Exa API free-tier rate limit: the limit, when it resets, and the error you'll see

Exa's own docs, read 2026-10-10: the limit on its free allowance, when it resets, and the error text an agent sees on hitting it. Each quote is verbatim and links its source.

The limit

Free $10 in credits every month

Source: exa.ai, read 2026-10-10.

When it resets

Your free balance then resets to $10 on the first day of every calendar month.

Source: exa.ai, read 2026-10-10.

The error your agent will see

HTTP status: 429 / 402.

RATE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED

NO_MORE_CREDITS

Source: exa.ai, read 2026-10-10.

Our row

Our dated entry for Exa.

Other free search APIs if you're rate-limited

• Tavily Researcher plan (Tavily), checked 2026-09-08
• Serper new-user queries (Serper), checked 2026-09-16
• Brave Search API monthly credit (Brave), checked 2026-09-16
• Jina Reader/Search free tokens (Jina AI), checked 2026-09-16

Facts as read on 2026-10-10. Limits change: check the linked source before relying on a number.