A Perplexity Alternative Built for Model Choice and Flexibility
Why teams look beyond Perplexity
Perplexity pairs a search experience with a single default answer engine. That works well for quick lookups. It is less suited to teams that want to switch between frontier models on demand, call models through an OpenAI-compatible API without a subscription, run an AI browser alongside their chat workflow, or deploy on their own infrastructure. Riven is built around those four needs.
20+ frontier models in one chat app
Riven's chat app gives you access to 20+ frontier models, including GPT-5.6, Claude, Gemini, GLM, and Kimi, behind a single interface. You pick the model for the task rather than adapting the task to one model's strengths. There is no separate account per provider and no subscription tier to unlock the models you actually want to use.
Pay-as-you-go API at $3 per million tokens
Riven exposes an OpenAI-compatible API endpoint priced at a flat $3 per million tokens on a pay-as-you-go basis. No monthly minimum and no subscription required. The same 20+ models are available through the API, so the chat app and your code share one key and one billing line.
Relay: an AI browser
Relay is Riven's Chromium-based AI browser. It keeps an AI sidebar available on any page you visit, so you can summarize, ask, and act without switching tabs. Relay is a free download for macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Self-hosted deployments for enterprise
For organizations that need control over their data and infrastructure, Riven offers self-hosted, single-tenant deployments. Self-hosted, single-tenant AI for enterprises that demand control, compliance, and performance. Your infrastructure or ours.
How Riven compares to Perplexity
| Feature | Riven | Perplexity |
|---|---|---|
| Frontier models in one app | 20+, switchable on demand | Primarily one default engine |
| API access | OpenAI-compatible, $3/1M tokens PAYG | API available, separate plan |
| Pricing model | Pay-as-you-go, no subscription | Subscription tiers |
| AI browser | Relay (Chromium-based) | Comet |
| Self-hosted / single-tenant | Yes | No |
FAQ
Is Riven a drop-in replacement for Perplexity?
Riven covers chat, API access, an AI browser, and self-hosted options, but the products are not identical. Riven focuses on multi-model choice and flexible deployment rather than search-first answers.
How is Riven's API priced?
The OpenAI-compatible API is billed at a flat $3 per million tokens on a pay-as-you-go basis, with no subscription or monthly minimum required.
Can I switch models without changing providers?
Yes. All 20+ models, including GPT-5.6, Claude, Gemini, GLM, and Kimi, are available through one key in both the chat app and the API.
Does Riven offer self-hosted deployments?
Yes. Riven supports self-hosted, single-tenant deployments on your infrastructure or ours, for enterprises that need control and compliance.