Exa vs OpenSearch:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, OpenSearch had more branded searches than Exa among search API platforms worldwide. OpenSearch had about 60,500 branded searches, while Exa had 21,400. OpenSearch made up 11.8% of all search API platform searches we track, and Exa accounted for 4.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about search API platforms, Exa appeared in three of the five answers and OpenSearch in none.
Who do people search for more?
OpenSearch, about 3 searches for every 1 for Exa
Who does AI mention more?
Exa, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, OpenSearch in 0
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Top search API platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Exa was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. OpenSearch did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Tavily1st
- SerpApi1st
- Exa3rd
Serper4th- Brave Search API5th
Firecrawl6th
Algolia7th
Typesense8th
Meilisearch9th- +1 more
- OpenSearch–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- SerpApi4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Firecrawl3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Tavily3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Brave Search API3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Exa3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Serper3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Algolia1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Meilisearch1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Typesense1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- OpenSearch0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about search API platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which search API platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best search API platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best search API platform for site search?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“search api platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best search api”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Exa or OpenSearch more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Exa and OpenSearch by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 search API platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for OpenSearch, Exa. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Firecrawl | Tavily | SerpApi | OpenSearch | Algolia | Brave Search API | Exa | Meilisearch | Serper | Typesense | Elastic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 18.6% | 12.4% | 18.6% | 15.2% | 13.5% | 2.5% | 3.2% | 6.8% | 1.8% | 3.7% | 3.7% |
| Nov 2025 | 16.2% | 13.2% | 19.8% | 16.2% | 14.2% | 2.6% | 2.8% | 5.9% | 2% | 3.2% | 3.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 18.8% | 12.6% | 23% | 12.6% | 11.2% | 2.1% | 6.4% | 5.6% | 1.6% | 3.1% | 3.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 21.9% | 14.7% | 18% | 12% | 10.6% | 6.6% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 1.6% | 2.4% | 2.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 18.8% | 18.8% | 15.4% | 10.3% | 7.5% | 15.4% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 2.1% | 2.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 22.9% | 22.9% | 12.6% | 8.4% | 7.4% | 12.6% | 3.4% | 3.8% | 2% | 2.1% | 2% |
| Apr 2026 | 30% | 20.2% | 13.5% | 9% | 7.9% | 6% | 3.9% | 3.3% | 1.9% | 2.2% | 2% |
| May 2026 | 27.9% | 22.8% | 12.5% | 10.2% | 7.3% | 5.6% | 4.2% | 3.8% | 1.9% | 2% | 1.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 28.2% | 23.1% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 7.4% | 4.6% | 4.2% | 3.8% | 2% | 2.1% | 1.7% |
| Jul 2026 | 25.9% | 21.1% | 14.2% | 11.6% | 8.3% | 5.2% | 3.9% | 3.5% | 2.4% | 2.3% | 1.7% |
| Aug 2026 | 31.8% | 21.2% | 11.7% | 9.5% | 8.3% | 4.3% | 4.1% | 3.5% | 2% | 1.9% | 1.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 26.2% | 21.4% | 14.4% | 11.8% | 8.3% | 4.3% | 4.2% | 3.5% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 1.6% |
How has the Exa and OpenSearch comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- OpenSearch was ahead of Exa in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Exa’s share of searches among search API platforms worldwide moved from 3.2% to 4.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 12.8K to 21.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenSearch’s share of searches among search API platforms worldwide moved from 15.2% to 11.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 60.5K.
How did search popularity change for search API platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, OpenSearch gained share of searches among search API platforms worldwide, from 9.5% to 11.8%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Exa worldwide rose 67.2% over 12 measured months, from 12.8K to 21.4K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Exa’s and OpenSearch’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Exa
2 branded search terms
- exa ai
- exa search
OpenSearch
1 branded search term
- opensearch
Other head-to-heads among search API platforms
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