Brave Search
- Free forever - unlimited searches
- Leo AI Pro - $14.99/month (Claude Sonnet, GPT-4o)
- Search API - 2,000 requests/month free
- 100% independent index - not Bing, not Google
- 30+ interface languages and search
Search without tracking. An index without middlemen.
- Free forever - unlimited searches
- Leo AI Pro - $14.99/month (Claude Sonnet, GPT-4o)
- Search API - 2,000 requests/month free
- 100% independent index - not Bing, not Google
- 30+ interface languages and search
Search without tracking. An index without middlemen.
Brave Search is an independent search engine from Brave Software that uses its own web page index instead of reselling Google or Bing results. Unlike DuckDuckGo or Ecosia, Brave is not an overlay over someone else's index-it's a full-fledged search system with the AI assistant Leo, automatic Summarizer, and a unique Goggles ranking system.
Key Features of Brave Search
- Independent Search Index - proprietary web page indexing without dependence on Google or Bing guarantees non-personalized and uncensored results.
- AI Answer Engine Leo - the built-in assistant based on Llama and Mixtral (in the free plan) answers complex questions, summarizes pages, and engages in dialogue directly within the search interface.
- Summarizer - the AI summarizer extracts key information from multiple sources and displays a short answer with citations above the search results without clicking links.
- Goggles - unique system for ranking algorithm customization; users can apply ready-made filters or create their own to prioritize academic sources, forums, or news sites.
- Discussions - a separate tab shows results from Reddit, HackerNews, and other forums to check real user opinions on any topic.
- Search API with Independent Index - REST API for developers returns search results, news, images, and AI answers; free up to 2,000 requests a month.
- News and Video with Direct Indexing - news feed is updated in real-time without reliance on aggregators; videos are indexed independently.
Pros and Cons of Brave Search
- 100% independent index with no intermediaries
- No advertising profiling or tracking
- Goggles - control over ranking
- Discussions - live forum discussions separately
- Free Search API up to 2,000 requests
- Summarizer works without subscription
- Index is smaller than Google for niche queries
- Weak localization for Russian
- Leo Pro is expensive ($14.99 compared to ChatGPT Plus)
- No separate mobile app
Pricing and Plans of Brave Search
- Full search without limitations
- AI Summarizer with sources
- Leo AI (Llama / Mixtral)
- Goggles and Discussions
- News, Video, Image search
- No tracking or ad profiles
- Claude Sonnet and Haiku by Anthropic
- GPT-4o and premium models
- Increased request limits
- Priority access without queues
- Early access to new AI features
- All from the free plan
- Up to 2,000 requests per month
- Web search, news, images
- Independent Brave index
- JSON responses
- Web search, news, video, images
- AI Summarizer in responses
- Independent Brave index
- SLA support
Brave Search vs Competitors: Honest Comparison
The main difference between Brave and DuckDuckGo is not marketing but technical: DuckDuckGo returns Bing and Yandex results, while Brave builds its own index. This means truly different results, not just another interface over the same content.
Perplexity AI is positioned as an AI Answer Engine and uses Google and Bing indices as data sources. Brave is a full-fledged search engine where AI (Leo) complements classic results, not the main product. For privacy-minded users, Perplexity is not an alternative as its backend is tied to third-party search data.
You.com also combines search and AI but is oriented towards the corporate segment with tariffs above $15/month for basic functions. Brave offers comparable AI capabilities for free or $14.99 with an emphasis on privacy rather than enterprise functions.
Use Cases for Brave Search
Who Should Use Brave Search
- Privacy-conscious users - searching for information without ad profiling and Google personalization.
- Developers and Startups - need Search API with an independent index for AI apps; free tier covers up to 2,000 requests/month.
- Researchers and Analysts - non-personalized results are vital for objective analysis of the information space.
- Brave Browser Users - audience of 70+ million people uses Brave Search as the default search engine with full Leo integration.
- Tech-savvy Users - want to control the ranking algorithm through Goggles and customize search for specific tasks.
How to Get Started with Brave Search
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1Go to search.brave.com - no registration required, search is available immediately and free without creating an account.
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2Try Summarizer and Discussions - enter any question and note the AI answer at the top and the Discussions tab for forum discussions.
- 3Set up Goggles - go to the Goggles section and choose a ready-made filter (academic sources, forums, news sites) or create your own.
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4Subscribe to Leo AI Pro if necessary - if you need Claude Sonnet or GPT-4o right in search, subscribe for $14.99/month through Brave account settings.
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5Get a Search API key - for developers: register at api.search.brave.com, the first 2,000 requests per month are free with no card needed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Brave Search
Is Brave Search free?
Yes, basic search, Summarizer, Leo AI (Llama/Mixtral), Goggles, and Discussions are available free without time limits and without mandatory registration. The paid Leo AI Pro plan for $14.99/month grants access to Claude Sonnet and GPT-4o.
How is Brave Search different from DuckDuckGo?
DuckDuckGo returns Bing and Yandex results-Brave builds its independent index from scratch. This means fundamentally different data sources, not just another interface over the same content.
What are Goggles and how to use them?
Goggles is a system for adjusting the ranking algorithm: you select a ready-made filter (e.g., "only forums" or "academic sources") or create your own. It's the only such feature in mainstream search.
Is there a Search API for developers?
Yes - a REST API with an independent index is available at api.search.brave.com, the first 2,000 requests a month are free. Paid tier is $5 per 1,000 requests with AI Summarizer in responses and SLA.
Does Brave Search track users?
No - Brave Search does not build advertising profiles, sell data, or store IP addresses longer than necessary. Search operates without tracking cookies or requiring account login.
Conclusion: Is It Time to Switch to Brave Search
Brave Search is not just a "private Google" but a standalone search ecosystem with an independent index, AI tools, and unique features like Goggles and Discussions. For developers, researchers, and anyone prioritizing privacy without compromising search quality, Brave Search in 2025 is the most mature alternative among privacy-first search engines.