Perplexity AI Review: Ditch Google & ChatGPT For Good?

Are you tired of endlessly sifting through search results that seem to miss the mark? Or perhaps you’ve grown frustrated with AI tools that often fall short of your research needs?

It’s easy to spend countless hours navigating through search results and wrestling with AI tools that rarely seem to deliver exactly what you need. But what if there was a solution that combined the smart, personalized conversational abilities of an AI chatbot with the dependable results of a search engine?

That’s exactly what Perplexity AI offers! It combines intelligent conversational AI with reliable search results and citations. It pulls from multiple trustworthy sources, so you don’t have to juggle a bunch of tabs and feel overwhelmed by information.

In this Perplexity AI review, I’ll discuss what it is, who it’s best for, and its key features. Then, I’ll show you how I used Perplexity AI to conduct in-depth research, create and publish a Page, and organize my Threads into Collections.

I’ll finish the article by comparing Perplexity with similar products like ChatGPT, Claude AI, and Microsoft Copilot. I’ll even compare it to Google!

The goal is that you will know if Perplexity is right for you by the end. Let’s take a look!

Verdict

Perplexity AI delivers precise, evidence-backed answers with real-time, in-depth information and follow-up questions. While it provides fast searches and efficient research organization, it may struggle with complex topics and lacks depth compared to Google. Plus, despite citing its sources, its information may still be inaccurate.

What is Perplexity AI?

Perplexity AI is an advanced AI-powered tool designed to revolutionize information discovery and exploration. Unlike traditional search engines, Perplexity understands context, interprets complex questions, and provides concise, evidence-supported answers. It’s like talking to a knowledgeable assistant.

Using Natural Language Processing (NLP) and the latest AI models, Perplexity AI moves beyond keyword matching to understand the meaning behind questions. It offers more accurate results and eliminates the need to open multiple tabs for research!

Here’s what Perplexity can do:

• Summarize content: Condense lengthy articles, documents, and webpages into concise summaries to grasp key points quickly.
• Organize research: Create and manage Collections to easily access and share information across different projects or topics.
• Explore topics in depth: Use the Copilot feature for guided, comprehensive searches that provide detailed insights into complex subjects.
• Interact with data: Analyze uploaded files and answer questions about the data, integrating seamlessly with web searches for a complete view.

Pro Search offers personalized, in-depth search experiences for precise results. It goes beyond the typical search engine by providing clear, direct answers.

What sets Perplexity apart is its focus on accuracy and transparency. It shows the sources for each answer, allowing you to verify the information. Perplexity also supports a more engaging search experience by suggesting related topics and follow-up questions, fostering a deeper understanding.

Lastly, Perplexity enhances collaboration and customization through flexible settings and privacy controls, making it a versatile tool for modern research needs.

Who is Perplexity AI Best For?

This to0l serves all kinds of people with various needs:

• Researchers can use Perplexity AI to efficiently source and site academic articles and research papers, saving time on information gathering. They can use Perplexity to get direct answers with citations, reducing the need to sift through multiple search results.
• Students can use Perplexity AI to get concise, reliable information for essays and projects, helping them better understand complicated topics. Perplexity helps students do better research and get better grades. For example, students can use Perplexity to explore follow-up questions for deeper learning and critical thinking.
• Business professionals can use Perplexity AI to perform competitor analysis and stay updated on industry news without sifting through endless articles. With Perplexity, they can access unbiased insights to make informed decisions.
• Content creators can use Perplexity AI for efficient research and generate SEO-friendly content that resonates with their audience. For example, they can use Perplexity AI to research keywords and generate structured content outlines.
• Teams can use Perplexity AI to streamline research collaboration by sharing collections and insights. Teams can organize information to foster better teamwork and efficiency!
• Data analysts can use Perplexity AI to interpret complex datasets and gain more precise insights by combining data from various sources. Lastly, they can explore data visualization techniques to present their findings effectively.
• Travel planners can use Perplexity AI to create personalized itineraries and get real-time travel information. They can plan trips more efficiently based on weather updates, local events, and user reviews.
• Developers can use Perplexity AI to generate code, stay updated on the latest programming trends, get coding help with examples and best practices, and quickly access tutorials.
• Casual users can use Perplexity AI to answer everyday questions quickly and directly. Perplexity makes it much easier to learn new facts without sifting through irrelevant links. They can also dive deeply into various topics for a broader understanding with insights from reliable sources.

Perplexity AI Key Features

Perplexity AI offers some unique features unlike any other chatbot or search engine:

• Question Answering: Perplexity AI excels at providing accurate and detailed answers to complex questions, acting like a knowledgeable friend or expert. It uses multiple sources to ensure reliability, minimize bias, and offer a broad perspective. While the answers may not always be accurate or unbiased, the answers are always up-to-date and provided in real time.
• Content Summarization: Perplexity AI’s content summarization feature efficiently extracts key points from long texts, making it invaluable for quick information retrieval. It helps you grasp essential details more efficiently, saving time and simplifying complex topics.
• Guided Search with Copilot: Perplexity AI’s Copilot enhances online research by guiding you with relevant follow-up questions and related topics, making the search experience more interactive. It offers a more structured approach than traditional search engines for a deeper topic exploration.
• Pro Search: Pro Search in Perplexity AI provides advanced research capabilities, offering access to exclusive databases and academic resources for comprehensive information. It understands your responses by asking further questions, summarizes discoveries, and uses a variety of sources for a comprehensive perspective.
• Quick Search: Perplexity AI’s Quick Search delivers immediate answers for fast information retrieval. It’s excellent for quick fact-checking or simple queries. It offers concise results, bypassing the need to sift through multiple search engine pages.
• Collections: Perplexity AI’s Collections feature helps you organize and manage your research by creating digital libraries based on the project or topic. It allows you to save, annotate, and categorize resources, turning Perplexity into a personal knowledge base.
• File Upload Feature: Perplexity’s file upload feature allows you to attach text-based files (e.g., documents or code) to analyze content and maintain context for follow-up questions. It supports various formats (plain text, code, PDFs, or images), providing tailored insights while keeping files private and accessible for 30 days.
• Data Interaction: Perplexity AI facilitates interactive data exploration of the files you upload to analyze complex datasets quickly. It simplifies data interpretation with natural language queries so you can effortlessly extract insights and make data-driven decisions.
• Convert to Page: This feature transforms a conversation thread into a single, organized page for easy viewing and sharing. It helps streamline information, making it more accessible and readable in a structured format.
• Collaboration Tools: Share Threads and Collections with others. By default, Threads are private, but you can make them public for teamwork or shared research by simply clicking “Share.”
• API and Developer Tools: Perplexity AI offers robust API and developer tools for seamlessly integrating various platforms. These tools empower developers to create innovative, AI-driven solutions tailored to specific user needs.

How to Use Perplexity AI

Here’s how I used Perplexity AI to do in-depth research, create and publish a Page, and organize my Threads into Collections:

1. Sign Up for Perplexity
2. Adjust Account Settings
3. Create a New Thread
4. Convert the Thread to a Page
5. Edit & Add Sections
6. Preview & Publish Your Page
7. Create a Collection

Step 1: Sign Up for Perplexity

I started by going to perplexity.ai and selecting “Sign Up.” I could’ve stayed on the free version, but I wanted to see what the Pro version of Perplexity could do!

Here’s what Perplexity Pro comes with:

• 300+ Pro searches per day.
• The ability to choose my AI model.
• Upload and analyze an unlimited number of files
• Generate AI images.
• $5.00 per month in API credits.

Step 2: Adjust Account Settings

After upgrading my account, Perplexity took me to my account settings.

Here are some notable settings you may want to tweak:

• Appearance: Set your preferred theme for Perplexity (Dark or Light mode).
• Language: Set your preferred language (English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, or Hindi).
• AI Model Options: Choose from the latest models like Claude 3.5, GPT-4o, and Sonar.
• Image Generation Model: Select the image generation model.
• Pro Discord: Access Pro Discord.
• Pro Support: Access support options for Pro users.

I kept everything on default, but you may want to customize these settings to make the platform more tailored to your needs.

Step 3: Create a New Thread

I selected “Home” at the top of the left-hand menu to access the Perplexity AI chatbot. Alternatively, I could’ve used the “Ctrl + I” shortcut to start a new Thread from anywhere on the Perplexity platform.

In the empty field in the center, I could ask Perplexity anything I was curious about. Alternatively, I could select one of the topics generated below.

Below the empty text field were “Focus” and “Attach.”

Selecting “Focus” allowed me to choose where Perplexity should pull its sources:

• The Web.
• Published academic papers.
• Online discussions.

The Focus option also allowed me to choose how I wanted to use Perplexity:

• Generate text or have a conversation without using the Internet.
• Solve math equations.
• Find and watch online videos.

Next to “Focus” was “Attach.” Selecting “Attach” allowed me to upload files from my device that Perplexity could analyze.

I could also turn on the Pro toggle with the short key “Ctrl + .” The Pro toggle gave me a list of breaking news I could click to get Perplexity to research. This list reflects the news articles in the left menu in the “Discover” tab.

Leaving the Pro toggle in Perplexity would make my searches more in-depth and detailed, providing comprehensive insights. Unlike Quick Search, Pro Search enhances result precision and depth while linking to more trustworthy sources and displays the steps to reach its conclusions.

I had to try Pro Search for myself, so I selected the first research suggestion (“The Birthday of Linux”). Within seconds, Perplexity began generating a detailed summary with citations!

Here’s what Perplexity Pro generated by searching “The Birthday of Linux”:

• The history, development, and significant dates of Linux.
• The sources Perplexity used to gather this information.
• Relevant images and videos.
• Related topics to continue the conversation.

I could also generate images in four styles (painting, photograph, illustration, or diagram). Below the generated content, Perplexity also gave me the option to share, rewrite, copy, edit, or view the query’s sources. I could also ask follow-up questions in the empty field at the bottom.

On the top right were a few more options:

• Add the Thread to a Collection.
• Delete the Thread.
• Save to Bookmarks.
• Convert to Page.
• Share.

Step 4: Convert the Thread to a Page

I was curious about the “Convert to Page” option and selected it from my Thread at the top right. Perplexity transformed the conversation into a neatly formatted page within seconds, making it easier to read and share! Everything was editable, including the layout.

Step 5: Edit & Add Sections

At the bottom of the page, I could continue adding sections in different formats. I could also choose whether or not I wanted Perplexity to be concise or detailed. I also loved the topics it suggested to prevent writer’s block!

On the top right, I could preview and publish the page I had just generated with Perplexity.

Step 6: Preview & Publish Your Page

Selecting “Publish” immediately published my page to Perplexity! I could also share it on Twitter, WhatsApp, and Facebook or copy the link. Converting my Thread into a Page and publishing it to Perplexity allowed me to share the information Perplexity compiled seamlessly with others.

Step 7: Create a Collection

I selected the Library tab from the left menu to access my Threads and Pages and organize them into Collections.

Collections in Perplexity allowed me to categorize my Threads for better management and easy access. I could also use Collections to collaborate with others by sharing these organized threads! To create a collection with Perplexity, I had to give the collection a title, emoji, description, and optional AI prompt.

Perplexity AI impressed me with its different features and ease of use. I enjoyed exploring the Pro version, which allowed me to perform in-depth research with detailed summaries and citations without opening a million tabs.

The “Convert to Page” feature stood out to me. It allowed me to transform my Threads into well-organized pages for easy sharing and editing. The Collections feature was also incredibly useful, allowing me to organize and share my content with others.

Perplexity vs ChatGPT

Perplexity AI and ChatGPT are both AI tools that use advanced language models to provide responses based on inputs. However, they differ significantly in their primary functions and user experiences.

On the one hand, ChatGPT is more of a general-purpose AI chatbot capable of performing a wide range of tasks. It answers questions, solves problems, generates content, and analyzes data. It is a versatile assistant, adaptable to many uses beyond just providing information. Its multimodal capabilities allow it to process and generate text, images, and audio.

In contrast, Perplexity AI is more specialized. It focuses primarily on delivering accurate and up-to-date information like a search engine.

Perplexity is designed to offer more reliable, well-referenced answers by sourcing information from across the web. Its use of citations makes it a better choice for those looking for fact-based, research-driven responses. Perplexity AI conducts comprehensive searches and provides summarized information from various sources.

While both tools have unique strengths, the choice between them depends on whether you need a comprehensive AI assistant (ChatGPT) or a focused, research-oriented tool (Perplexity AI).

Strengths and Limitations of ChatGPT

ChatGPT is great at giving clear answers and dealing with many questions quickly. It does well in understanding the context and sharing helpful information.

However, ChatGPT sometimes gives false or unhelpful answers. It may also have trouble with complex or detailed questions, resulting in inaccurate answers. Despite these issues, many people still like using ChatGPT for different tasks. As frustrating as it can sometimes be, I love ChatGPT, and its models keep improving!

Here’s a chart summarizing the strengths and limitations of ChatGPT:

When to Use Perplexity Over ChatGPT

When facing challenging data analysis or doing fact-based research, I find that Perplexity AI comes out on top over ChatGPT. It’s particularly good at tackling tough questions that require a deeper understanding. Perplexity’s advanced AI capabilities make it more effective for diving into specific or technical subjects.

So, when your tasks demand factual research and precise data work, Perplexity AI is the better choice. For more interactive, conversational needs and creative brainstorming, ChatGPT is best!

Perplexity vs Google

The next question is how Perplexity compares to Google. Both Perplexity and Google are powerful tools for searching and retrieving information. However, like most tools, they cater to different users and excel in their distinct areas.

Here’s a quick comparison of the two:

Perplexity Strengths

Perplexity is designed for those needing quick, clear, and concise answers. It’s better for “how-to” queries and summarizing complex information.

Perplexity provides clear and direct answers like an expert instead of displaying lengthy links. While many search engines focus on SEO and keyword rankings, Perplexity values the quality and trustworthiness of the information it shares. You can think of it this way: if regular search engines are like libraries filled with many books, Perplexity AI feels like talking directly to a librarian who leads you to the answer you need.

Perplexity AI also provides results with citations, making it easier to fact-check to ensure the answers to your questions are accurate and relevant. Unlike search engines like Google, Perplexity AI uses artificial intelligence and NLP techniques to understand what you need personally. Perplexity gives you clear and customized search results, setting it apart from regular search engines.

Perplexity also excels in providing succinct responses to straightforward questions, often with supporting videos and links to relevant content. What I love most about Perplexity over Google is that everything is conveniently found in a single window, eliminating the need to open multiple tabs to find the information you need. You can then organize your findings into Collections, which is convenient and something Google lacks.

Google Strengths

On the other hand, Google remains the go-to for comprehensive, exploratory searches. After all, it’s been the default search engine since 2000!

Google excels at finding specific resources and supports more nuanced search paths that allow you to dive deeper into topics through various content types. It also comes with a suite of valuable tools I love (like Google Docs, Sheets, Maps, and Calendar), all within a single ecosystem.

Perplexity struggles with managing searches across various topics. Meanwhile, Google remains the leader in supporting fluid, exploratory searches from multiple sources.

When to Use Perplexity Over Google

Perplexity is best for concise, personalized, and direct queries. Google is great for comprehensive searches and complex information retrieval.

Choose Perplexity when seeking quick, specific answers and summaries. When conducting in-depth, exploratory research across various topics, choose Google!

Top 3 Perplexity AI Alternatives

Here are the best Perplexity AI alternatives I’ve tried. You may also want to consider Google Gemini!

ChatGPT

The first Perplexity AI alternative I’d recommend is ChatGPT by OpenAI. I’ve used ChatGPT quite a bit, and I love it because it offers an engaging and flexible conversation style. It’s handy for condensing long blocks of text and perfect for brainstorming, coding assistance, and creative writing tasks.

While ChatGPT and Perplexity AI use advanced language models to generate responses, they differ in how they retrieve information and interact with users.

ChatGPT offers a more conversational approach for a more dynamic dialogue around the user’s input. This conversational approach makes ChatGPT excellent at answering follow-up questions and providing a more interactive experience. It can also generate creative content like composing poetry, which adds an edge.

In contrast, Perplexity AI focuses on providing evidence-supported answers to direct questions. It integrates various language models and filters content like academic publications, making it a powerful tool for research and gathering information.

Perplexity emphasizes transparency by citing sources, which helps verify information and conduct in-depth research. However, it may lack the depth for highly specialized topics and sometimes struggles with complex science queries beyond basic mathematics.

If you’re looking for an AI tool that provides comprehensive, reliable research capabilities with transparent citations, choose Perplexity AI. However, if you need a versatile conversational partner who can help with a wide range of tasks, ChatGPT is the better choice!

Claude AI

The second Perplexity AI alternative I’d recommend is Claude AI. Claude is remarkable for handling complex tasks precisely and provides a secure, reliable environment for business applications.

Like Perplexity AI, Claude uses advanced AI to understand the context and provide in-depth answers. However, it stands out for its robust problem-solving capabilities and advanced reasoning skills, making it better suited for more complicated queries.

Both platforms offer user-friendly interfaces and support multiple languages. However, Claude AI implements industry-standard security practices, making it a reliable business choice. Additionally, Claude AI offers versatile features like code generation, vision analysis, and translation.

While Perplexity AI and Claude AI deliver AI-powered responses in real time, Perplexity excels at delivering concise answers to reduce information overload. It also filters content from multiple sources, including social media, video, and academic publications. In contrast, Claude AI is more capable of handling complex science topics and coding tasks.

If you want a tool that offers concise answers with citations, choose Perplexity AI. On the other hand, if you need a platform for complex reasoning, problem-solving, and secure business use, Claude AI is your best bet!

Read my Claude AI review or visit Claude AI!

Microsoft Copilot

The final Perplexity AI alternative I’d recommend is Microsoft Copilot. What I love about this tool is its ability to boost productivity across a wide range of Microsoft tools. It offers a cohesive workflow for Microsoft users!

Both platforms use advanced AI technology to enhance productivity and provide intelligent assistance. However, they cater to different needs.

Perplexity AI delivers AI-powered, human-like responses with reliable, cited sources. As a result, It is a fantastic tool for quickly gathering real-time, in-depth information. It offers the most up-to-date language models and concise answers to reduce information overload.

Perplexity even filters content from social media, video, and academic publications! Plus, its user-friendly design is accessible on both Android and iOS for a mobile-first experience.

In contrast, Microsoft Copilot enhances everyday tasks and productivity across Microsoft applications. It’s deeply integrated with Microsoft 365, making it the perfect AI assistant for those who rely heavily on Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Copilot offers seamless AI integration to help create, design, and organize your work more efficiently. It offers features like image creation with DALL-E 3 and summarization capabilities for documents and web pages. Additionally, Microsoft Copilot provides tailored experiences for businesses, with options to build customized copilots for different roles and tasks!

Microsoft Copilot is the best AI tool for boosting daily productivity and seamless integration with Microsoft applications. However, if you need an AI tool for in-depth research and concise information gathering, Perplexity AI is for you!

Perplexity AI Review: The Right Tool For You?

After trying Perplexity AI, I found it incredibly versatile and user-friendly for those needing quick access to reliable information. ChatGPT provides concise, evidence-supported answers and guides users through complex topics with follow-up questions.

However, it’s important to remember that while Perplexity offers many advantages, it may not cover all your needs. Here are the best Perplexity AI alternatives I’ve tried that I’d recommend:

• Perplexity AI: Ideal for researchers, students, and professionals seeking reliable, cited information and organized research capabilities.
• ChatGPT: Great for those seeking a versatile AI assistant who can handle creative tasks, content generation, and general inquiries.
• Claude AI: Best for quick, context-aware responses and an intuitive conversation style for diverse topics.
• Microsoft Copilot: Best for business professionals wanting integrated AI assistance within Microsoft Office applications for productivity and collaboration.
• Google: Perfect for everyday users who require fast, broad search results across online content.

Whether you’re a researcher looking to cite academic papers or a student tackling tough topics, Perplexity AI is designed to make information discovery efficient!

Thanks for reading my Perplexity review! I hope you found it helpful. Perplexity offers a free and Pro plan with access to the latest models from Anthropic and OpenAI. Why not explore the full range of Perplexity AI’s capabilities and see how it fits into your research workflow?

Visit Perplexity →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Perplexity AI good?

Perplexity AI is a good tool for delivering quick, accurate, and in-depth AI-powered responses with reliable sources. It also offers a user-friendly experience with powerful features like content filtering and mobile accessibility.

Does Perplexity use ChatGPT?

The Standard Free plan uses a Standard Perplexity AI Model optimized for speed and quality. Upgrading to Perplexity Pro unlocks the ability to choose your AI model, including the latest ChatGPT model.

Is Perplexity AI safe?

Perplexity AI follows a comprehensive privacy policy to protect user data. Still, it collects and uses various types of information, including personal and usage data, cookies, and tracking technologies. Although they make efforts to protect information, no system is entirely secure. I would be cautious when sharing sensitive information using this tool.

Is Perplexity AI trustworthy?

Perplexity AI is arguably the most trustworthy AI chatbot, especially considering how it cites its sources. However, you’ll still want to consider the accuracy of the information it provides. Although the AI aims to deliver accurate answers, there’s always a possibility of encountering incorrect or misleading information.

Is Perplexity better than ChatGPT?

Perplexity AI is better than ChatGPT at delivering concise, evidence-supported answers with source citations that are ideal for research. ChatGPT, on the other hand, offers a more engaging conversational experience and is better suited for creative writing, brainstorming, and interactive dialogue.

Is Perplexity worth paying for?

Perplexity Pro offers significant value with features like 300+ Pro daily searches, unlimited file uploads, and AI image generation. It’s worth paying for Perplexity if you need more robust tools for advanced research and data analysis.

What is Perplexity AI used for?

Perplexity AI is used for many tasks, like planning travel, getting news, and gathering information. You can use it to get quick answers, do in-depth research, or find creative inspiration. It also simplifies complex queries by providing clear, evidence-supported responses from various sources.

Is Perplexity AI free?

Perplexity AI has a free plan where you’ll get access to unlimited Quick searches, five Pro searches per day, and the Standard Perplexity AI Model for speed and quality. Upgrading to Perplexity Pro comes with more advanced tools and support. You’ll get 300+ daily Pro searches, the ability to choose from the latest AI models, access to multiple AI image generators, and more!

Is Perplexity AI accurate?

Perplexity AI generally aims to provide credible and accurate responses based on input. However, occasionally, the answers may include additional details that aren’t always accurate.