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Head-to-head · AI Search Engines

Perplexity vs Kagi Search

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Perplexity #1 in AI Search Engines 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Perplexity
Kagi Search #5 in AI Search Engines 8.7/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Kagi

Perplexity leads on 1 check, Kagi Search on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePerplexity · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Perplexity
  • Most featuresKagi Search · 4 of 4

Perplexity scores higher on our rubric for ai search engines: 9.4 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

Perplexity offers free plan; Kagi Search doesn't.

Perplexity is the better fit for broad research with citations and integrations. Kagi Search is the better fit for power users wanting ad-free customizable search.

  • Perplexity fits best

    Broad research with citations and integrations

  • Kagi Search fits best

    Power users wanting ad-free customizable search

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Perplexity 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Kagi Search 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.7
Ranking #1 in AI Search Engines #5 in AI Search Engines
Best for Broad research with citations and integrations Power users wanting ad-free customizable search
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — $54/yr
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Android, Chrome extension
Support Email, Live chat, Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Perplexity 0/4 · Kagi Search 4/4
Deep research mode Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Source filters Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Browser extension Not checked yet ✓ (best)
API access Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Citation format Not checked yet Source_list
Mobile apps Not checked yet Android
Monthly query limit Not checked yet 300 /mo
Our review
Pros
  • Real-time web search returns answers with inline citations
  • Deep Research, file analysis, and multiple AI models support broader workflows
  • Web, desktop, mobile, API, and productivity integrations extend access
  • Ad- and tracker-free search with domain ranking, blocking and boosting
  • Lenses filter results by sites, keywords, regions and file types
  • Quick Answers cite sources; Ultimate adds Research mode and premium models
Cons
  • Free plan includes limited usage
  • Pro costs $20 per month; Max costs $200 per month
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple web searches
  • No free plan; ongoing use requires a paid plan
  • Starter limits monthly searches to 300
  • The published mobile app is for Android; no iOS Search app is available
Our verdict

Perplexity is an AI answer engine for people researching the open web, asking follow-up questions, and working across online and local content. It searches in real time and presents conversational answers with inline citations. Access is…

Read the review →

Kagi Search is a user-funded web search engine for people who want ad-free, tracker-free results and more control over what appears. It combines Kagi’s own indexes with other providers and vertical sources, and is aimed at individual users…

Read the review →
  1. PerplexityAI Search Engines 9.4Free plan
  2. Kagi SearchAI Search Engines 8.7Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Perplexity — where it wins

    • Real-time web search returns answers with inline citations
    • Deep Research, file analysis, and multiple AI models support broader workflows
    • Web, desktop, mobile, API, and productivity integrations extend access

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan includes limited usage
    • Pro costs $20 per month; Max costs $200 per month
    • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple web searches

  • Kagi Search — where it wins

    • Ad- and tracker-free search with domain ranking, blocking and boosting
    • Lenses filter results by sites, keywords, regions and file types
    • Quick Answers cite sources; Ultimate adds Research mode and premium models

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; ongoing use requires a paid plan
    • Starter limits monthly searches to 300
    • The published mobile app is for Android; no iOS Search app is available
  • Perplexity9.4/10 · Free plan

    A broad research assistant combining cited web search, advanced models, files, and integrations.

    Visit PerplexityFull verdict →
  • Kagi Search8.7/10 · Paid

    Ad-free search with strong source controls and AI tools, starting at $5 per month.

    Visit KagiFull verdict →

More comparisons

All AI search engines comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update