vs
Perplexity vs ChatGPT deep research
Perplexity scores higher overall (8.4 vs 8), but the right pick depends on what you need.
Choose Perplexity if…
Fast cited overviews of a topic across the web and academic sources
8.4/10★★★★★Full review →Choose ChatGPT deep research if…
Professionals who want a thorough written briefing on a complex topic
8.0/10★★★★★Full review →Side by side
| Perplexity | ChatGPT deep research | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.4/10 | 8/10 |
| Rank in category | #2 of 10 | #4 of 10 |
| Price | Freemium · from $20/month | Paid · from $20/month |
| Free version | Unlimited basic searches with limited Research access | ChatGPT is free, but deep research is not included on the free plan |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Made by | Perplexity AI | OpenAI |
| Research quality | 8 | 8.5 |
| Ease of use | 9.5 | 9 |
| Features | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| Value for money | 8 | 7 |
| Platforms | 9.5 | 9.5 |
Perplexity: what the AI does
- Research mode with multi-step cited reports
- Academic source filter
- File uploads and questions about your documents
- Choice of AI models on Pro
- Export reports as documents or PDFs
- Quick, readable reports with sources on every claim
- Academic filter for peer-reviewed results
- Cheap Education Pro plan for students
- Excellent apps on every platform
- Citations can sound confident but not say what's claimed
- Not a reproducible literature search for systematic reviews
- May only read parts of long uploaded documents
ChatGPT deep research: what the AI does
- Multi-step web research agent
- Long reports with inline citations
- Analysis of uploaded files
- Images and charts embedded in reports
- Very thorough, long-form reports
- Included in the ChatGPT Plus subscription many people already have
- Excellent apps on every platform
- Not citation-verified by default; treat reports as drafts
- Only about 10 reports a month on Plus
- Not available on the free plan