ChatGPT vs Perplexity: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
ChatGPT is a general assistant that also searches; Perplexity is a search engine that answers with citations first. ChatGPT Plus has the broader toolset — agent mode, images, deep research and US-only features. Perplexity Pro is the better research companion: sources on every answer and a choice of AI models from several companies.
Option A
$20.00/moPlus
Official price before tax: $20.00
Price checked
Also has a free plan: Free
ChatGPT price and plans
Option B
$20.00/moPro
Official price before tax: $20.00
Price checked
Also has a free plan: Free
Perplexity price and plansWe compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | ChatGPT | Perplexity |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | General assistant | Search with citations |
| Model choice | OpenAI models | Several providers (Pro, Max) |
| Free plan | Unlimited everyday chats | Unlimited basic searches |
| US refund window | 7 days, unused | 24 h monthly |
| Student plan | Not listed | Education Pro |
Both have strong free plans and a main paid plan. The real question is whether you mostly ask an assistant to do things, or to find and source information.
If you don’t want to read further
Writing, images, agents and everyday help — ChatGPT. Research where every claim needs a source, or switching between AI models — Perplexity.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
What is it built for?
ChatGPT
A general assistant: writing, images, files, voice, agents.
Perplexity
Search with inline citations on every answer.
For sourced research, Perplexity; for doing tasks, ChatGPT.
Which AI models?
ChatGPT
OpenAI’s own models.
Perplexity
Pro and Max let you choose models from several providers.
If you like comparing models, Perplexity.
Free plan limits?
ChatGPT
Unlimited everyday text chats; tools have their own limits; ads may appear.
Perplexity
Practically unlimited basic searches, 3 Pro Searches a day, 1 research query a month.
Both free plans are usable daily; Perplexity’s caps the deeper searches.
Refund window in the US?
ChatGPT
An unused subscription, within 7 days, at OpenAI’s discretion.
Perplexity
24 hours for monthly plans; 48–72 hours for annual ones.
Decide fast with Perplexity.
Agents?
ChatGPT
Agent mode on Plus (40 a month) and Pro (400).
Perplexity
Comet Assistant in Perplexity’s browser; Max gets Max Assistant.
ChatGPT’s agent works in ChatGPT; Perplexity’s lives in its Comet browser.
Private sessions?
ChatGPT
Temporary Chat – kept up to 30 days for safety, not used for training.
Perplexity
Incognito – deleted within 24 hours.
Shortest trail: Perplexity.
Training opt-out?
ChatGPT
Improve the model for everyone switch.
Perplexity
AI Data Usage switch.
Both let you opt out.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
Strong free plans
Both are useful without paying.
App-store billing pitfalls
With both, subscribing on a second platform means paying twice.
API billed separately
Neither consumer plan includes API usage.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You research and cite sources | Perplexity Pro | Citations on every answer. |
| You want images, agents and voice | ChatGPT Plus | The broadest toolset. |
| You’re a student | Perplexity Education Pro | After SheerID verification. |
| You only search now and then | Either free plan | Upgrade when a limit gets in the way. |
- Perplexity refunds monthly plans only within 24 hours in the US.
- Deleting your Perplexity account doesn’t cancel the subscription.
- ChatGPT Free and Go may show ads in the US; Plus doesn’t.
- Change Perplexity payment details on the web only — the app stores create a second subscription.
Where the facts come from
Sources: chatgpt.com/pricing and the OpenAI Help Center; perplexity.ai/hub/pricing and the Perplexity Help Center — checked in the US. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: ChatGPT or Perplexity
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “AI subscriptions” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — clear usage limits: ChatGPT Plus
ChatGPT Plus: limits are mentioned, but without numbers (3,0/5) · Perplexity Pro: limits aren’t published (1,0/5)
If what matters most is — what it can do: Perplexity Pro
ChatGPT Plus: 5 of 6 checked (4,0/5) · Perplexity Pro: 6 of 6 checked (5,0/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: