Scira is an open-source AI search engine, formerly MiniPerplx, that answers questions with cited sources instead of returning link lists. It serves people who want Perplexity-style answers from infrastructure they control, running as a self-hosted Next.js app built on the Vercel AI SDK with agentic multi-step planning, 17 search modes, and a hosted option at scira.ai.[1][2]
Quick verdict
Self-hosters who want cited AI answers without depending on a hosted chatbot will get the most from Scira. Its agentic planning, 17 search modes, and 28 tools cover web, Reddit, X, video, code, weather, and maps with the source shown behind each claim. The tradeoff is operational and billing responsibility, so anyone who wants zero-setup answers should stay with a hosted assistant instead. If you can run Docker Compose and fund provider keys, this is the self-hosted answer engine to choose; if not, the free hosted tier covers light use.[1][2][3]
Key features
Cited answers with visible work: every run plans sub-questions, reads sources, and shows the source behind each sentence, flagging conflicts instead of hiding them.[1][2]
17 search modes: web, Reddit, X, YouTube, research, fact-check, and a deep-research Extreme mode with multi-step planning and code execution.[1][2]
28 built-in tools: Reddit and X search, YouTube transcripts, crypto data, weather forecasts, maps and geocoding, and a sandboxed Python code interpreter with chart output.[1]
Self-host with your own models: Docker Compose, Docker, local Node.js, and Vercel deploy paths with bring-your-own provider keys under AGPL-3.0.[1]
Agentic planning: complex questions break into sub-questions, each routed to a suitable model and source and run in parallel where independent.[1]
Personal memory and connectors: a Pro memory companion plus search across connected Google Drive, Notion, and OneDrive.[1]
Developer API platform: Search, People, X, and Reddit agents behind POST endpoints with API-key auth and structured JSON output, free tier included.[1]
Hosted option with clear caps: free tier at 3 searches a day, Pro with unlimited searches and model pools, Max adding image generation and agent preview.[1][2]
Who will love it
Researchers wanting cited answers they control: the ask-a-question, get-a-grounded-answer workflow survives intact with visible sources and conflict flags.[1][2]
Self-hosters already running Docker services: anyone comfortable with Compose files and provider API keys gets a multi-mode answer engine without routing every query through a vendor account.[1]
Developers needing search inside their own apps: the documented agent API with structured output fits retrieval features better than scraping a chatbot UI.[1][2]
Who should avoid it
People who want zero-setup answers: supplying the server, model keys, search keys, and auth and database configuration is real operational and billing work.[1]
Non-technical users deciding alone: daily searching is visual, but environment files full of provider keys put self-hosted deployment out of reach without help.[1]
Anyone expecting answers without provider accounts: answer quality follows the keys configured, so an empty environment file means no answers at all, and heavy hosted use needs a paid plan.[1][2]
Alternatives and compatibility
Morphic as the direct open-source substitute: a published catalogue project with the same self-hosted cited-answer workflow, differing on generative UI versus Scira's broader search modes.[1][2]
Bring-your-own-model design: configured providers span OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, xAI, Groq, Qwen, and others, so existing provider spend transfers rather than restarting.[1]
Hosted chatbots stay simpler for casual use: readers who will not fund keys or run Docker should stay with a hosted assistant instead of self-hosting Scira.[1][2]
Questions worth asking
How much does Scira cost per month?
The self-hosted software costs 0 dollars under AGPL-3.0 with no subscription and no paid self-hosted edition. The hosted scira.ai service charges 0 dollars for 3 searches a day, 15 dollars a month for Pro with unlimited searches, and 60 dollars a month for Max. You still pay your own model and search providers for usage at their current rates when self-hosting. Prices checked October 12, 2026.[1][2]
What do I need to self-host Scira?
Docker Compose is the recommended path, with direct Docker, local Node.js, and one-click Vercel deploy also documented. A working instance needs API keys for AI providers, search, maps, auth, and database services, so expect to collect credentials and fill in an environment file before it answers anything.[1]
What is the best Scira alternative?
Morphic is the closest open-source alternative: both are self-hostable AI answer engines that return cited answers instead of link lists. Scira differentiates with 17 search modes including Reddit, X, and YouTube search plus a hosted API platform; Morphic differentiates with generative UI and Quick/Adaptive modes. Either replaces a hosted chatbot for readers who want infrastructure they control.[1][2]
Can Scira work offline?
No. Every search path calls third-party AI provider and search APIs, so Scira needs network access and configured provider keys to function. Offline use is not supported.[1]
Sources and editorial review
Source research. Reviewed on October 12, 2026. Written by Sanjib Sah. AI assisted; reviewed by a human editor.
We have not run or tested this product.
- zaidmukaddam/scira repository
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Official repository; tagline, AGPLv3 license, 17 modes, 28 tools, Docker/Compose/Vercel/local deploy docs, provider-key requirements, model list
- Scira AI official site
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Official site; search UI with Web, Reddit, X, YouTube, research, fact-check modes; sign-in upsell; GitHub link
- About Scira
official · Observed October 12, 2026
About page; AGPL-3.0, plan/read/cite/act run model, 18 built-in modes plus connected apps, approval on writes
- Scira pricing
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Pricing page; Free 3/day, Pro $15/mo unlimited, Max $60/mo, student and India pricing
- Scira API platform
official · Observed October 12, 2026
API platform; Search, People, X, Reddit agents over POST endpoints with x-api-key auth and structured JSON; free tier
Compared with these products
No explicit proprietary baseline is recorded.