $3/month.

6. – 7. Claude and ChatGPT: Best for People Who Dislike Search Engines

Despite not being traditional search engines, Claude and ChatGPT offer unique search functionalities favored by users seeking conversational AI interactions. With simplified summaries and citation transparency, these platforms cater to users averse to conventional search engine interfaces.

Pros:

  • Claude’s conversational tone and ChatGPT’s citation sidebar.
  • Free versions available with affordable Pro options.

Cons:

  • Limited search diversity with only five sources cited.
  • Overwhelming options for new users.

Pricing:

  • Claude Pro at $17/month and ChatGPT Plus at $20/month.

8. Microsoft Copilot: Best for Outlook Users

Microsoft Copilot integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps, offering AI assistance across various productivity tools. While tailored for Microsoft users, Copilot’s web version provides a standard search engine experience, albeit with limited source citations.

Pros:

  • Integration with Microsoft 365 apps for enhanced productivity.
  • Free plan with Pro features available at $20/month.

Cons:

  • Limited source citations compared to other platforms.
  • Suboptimal user experience and search diversity.

Pricing:

  • Free plan with advanced features at $20/month.

9. EXA’s Websets: Best for Academic Research

EXA’s Websets caters to users engaged in deep academic research, offering a comprehensive repository of scholarly resources and search criteria. While not designed for mainstream users, Websets is a valuable tool for meticulous research endeavors requiring exhaustive resource exploration.

Pros:

  • Search functionality across scholarly and blog sources.
  • Criteria-based article evaluation for research precision.

Cons:

  • Complex interface compared to user-friendly platforms.
  • Credit-based pricing model with premium plans available.

Pricing:

  • Free trial with premium plans starting at $200/month.

Where There’s A Will, There’s A(I) Way

In the ever-evolving landscape of AI search engines, the possibilities are boundless. Whether you’re a novice exploring the AI domain or a seasoned marketer seeking advanced research capabilities, these top contenders offer a diverse array of features to cater to your unique needs. Embrace the power of AI-driven searches and embark on a transformative journey of knowledge discovery and information retrieval.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in July 2024 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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