Perplexity

By Perplexity AI · www.perplexity.ai ↗

An "answer engine" that searches the web and replies in full sentences with citations.

Perplexity launched in December 2022. In February 2026 it dropped advertising and moved to a subscription-first model, saying this would protect trust in its answers.

What it can do

• Answers with numbered sources you can open
• Searching inside your uploaded Excel, Word and PDF files
• Perplexity Assistant (January 2025) can take actions in other apps, such as booking a ride
• Chrome extension

How to start

1. Go to perplexity.ai or install the app; you can search without an account
2. Sign up to save your history and use more features

Pricing

Free version; paid plans listed on Perplexity's site

Things to know

• Answers are only as good as the pages it finds; open the sources
• Faces copyright complaints from the BBC, Dow Jones and The New York Times

Sources

• Wikipedia: Perplexity AI

Information checked on 6 Oct 2026. Features and prices change often; the official site has the latest.