Brave Search API free credits

Brave Search API serves web search results from Brave's own index, including results shaped for AI apps. Every plan includes $5 in free credits each month, which Brave equates to about 1,000 searches.

Brave Search APIUpdated monthly · checked 6 d ago

Brave Search API free credits is a developer tools perk from Brave Search API worth $5 in free credits every month, with no funding required.

Value: $5
Who qualifies: No funding needed
Benefit type: Credits
Terms: Verified

Apply at Brave Search API

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Get an email if Brave Search API free credits closes, changes its offer or sets a deadline. No other email.

While you apply

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Applying to Brave Search API takes a few minutes. Shown only because they fit what this page is about, and ordered by that fit (70%) and what a referral is expected to earn us (30%). We may earn a commission if you sign up through one of these, at no cost to you. They never change the ranking of this page.

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What you get

Inside Brave Search API free credits

Brave has no standalone free plan: each of its API plans (Search, Answers, Autosuggest and Spellcheck) includes $5 in free credits that renew every month, which Brave equates to about 1,000 queries a month on the Search plan ($5 per 1,000 requests, up to 50 requests a second).
You enter a card at signup and can set the prepay amount to $0 to use only the free credits.
Brave's terms prohibit retaining any data received through the API.
Beyond the free credits, usage is prepaid with no subscription or minimum.

Source: The provider's official program page · as of Oct 21, 2026

Eligibility

Who it's for

Any startup Card at signup

Funding / backing: No funding needed
Geography: Global
Recurring / expiry: The $5 in free credits renews every month.
Other requirements: A card is entered at signup (the prepay amount can be set to $0), and data received through the API may not be retained.

How to claim

How to apply for Brave Search API free credits

Steps to apply

1Sign up on Brave's API dashboard, choose a plan and set the prepay amount to $0 to use only the monthly free credits.

Good to know: Read on Brave's API dashboard documentation (pricing and help pages) and brave.com/search/api on October 21, 2026. brave.com's 'up to $20 in free calls every month' is the $5 of each of the four plans added together.

Apply at Brave Search API

Source: The provider's official program page · as of Oct 21, 2026

Value is the headline maximum Brave Search API advertises. What your company actually receives depends on your eligibility and how you use the program, and terms can change. Independent comparison, not endorsed by the programs listed. A link labeled as a referral link may earn us a commission. Confirm current terms on the provider's page.

Questions

Brave Search API free credits: common questions

How much is Brave Search API free credits worth?

Brave Search API free credits is worth $5 in free credits every month. Brave has no standalone free plan: each of its API plans (Search, Answers, Autosuggest and Spellcheck) includes $5 in free credits that renew every month, which Brave equates to about 1,000 queries a month on the Search plan ($5 per 1,000 requests, up to 50 requests a second). You enter a card at signup and can set the prepay amount to $0 to use only the free credits. Brave's terms prohibit retaining any data received through the API. Beyond the free credits, usage is prepaid with no subscription or minimum.

Who qualifies for Brave Search API free credits?

Brave Search API free credits is open to any startup, with no funding required. A card is entered at signup (the prepay amount can be set to $0), and data received through the API may not be retained.

Do I need to be VC-backed or in an accelerator to get Brave Search API free credits?

No. Brave Search API free credits is open to any startup that meets the stated criteria, no investor or accelerator backing required.

How do I apply for Brave Search API free credits?

How long do I have to use Brave Search API free credits, and does it expire?

The $5 in free credits renews every month.

Is Brave Search API free credits available outside the US?

Brave Search API free credits is available globally, subject to the provider's terms.

Free scraping and search APIs, comparedBrave Search API's free allowance next to every other free scraping and search APIWhat each API lets you use for free today, what one request costs, its limits and whether it needs a card, read from each provider's own page.