Perplexity
Verified ToolThe search engine that actually explains its answers with real citations
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What is Perplexity?
Perplexity isn't just another AI chatbot pretending to be Google. It's a conversational answer engine that pulls from real web sources and shows you exactly where each piece of information comes from. Instead of giving you 10 blue links, it synthesizes information into coherent answers with inline citations.
The tool excels at research-heavy tasks where you need reliable information quickly. Whether you're fact-checking, doing market research, or exploring complex topics, Perplexity delivers structured answers with the transparency to verify everything. Recent additions like their patent search tool and shopping assistant show they're expanding beyond basic Q&A into specialized verticals.
At $20/month for Pro, you're paying for access to multiple AI models (including Claude and GPT-4) plus unlimited usage. The free tier gives you a solid taste, but power users will quickly hit the limits.
What's New
AI Shopping Assistant Launch
Launched conversational shopping assistant to compete with OpenAI's shopping features
New shopping assistant helps users find and compare products through natural language queries, expanding beyond traditional search into e-commerce recommendations
open_in_newRead official announcementhistoryView all 3 recent updatesKey Features
Source Citations
Every answer includes inline citations with links to original sources - no more wondering where information came from or if it's made up
Multi-Model Access
Pro users get Claude, GPT-4, and Perplexity's own models in one subscription - switch between them based on task requirements
Conversational Follow-ups
Ask follow-up questions that build on previous context - drill deeper into topics without losing the thread of conversation
Specialized Search Tools
Patent search and shopping assistant tools offer domain-specific capabilities beyond general web search and Q&A
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Free | Pro (Best Value) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $20/mo |
| Features |
|
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| Get Started | Start Trial |
Pros & Cons
thumb_upThe Good
- checkReal citations for every claim - you can actually verify the information instead of trusting blindly
- checkAccess to multiple AI models (Claude, GPT-4, proprietary) in Pro plan for $20/month
- checkConversational follow-ups let you drill deeper into topics without starting over
- checkRecent patent search tool offers natural language patent research capabilities
- checkWeb integration pulls from current sources, not just training data cutoffs
thumb_downThe Bad
- closePro plan at $20/month has API call limits (10,000-20,000 monthly) - heavy users may hit caps
- closeSometimes over-cites basic facts that don't need verification, cluttering answers
- closeCitation quality varies - not all sources are equally authoritative or current
User Reviews
G2 VerifiedRating based on 100 verified reviews on G2.
What Users Say
Real quotes with sourcesformat_quote“Perplexity's main advantage seems diminished. It feels like a tool that does a bit of everything but doesn't excel at anything specific.”
format_quote“Perplexity really makes it easy to get different takes on the same question. Using the Comet browser brings out my inner nerd, in a good way.”
format_quote“In my experiences, Perplexity seems to handle context better inside Spaces. I use Perplexity Pro over others for non-code Deep Research”
Top Alternatives to Perplexity
Recent Updates
verifiedVerified Jan 2026new_releasesNov 2025LatestAI Shopping Assistant Launch
Launched conversational shopping assistant to compete with OpenAI's shopping features
expand_more
AI Shopping Assistant Launch
Launched conversational shopping assistant to compete with OpenAI's shopping features
New shopping assistant helps users find and compare products through natural language queries, expanding beyond traditional search into e-commerce recommendations
open_in_newView official announcementextensionOct 2025Getty Images Multi-Year Licensing Deal
Signed multi-year licensing agreement with Getty Images for content access
expand_more
Getty Images Multi-Year Licensing Deal
Signed multi-year licensing agreement with Getty Images for content access
Partnership provides access to Getty's premium image library, addressing content licensing concerns and expanding visual search capabilities
open_in_newView official announcementnew_releasesOct 2025Perplexity Patents AI Tool
Launched free AI-powered patent search tool for natural language patent research
expand_more
Perplexity Patents AI Tool
Launched free AI-powered patent search tool for natural language patent research
New specialized tool allows users to search patents using conversational queries instead of complex patent database syntax, making patent research accessible to non-experts
open_in_newView official announcementCommon Questions
What is Perplexity?expand_more
Perplexity isn't just another AI chatbot pretending to be Google. It's a conversational answer engine that pulls from real web sources and shows you exactly where each piece of information comes from. Instead of giving you 10 blue links, it synthesizes information into coherent answers with inline citations. The tool excels at research-heavy tasks where you need reliable information quickly. Whether you're fact-checking, doing market research, or exploring complex topics, Perplexity delivers structured answers with the transparency to verify everything. Recent additions like their patent search tool and shopping assistant show they're expanding beyond basic Q&A into specialized verticals. At $20/month for Pro, you're paying for access to multiple AI models (including Claude and GPT-4) plus unlimited usage. The free tier gives you a solid taste, but power users will quickly hit the limits.
How much does Perplexity cost?expand_more
Perplexity offers a free tier. Paid plans start at $0/month.