Perplexity
An AI answer engine: every answer searches the web and cites its sources; Pro adds model choice, Deep Research and file uploads. By Perplexity AI.
Price
$20/mo
Pro plan. Free plan.
Works on
Web · iPhone · Android · Desktop52+ languages
AI League
69 pts · #7 in writing & chat
See the writing & chat standings69 pts · #3 in research
See the research standingsFree plan and price
Free plan. Unlimited basic searches with citations and about three Pro Searches a day; no model switching, uploads or Deep Research.
$20 a month billed monthly ($200 a year).
Good for / not for
- Fact-finding and current events
- Quick research with links
- Long creative writing
Pros and cons
- Cites sources for every answer
- Pro lets you choose OpenAI, Claude or Gemini models
- Rated 4.8 on the App Store
- Free plan is mostly its own Sonar model
- Paid plan is $20
Alternatives
How Perplexity scores in writing & chat
| Score | 0–10 | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | 5.0 | Perplexity's default Sonar model is not on the LMArena Text leaderboard; rubric default used. |
| Ease | 10.0 | Checklist: Web · iPhone · Android · Desktop; plain-language prompt yes; start without paying yes. |
| Free plan | 9.0 | Unlimited basic searches with citations and about three Pro Searches a day; no model switching, uploads or Deep Research. |
| Value | 2.5 | Entry price $20 a month (monthly billing), compared with the cheapest app in the task. |
| Languages | 10.0 | The iPhone app lists 52 languages (App Store). |
| Points | 69 | (Quality×30% + Ease×20% + Free plan×15% + Value×20% + Languages×15%) × 10 |
How Perplexity scores in research
| Score | 0–10 | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | 5.1 | Elo 1139 (Sonar Reasoning Pro (high)). LMArena Search leaderboard, blind-vote score (updated Aug 24, 2026). |
| Ease | 10.0 | Checklist: Web · iPhone · Android · Desktop; plain-language prompt yes; start without paying yes. |
| Free plan | 9.0 | Unlimited basic searches with citations and about three Pro Searches a day; no model switching, uploads or Deep Research. |
| Value | 2.5 | Entry price $20 a month (monthly billing), compared with the cheapest app in the task. |
| Languages | 10.0 | The iPhone app lists 52 languages (App Store). |
| Points | 69 | (Quality×30% + Ease×20% + Free plan×15% + Value×20% + Languages×15%) × 10 |
Sources
Checked Sep 28, 2026. Prices and plans change often; check the official site before you buy.
- Free plan: geotoolbox.ai/blog/perplexity-pricing
- Price: geotoolbox.ai/blog/perplexity-pricing · perplexity.ai/pro
- Platforms: apps.apple.com/us/app/perplexity-ask-anything/id1668000334 · play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.perplexity.app.android&hl=en
- Languages: apps.apple.com/us/app/perplexity-ask-anything/id1668000334
- Quality score: arena.ai/leaderboard/text
- Ease score: geotoolbox.ai/blog/perplexity-pricing · perplexity.ai/pro
- Value score: geotoolbox.ai/blog/perplexity-pricing · perplexity.ai/pro
- Quality score (Research): arena.ai/leaderboard/search