> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.valyu.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Tavily Alternative - Valyu Search API with Proprietary Data Access

> Looking for a Tavily alternative? Valyu goes beyond web search with access to 36+ proprietary data sources including PubMed, SEC filings, clinical trials, and patents.

Looking for a search API that goes beyond basic web search? Valyu provides everything Tavily offers, plus access to 36+ proprietary data sources that web search can't reach.

## Valyu vs Tavily Comparison

| Feature                      | Valyu                                | Tavily |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | ------ |
| **Web Search**               | Yes                                  | Yes    |
| **Proprietary Data Sources** | 36+ sources                          | No     |
| **Academic Papers**          | PubMed, arXiv, bioRxiv (40M+ papers) | No     |
| **SEC Filings**              | 3M+ filings with full-text search    | No     |
| **Clinical Trials**          | 500K+ trials from ClinicalTrials.gov | No     |
| **Financial Data**           | Real-time stocks, crypto, forex      | No     |
| **Drug Databases**           | ChEMBL, DrugBank, FDA labels         | No     |
| **Patent Search**            | 8M+ US patents                       | No     |
| **Economic Data**            | FRED, BLS, World Bank                | No     |

## Why Teams Switch to Valyu

### 1. Access Data Web Search Can't Reach

Tavily searches the web. Valyu searches the web AND proprietary data sources:

* **37M+ PubMed papers** - Biomedical literature behind paywalls
* **3M+ SEC filings** - 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K with full-text search
* **500K+ clinical trials** - Study protocols, eligibility, outcomes
* **8M+ patents** - Prior art and IP research
* **Real-time financial data** - Stock prices, earnings, fundamentals

### 2. Better Results for Professional Use Cases

For AI agents working in finance, healthcare, or research, web search alone isn't enough:

```python theme={null}
from valyu import Valyu

valyu = Valyu()

# Search across web AND proprietary sources
response = valyu.search(
    "CAR-T cell therapy clinical outcomes 2024",
    search_type="all",  # Web + proprietary
    max_num_results=20
)
```

### 3. Same Simple API

Switching from Tavily is straightforward:

<CodeGroup>
  ```python Python theme={null}
  # Valyu - drop-in replacement
  from valyu import Valyu

  valyu = Valyu()
  response = valyu.search("your query here")
  ```

  ```javascript JavaScript theme={null}
  // Valyu - drop-in replacement
  import { Valyu } from "valyu-js";

  const valyu = new Valyu();
  const response = await valyu.search("your query here");
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## When to Choose Valyu Over Tavily

Choose Valyu if you need:

* **Academic research** - PubMed, arXiv, and scholarly papers
* **Financial research** - SEC filings, earnings data, market intelligence
* **Healthcare applications** - Clinical trials, drug data, medical literature
* **Patent and IP research** - Prior art search and landscape analysis
* **Deep research** - Multi-step research with comprehensive reports

Choose Tavily if you only need:

* Basic web search without proprietary data requirements

## Pricing Comparison

Both offer pay-per-use pricing. Valyu provides transparent per-retrieval pricing with free credits to start.

<Card title="Get Started Free" icon="bolt" href="https://platform.valyu.ai">
  Sign up and get \$10 in free credits. No credit card required.
</Card>

## Migration Guide

Migrating from Tavily takes minutes:

1. **Install the SDK**
   ```bash theme={null}
   pip install valyu
   ```

2. **Replace the client**
   ```python theme={null}
   # Before (Tavily)
   # from tavily import TavilyClient
   # client = TavilyClient(api_key="...")

   # After (Valyu)
   from valyu import Valyu
   valyu = Valyu()
   ```

3. **Update the search call**
   ```python theme={null}
   # Valyu search with proprietary data access
   response = valyu.search(
       "your query",
       search_type="all"  # Web + proprietary sources
   )
   ```

## Try Valyu Today

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="bolt" href="/quickstart">
    Get searching in 5 minutes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Data Sources" icon="database" href="/concepts/data-coverage">
    See all 36+ data sources
  </Card>
</CardGroup>