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It's a split decision.
YepAPI is a usage-billed API for SEO, scraping, social and e-commerce data, plus 285 AI models, all accessed with one key. SerpApi focuses on structured search results across Google and other engines, with monthly plans that specify search quotas and hourly throughput. Choose YepAPI when you want a single API across those categories and variable call costs. Choose SerpApi when your workload centers on search data and you want a monthly plan with published volume limits.
01Side by side
| YepAPI | SerpApi | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Usage-billed calls; no subscriptions or monthly minimums | Monthly plans from $25; free plan available |
| Free tier | $5 signup credit; no card required | 250 searches monthly; 50 throughput per hour |
| API and output | One key; JSON across SEO, scraping, social and AI | Search APIs return JSON or Markdown |
| Docs and CLI | Docs, llms.txt, MCP server and agent skills | CLI integration; API catalog on the homepage |
| Integrations | Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, MCP and agent skills | MCP, CLI and ten language integrations listed |
| Deployment model | Hosted API | Hosted API |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Limits and scaling | No rate limits; failed calls are not charged | Monthly search quotas and hourly throughput caps |
YepAPI Choose YepAPI if
- Choose YepAPI if one key across SEO, scraping, social and AI fits your stack.
- Choose YepAPI if per-call billing suits variable workloads.
- Choose YepAPI if you need its MCP server or agent skills.
SerpApi Choose SerpApi if
- Choose SerpApi if your application depends on structured search-engine results.
- Choose SerpApi if you want published monthly search and throughput quotas.
- Choose SerpApi if its language integrations or CLI fit your tooling.
02Pricing at real usage
YepAPI has no monthly plan or minimum: calls are billed by usage, endpoint prices are listed before use, and failed calls are not charged. The homepage lists Google SERP and web scraping from $0.01 per call, keyword overview at $0.03, image generation at $0.03 per image, and video from $0.192 per second. New accounts get $5 in signup credit, with no card required.
SerpApi has a free plan with 250 searches per month and 50 throughput per hour. Paid monthly plans start at Starter for $25, covering 1,000 searches and 200 throughput per hour. Developer is $75 for 5,000 searches and 1,000 throughput per hour; Production is $150 for 15,000 and 3,000. Big Data is $275 for 30,000 searches and 6,000 throughput per hour. Its Enterprise plan has custom volume and throughput.
03API, SDKs and integration
YepAPI uses one API key across endpoints and AI models, with JSON responses. The homepage shows POST endpoints for SEO keywords, Google SERP, scraping and media generation. It links to API docs and llms.txt, and lists an MCP server and agent skills for Claude Code, Cursor and Codex. The homepage does not list language-specific SDKs; check the docs for the endpoint and model details your application needs.
SerpApi exposes a catalog of search APIs, including Google Search, Maps, Shopping, Jobs and other engines and data types. Its homepage says requests run immediately and supports JSON or Markdown output. Listed integrations include Ruby, Python, JavaScript, Golang, PHP, Java, Rust, .NET, Swift and C++, plus MCP and CLI. The catalog is useful when you need a specific search vertical; confirm the relevant API’s parameters and response fields in its docs before wiring them into application code.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
Neither vendor publishes an open-source license, self-hosting option or data-export guarantee on its homepage. Both products are presented as hosted APIs, so plan on calling a vendor-operated service rather than deploying the API in your own environment.
The integration lock-in is mainly at the request and response layer. YepAPI presents a shared key and consistent JSON format across endpoints and models, but applications still depend on its endpoint names, fields and model catalog. SerpApi returns structured search data, including fields such as links, prices, ratings and reviews; code built around those schemas will need adaptation if you switch providers. Keep vendor responses behind internal interfaces and store any results your application must retain. Ask each vendor about export paths, retention and migration support before making those operational requirements.
Questions people ask
Is YepAPI cheaper than SerpApi?
It depends on request volume and endpoint mix. YepAPI bills by call, with Google SERP and web scraping listed from $0.01 per call and a $5 signup credit. SerpApi has a free tier, then monthly plans starting at $25. Compare expected call counts and the specific endpoints you need.
Which API is better for Google search results?
Both offer Google search data. YepAPI includes a Google SERP endpoint as part of a broader API for SEO, scraping, social and AI. SerpApi focuses on search APIs and lists a wide catalog of Google-specific endpoints, including Search, Maps, Shopping and Jobs.
Does SerpApi have rate limits?
SerpApi’s plans list throughput per hour, alongside monthly search quotas. The free plan includes 50 throughput per hour; Starter lists 200, Developer 1,000, Production 3,000 and Big Data 6,000. Confirm how those plan limits apply to your request pattern.
Can I self-host YepAPI or SerpApi?
Both are presented as hosted APIs, and neither vendor publishes a self-hosting option or open-source license on its homepage. If on-premises deployment or source access is a requirement, ask the vendor directly before building against its API.