Perplexity
AI search with cited answers and deeper research
Perplexity brings web sources, document analysis and Research reports into one search workspace, with Projects that keep files and context together.
Free plan available
- Access
- Free and paid plans
- Example plan
- USD 20 / monthPro
- Available on
- Web, Desktop, Mobile
What is Perplexity?
Perplexity is an AI search and research service that answers questions using sources from the web and material you provide. Its defining feature is the link between an answer and its references: you can follow citations into the original pages rather than relying on an unsupported summary. It is available on the web and in mobile and desktop apps.
Research mode goes beyond a single search. It gathers information, analyses the findings and builds a report that can be exported or shared. Research selects its own model; the manual choices available in other search modes do not control it. Paid plans extend the amount of advanced research, model access and content creation available.
Projects give related searches and Computer tasks a persistent home alongside files, instructions and supported connected sources. Perplexity also offers file and app creation, image and video generation on paid plans, plus Computer for longer tasks. These capabilities have their own allowances. Comet is its separate browser, and developer APIs use separate billing.
Best for
- Readers who want source links alongside AI answers.
- Researchers developing reports from web information and uploaded files.
- Teams keeping a topic’s instructions and evidence together in Projects.
Limitations
Citations make sources easier to inspect, but do not guarantee a correct answer. Research, file uploads and creation tools have separate limits. Long uploads may be selectively extracted, and video-file search analyses spoken content rather than visual scenes.
Perplexity features
Answers with source links
Ask a question and receive a response connected to web references. Source links provide a route back to the original material for more detail and context.
Research reports
Research performs several searches and analyses the results before producing a report. It chooses its model automatically and supports exports to PDF, document or a Perplexity Page.
Files, images and spoken media
Bring PDFs, text, code, images, audio or video into a search. Session attachments are limited to 40 MB. Audio is transcribed; video uploads make spoken content searchable rather than indexing the visual scenes.
Persistent Projects
Keep related work with instructions, files and connected sources. Each Project supports up to 5,000 files within 2.5 GB, with a 100 MB per-file ceiling. Copied connector files do not automatically update when their originals change.
Paid model selection
Pro and higher plans offer advanced models for supported searches, alongside increased research and upload allowances. Research remains an automatic mode, and the available model catalogue can change.
Computer and content creation
Computer can carry out multi-step research, analysis and creation tasks. Paid features also include file/app creation and generated visuals, with separate allowances; some Max capabilities remain gradual research previews.
Perplexity pricing
Free plan available. Plans priced per user. Visit Perplexity for full plan details and current offers.
Example plans.
Pro
USD 20 / month
Perplexity
Plan details
Individual subscription; advanced models and extended research and upload allowances.
Max
USD 200 / month
Perplexity
Plan details
Higher individual allowances; preview features may roll out gradually.
Education Pro
USD 10 / month
Perplexity
Plan details
Requires eligible student or educator verification through SheerID.
Technical specifications
Search and research
| Feature | Perplexity |
|---|---|
| Source corpus | Public web sources, uploaded material and supported connected sources.Search and Projects; permissions apply |
| Citation workflow | Answers and Research reports include links to their sources.Search and Research |
| Document inputs | Session attachments up to 40 MB; Projects accept files up to 100 MB within a 2.5 GB project total.Session attachments; separate Projects limits |
| Research workflow | Research iterates through searches and analysis to produce a report, choosing its model automatically.Free limited access; paid plans extend allowances |
| Export formats | Research reports can be exported as PDF or document, or published as a Perplexity Page.Research reports |
| Documents per project (documents) | 5000Maximum files per Project across plans; 2.5 GB total and 100 MB per file |
| API access | SupportedSeparate API Platform credits; subscriptions do not include API usage |
Perplexity alternatives
Other AI tools for research and document work
Claude
A conversational assistant for documents, calculations, cited research and editable creations.
Compare with PerplexityChatGPT
A broad assistant combining web research with files, data work and image creation.
Compare with PerplexityGemini
Deep Research with uploaded and connected content, alongside Canvas and study tools.
Compare with PerplexityPerplexity FAQs
Is Perplexity free?
Standard offers free search with limited advanced queries and uploads. Individual Pro costs USD 20 per month or USD 200 per year; Education Pro has separate eligibility and verification.
Is Perplexity Pro unlimited?
No universal unlimited allowance applies. Current plan documentation describes rolling weekly limits for advanced searches and uploads, with monthly allowances for Research and creation. The reset period depends on the feature.
How many files can a Perplexity Project hold?
Current Projects documentation allows up to 5,000 files per Project, with a 2.5 GB total and a 100 MB limit per file. Ordinary session attachments have a separate 40 MB limit.
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