What it is
Perplexity is a research-focused AI assistant that combines a language model with real-time web retrieval, citing sources in its answers. The Pro plan routes queries across multiple frontier models rather than one provider. It is built for fact-checking and research, though it is weaker at coding and creative generation than general assistants.
Categories
Good for
Newsletter writers, YouTubers, Podcasters
Frequently asked questions
How much does Perplexity cost?
Perplexity has a free tier, with Pro at $20 per month and a Max tier ranging higher for power users. Pro is the standard paid entry point.
Is Perplexity free?
Yes. The free plan covers basic AI search, with Pro adding advanced searches, a choice of models, and higher limits.
What is Perplexity best at?
Cited, up-to-date research. It pulls from the web and shows clickable sources, which suits fact-checking and learning.
How does Perplexity compare to ChatGPT?
Perplexity is search-native and source-cited, while ChatGPT is a broader generalist. Perplexity is the better pick for research and verification.
What is the biggest downside of Perplexity?
It is weaker at coding and creative generation than general assistants, so it works best alongside a tool like ChatGPT or Claude.