Perplexity
searchby perplexity
AI search engine that answers questions with real time citations from across the web.
Key features
Free tier available, Pro at $20/mo
Researchers and students: get cited, source backed answers for academic and professional research
Every answer cites its sources with clickable links, so you can verify any claim instantly
What it does
AI Search with Citations
Ask any question and get a direct, conversational answer with inline citations linking to the original sources.
Learn morePro Search
Multi step deep research mode that asks clarifying questions, runs multiple searches, and synthesizes comprehensive answers.
Learn moreSpaces
Collaborative research workspaces where teams can share searches, set custom instructions, and build shared knowledge.
Learn moreDeep Research
Autonomous research agent that spends minutes investigating complex questions, reading dozens of sources, and producing comprehensive reports with citations.
Learn moreCollections and Library
Save and organize your searches into collections for easy reference. Your library stores all past threads.
Focus Modes
Switch between specialized search modes: All (web), Academic (research papers), Math (calculations), Writing (content), Video, and Social.
Learn moreFile Upload and Analysis
Upload PDFs, documents, images, and data files for Perplexity to analyze, summarize, and answer questions about.
Image Generation
Generate images directly within Perplexity using models like DALL·E, Flux, and Playground. Available on Pro plans.
Voice Search
Ask questions using your voice on mobile devices. Perplexity listens, searches, and responds with cited answers.
API Access
The Sonar API lets developers integrate Perplexity's search augmented AI into their own applications and workflows.
Learn moreBrowser Extension (Chrome)
Search with Perplexity directly from Chrome's address bar or sidebar without switching tabs.
Mobile Apps (iOS, Android)
Native apps for iPhone and Android with voice search, offline access to saved threads, and share sheet integration.
Internal Knowledge Search (Enterprise)
Connect internal company data sources so employees can search proprietary knowledge alongside the public web.
Custom AI Profiles
Set personal preferences and context so Perplexity tailors its answers to your background and needs.
Computer (Agentic Task Execution)
Launched on February 27, 2026, Computer goes beyond search to autonomously execute multi step tasks. Decomposes goals into subtasks, routes them across multiple AI models, and delivers finished artifacts. Requires a Max subscription ($200/month).
Learn moreCustom Skills
Create and save reusable automation templates that define specific workflows. Once a task is working well, save it as a Skill to run again with different inputs without rebuilding the workflow from scratch.
Model Council
Multiple AI models deliberate on the same question and synthesize a combined answer. Rather than relying on a single model's perspective, the Council approach produces more balanced, thoroughly considered responses.
Voice Mode in Computer
Interact with Computer tasks using voice commands. Speak your goals, provide guidance mid task, and receive spoken updates on progress without needing to type.
Comet iOS App
A dedicated iOS app called Comet that provides a streamlined mobile interface for Perplexity's search and Computer features.
Samsung "Hey Perplexity" Integration
Native integration with Samsung devices that lets you activate Perplexity with the "Hey Perplexity" wake phrase, providing hands free access to AI search directly on Samsung hardware.
Pricing
Free
Unlimited basic searches with AI answers and citations. Limited Pro Searches per week for deeper research.
- Unlimited basic AI searches
- Limited Pro Searches per week
- Citation links on every answer
- Search history and library
- Mobile apps and Chrome extension
Pro
Access to all AI models (Claude Sonnet 4.6, GPT-5.4, Gemini 3.1 Pro, Sonar 2), file upload, image generation, and API credits. Usage limits best for most users.
- Up to 200 Pro Searches per week
- All AI models (Claude Sonnet 4.6, GPT-5.4, Gemini 3.1 Pro, Sonar 2)
- File upload and analysis
- Image generation
- API credits included ($5/month)
- Custom AI profiles
- Access to Perplexity Computer
Pro (Annual)
Same features as Pro, billed annually at ~$17/month. Best value for individual researchers and professionals.
- All Pro features
- ~$17/month (save 16%)
- Up to 200 Pro Searches per week
- All AI models
- File upload and image generation
Max
Premium individual tier for power users. Includes Perplexity Computer with 10,000 monthly credits, unlimited deep research, Model Council, advanced reasoning models, and priority access to new features.
- All Pro features
- Perplexity Computer (10,000 credits/month)
- Unlimited deep research queries
- Model Council (multi model comparison)
- Advanced reasoning models (Claude Opus, o3-pro)
- Priority access to new features
Max (Annual)
Same features as Max, billed annually at ~$167/month.
- All Max features
- ~$167/month (save 16%)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Every answer cites its sources with clickable links, so you can verify any claim instantly
- Pro Search conducts multi step research autonomously, following up and digging deeper without manual prompting
- Clean, ad free interface focused entirely on delivering answers rather than selling ad placements
- Supports multiple AI models including Claude Sonnet 4.6, GPT-5.4, Gemini 3.1 Pro, and Perplexity's own Sonar 2 models
- Spaces enable collaborative team research with shared context and custom instructions
- Free tier is genuinely useful, with unlimited basic searches and a limited number of Pro Searches
- The Sonar API enables developers to build search augmented apps with real time citations
Cons
- Source quality varies; some cited pages are low quality, outdated, or tangentially relevant to the query
- Free tier provides only a limited number of Pro Searches, which runs out quickly during intensive research sessions
- No image generation on the free tier; you need Pro ($20/month) to create images
- Smaller model selection compared to ChatGPT or Claude, which offer more specialized model variants
- Enterprise pricing requires a custom quote with no publicly listed rates, making it hard to budget in advance
How to get started
Sign up at perplexity.ai
Visit perplexity.ai and create a free account with your email, Google, or Apple sign in. You can also download the mobile app for iOS or Android.
Ask your first question
Type any question in the search bar. Perplexity will search the web, find relevant sources, and give you a cited answer in seconds. Try something like "What are the latest developments in renewable energy?"
Try Pro Search for deeper research
Click the Pro Search toggle before submitting a query. Perplexity will ask clarifying questions, run multiple searches, and produce a more thorough answer. Free users get a limited number of Pro Searches.
Create a Space for a project
Go to the Spaces tab and create a workspace for a specific research topic. Add custom instructions and invite collaborators to build shared knowledge.
Install the Chrome extension
Add the Perplexity Chrome extension to search directly from your browser's address bar or sidebar without switching tabs.
Upgrade to Pro for unlimited research
If you hit the free Pro Search limit, upgrade to Pro ($20/month or $200/year) for up to 200 Pro Searches per week, all AI models, file upload, and image generation.
Deep dive
Detailed guides with comparisons, tips, and visuals for each feature.
How Perplexity Search Works
The full pipeline from your question to a cited answer, and how it compares to Google and ChatGPT.
Pro Search
Multi step deep research that follows up, clarifies, and digs deeper automatically.
Spaces
Collaborative research workspaces for teams to share searches, instructions, and knowledge.
Perplexity API
The Sonar API for developers: search augmented AI models you can integrate into any application.
Focus Modes
Specialized search modes for different needs: academic papers, math, writing, video, and more.
Perplexity vs ChatGPT vs Google vs Claude
Comprehensive comparison of AI search and research tools across features, pricing, and strengths.
Image Generation in Perplexity
Create images using DALL·E, Flux, and Playground models directly within your Perplexity searches.
Deep Research
Perplexity's autonomous research agent that investigates complex questions, reads dozens of sources, and produces comprehensive reports.
Tips and Best Practices
Practical advice for getting the most out of Perplexity, from search techniques to workflow optimization.
Links
Official
Documentation
Features
Pricing
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Last updated: 2026-06-01