Perplexity AI: what is it, how do I use it and how does it differ from ChatGPT?

What is Perplexity AI? If there’s one AI that stands out from the crowd, it’s certainly Perplexity. This AI-based conversational assistant provides intuitive real-time search and sourced answers, making it easy to verify the information given. While ChatGPT, for example, will be a powerful content creation tool, we prefer to use Perplexity to search for data, monitor activity or verify information. In short, these two AIs complement each other!

Here’s everything you need to know about Perplexity, how it works, what it does and what we think of it.

How do I use Perplexity AI on a daily basis? How Perplexity works

Perplexity is an AI that lets you search the web live with sourced elements. The quality of its user interface makes it accessible to the widest possible audience. Perplexity is accessible on PC, mobile and via browser extensions.

Perplexity AI interrogates the web with every query to provide up-to-date, accurate information. Its robot explores the Internet to analyze numerous sources in a matter of seconds: articles, specialized sites, studies and news.

In just a few seconds, he’ll compile an answer that includes the references he used to formulate his point. These references are visible and verifiable sources.

Perplexity has the ability to sort through a wide range of sources, from news to evolving data to niche topics. Each summary, sentence or quotation is associated with a clickable link to the original source. The user can thus check the information and delve deeper into the subject.

However, we advise you to check Perplexity’s sources carefully, as the vagaries of the internet sometimes lead it to quote sites that are entirely AI-generated, unreliable or biased, obsolete or even non-transparent, with no identified authors or cross-references.

How Perplexity differs from other AIs: comparison with ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, Claude, Le Chat

Compared to Perplexity, other AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Grok, are primarily based on training data, although they can integrate a Web search function. This function remains optional and contextual, whereas web search is at the heart of Perplexity’s operation.

It’s not a conversational agent in the same way as ChatGPT: we think of it more as an AI-enhanced response engine. It doesn’t “chat” or generate creative content, but finds and compiles reliable, up-to-date information! Perplexity’s interface is designed for quick consultation and verification, whereas ChatGPT or Gemini are used for text creation, original content generation and so on.

Perplexity or ChatGPT: what’s the difference?

ChatGPT and Perplexity are two complementary AIs. ChatGPT stands out for its conversational orientation: it manages fluid dialogues, generates original texts and adapts to the desired tone. Ideal for content creation, brainstorming or scripting, it favors creativity and personalization.

Perplexity, on the other hand, relies on real-time web research. Every answer is sourced, documented and verifiable, making it the perfect tool for news monitoring, information verification and current affairs.

Comparison of the main AI chatbots (2025)

To better understand Perplexity’s originality, here’s a comparative table of different artificial intelligence language models (LLMs): Perplexity, ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, Claude, Le Chat.

Each AI has its own strengths, and it’s perfectly possible to combine several AIs! Claude for ultra-detailed texts, Perplexity for ultra-precise information, Mistral for speaking all languages like a pro, ChatGPT for creativity, and so on.

Perplexity free and pro versions: explanations

The free version of Perplexity allows anyone to use it! You don’t need an account to use the AI! But it’s a great way to keep track of your conversations.

In particular, the free ProSearch feature is available, but limited to three uses per day free of charge. To use ProSearch free of charge, simply click on the button directly in the conversation window to activate the Pro Search function.

However, you need to register to use it.

This feature provides much more precise, relevant and even exhaustive results on the subject requested, with 3x more sources as mentioned on the interface.

Perplexity’s paid subscription includes a virtually unlimited range of functions, such as :

• Perplexity’s Copilot function provides guided assistance for refining queries in real time;
• Unlimited access to the Pro Search function;
• Perplexity’s Search function, with full access to all standard and advanced Perplexity functions (synthesis, cross-referencing of sources, various documentary databases, etc.);
• Perplexity’s Labs function to create autonomous, personalized AI agents.

In particular, in its paid version, Perplexity lets you select from several recent language models. It can draw on different AIs such as GPT, Gemini, Claude, Grok and others. This combination makes it a much more powerful AI agent!

Is Perplexity a search engine?

Perplexity is similar to a conventional search engine in its direct access to the web. As we’ve seen, the AI accesses the web directly to formulate its answers. In particular, the AI will personalize the results it generates: Perplexity takes into account the history of queries, the context of the conversation and the details given by the user. Its short-term memory enables it to adapt its answers and propose more relevant results as the exchange progresses.

However, this doesn’t make it a search engine like Google or Brave: Perplexity remains a generative AI that selects its sources and intuitively judges what seems most relevant. It may, for example, base itself on a website with erroneous information, just as it may omit more serious websites, and is therefore capable of making mistakes or so-called “AI hallucinations”. It does not replace human discernment or the rigor of a traditional search engine.

How does Perplexity AI differ from traditional search engines?

Compared to a traditional search engine, Perplexity distinguishes itself by providing a written, synthetic response to the query: it doesn’t return a list of links. This is practical and fast for the user, but it also means that the AI tells the story in its own way. It can therefore sometimes misinterpret data or choose sources that are less reliable than others!

In particular, the Brave browser integrates its own AI, called Leo. Unlike Perplexity, Leo doesn’t directly query the entire web with every request. Instead, it relies on several AI models (including Claude and Llama 2) to analyze pages, often those already consulted by the user.

How does Perplexity handle complex questions?

Perplexity customizes search results to the user. If a question is complex or involves several steps, it will deploy strategies such as :

• Query breakdown: the question is broken down into sub-questions to explore different angles of analysis;
• Multiplying searches: AI searches the web several times, compares results and cross-references data from various sources;
• Prioritization of results: information considered to be the most reliable or recurrent is highlighted, accompanied by clickable quotations;
• Advanced modes (Pro Search, Research, Reasoning): these Perplexity features take things a step further. For example, Research can analyze dozens of sources simultaneously and produce a detailed report.

The Perplexity story: who’s behind Perplexity AI?

Perplexity AI has a singular vision of artificial intelligence: to revolutionize the way people access information on the Internet.

Perplexity AI was founded in August 2022 by Aravind Srinivas, an AI specialist from OpenAI and DeepMind, Denis Yarats (formerly of Meta/Facebook AI Research), Johnny Ho (ex-engineer at Quora and Wall Street), and Andy Konwinski (co-founder of Databricks).

Based in San Francisco, Perplexity AI is an independent technology company headed by Aravind Srinivas. It is owned by its founders and investors, including Nat Firedman (former CEO of GitHub), Elad Gil (investor), Yann LeCun (chief scientist of Meta) and Jeff Bezos (Amazon). The company has raised over $165 million.

Our opinion on Perplexity AI: advantages and limitations

Perplexity’s main advantage is that it saves precious time when searching for information. As an AI conversational agent, it can structure, explain or popularize its answers, making it accessible to everyone, from the curious user to the professional. Its paid version costs $20 a month or $200 a year.

However, like any AI, Perplexity always requires a critical eye from its user. Hallucinations are possible: the AI can make mistakes or misinterpret data.

Our tips for checking the sources offered by Perplexity

1. Always click on at least two different links;
2. Favor recognized sites (press, institutions, research) rather than blogs or content farms;

Check publication date and consistency of figures.