Kagi opens search to all without account
Original: Search for everyone
Why This Matters
Lowering the trial barrier is the clearest test yet of paid search viability at scale.
Kagi now lets anyone search the web without an account — first 50 searches free, 100 more on registration. The move aims to ease word-of-mouth growth for the ad-free, subscription-based search engine.
Kagi has dropped its account-first barrier: visitors to kagi.com can now run up to 50 searches with no sign-up required, with 100 additional searches unlocked upon registration. The ad-free search engine has relied entirely on word of mouth, and the change directly addresses a recurring friction point — it's hard to recommend something people can't try.
Alongside the open access launch, Kagi published an open letter criticizing Google's plan to disable AI tools by default for school accounts starting early 2027 — a move that would also shut off Google Search for those users. Kagi's editorial stance: schools shouldn't be forced to accept AI as the price of search access.
The Android app also received a notable refresh: rebuilt voice search, a redesigned home screen showing remaining free searches for unregistered users, and native UI elements (search bar, logo, tabs) that collapse while scrolling. A first-launch tour now walks new users through bangs, lenses, and site ranking features.
Kagi reached 50,000 paying customers in June 2025 and has been expanding its product surface aggressively, adding Maps, News, Translate, and an AI Assistant over the past year.