n8n workflows that incorporate web search need an API that is easy to call from HTTP Request nodes, returns structured JSON that n8n can process without custom parsing, and prices affordably for scheduled automation (daily or hourly searches add up). We tested five search APIs with n8n's HTTP Request node and evaluated setup complexity, response format, and cost at typical automation volumes.
Scavio wins for n8n workflows because its POST endpoint works perfectly with n8n's HTTP Request node, returns clean JSON that requires no parsing, and covers 5 platforms under one API key, reducing the number of credentials to manage in n8n.
Full Ranking
Scavio
n8n workflows needing multi-platform search with minimal setup
- POST endpoint works natively with n8n HTTP Request node
- Clean JSON response for direct n8n processing
- 5 platforms under one credential
- $0.005/query fits automation budgets
- 500 free credits for workflow development
- No native n8n node (HTTP Request works fine)
- Newer platform
SerpAPI
n8n workflows already using SerpAPI
- Mature API with extensive docs
- Many search engines
- Reliable uptime
- Expensive for scheduled automation
- Complex response format
- Active DMCA lawsuit
Serper
Budget Google-only n8n workflows
- Simple API, easy n8n setup
- Fast responses
- Good for basic Google search
- Google only
- No multi-platform
- Higher volume costs add up
Brave Search API
Non-Google search in n8n
- Independent index
- Simple REST API
- Good n8n compatibility
- No free tier
- Single platform
- Limited features
DataForSEO
Enterprise n8n workflows needing granular SERP data
- Very granular SERP data
- Flexible API
- Multiple data points per query
- Complex API setup in n8n
- Higher per-query cost
- No free tier
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Scavio | Runner-up | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| n8n Setup Complexity | Simple (1 HTTP node) | Moderate (headers + params) | Simple |
| Response Parsing | Direct JSON, no parsing needed | Nested JSON, parsing required | Simple JSON |
| Platforms | 5 (one credential) | 10+ (one credential) | 1 (Google) |
| Cost for 1K/day workflow | $150/mo | $300-1,500/mo | $150/mo |
| Free Tier | 500/mo | 100 searches | 2,500 trial |
| AI Overview Data | Yes | Yes | Limited |
Why Scavio Wins
- The POST endpoint maps directly to n8n's HTTP Request node: set method, URL, headers, and JSON body. No URL parameter encoding, no complex authentication flows.
- Response JSON is flat and consistent across platforms. n8n's Set node can extract titles, URLs, and snippets without nested dot-notation paths.
- One credential in n8n covers 5 platforms. Change the 'platform' field in the body to switch from Google to Reddit to YouTube without adding new credentials.
- At $0.005/query, a workflow that runs 100 searches daily costs $15/month. SerpAPI would cost $30-150/month for the same volume.
- The 500 free credits per month are enough to develop and test complex workflows before promoting them to production with a paid plan.