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Perplexity review (2026): pricing, features and alternatives
AI answer engine with deep research · perplexity.ai
Perplexity pricing at a glance
Perplexity pricing: Perplexity is an AI answer engine with deep research with a free plan and paid plans from $20/mo, best for fast cited market research.
- What it is
- Answer engine that searches the web and writes cited reports, with a Research mode for deeper work.
- What it costs
- Free; Pro $20/mo. Freemium subscription plus credits for Computer tasks
- Who it's for
- Fast cited market research · Personal use and businesses
- How it compares
- All 6 AI research agents on Klyvoo are free to start
- Pricing checked
- October 2026 on perplexity.ai
Our verdict
Perplexity is the quickest way to get a cited answer or short research report from the web and the free plan covers basic searching. Serious research needs Pro at $20/mo and Perplexity does not publish exact Research limits for Pro or Max.
Pros
- Citations on every answer so you can check claims
- Research mode reads hundreds of sources in a few minutes
- Reports export to PDF or a shareable Perplexity Page
Cons
- Free plan is limited to 3 Pro searches a day and 1 Research query a month
- Pro and Max Research limits are described only as average or advanced use
- Credits for Computer tasks expire monthly and Pro gets only a one-time 4,000-credit bonus
Perplexity pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Billed yearly | Research queries | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | 1/month | None |
| Education Pro | $10/mo | Not listed | Monthly limit (average use) | Not listed |
| Pro | $20/mo | Not listed | Monthly limit (average use) | 4,000 one-time bonus |
| Max | $200/mo | $2,000/yr | Monthly limit (advanced use) | 10,000/mo plus 35,000 bonus |
| Enterprise Pro | $40/seat/mo | $400/seat/yr | 50/month | 500/mo plus 8,000 bonus |
| Enterprise Max | $325/seat/mo | $3,250/seat/yr | 500/month | 15,000/mo plus 40,000 bonus |
Source: perplexity.ai/hub/pricing and Perplexity Help Center, checked October 3, 2026.
Perplexity alternatives
| Agent | Starting price | Pricing model | Best for | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perplexity | Free; Pro $20/mo | Freemium subscription plus credits for Computer tasks | Fast cited market research | This page |
| ChatGPT Deep Research | Free; Go $8/mo | Freemium subscription | In-depth business reports | ChatGPT Deep Research review |
| Gemini Deep Research | Free; AI Plus $4.99/mo | Freemium subscription | Google Workspace users | Gemini Deep Research review |
| Elicit | Free; Plus $11/mo (yearly) | Freemium subscription, per user | Research from scientific papers | Elicit review |
| Manus | Free; Pro from $20/mo | Freemium, credit-based subscription | Hands-off multi-step research | Manus review |
| Genspark | Free; Plus $24.99/mo | Freemium, credit-based subscription | Research turned into deliverables | Genspark review |
Perplexity FAQ
How much does Perplexity cost?
Perplexity has a free plan. Pro is $20/mo, Max is $200/mo ($2,000/yr), Enterprise Pro is $40 per seat per month and Enterprise Max is $325 per seat per month. Verified students can get Education Pro for $10/mo.
Is there a free plan?
Yes. The free plan includes basic searches with citations, 3 Pro searches a day and 1 Research query a month.
What does Perplexity Research do?
It runs dozens of searches, reads hundreds of sources and writes a cited report in about 2 to 4 minutes. You can export it to PDF or turn it into a shareable Page.
Does Perplexity offer a free trial?
Perplexity's pricing pages don't list a standard free trial. The free plan is the easiest way to try it.
What are the best Perplexity alternatives?
ChatGPT deep research (free with limits, Plus $20/mo) and Gemini Deep Research (free, AI Plus $4.99/mo) are the closest. Elicit suits academic papers, while Manus and Genspark turn research into slides and other deliverables.