Perplexity

What Is It, In Plain Words?

Perplexity is an AI search engine. You ask a question in normal words, and instead of a list of links, it writes a short answer and shows the websites it used, with numbered links.

That makes it easier to check where an answer came from. You can try it without an account.

What You Can Use It For

• Checking facts. "Is it true the State Pension age is going up?" Then click the numbered sources to read them yourself.
• Comparing things. "Compare the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kobo Clara for someone with poor eyesight."
• Local questions. "What should I look for when choosing a care home?"

Getting Started Step By Step

On A Computer

1. Open your web browser and go to perplexity.ai. Check the address carefully, because look-alike sites exist.
2. Type your question in the big box and press Enter. You don't need an account to start.
3. Read the answer, then click the small numbers or source cards to see the websites it used.
4. To save your searches, click Sign up and use your email, Google or Apple account.

On A Phone Or Tablet

1. Open the App Store (iPhone and iPad) or Google Play (Android).
2. Search for Perplexity and check it's made by Perplexity AI. Copycat apps exist.
3. Tap Get or Install, then open it.

Things To Try Typing

Copy any of these, or change the details to suit you.

What It Costs

Perplexity has a free version with limits on its more advanced searches. The paid plan is called Pro.

We couldn't confirm the price of Perplexity Pro on the official site when we checked on 16 October 2026, so we're not printing a figure. Please check the official site for the current price where you live.

Privacy And Safety

• What it keeps. If you sign in, your searches are saved in your Library. You can delete them.
• In your account settings you can choose whether your data is used to improve the AI.
• Never type passwords, PINs, bank or card numbers, your National Insurance number (UK) or Social Security number (USA).
• Check important answers about health, money or the law with your doctor, pharmacist, bank or a qualified adviser.

Good Points And Watch-Outs

Good Points

• Shows its sources, so you can check them.
• Works without signing up.
• On a computer, hold Ctrl (or Cmd on a Mac) and press + to make the words bigger. On a phone, it follows your text size setting.

Watch-Outs

• It can still misread a source. Click through for anything important.
• Sources can include adverts and low-quality sites. Prefer official ones such as GOV.UK, USA.gov or the NHS.
• Pop-ups may nudge you to upgrade. You don't have to.

Similar Tools

• Google AI Mode: longer questions answered inside Google Search.
• ChatGPT: the best-known chatbot, with a simple app and voice mode.
• Grok: xAI's assistant, good for up-to-date news.

Common Questions

Is Perplexity free?

Yes. The free version is enough for everyday questions. Perplexity Pro gives you more advanced searches.

How is Perplexity different from Google?

It writes a short answer in plain words and shows the websites it used, instead of giving you a list of links.

Do I need an account?

No. You can search straight away. An account lets you save your searches.