Onyx vs Sana AI (2026): Pricing, Features & Which to Choose

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

Lower starting price
Not comparable
Not comparable: Sana AI does not list a price
Free plan
Onyx
Only Onyx has one
Higher rating
Sana AI
4.2 against 4.3
Same job?
Yes
Both are Productivity tools

Side by side

Compared on	Onyx	Sana AI
Our rating	4.2	4.3Better
Starts at	$20/mo	Not listed
Free plan	YesBetter	No
Category	Productivity	Productivity
Plans	From $20/mo	See pricing
Key features	Hybrid search plus RAG chat over 40+ connected workplace applications Self-hosted, MIT-licensed open-source core with full data control MCP support for connecting external tools and agent workflows Custom AI assistants configurable per team or use case Deep research mode with built-in code interpreter and web search	Originated as an AI-powered corporate learning platform Broadened into knowledge search and meeting assistance Particular strength in structured training and onboarding content No self-serve free tier Operating since 2016
Pros	Free, license-unrestricted self-hosted option for teams that want to avoid sending data to a vendor Broad connector library covers most common workplace tools out of the box MCP support keeps the platform current with the wider agent-tooling ecosystem	Genuine depth in structured learning and training content specifically Broader workplace AI capability built on that learning-platform foundation Long operating history since 2016
Cons	Self-hosting the open-source edition still requires infrastructure and maintenance effort The 2024 rebrand from Danswer to Onyx means older tutorials and integrations still reference the old name Per-seat Business pricing can add up for larger teams compared with a flat-rate tool	No free tier or transparent self-serve pricing Enterprise sales process required to evaluate Learning-platform heritage matters less for organizations without training content needs
Company	DanswerAI Inc. (operating as Onyx), founded 2023	Sana Labs, founded 2016

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260808. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is Onyx better than Sana AI?

In our reviews Onyx scores 4.2 and Sana AI scores 4.3. The better pick depends on the job. Onyx: Open-source AI chat and enterprise search that connects to a team's documents, apps, and people. Sana AI: Grew from an enterprise learning platform into a broader work AI tool.

Which is cheaper, Onyx or Sana AI?

Onyx: from $20/mo. Sana AI: see pricing.

Do Onyx and Sana AI have free plans?

Only Onyx has a free plan.

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