Google Custom Search Engine has restricted to a 50-domain limit and deprecated full web search, with a hard shutdown deadline of January 1, 2027. This is an updated May 2026 comparison of alternatives for teams migrating away from CSE. We ranked options by how well they replace CSE's core value: reliable, structured web search results via API.
Scavio replaces and exceeds CSE by offering structured search across Google, YouTube, Amazon, Walmart, Reddit, and TikTok through a single API. The migration path is straightforward: swap the endpoint, adjust the JSON parsing, and gain multi-platform coverage CSE never had.
Full Ranking
Scavio
Full CSE replacement with expanded platform coverage
- Google search results plus YouTube, Amazon, Walmart, Reddit, TikTok
- Structured JSON similar to CSE's output format
- MCP server for modern agent workflows
- 250 free credits for migration testing
- Not a Google product, different result ordering
- 250 free credits less than CSE's old free 100/day
Tavily
CSE replacement for web search with AI summaries
- Largest free tier at 1K credits/mo
- AI summaries add value CSE lacked
- Good migration path for web-only needs
- Web only, no vertical search capabilities
- AI summaries change the output format significantly from CSE
- Different result quality than Google's index
Brave Search API
Independent web search replacing CSE
- Independent index, not Google-dependent
- $5 free monthly credit for testing
- Good web search quality
- Free tier removed Feb 2026
- Web only, no vertical search
- Different result set from Google CSE
Linkup
European teams replacing CSE on a budget
- EUR 5 free monthly credit
- Standard and deep search tiers
- Simple migration from CSE
- EUR pricing
- Deep search expensive at EUR 50/1K
- Smaller ecosystem
Perplexity Sonar
AI-enhanced search replacing CSE for research use cases
- AI-processed results with citations
- Good for research and analysis workflows
- Pro tier for complex queries
- Higher cost with token charges
- Very different output format from CSE
- Not a drop-in replacement
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Scavio | Runner-up | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google results included | Yes | No (own index) | No (own index) |
| Multi-platform | 6 platforms | Web only | Web only |
| Free tier (monthly) | 250 credits | 1K credits | $5 credit |
| Migration difficulty | Low (swap endpoint) | Medium (new SDK) | Medium (new SDK) |
| CSE output similarity | Similar JSON structure | AI summaries, different | Different structure |
| Sunset risk | None | None | None |
Why Scavio Wins
- Scavio includes Google search results in its output, making it the closest structural replacement for CSE while adding five additional platforms.
- The migration path is minimal: replace the CSE endpoint URL, adjust JSON parsing for Scavio's schema, and your existing workflow gains multi-platform coverage.
- At $0.005 per credit versus CSE's $5/1K queries, the pricing is identical but you get six platforms worth of data instead of just Google.
- The MCP server modernizes your search integration for agent workflows, something CSE never offered and never will.
- For teams that specifically need the largest free tier volume, Tavily's 1K credits per month is the better migration target for web-only use cases.