What is Andi?
Andi is a free AI search engine that replies to questions with a direct answer and visual result cards. It reads relevant pages, summarises them and shows its sources. The service started as Andi Search at andisearch.com and now also presents itself as Andi AI.
The company was founded by Angela Hoover and Jed White, is based in Miami, and was backed by Y Combinator. It pairs language models with live web retrieval and fact-checking. In 2026 the team announced a search API aimed at AI agents. We could not load the official site directly in October 2026, so status details come from recent listings and the company blog.
Key Features
- Direct answers: Andi replies to full questions with a short answer placed above its sources. The company says it retrieves live web pages and applies fact-checking steps, so the reply and its evidence appear together.
- Visual results: Andi shows sources as image cards rather than a list of blue links. The layout makes it quicker to judge which pages look relevant before opening them.
- Summaries: Andi condenses long articles into key points on request. Students and researchers can skim a page’s main argument before deciding whether to read it in full.
- Reader mode: Reader mode opens pages without adverts, pop-ups or clutter. It keeps the focus on the text, which helps on news sites that load heavy page furniture.
- Explain button: An Explain option breaks complex topics down into simpler terms, according to ToolsForHumans. It suits homework questions and unfamiliar technical subjects where a plain summary helps more than a list of links.
- Privacy stance: Andi says it does not track users, show adverts or sell personal data. No account is needed, so searches are not tied to a login.
- Bangs shortcuts: AlternativeTo lists support for bangs, the shortcut commands that send a query straight to another site. Users moving from privacy engines that use bangs can keep familiar habits.
- Search API: The Andi AI Search API, announced in 2026, delivers web results built for AI agents. Developers can ground their own apps in live search data, under terms separate from consumer search.
Pros
- Ad-free results: Andi shows no sponsored links above its answers. Results serve the question rather than advertisers, which keeps the page short, readable and focused on sources that answer the question.
- Privacy first: No sign-up is required, and the company states it does not track searches. Privacy-minded users get AI answers without building an advertising profile or handing over an email address.
- Fast reading: Summaries and reader mode cut the time spent on long or cluttered pages. ToolsForHumans says it works well for casual questions and early-stage research, where a quick overview matters more than depth.
- Free to use: Everyday search costs nothing and has no usage caps, according to ToolsForHumans. There is no paid consumer tier pushing upgrades, so students and casual users get the full feature set without a subscription.
- Sourced answers: Each answer links to the pages it drew on. You can open a cited source to confirm a fact, which suits quick fact checks and homework.
Cons
- Occasional errors: Andi can misread sources or miss recent events. ToolsForHumans also questions its source quality and citation transparency next to Perplexity, so check citations for anything important.
- Smaller index reach: Niche topics and complex multi-step questions can return thin results. Reviewers say it is not built for deep technical research, so specialists will still need a traditional engine or academic databases.
- Limited controls: AlternativeTo users note there is no way to filter results by date. Region filters and advanced options are also scarce, which frustrates heavy searchers tracking news or recent releases.
- Mobile interface issues: Some AlternativeTo reviewers report interface problems on mobile devices. Saving the site to your home screen helps, but we found no dedicated app for iPhone or Android.
- Unclear roadmap: The 2026 API launch and the lack of a consumer revenue model cloud Andi’s long-term consumer future. ToolsForHumans also notes it cannot thread follow-up questions within a session.
Who is Using Andi?
- Students: Quick, checkable explanations.
- Researchers and writers: They skim summaries first.
- Privacy-conscious users: People avoiding ad-funded search.
- AI developers: Builders grounding agents in live results.
Pricing
Consumer search on Andi is free with no account required (checked October 2026 via listings and the company site in search results).
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Andi Search | Free | AI answers, visual results, summaries and reader mode |
| Andi AI Search API | Not publicly confirmed | Web search results for AI agents and apps |
Some directories label Andi as freemium because of the API, but we found no published consumer paid plan. Check the official site before relying on any figure here.
What Makes Andi Unique?
A card-based results page with no advertising is the clearest difference from Google or Bing. Andi pairs that layout with a built-in summariser and reader mode, so you can move from question to answer to source without leaving the page.
Compatibilities and Integrations
- Platforms: Desktop and mobile browsers.
- Browser default: Set it as default in most browsers.
- API: The Andi AI Search API serves developers.
- Sharing: Copy or share answers by link.
Andi Tutorials
Getting started takes less than a minute and needs no account.
- Open the Andi website in your browser.
- Type a full question.
- Read the answer and check a source.
- Use summarise on long articles.
- Set Andi as your default engine.
How We Rated It
| Criterion | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy and Reliability | 3.7 | Cites sources, still makes slips |
| Ease of Use | 4.4 | Clean chat-style search page |
| Functionality and Features | 3.6 | Answers, summaries, reader mode |
| Performance and Speed | 3.9 | Fast for most everyday queries |
| Customization and Flexibility | 2.9 | Few settings or filters |
| Data Privacy and Security | 4.5 | No ads or tracking claimed |
| Support and Resources | 3.2 | FAQ and blog, small team |
| Cost-Efficiency | 4.8 | Free consumer search |
| Integration Capabilities | 3.4 | Browser default, newer API |
| Overall Score | 3.8 | Average of the nine criteria |
Summary
Andi suits students, researchers and anyone who wants quick, sourced answers without adverts or tracking. Its main limitation is depth on niche or breaking topics, plus few advanced filters. We like it as a daily companion to a traditional engine, not a full replacement. Phrase searches as full questions, since that is where its answers are strongest.

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