Google Programmable Search Engine (Custom Search JSON API) vs Perplexity Sonar API
Google Programmable Search Engine (Custom Search JSON API) and Perplexity Sonar 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 Perplexity Sonar API does not, so Google Programmable Search Engine (Custom Search JSON API) is easier to trial before committing. Perplexity Sonar API supports self-serve signup; the other routes through a sales conversation. On compliance, Perplexity Sonar API additionally documents SOC 2. For coding-agent use, Perplexity Sonar API scores higher on agent-friendliness (90 vs 20).
| Field | Google Programmable Search Engine (Custom Search JSON API) | Perplexity Sonar API |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $5 1,000 queries | $1 1M tokens |
| Pricing model | Usage | Usage |
| Free tier | ✓ | ✗ |
| Self-serve signup | ✗ | ✓ |
| SOC 2 | · | Type II |
| HIPAA | · | ✗ |
| GDPR | · | · |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| Sandbox | ✗ | ✗ |
| Documented actions | 3 | 9 |