Stay free if you only need 100 searches and standard ai models. Upgrade if you need unlimited searches and kagi assistant quick mode. Most solo builders can start free.
Why it matters: Requires a paid subscription for regular use beyond the 100-search free trial
Available from: Starter
Why it matters: Smaller index than Google, so some obscure or very recent content may not appear
Available from: Starter
Why it matters: Starter plan limited to 300 searches per month, which power users may exhaust quickly
Available from: Starter
Why it matters: No mobile app; relies on setting Kagi as default browser search engine
Available from: Starter
Why it matters: AI Assistant model selection and Research mode restricted to higher-priced Ultimate tier
Available from: Starter
Kagi users consistently report finding answers faster and encountering far less SEO spam, ad-cluttered pages, and commercially biased results. The time saved and improved result quality often justify the subscription cost, especially for professionals, researchers, and anyone who searches frequently. The free trial with 100 searches lets you evaluate the difference before committing.
Kagi's AI Assistant is integrated directly into web search results, combining real-time search data with AI synthesis. The Ultimate tier provides access to flagship models like Claude 4.6 Opus and GPT 5.4 through Research mode. Unlike standalone chatbots, Kagi grounds AI responses in current search results, reducing hallucination risk.
On the Starter plan with 300 monthly searches, you can upgrade to Professional ($10/month) for unlimited searches at any time. Unused balance is pro-rated and applied to your new plan. The Professional tier is the most popular choice for daily users who want unlimited search without restrictions.
Yes, Kagi works on all mobile browsers by setting it as your default search engine. There is no dedicated mobile app, but the web experience is fully responsive and optimized for mobile use. Kagi provides browser extension support for easy integration on desktop browsers as well.
Both prioritize privacy, but Kagi's subscription model means it has zero incentive to collect any user data since it does not rely on advertising. DuckDuckGo still serves ads in search results (though privacy-respecting ones), which requires some level of query processing. Kagi collects no search data for advertising purposes and does not build user profiles.
Start with the free plan — upgrade when you need more.
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Last verified March 2026