AI Tools software profile
Perplexity
Perplexity is an AI research and answer tool that cites its sources, lets paid users choose models from several vendors, and adds Perplexity Computer for building documents and apps. It is free to start, with Pro at $17 a month and Max at $167 a month billed annually, both for personal use. Organisations need its Enterprise plans.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Answers cite their sources
- Paid plans let you choose between models from several vendors
- Pro at $17 a month billed annually includes deep research
- Max adds the highest limits and priority access to new features
- Free tier to start
Limitations
- Pro and Max are labelled for personal use only
- Enterprise and monthly-billing prices were not captured in our check
- Free tier features are not itemised on the plans page
- Credit-based Computer usage adds complexity
What is Perplexity?
Perplexity is an AI answer and research tool that responds with cited sources. Paid plans add deep research, a choice between AI models from several vendors (including OpenAI, Google, Anthropic and xAI), and Perplexity Computer, which builds documents, apps and other outputs from a request. It offers a free tier, Pro and Max for individuals, and Enterprise plans.
Who should use Perplexity?
- Researchers, analysts and marketers who need answers they can trace back to sources.
- People who want to compare models from several vendors in one subscription.
Perplexity pricing
Perplexity has a free tier. Pro costs $17 a month and Max $167 a month, both billed annually; Enterprise plans are priced separately.
| Plan | Price, billed annually | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Free tier; features not itemised on the plans page |
| Pro | $17/month or equivalent | Expanded Computer access, 4,000 bonus credits, deep research, choice of top AI models, documents and apps, higher limits and memory |
| Max | $167/month or equivalent | Maximum Computer usage, 35,000 bonus credits, 10,000 monthly credits, expert-level research, frontier models, highest limits, priority access to new features |
| Enterprise | Not captured | Separate plans for organisations |
Monthly-billing prices and Enterprise pricing were not captured in our check.
Ease of use and implementation
SoftPilot has not run controlled tests of Perplexity. Pro and Max are labelled for personal use, so organisations should evaluate the Enterprise plans for team use and data controls.
Perplexity compared with close alternatives
| Tool | Entry paid price | Model choice |
|---|---|---|
| Perplexity | $17/mo billed annually | Models from several vendors |
| Claude | $17/mo billed annually | Anthropic models |
| ChatGPT | Go/Plus (regional pricing) | OpenAI models |
Should you shortlist Perplexity?
Shortlist Perplexity if research with visible sources is your main use, or you want access to several vendors’ models in one place.
Look elsewhere if you need a team workspace with published per-seat pricing (consider Claude Team or Gemini Enterprise).
Perplexity FAQs
Is Perplexity free?
Yes, there is a free tier. Pro costs $17 a month or equivalent when billed annually.
Can I choose which AI model Perplexity uses?
Pro and Max let you select between AI models, including models from OpenAI, Google, Anthropic and xAI.
Can teams use Pro?
Perplexity labels Pro and Max for personal use; organisations should look at its Enterprise plans.
Sources and methodology
This profile is desk research: SoftPilot has not tested this product hands-on. Facts come from the sources below, checked on the dates shown. Prices, plans and limits change often; confirm on the vendor's site before you buy. How we research software.
- Perplexity plans accessed 20 Oct 2026
- Claude pricing accessed 20 Oct 2026
- ChatGPT pricing accessed 20 Oct 2026
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