What is the best AI search engine in 2025?
AI isn’t just a buzzword anymore, it’s how people are searching for information, making decisions, and getting things done.
In 2024 alone, over 112 million people in the U.S used AI tools regularly. That number is only going up.
As search engines become smarter and more conversation-driven, it’s time for content creators and businesses to rethink how they show up in search results.
In this guide, we’ll walk through 9 of the best AI search engines to focus on in 2025, plus practical tips to help you stay visible and competitive.
What is an AI search engine?
An AI search engine works kind of like Google, but smarter. Instead of just matching keywords, it understands what you’re looking for using machine learning (computers learning from data) and natural language processing (tech that helps machines understand human language).
So instead of showing a long list of links, AI search engines often generate a direct answer, summary, or helpful response, kind of like talking to an assistant that’s already read the whole internet for you.
Also, AI search engines rely on new ways to communicate with websites, and one emerging standard is llms.txt, a simple file that tells AI which content is allowed to be used or indexed. Understanding what is llms.txt and why it matters for SEO in the age of AI (ChatGPT, Perplexity..) can give you a strategic edge in optimizing your site for AI-driven search !
Why it’s a good idea to optimize for AI search
AI is changing how people find and interact with content online. Here’s why it’s worth paying attention to:
It improves the user experience : AI is getting really good at figuring out what people actually mean when they search. That means they get better, more relevant results, faster.
It helps with rankings : Unlike the old days of keyword stuffing, AI search engines focus more on intent. So if your content is clear, helpful, and well-structured, you’ve got a better shot at showing up.
Voice search is everywhere : Think Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. More people are talking to their devices instead of typing, so it’s important to optimize for natural, conversational language too.
It keeps you competitive : More and more businesses are adapting to AI search. If you’re not keeping up, it’s easy to fall behind.
Search is more personal now : AI customizes results based on things like your past searches and preferences. So when your content is properly optimized, it’s more likely to reach exactly the right people.
The 9 AI search engines you should know about in 2025
1. Google SGE (Search Generative Experience)
Google’s SGE is basically a smarter version of search. Instead of just showing you a bunch of links, it gives you AI-generated overviews, quick answers, and even chat-style responses right at the top of your search results.
💡 In fact, over 86% of Google searches now include some kind of AI-generated summary, so this is already becoming the new normal.
What makes it cool:
It can pull info from places like Google Maps, YouTube, Gmail, Drive, and more, all in one place.
You can ask follow-up questions, and it remembers what you were talking about, kind of like chatting with a smart assistant.
It also adds images, carousels, and interactive tools, so the results feel more visual and engaging.
Pros:
Clear, easy-to-digest summaries that save you time
You get suggestions that feel more natural and conversational
Pulls info from reliable Google-owned sources
Cons:
It can sometimes feel overloaded with ads or too many extra features
On slower connections or devices, it may take a bit longer to load than classic search
2. Bing : Best for privacy-conscious users
Microsoft has really leveled up Bing by adding Copilot, which is powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 (yes, the same tech behind ChatGPT). Now, instead of basic search results, you get human-like answers and even creative help, great for things like SEO, keyword ideas, or generating content.
For more on SEO best practices, explore our Blog Post SEO Checklist 2025.
What makes it great:
It can generate both text and images, making it super useful for marketers and creatives.
It pulls in info from videos, news, forums, and social media, not just websites.
One big plus: it actually shows citations for where the information comes from, so you can double-check sources.
Pros:
Great for visual content creation
Lower ad costs than Google, which is a big plus for advertisers
Works smoothly with Microsoft products like Word, Excel, and Edge
Cons:
Still has a smaller user base compared to Google
A lot of people only use it because it’s the default on Windows devices, not by choice
Pricing:
Free: Full access to Copilot’s core search and assistant features with a Microsoft account
Copilot Pro: $20/month for priority access, advanced GPT-4 capabilities, and enhanced integration with Microsoft 365 apps
3. ChatGPT Search : Best for conversational search
This is OpenAI’s version of search. Instead of sending you to a bunch of links, ChatGPT can look up real-time info, summarize it clearly, and even provide helpful links if you want to learn more.
Why it’s great :
It feels like you're just chatting with a smart assistant, not typing into a traditional search box.
You can ask questions in different languages, and it usually gets the meaning just right.
You can follow up naturally, no need to rephrase your question every time.
Pros:
Super fast and easy to use
Often includes source links so you can check the facts
Great for brainstorming ideas, doing research, or writing
Cons:
If real-time browsing isn’t active, it may rely on older information
Like any AI, it can occasionally make mistakes, so it’s good to double-check
Pricing:
Free: Basic access with GPT‑4.1 mini, limited queries, and standard web integration
Plus: $20/month for GPT-4o access, higher query limits, and priority response times
Team/Enterprise: $25/month per user or custom pricing for advanced features
4. Perplexity : Best for finding news and research sources
Think of Perplexity as Google, but with a really clever AI brain behind it. It doesn’t just throw out links, it gives you clear answers with sources, suggests follow-up questions to keep the conversation going, and even lets you filter your search by platforms like Reddit or YouTube.
Pros:
Shows source links right at the top, so you know where info comes from
Lets you create custom collections to save and organize your research
Pulls in real-time information, keeping things up to date
Cons:
Sometimes the answers can feel a bit repetitive
Like any AI tool, it’s not perfect and can occasionally miss the mark
Pricing:
Free: Basic access with GPT-3.5 and limited queries.
Pro: $20/month or $200/year for GPT-4, Claude, and unlimited Pro Search.
Enterprise: Custom pricing for teams.
5. Bagoodex
Bagoodex has one of the clearest and simplest interfaces around, so switching from a regular search engine feels pretty easy. Like other AI tools, it takes a few seconds to generate answers, but what you get is usually clear and relevant.
What to know:
It’s better for general knowledge than for super current events, for example, it didn’t catch the latest release date for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered during testing.
When asked about things like top dividend stocks, it gave specific ticker symbols instead of vague suggestions, which is pretty handy.
How it works:
Search results come with relevant images on the side and a handy floating “Ask Follow-Up” box to keep the conversation going.
It suggests follow-up questions and provides sources for its answers.
Answers stay organized in a thread, which is a nice upgrade from traditional search engines.
You can copy or share links easily.
There’s a chat mode where you can send prompts to different AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and more.
Bagoodex also generates images using models like DALL-E and Flux, and the results are quick and impressive.
Cost & access:
The search is completely free and ad-free right now, and no sign-in is required to use it.
In chat mode, you use credits, signing up with Google gives you 30 credits per day.
If you want more, there are paid plans: Bagoodex Plus ($9/month for 2,000 credits) and Bagoodex Pro ($29/month for 8,000 credits).
Pros:
Very clear and user-friendly interface
Great for general knowledge with specific answers
No ads and no sign-in required for basic search
Threads keep your conversation organized
Supports multiple AI models and image generation
Cons:
Not the best for up-to-the-minute news or very recent events
You need credits for chat mode, which can run out
6. You.com : Best for productivity and customization
You.com stands out because it’s all about privacy, no ads, and customization. You can tweak how it looks, decide which sources it uses, and even add plugins to boost what it can do.
Why people like it:
It doesn’t track your data, so your searches stay private.
It has handy built-in tools, like writing assistants and code generators, making it more than just a search engine.
You can add plugins to personalize your experience and get extra features tailored to your needs.
Pros:
Strong focus on keeping your privacy safe
Combines task management and search in one spot
Gives you a personalized experience that adapts to what you want
Cons:
It can feel a bit overwhelming at first with all the options
Sometimes the platform can be a bit buggy or glitchy
Pricing:
Free: Basic access with ads, limited queries on advanced models
Pro: $20/month for ad-free experience and access to all models, including GPT-4 and Claude.
Team: $30/month per user for collaborative features, unlimited queries and file uploads, and a larger context window (200k)
7. Andi
Andi is a cool mix between a chatbot and a search engine. It answers your questions, summarizes info clearly, and can even change how it looks, whether you want it to feel like Google, Reddit, or just simple markdown notes.
What makes it great:
It scored an impressive 87% accuracy in recent tests, which is pretty solid.
It doesn’t track you or show ads, so your searches stay private.
It works smoothly across different social media and web platforms, pulling info from all over.
Pros:
Lets you customize how results are displayed to suit your style
Gets better over time by learning from user feedback
Really focused on privacy and no ads
Cons:
Doesn’t have as much visual appeal as some of the other search engines
Still growing and adding more features, so it’s not as full-featured yet
8. Komo : Best for interactive, free search
Komo keeps things simple but packs in some really handy tools. One neat feature is the Mind Map, which shows your search results as a tree chart, super helpful for visualizing connections. There’s also an Explore button that gives you thumbnails for related searches, making it easy to dive deeper.
What makes Komo great:
You can pick from various AI models, including Claude, DeepSeek, Gemini, GPT, plus Komo’s own models like Komo Search and Llama 3.3. For everyday searching, the Komo Search model is designed to give solid answers, rank documents well, and understand your questions clearly.
Komo also offers unique Personas like Copy Writer, Equity Researcher, Explainer, Planner and Quote Collector. These help tailor responses to exactly what you need, something we don’t see much in other AI chatbots.
You can select a Data Corpus such as Academic, Blog, News, Social, Video, or Web sources to focus your search even more.
Pricing and access:
You can use Komo for free, but some features require a subscription.
The Basic plan is $12 per month (billed annually) and includes tools like AI Fact Check, limited model selection, and access to Personas.
The Premium plan costs $24 per month (also billed annually) and unlocks more advanced models and query options.
Pros:
Simple, clean interface with useful tools like Mind Map and Explore
Unique Personas to customize responses
Wide range of AI models and data sources to choose from
Free tier available with paid plans for advanced features
Cons:
No dedicated mobile or desktop app (yet)
Some features locked behind paid plans
9. Brave Search: Best for privacy-conscious users
Brave Search is built into the privacy-focused Brave Browser and stands out because it uses its own independent search index. That means it doesn’t rely on Google or Bing, so your search results are free from external tracking or biases. Plus, it offers AI-generated summaries and a conversational assistant called Leo.
What makes Brave Search great:
It delivers an ad-free and tracker-free search experience, perfect if you really care about privacy.
Because it uses its own index, results aren’t influenced by big tech companies, making it feel more neutral and unbiased.
The interface is clean, fast, and easy to use.
How the AI features work:
The “Answer with AI” button next to the search bar gives you quick AI-generated summaries similar to Google’s AI Overviews.
Leo, Brave’s built-in AI assistant, handles follow-up questions and offers direct answers.
Leo is designed to be lightweight and fast, focusing on short clarifications rather than deep, extended conversations like ChatGPT or Perplexity.
Pros:
No ads or trackers, so your searches stay private
Independent index reduces outside bias
Fast and straightforward search experience
Cons:
AI summaries aren’t very deep for complex or technical topics
Limited support for multimodal inputs (like images or PDFs)
Leo isn’t as advanced or conversational as some other AI assistants
Pricing:
Free: Full search features, including AI summaries and basic Leo access
Premium: $3/month for ad-free browsing across the Brave ecosystem and enhanced Leo AI features like priority query handling
Final thoughts
The way people search is changing, fast. AI search engines aren’t just a trend, they’re the future. To stay visible:
Focus on intent-based content (answer real questions clearly)
Use natural language (how people actually speak)
Keep content well-structured and easy to scan
Watch for updates in AI tools and algorithms
Track performance and keep optimizing
To maximize your content’s reach, check out our article on content distribution strategies !
