Google shows a list of links. ChatGPT gives an answer without sources. Perplexity AI does both at the same time — and does it better than either one alone.
Imagine a librarian who scans a hundred books in a minute, picks the best pages, and shows you a summary with notes saying “here’s where I got this from.” That’s exactly how Perplexity AI works.
What Is Perplexity AI — Explained in Simple Terms
Perplexity AI is a next-generation AI-powered search engine that instead of a list of links gives you a ready-made structured answer with links to the sources.
Founded in 2022 by a team of engineers from OpenAI, Google Brain, and DeepMind. The company’s CEO is Aravind Srinivas, who previously worked at Google Brain, DeepMind, and OpenAI.
As of September 2025, the company is valued at $20 billion. Investors include Jeff Bezos, Nvidia, and Databricks. Perplexity processes over 30 million queries per day.
The key difference from ChatGPT: every fact has a numbered citation. Click the number — and verify the source. This is something ChatGPT and Claude AI don’t do automatically in their basic versions.
How Perplexity AI Works — Technically Simple
When you enter a query, Perplexity performs four steps:
1. Query analysis — AI understands the context and intent, even if the question is worded imprecisely or conversationally.
2. Real-time search — the system simultaneously searches dozens of websites through its own search engine Sonar, built on Meta’s Llama.
3. Source evaluation — AI assesses the reliability of found sources, prioritizing authoritative websites, scientific articles, and official documents.
4. Answer synthesis — based on the analyzed information, a structured response is formed with a citation for each key claim.
In 2026, Perplexity also launched Model Council — a feature that allows simultaneous comparison of responses from multiple AI models, for example GPT-5.2 and Claude 4.6.
How to Start Using Perplexity AI
Without Registration
Perplexity AI is available without registration right now — go to perplexity.ai and enter your first query. Basic search works immediately.
With an Account (Recommended)
Registration via Google, Apple, or email unlocks:
- Saved query history
- Organizing research in Spaces (collections)
- More daily Pro queries
- Access to Perplexity Pages
Mobile App
Perplexity is available for iOS and Android. Syncs across devices and supports voice queries — convenient for searching on the go.
Browser Extension
There is a Google Chrome extension — it lets you launch Perplexity directly from the browser without visiting the site.
Perplexity AI Search Modes
Quick Search — Fast Results
The basic mode for simple queries. Available without limits even without a subscription. Suitable for: “what is MVP,” “population of the US,” “when does the pharmacy open.”
Pro Search — Deep Analysis
An advanced mode for complex tasks. AI refines information, selects the best sources, and forms a detailed analysis. Can ask clarifying questions before responding. Free — a few queries per day, unlimited — with a paid plan.
Deep Research — Research Mode
The deepest mode. Analyzes dozens of sources, synthesizes large volumes of information, and produces a detailed report. Ideal for writing articles, market research, and preparing for negotiations.
Focus Modes — Search by Specific Sources
A unique Perplexity feature — you can limit the search to specific types of sources:
- Academic — scientific articles and research only
- Writing — help with writing text
- Video — videos from YouTube and other platforms
- Reddit — opinions and discussions from real people
- News — news sources only
Perplexity AI Plans in 2026
Free Plan
Includes:
- Unlimited Quick Search
- Limited number of Pro Search queries per day
- Basic file uploads
- Access without registration
No registration needed for search — but an account provides history saving and Spaces.
Perplexity Pro — $20/month
Full access includes:
- Unlimited Pro Search and Deep Research
- Choice of AI model: GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini, Sonar
- File uploads and document analysis
- Perplexity Pages — creating structured reports
- Model Council — comparing responses from multiple models
- Priority access during peak hours
TechVisor tip: Perplexity offers a free year of Pro for students, veterans, and US government employees. Check the current terms on the website.
Perplexity Enterprise
A corporate plan for teams with enhanced data protection, team Spaces, and higher limits. Price — on request.
Key Perplexity AI Features
Perplexity Pages — Structured Reports
The Pages feature generates structured reports and summaries with source citations. Ideal for: research reports, market overviews, presentation preparation.
Spaces — Organizing Research
Spaces are collections of queries and materials on one topic. You can organize research, save sources, and return to them later. Supports team collaboration.
Source Management
A unique feature: you can view the full list of sources for each response and remove those you don’t need. Perplexity will then reformulate the answer without the excluded sources.
Model Council
A new 2026 feature — simultaneous comparison of responses from multiple AI models for one query. Convenient for fact-checking and getting different perspectives.
Perplexity AI vs Google — An Honest Comparison
This is the most frequently asked question. The answer is nuanced.
Google is better for:
- Finding specific websites and pages
- Local information (where something is located, how to get there)
- Current news and events
- Images and video
Perplexity is better for:
- Getting a synthesized answer to a complex question
- Researching a topic with source verification
- Academic and scientific search
- When you need an answer, not a list of links
Conclusion: Perplexity doesn’t fully replace Google — but for research tasks it is significantly more effective.
Perplexity AI vs ChatGPT — What’s the Difference
Both tools are powerful, but designed for different tasks.
Perplexity:
- Specialized AI-powered search engine
- Always cites sources
- Up-to-date information in real time
- Less flexible for content generation
ChatGPT:
- Universal AI assistant
- Better for writing texts, coding, analysis
- Doesn’t always cite sources
- Wider plugin ecosystem
Optimal strategy: use Perplexity for researching and finding information, ChatGPT or Claude AI for working with that information.
Who Is Perplexity AI For
Students and Academics
Focus Mode “Academic” allows searching exclusively in scientific databases. Exam preparation, literature search, hypothesis verification — all with links to primary sources.
Journalists and Editors
Fact-checking with an instant link to the source. Gathering context and statistics for an article. Monitoring news on a specific topic.
Marketers and Entrepreneurs
Competitor analysis with up-to-date data. Market research. Finding trends and news hooks with links to authoritative sources.
Analysts and Researchers
Deep Research and Pages allow quickly forming a detailed report on any topic. Spaces organizes research by project.
Everyday Users
If it bothers you that ChatGPT sometimes “makes up” facts without citations — Perplexity solves this problem. Every claim is backed by a source.
Perplexity AI Limitations
❌ Deep Research isn’t always deep — sometimes it delivers an improved Pro Search instead of genuine research. Half the sources may be secondary — always verify.
❌ Content scraping concerns — Perplexity has received complaints from Forbes, NYT, and BBC for using their content without proper attribution.
❌ Less flexible for generation — not as powerful as ChatGPT for writing texts, code, or document analysis.
❌ Limits in the free version — Pro Search and Deep Research are only available a few times per day without a subscription.
Perplexity AI in Multiple Languages — How It Works
Perplexity AI supports multiple languages. Ask queries in your language — get responses in your language. Query comprehension quality is on par with English.
Perplexity AI is especially convenient for:
- Searching local news and events
- Researching topics where local-language sources exist
- Preparing content in any language
Frequently Asked Questions About Perplexity AI (FAQ)
Is Perplexity AI free? Yes, the basic version is free without registration. Unlimited Quick Search, Pro Search — a few queries per day.
Does Perplexity AI support multiple languages? Yes, Perplexity understands queries in many languages and responds accordingly.
How is Perplexity different from Google? Google shows a list of links. Perplexity gives a ready-made structured answer with source citations.
Perplexity AI or ChatGPT — which is better for search? For search and research with source verification — Perplexity. For writing, analysis, and generation — ChatGPT or Claude AI.
What is Perplexity AI with DeepSeek? DeepSeek is one of the AI models available in Perplexity Pro. Along with GPT-4o and Claude it expands the capabilities of the paid version.
What is Perplexity AI Search? It’s the company’s core product — an AI search engine that synthesizes answers from the real internet with source citations.
Conclusion
Perplexity AI is not a competitor to Google and not a copy of ChatGPT. It’s a new category of tool: an AI search engine that combines the strengths of both.
If knowing where information comes from matters to you — Perplexity is indispensable. Every fact is backed by a citation, every source can be verified.
Try it right now — go to perplexity.ai and ask your first question. No registration required.
At TechVisor we continue reviewing AI tools. The next article — “Best AI Tools 2026“: a top-10 list of services everyone should try.
Article prepared by the TechVisor team — practical IT media for people.
