Alternatives · AI Assistants
Perplexity alternatives
Perplexity compared with 9 alternatives: ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Gemini Notebook, Felo and 4 more.
Perplexity has a free plan. Paid plans start at $17 per month when billed annually ($20 a month on the US App Store). 8 of the 9 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
9 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| PerplexityThis tool | Free plan · from $17/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| ChatGPT | Free plan · from $8/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Gemini | Free plan · from $4.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Claude | Free plan · from $17/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Gemini Notebook | Free plan · from $4.99/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| Felo | Free plan · from $12.50/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Grok | Free plan · from $10.00 | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| Kagi Assistant | Free trial · from $5/mo | Trial only | Web |
| Liner | Free plan · from $14.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| STORM | Free | Free | Web |
How each one differs from Perplexity
- Free plan · from $8/mo
ChatGPT
OpenAI's general-purpose AI assistant for chat, images and voice
- ChatGPT starts at $8 per month (Go). Perplexity starts at $17 per month when billed annually ($20 a month on the US App Store).
- Only ChatGPT lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Only Perplexity lists a browser extension.
Suits: General-purpose help with writing, questions and brainstorming
- Free plan · from $4.99/mo
Gemini
Google's AI assistant, tied into Gmail, Docs and other Google apps
- Gemini starts at $4.99 per month (Google AI Plus). Perplexity starts at $17 per month when billed annually ($20 a month on the US App Store).
- Only Gemini lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Only Perplexity lists a browser extension.
Suits: People who already use Gmail, Docs, Drive and Google Calendar
- Free plan · from $17/mo
Claude
Anthropic's AI assistant for writing, analysis and coding
- Claude starts at $17 per month with an annual subscription ($200 billed up front). Perplexity starts at $17 per month when billed annually ($20 a month on the US App Store).
- Only Claude lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
Suits: Writing, analysis and coding help in one assistant
- Free plan · from $4.99/mo
Gemini Notebook
Google's AI research assistant that answers from your own sources
- Gemini Notebook starts at $4.99 per month (Google AI Plus). Perplexity starts at $17 per month when billed annually ($20 a month on the US App Store).
- Only Perplexity lists a browser extension.
- Gemini Notebook also covers notes.
Suits: Students and researchers working from a set of their own documents
- Free plan · from $12.50/mo
Felo
Multilingual AI search engine that also builds slides and docs
- Felo starts at $12.50 per month, billed annually ($149.99), or $14.99 billed monthly. Perplexity starts at $17 per month when billed annually ($20 a month on the US App Store).
- Felo also covers AI agents, research and presentations.
Suits: Researching topics whose best sources are in another language
- Free plan · from $10.00
Grok
AI assistant with live X and web search, images, video and voice
- Grok starts at $10.00 (SuperGrok Lite, US App Store; billing period not shown). Perplexity starts at $17 per month when billed annually ($20 a month on the US App Store).
- Only Perplexity lists a browser extension.
- Grok also covers research.
Suits: Following news and conversations on X as they happen
- Free trial · from $5/mo
Kagi Assistant
Multi-model AI assistant included with a Kagi Search plan
- Kagi Assistant starts at $5 per month, or $54 per year (Kagi Starter). Perplexity starts at $17 per month when billed annually ($20 a month on the US App Store).
- Perplexity has a free plan. Kagi Assistant does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Perplexity lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Perplexity lists a browser extension.
- Kagi Assistant also covers research.
Suits: Kagi Search subscribers who want an assistant on the same plan
- Free plan · from $14.99/mo
Liner
AI search with cited answers, research agents and a writer
- Liner starts at $14.99 per month, billed annually ($17.99 billed monthly). Perplexity starts at $17 per month when billed annually ($20 a month on the US App Store).
- Only Liner lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Liner also covers AI agents, research, citations, long-form writing and highlights.
- Perplexity also covers chat assistant.
Suits: People who want every line of an AI answer tied to a source
- Free
STORM
Open-source AI that writes Wikipedia-style reports with citations
- STORM is free. Perplexity starts at $17 per month when billed annually ($20 a month on the US App Store).
- Only Perplexity lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Perplexity lists a browser extension.
- STORM is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- STORM also covers AI agents, research, citations and mind mapping.
Suits: Getting a cited overview of an unfamiliar topic
Limits worth knowing in Perplexity
- The plans page quotes annual-billing prices only: Pro at $17 and Max at $167 a month. The US App Store lists monthly subscriptions at $20.00 for Pro and $200.00 for Max.
- Pro and Max are described as for personal use only.
- Credits are sold separately in packs from $5.00 for 500 to $50.00 for 5,000.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Perplexity?
The alternatives to Perplexity in this directory are ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Gemini Notebook, Felo, Grok, Kagi Assistant, Liner and STORM. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Perplexity.
Is there a free alternative to Perplexity?
Yes. STORM is free to use. ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Gemini Notebook, Felo, Grok and Liner have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Perplexity alternatives work on Windows?
The Perplexity listing does not include a Windows app. ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Liner list one.
Which Perplexity alternatives work on macOS?
The Perplexity listing does not include a macOS app. ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Liner list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Perplexity?
STORM is described as open source on its own site.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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