Perplexity

Perplexity is an artificial intelligence search assistant that answers questions in plain language and shows the sources behind each answer. Instead of returning a list of links, it reads web pages and summarises what it finds, with citations that users can click to check the original page. Users can ask follow-up questions to explore a topic further, and the tool is available on the web and on mobile apps.

Key Features

• Plain-language answers with clickable citations
• Follow-up questions to explore a topic
• Summaries of articles and web pages
• Comparison of products, options, and ideas
• Access to different AI models on paid plans
• Available on web, iOS, and Android

Pricing

Prices as listed in 2026 research. Always check the official site for the latest price — plans change. Free plan: Yes — it has a free plan.

How it works

The assistant is useful for checking facts, comparing products, understanding news, and learning about a new topic quickly. It can summarise articles, explain technical ideas, and pull together information from several sources in one answer. Paid plans offer more advanced search options and access to different AI models. Because answers are drawn from the web, users should still open the cited sources for important decisions.

Researchers use Perplexity to gather background on a topic and find relevant sources, while students use it to understand assignments and check facts. Marketers use it to research competitors and trends, and writers use it to verify details before publishing. It suits anyone who wants a fast, sourced answer rather than browsing through many search results.

Pros and Cons

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