Perplexity vs. ChatGPT: Difference & Comparison!

Artificial intelligence, or AI, no doubt, has become the main assistant for some people in this era. They even shifted to an AI chatbot as their main source of information rather than a conventional search engine, Google. No wonder many people try to find the best AI tool to be chosen as their assistant. So, are you one of those “modern humans” who frequently use AI to finish work and tasks? Are you even planning to pay for AI services, among several options? You are in the right place, because we are going to give you an overview and side-by-side comparison between the two most popular AI tools in the market right now: Perplexity vs. ChatGPT. This article can be a recommendation for those of you who might be uncertain between Perplexity and ChatGPT, before deciding to pay for the service.  

What is ChatGPT? 

ChatGPT is the first AI tool that was introduced to the public in October 2022 and now has become the most renowned one in the market. It was developed by a tech company called OpenAI. Despite the controversies around the founder, Sam Altman, ChatGPT remains the most popular AI platform among internet users. By 2026, they claimed to have a hundred million daily users, which proves how massive their reach is.

ChatGPT uses a chatbot system that allows even non-registered users to input prompts and get real-time responses. However, its biggest strength is multimodal capabilities, features that allow users to transform their text-based or written content idea into something else. For instance, coding, images, videos, and audio. ChatGPT is available in both free and paid modes, allowing you to try out its features first before upgrading to payment options.  

What is Perplexity? 

Perplexity.ai is an AI tool that provides answers in real-time, emulating the chatbot system. It was developed by several engineers from prominent tech companies such as Meta, Quora, OpenAI, and Databricks. Perplexity was introduced to the public in late 2022, a few months after ChatGPT hit the internet. 

Perplexity’s main page is similar to ChatGPT, with a prompt column ready. It also has multimodal capabilities in comparison with ChatGPT, but they are not equipped with audio assistance the way some competitors are. Perplexity’s main strength is the detailed answer and user interface. We will talk about this further with examples.   

Perplexity vs. ChatGPT features comparison 

Perplexity vs ChatGPT: Prompt responses comparison

In order to get a better overview of the topic Perplexity vs. ChatGPT, let’s compare how they respond to a prompt. So, my prompt is “help me do research on Japanese macaque society, can you curate academic papers related to it?” Their answers are similar, but there is a slight difference I would like to highlight. 

ChatGPT’s response

Perplexity’s response

The first few paragraphs of those answers are quite similar. Both Perplexity and ChatGPT listed papers and sources for further reading. They also summarized the main idea of each paper. They even make the lists based on the topic categories, as you can see above, such as social structure, rank system, group dynamics, etc. However, if you scroll down, you will see the difference. 

ChatGPT 

Perplexity 

ChatGPT tempted me with a summary rather than giving further recommendations and space for reasoning. They even recommend the order of reading materials. On the other hand, Perplexity includes a table that explains why each paper matters for my research, instead of giving away and summarising the main ideas in short sentences. 

This is an important point for those who want to use AI tools for research. ChatGPT is ideal if you are in a rush and work in a fast-paced environment. It helps you get an overview of a topic in a matter of seconds. Perplexity takes the role of a teacher who does not want to give away things too fast and encourages you to learn by yourself, while also helping you with a guide. 

Now, let’s ask them to make a summary about the Japanese macaques’ rank system. 

ChatGPT 

Perplexity 

Here you see that ChatGPT tends to use bullet points when responding to a prompt. Perplexity did almost the same, but they tend to be more elaborative. Again, this proves the language style of each AI platform. When ChatGPT is concise and straightforward, Perplexity is explanatory and more proactive. 

Now, what about diagrams (simple visual-based content) in the context of Perplexity vs. ChatGPT? This turned out to be interesting. I asked both of them to create a diagram of social hierarchy in Japanese macaque society, and these are the responses. 

ChatGPT 

ChatGPT gave me comprehensive answers and made more than one. The general one that divides male and female macaques, and two separate diagrams that show the differences between the female hierarchy (matrilineal) and the male hierarchy. They also added other diagrams that show the social interactions and kinship. 

 Perplexity

Perplexity only gave me one simple diagram that did not show the separate female and male hierarchical system in Japanese macaque society. This answer does not reflect the complexity of the Japanese macaque’s rank system. For people who never really read and learn about Japanese macaques, this might be a little confusing. Instead, ChatGPT offers a better guide. This case also proves the strength of ChatGPT’s multimodal capabilities compared to Perplexity. 

When to use Perplexity vs. ChatGPT? 

So, when you have to answer which one is better between Perplexity vs. ChatGPT? The answer is tentative. Perplexity, as many users claim, is a more advanced research assistant. It can encourage you to seek wider information rather than focusing on its output. ChatGPT, on the other hand, is ideal for those who seek straightforward answers and faster ideas. ChatGPT is also good at giving comprehensive answers.

To get a better depiction of this, let’s try another experiment with Perplexity vs. ChatGPT. I will give them more specific questions or prompts, and let’s find out how they respond to them. 

Here is my prompt: “What about male baby keepers in macaque society, in which ranking are they?”

ChatGPT 

Perplexity

ChatGPT consistently uses bullet points to explain the “male baby keeper” term as well as their role and position in the ranking system. Perplexity managed to use their explanatory language rather than short sentences. The difference is that, at this point, Perplexity offered me the opportunity to obtain charts that show the male and female hierarchy differences and dynamics, as well as their comparison with the baby keeper title within the society. 

At this point, you may make your own conclusion about Perplexity.ai vs ChatGPT. Their information is basically identical; only the way they represent it is different. ChatGPT is more comprehensive and good for getting to know the general knowledge of a topic. The bullet points format is also helpful, as you do not have to read a paragraph; everything is already extracted into short main ideas. Perplexity, on the other hand, is better at responding to more specific prompts. They are more elaborate, instead of being direct like ChatGPT. Hence, Perplexity will allow you to think for yourselves before stepping further and deeper into the topic. 

There is one more experiment I use to compare Perplexity vs. ChatGPT. Here, I asked them to make a summary of an 80-page essay by Donna Haraway titled A Cyborg Manifesto. Here are their responses. 

ChatGPT 

Perplexity 

Now, if I am writing a review or need to explain the essay verbally, I would prefer to refer to Perplexity’s answers. Its answer is more elaborative and easier to follow, compared to ChatGPT’s bullet points. Despite being practical and short, it is hard to understand the main ideas of the essays through those points. In that case, I am confident to say that Perplexity is better at helping you do text-based tasks compared to ChatGPT. 

I also do some experiments with both AI tools, such as generating images, scripting codes for simple games, and here are my impressions so far, using their free plans. The following table summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of Perplexcity and ChatGPT for doing some of the common tasks. 

From the side-by-side comparison table, we can see that Perplexity offers the best alternative for doing research and text-based tasks, including creating a draft for a research thesis or writing articles. Perplexity also provides the full citation for all of the text it has generated to directly check the source of information. ChatGPT, on the other hand, more comprehensive ability rather than only for research. In addition, not all of the text generated is even provided with the full citations. This leads to doubt for users who need research and need to verify the information accordingly. 

Perplexity vs ChatGPT: Comparison in Professionals Used

To gain more understanding of the comparison between Perplexity vs ChatGPT, we will dive deeper into the usage of these tools in professional settings. As we mentioned earlier, Perplexity vs ChatGPT actually has its own advantages and disadvantages to offer to the users. Check this comparison of Perplexity vs ChatGPT for several common professional uses.  

Which is Better, Perplexity vs ChatGPT, for Academic Settings? 

In academic settings, Perplexity can be a reliable option. This tool is more of an advanced search engine that can help the user who wants to do deep research and fact-checking. Rather than giving you straightforward answers, it encourages users to do further research. Their browsing method is also transparent and may help you become more confident at citing the sources it has curated. 

Which is Better, Perplexity vs ChatGPT, for Business and Finance? 

In the finance sector, Perplexity is also claimed as a better option compared to ChatGPT. It can help you do real-time research through verified sources. ChatGPT, on the other hand, can be delusional in answering something, using its own thinking model rather than meticulously browsing sources. 

Which is Better, Perplexity vs ChatGPT, for Coding? 

ChatGPT may excel at this as they are good at variations of tasks. But Perplexity has a Computer feature that is specialized for coding. However, to access this, you need a paid plan, while ChatGPT offers some prominent coding features for free. This is why ChatGPT is quite popular among engineers. 

Which is Better, Perplexity vs ChatGPT, for Journalistic and Fact-checking?

In order to fact-check, Perplexity is a better option compared to ChatGPT. Perplexity always mentions sources and avoids short conclusions, which are good for journalists and independent researchers. This will allow you to think for yourself before jumping into false or incomplete comprehension. 

Perplexity vs ChatGPT: Pricing Comparison

After grasping the comparison of Perplexity vs ChatGPT for usage in a professional setting, we need to know how these two AI tool worth the most. As we know, whether Perplexity and ChatGPT has its own weaknesses and strengths, but what about the price? Is Perplexity worth more than ChatGPT or otherwise? The following table will explain the full pricing lists along with the offered features from Perplexity vs ChatGPT. 

The pricing list above demonstrates that Perplexity vs ChatGPT is not a low-end AI tool. Therefore, potential users need to know what they are working for to get better performance of Perplexity vs ChatGPT. Whether Perplexity or ChatGPT, they have quite similar pricing tiers and provide exclusive tiers for the enterprise. However, ChatGPT provides a more affordable choice with only $8 per month for the Go Plan, which can be an option for someone who has a strict budget.

Best Alternatives to Perplexity vs ChatGPT

After comparing the features to pricing between Perplexity vs ChatGPT, you need to know what the alternatives of AI tools are in the market. This information is important as a recommendation to find the best AI platform as an assistant, especially for those of you who want to purchase the AI services. We have collected three of the best alternatives to Perplexity and ChatGPT that can help you to tackle intricate tasks. These are the following AI applications as a substitute for Perplexity vs ChatGPT. 

1. Gemini

Gemini is a good option for Perplexity and ChatGPT. Even though this AI tool is quite new compared to ChatGPT, it has developed rapidly to compete with all of the AI tools in the market. In comparison, Perplexity vs ChatGPT vs Gemini, all of them have text content generation ability and are powered by large language models (LLMs). However, Perplexity is lacking in terms of multimodal capability and is mostly used for text-based content and research. For someone who needs a multimodal AI tool for creating content or other tasks, they need to look at whether it is ChatGPT or Gemini. 

2. Claude 

Claude is, beyond doubt, one of the largest players in the AI industry these days. Claude for sure can be an alternative to Perplexity and ChatGPT. The AI platform established by Antropic has the capability to compete with Perplexity and ChatGPT. In comparison, Perplexity vs ChatGPT vs Claude, all of them have different advantages. Claude is quite similar to Perplexity, with more on text based AI tool rather than multimodal. Meanwhile, ChatGPT is known as a multimodal AI tool and is able to help you solve tasks, from research to writing and image or video generation. 

3. DeepSeek

DeepSeek is also a new competitor from China. This AI tool is similar to Perplexity in terms of capabilities, with more on text-based content. In comparison, Perplexity vs ChatGPT vs DeepSeek, all of them have different capabilities. Perplexity is similar to a search engine to help find the most accurate, and DeepSeek has logical capabilities. Meanwhile, ChatGPT, as I said earlier, is a multimodal and generative AI tool that can assist you in doing copious tasks, including research, writing articles, and visual content generation. 

Conclusion 

Which one is better, Perplexity vs. ChatGPT? The answer depends on each case. Overall, their responses are similar to each other, with slight differences in the way they showcase it. In the end, you can also use the two tools to do some research and find what fits best. Remember, AI tools do not replace the human brain or automate work instantly, you still need to work with your own efforts and knowledge. Free plans of AI tools are mostly taking the role of an organizer, rather than a replacement for human assistants. You can discuss with them, but they will mostly give you templates and general answers. So, use AI wisely and proportionally, and do not rely heavily on AI tools for all tasks. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Perplexity vs ChatGPT

1. Can I use Perplexity for free without the need to pay for its service? 

Yes, of course. You can use Perplexity for free without the need to pay anything. However, Perplexity only allows you to use a basic unlimited AI search engine, and the answer might be more generic than the paid plans. For the advanced search results, you need to use the Pro or Max plan from Perplexity.  

2. Can I use ChatGPT for free? What is the performance for the free ChatGPT service? 

Yes, you can use ChatGPT without the need to pay anything, and you do not even need to have an account. However, you cannot expect the best performance from the ChatGPT service. This is because the latest reasoning models or the advanced models for ChatGPT can only be accessed with the Pro Plan or Business Plan. 

3. Is Perplexity better than ChatGPT? 

It actually depends on what the AI tools are used for. Perplexity actually can be better than ChatGPT and otherwise. Perplexity can be a reliable assistant for research to generate the best draft for writing a thesis and find the recommended citations. On the other hand, ChatGPT can be useful for all assistants, from writing to image or video generation, to create content. 

4. Which is the best, Perplexity vs ChatGPT, for coding generation? 

For coding generation, Perplexity vs ChatGPT have their own plus and minus. ChatGPT focuses more on creativity to polish the front end and smooth the user experience interface. On the other hand, Perplexity focuses on deep reasoning, debugging, code behaviour explanation, and logic optimization. 

5. What is the best, Perplexity vs ChatGPT, for research? 

Perplexity is the best tool for someone who is doing research. This is because Perplexity always tries to give a reliable reference instead of any reference for the users. Therefore, this tool is useful for someone who is doing a thesis or students writing papers, or for fact-checking. 

6. Is Perplexity a multimodal AI tool similar to ChatGPT? 

Perplexity has a multimodal capability, but there are many limitations and a lack of capability to generate text or images for new content. Therefore, if someone needs a multimodal AI tool, they need to look at ChatGPT, Gemini, or Grok, instead of Perplexity. These three AI tools have a better performance in generating text or audio, and visual content. 

7. What are other alternatives to Perplexity vs ChatGPT? 

If you need to find other alternatives to Perplexity vs ChatGPT, there are several tools you can try, such as Gemini, Claude, and DeepSeek. These AI automation tools have their own capabilities and have advantages. Gemini is a multimodal AI tool that can compete with ChatGPT. Meanwhile, Claude and DeepSeek have limited multimodal capabilities that can be compared with Perplexity. 

8. Which one is better, Perplexity vs ChatGPT, for better pricing? 

In terms of pricing, Perplexity and ChatGPT actually offer quite similar pricing tiers. However, ChatGPT provides the more affordable Go Plan for only $8 per month, and you can access the GPT 5.3. In contrast, Perplexity only provides the $20 per month for the cheapest tier. Therefore, ChatGPT is an option for someone who is looking for an affordable yet great features and performance, as well as a multimodal AI tool.