Perplexity review
A citation-focused chatbot combining live web search, research modes, files, and multiple AI models.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Perplexity is an AI answer engine for people who want conversational web research with inline citations. It searches the open web in real time, supports follow-up questions, and combines web answers with file uploads, multiple AI models, and content generation. Access spans web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, the Comet Browser, and an API, making it suitable for individual researchers, teams, and workflows that need answers across devices.
The plan structure covers a free starting point and two paid tiers. Free includes cited answers, basic AI models, and limited usage. Pro costs $20 per month and adds Deep Research, advanced AI models, file uploads, image generation, and the ability to create documents and apps. Max costs $200 per month and adds maximum Computer usage, frontier AI models, expert-level research, and the highest usage limits. The difference between Pro and Max is primarily access level and capacity, so Pro is the more practical fit for most individuals, while Max targets demanding research workloads.
Perplexity's breadth is a central strength. Pro Search and Deep Research support more involved investigations, while Projects add persistence, sharing, and collaboration. Users can also select and orchestrate multiple AI models, analyze files, generate or edit images, and create presentations, spreadsheets, and apps. Integrations include Google Drive, Notion, Asana, Jira, Confluence, Gmail, Google Calendar, Outlook.com, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Box, Dropbox, HubSpot, and Databricks. Choose Perplexity for cited web research and a broad AI workspace; choose an alternative if limited usage on the free plan or the $200 Max price does not fit.
Perplexity pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Real-time web search returns conversational answers with inline citations
- Deep Research, file analysis, image generation, and document creation
- Web, desktop, mobile, Comet Browser, and API access
- Where it doesn't
- Free plan includes limited usage and basic AI models
- Advanced capabilities require a paid monthly plan
- Max costs $200 per month, above the Pro plan's $20 price
Perplexity fact sheet, pricing and score →
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