Google Programmable Search Engine (Custom Search JSON API) vs Jina AI Search Foundation (DeepSearch / Reader)

Google Programmable Search Engine (Custom Search JSON API) and Jina AI Search Foundation (DeepSearch / Reader) 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 Jina AI Search Foundation (DeepSearch / Reader) does not, so Google Programmable Search Engine (Custom Search JSON API) is easier to trial before committing. Jina AI Search Foundation (DeepSearch / Reader) supports self-serve signup; the other routes through a sales conversation. On compliance, Jina AI Search Foundation (DeepSearch / Reader) additionally documents GDPR. For coding-agent use, Jina AI Search Foundation (DeepSearch / Reader) scores higher on agent-friendliness (55 vs 20).

Comparedby a transparent data-readiness score computed from each API's published, sourced fields. No reviews, no paid placement. How we rank.

Data last verified 2026-06-14, with every field cited on each profile.

Head-to-head, from published, cited fields (auto-generated; no paid placement)
Field	Google Programmable Search Engine (Custom Search JSON API)	Jina AI Search Foundation (DeepSearch / Reader)
Starting price	$5 1,000 queries	$0.05 1,000,000 tokens
Pricing model	Usage	Usage
Free tier	✓	✗
Self-serve signup	✗	✓
SOC 2	·	·
HIPAA	·	·
GDPR	·	✓
Webhooks	✗	✗
Sandbox	✗	✗
Documented actions	3	17

Full data and citations: Google Programmable Search Engine (Custom Search JSON API) · Jina AI Search Foundation (DeepSearch / Reader). See more Web Search APIs.