Brave Search API vs Google Programmable Search Engine (Custom Search JSON API)
Brave Search API and Google Programmable Search Engine (Custom Search JSON API) are both Web Search APIs, compared here on pricing, compliance, capabilities, and developer experience from structured, cited data - not reviews or paid placement. Google Programmable Search Engine (Custom Search JSON API) offers a free tier while Brave Search API does not, so Google Programmable Search Engine (Custom Search JSON API) is easier to trial before committing. Brave Search API supports self-serve signup; the other routes through a sales conversation. On compliance, Brave Search API additionally documents SOC 2, GDPR. For coding-agent use, Brave Search API scores higher on agent-friendliness (40 vs 20).
| Field | Brave Search API | Google Programmable Search Engine (Custom Search JSON API) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $4 1,000 requests | $5 1,000 queries |
| Pricing model | Usage | Usage |
| Free tier | ✗ | ✓ |
| Self-serve signup | ✓ | ✗ |
| SOC 2 | Type II | · |
| HIPAA | ✗ | · |
| GDPR | ✓ | · |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| Sandbox | ✗ | ✗ |
| Documented actions | 12 | 3 |