
AI agents
SurfSense
Live-web research with connectors, citations and scheduled runs
★ 16k
August 2026
Not stated
AI agents
What it does
Pulls structured data from Reddit, YouTube, Amazon, Google Maps, Search, Indeed and arbitrary pages through one API or MCP server, then turns findings into briefs and alerts on a schedule or a trigger, with everything kept searchable and cited. Two things to settle first: the licence is BSL, so production use is restricted for a period, and automated collection has to respect each source's terms. Docs in five languages.
Summary based on the project's own description. The Japanese page has a fuller beginner guide: setup difficulty, what to prepare, and a step-by-step start.
Screenshots & visuals




Before you start
- Setup difficultySome setup needed
- Command lineRequired
- API keyRequired
- Sends data onlineYes
Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.
SurfSense FAQ
- Is SurfSense free?
- SurfSense itself is free, but it needs an API key for an external AI service. That service charges separately, though some have a free tier.
- Do I need to install anything or write code to use SurfSense?
- It needs the command line. If you are not comfortable typing commands, expect to get stuck during setup.
- Does SurfSense work on a phone?
- No. It needs a computer.
- Can I use SurfSense commercially?
- The project does not state a clear licence, so commercial use cannot be confirmed here. Check the official page or ask the author before using it at work.
How it compares
The conditions that decide whether you can actually use it, side by side.
| Tool | Command line | API key | Sends data out | Phone | Commercial use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurfSense (this page) | Required | Required | Yes | No | With conditions |
| openclaw | Required | Required | Yes | No | Not verified |
| AutoGPT | Required | Required | Yes | No | Yes |
| langflow | Required | Required | Yes | No | Yes |
"Sends data out" means your input is uploaded to someone's server. Pick "No" when the material cannot leave your organisation.