Perplexity

What it does

Perplexity takes a typed question and searches the web in real time, then returns a conversational answer that synthesizes several sources. Each response carries citations and links to the original pages so you can check claims. Higher tiers add Deep Research, file and image uploads, image and video generation, and a Create files and apps mode that builds reports, spreadsheets, dashboards, presentations and web applications.

People use it as a research assistant in place of scanning lists of search results: asking a question, reading the cited answer, and following links for detail. Paid plans let you choose among advanced models, including OpenAI's GPT models and Anthropic's Claude, and organize work in Projects with file uploads. Enterprise plans add shared Projects and governed file connectors for internal knowledge search. A separate API Platform lets developers build Perplexity's capabilities into their own products.

It suits students, researchers and knowledge workers who want sourced answers quickly. The Free plan covers basic searches with a few Pro Searches per day, while advanced models, image generation and higher limits need a paid plan. Education Pro is $10/month with SheerID verification. Enterprise plans start at $40 per seat per month and include admin controls. Usage limits vary by plan, and API access is billed separately from web plans.

What it can do

• Answers questions from live web search with citations and source links
• Deep Research for multi-step, autonomous reports on complex topics
• Choice of advanced AI models from providers such as OpenAI and Anthropic on paid plans
• File and image uploads and analysis, with Projects for organizing work
• Create files and apps: dashboards, spreadsheets, presentations and web apps
• Image and video generation on paid plans

Example workflows

Literature scan for a study topic

Input: a research question and a few PDFs. Steps: run a Deep Research query, review the cited sources, upload the PDFs to a Project for follow-up questions. Output: a sourced summary and a list of links to verify.

Team knowledge search

Input: internal documents shared in an Enterprise Project. Steps: connect files through governed File Connectors, ask questions in the Project. Output: answers drawn from the team's shared files.

Before you choose

• Usage limits (Pro Searches, Research queries, uploads) differ by plan and are the main constraint on the Free plan.
• API access is pay-as-you-go and billed separately from web subscriptions, with no complimentary credits.
• The Organization File Repository is being retired on October 1, 2026; existing customers must move files.

Listed under

• Data
• Productivity
• General assistants
• Research
• AI agent
• AI assistant
• AI search
• Answer engine
• Citations
• Cited answers

Get started

Free Standard plan available; paid tiers optional.

1. Create a free account at perplexity.ai and try a search.
2. Compare plans in the help center and upgrade in account settings if you need advanced models or higher limits.
3. For API use, follow the Agent API Quickstart and buy credits.

Standard is free. The pricing page shows Pro at $17/month and Max at $167/month as annual-billing equivalents. Education Pro requires verification. API use is billed separately.

Source: perplexity.ai/hub/pricing, checked 28 Oct 2026. Prices can change; check before you buy.

Sources for this overview

Product pages, documentation, and pricing checked 28 Oct 2026. Each source supports part of the overview; availability and prices can change.

• What is Perplexity? - Perplexity Help Center ↗www.perplexity.ai
• Which Perplexity Subscription Plan is right for you? - Perplexity Help Center ↗www.perplexity.ai
• Perplexity Pricing: Plans for Individuals and Enterprise ↗www.perplexity.ai

Company website

perplexity.ai: product, pricing and policy pages

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knowledge_base

Last checked 28 Oct 2026. Every field keeps its source and date; unknown means we couldn’t confirm it.