Perplexity: what it is and how to search with AI that cites sources
A practical guide to Perplexity, the AI search engine that answers with citations: free plan vs Pro, how to check sources and when it beats ChatGPT or Gemini.
What it is
Perplexity is an AI search engine: instead of a list of links, it gives you a written answer with citations to the pages each fact comes from. According to its pricing page, it combines several AI models and picks the most suitable one for each query, including models from OpenAI, Google, Anthropic and NVIDIA.
Free plan vs Pro (October 2026)
| Free | Pro | Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published price | $0 | $17/month (annual) | $167/month (annual) |
| Searches | Practically unlimited basic; very limited Pro searches | Extended Pro Search access | Highest limits |
| Models | Perplexity chooses | You can choose the model | Includes advanced reasoning models |
| Extras | Basic file uploads | Image and video generation, up to 50 files per project | Priority access to new features |
Perplexity publishes its prices in dollars; there’s also an Education Pro plan with student verification. Check amounts and terms on the official website before paying.
When to use it (and when not)
- Yes: current-affairs questions, comparing information from several websites, finding the official source of a fact.
- Better another assistant: writing long texts, working with your documents or creative tasks. See the ChatGPT vs Gemini vs Claude comparison.
How to check the citations
- Open at least two links backing the most important points.
- Find the specific sentence on the cited page.
- Prefer official sources: public administrations, public bodies or the manufacturer itself.
- Check the source’s date: a fact that was right in 2024 may not be today.
A citation doesn’t guarantee the summary is right: AI can also hallucinate when summarising a source.
Privacy
As with any assistant, don’t type personal, health or financial data into your questions. Review what data never to paste.
Frequently asked questions
Is Perplexity free?
Yes, it has a free plan with practically unlimited basic searches and a very limited number of Pro searches, according to its help centre. Answers include citations.
How much is Perplexity Pro?
Perplexity publishes it in dollars: $17/month billed annually. The Max plan is $167/month billed annually. The amount in your currency, with taxes, is shown at checkout.
Which models does it use?
According to Perplexity, it picks the model for each query from several, including models from OpenAI, Google, Anthropic and NVIDIA. On Pro and Max you can choose a preferred model.
Do citations guarantee the answer is correct?
No. They make it easier to check, but the summary can misread a source. Open the links before taking anything as fact.
Keep reading
Sources
- Precios de Perplexity — Perplexity
- Which Perplexity subscription plan is right for you? — Perplexity Help Center
- Perplexity Pro — Perplexity
Change log
- : First published with the plans Perplexity published that day.
Educational content, prepared with the help of AI tools, with sources cited. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Tools change fast: if you spot something out of date, write to us at contacto@cognenza.com. How we work.