Overview

Perplexity is an AI-powered answer engine. Unlike a traditional search engine that mainly displays a list of links, Perplexity searches for information on the Web, summarizes it, and produces a written answer accompanied by citations.

Users can open the cited pages, continue the research with follow-up questions, and gradually explore a topic within the same session.

Perplexity can be used to find recent information, compare several products, prepare ongoing monitoring, explore a complex subject, analyze documents, or build an initial research report.

The service uses different artificial intelligence models depending on the task and subscription. Paid plans provide access to more advanced models, deeper research, file analysis, and creation features.

Perplexity is available on the Web, through Android, iPhone, and iPad applications, and through a macOS application. Its ecosystem also includes Perplexity Computer, the Comet browser, and APIs for developers.

Features

Search with sources

  • Search for recent information on the Web.
  • Produce a concise answer in natural language.
  • Display the sources used as citations.
  • Open the original pages directly.
  • Ask follow-up questions within the same session.
  • Compare several viewpoints or results.
  • Refine a search without starting again from scratch.

Citations make verification easier, but they do not guarantee by themselves that a source is reliable or that its content has been interpreted correctly.

Standard Search

Standard Search makes it possible to ask a question quickly and obtain an answer based on Web results.

It is particularly suitable for:

  • checking a definition;
  • discovering a topic;
  • obtaining a quick summary;
  • comparing a few products;
  • finding useful links;
  • preparing an initial list of sources.

The free plan provides access to many simple searches, with stricter limits on advanced modes.

Pro Search

Pro Search is intended for questions that require more research, reasoning, or comparison.

The mode can notably:

  • break down a complex question;
  • perform several successive searches;
  • compare different sources;
  • explore certain results in greater depth;
  • produce a more detailed answer;
  • adapt the research strategy to the topic.

Usage limits depend on the subscription.

Research

Research is Perplexity's in-depth research mode. It explores a larger number of sources and produces a structured report on a complex subject.

It can be used to:

  • prepare a market study;
  • build a documentary research file;
  • compare several software tools;
  • explore a scientific or technical question;
  • prepare an article;
  • conduct competitive analysis;
  • perform an initial fact-check;
  • produce a report from supplied documents.

Research can also work with imported files and use a computing environment for certain analyses.

Sessions

A session keeps the initial question, answers, sources, and follow-up exchanges.

It allows users to:

  • continue research within the same context;
  • ask for clarification;
  • correct or refine an answer;
  • explore a subtopic;
  • preserve the source history;
  • return later to work already started.

Projects

Projects are dedicated spaces for organizing work or research.

They can bring together:

  • several sessions;
  • files;
  • project-specific instructions;
  • selected sources;
  • work produced with Perplexity;
  • several collaborators depending on the selected plan.

A project can be used to organize ongoing monitoring, an editorial file, a study, a course, or long-form research.

File analysis

Perplexity allows users to import files or folders and use them as context within a session.

It can notably:

  • summarize a document;
  • extract precise information;
  • answer questions about a file;
  • compare several documents;
  • identify differences;
  • organize scattered information;
  • analyze tables or data;
  • use files with Research.

Long files may be processed partially in order to select the passages considered most relevant.

Connectors

Depending on the subscription, Perplexity can connect to certain storage services or professional tools.

These connectors may make it possible to search within:

  • Google Drive;
  • Dropbox;
  • OneDrive;
  • SharePoint;
  • Box;
  • other compatible document spaces.

The list of connectors, their synchronization capabilities, and their retention rules vary depending on the account type.

Creating documents and applications

Perplexity can create and modify different types of deliverables from research or instructions.

It can notably produce:

  • reports;
  • documents;
  • spreadsheets;
  • presentations;
  • charts;
  • dashboards;
  • Web pages;
  • simple applications.

These features are mainly available in paid plans, with higher limits in advanced subscriptions.

Image and video generation

Paid plans may provide access to image and video generation features.

These tools can be used to:

  • illustrate a report;
  • produce a presentation visual;
  • explore an idea;
  • complete a document;
  • generate an image from a description.

Visual creation nevertheless remains secondary to Perplexity's core purpose, which is research and information synthesis.

Advanced models

Perplexity makes it possible to use different artificial intelligence models from several providers.

Depending on the plan, users may access models specialized in:

  • writing;
  • reasoning;
  • research;
  • code;
  • document analysis;
  • agentic tasks.

The available selection changes regularly. Perplexity can choose a model automatically or allow users to select one depending on the mode used.

Perplexity Computer

Perplexity Computer is an agent capable of carrying out tasks made up of several steps.

It can notably:

  • search for information;
  • browse the Web;
  • automate certain actions in the browser;
  • create reports and documents;
  • develop applications;
  • use connectors;
  • schedule recurring tasks;
  • monitor a topic over time;
  • work in the background.

Computer can coordinate several sub-agents and models to accomplish a broader objective than a simple question.

Scheduled tasks

Computer can schedule certain recurring tasks, such as:

  • daily monitoring;
  • a periodic report;
  • competitor tracking;
  • an alert on a topic;
  • checking an inbox;
  • a news brief;
  • regular monitoring.

Tasks run in the cloud and may send a notification when the result is available.

Personal Computer on macOS

The macOS application may provide access to Personal Computer, a version capable of working with certain files and applications present on the Mac.

Depending on the permissions granted, it can:

  • read and organize local files;
  • work with Finder;
  • use Mail, Messages, Notes, or Calendar;
  • control the Comet browser;
  • perform actions from a voice command;
  • continue a task in the background;
  • receive certain approvals from a connected iPhone.

This feature requires extensive system permissions and should be configured carefully.

Comet

Comet is the Chromium-based browser developed by Perplexity.

It combines Web browsing, AI search, and agentic features.

It can notably:

  • summarize a page;
  • answer questions about displayed content;
  • compare several tabs;
  • search for information related to the current browsing session;
  • fill in certain forms;
  • navigate connected services;
  • carry out multi-step Web tasks;
  • use certain Chromium-compatible extensions.

Comet is a product associated with Perplexity, but it remains separate from the main answer engine.

API for developers

Perplexity separately offers search APIs and Sonar models.

They can be used to:

  • integrate Web search into an application;
  • obtain answers with citations;
  • retrieve structured search results;
  • build an agent;
  • connect a product to recent information;
  • use models specialized in research.

API billing is separate from Perplexity subscriptions intended for the general public.

Use cases

Monitoring and news

Perplexity can search for recent information, summarize several articles, and help track how a topic evolves.

It is useful for preparing:

  • a daily brief;
  • technology monitoring;
  • a press review;
  • product tracking;
  • research on a trend;
  • an initial source file.

Documentary research

The tool can explore a topic, suggest references, compare several documents, and organize the results in a report.

It can provide a useful starting point before more in-depth editorial work.

Preparing articles

Perplexity can help to:

  • find sources;
  • verify certain information;
  • build a timeline;
  • compare several tools;
  • identify different viewpoints;
  • prepare a bibliography;
  • spot information that requires further investigation.

Final writing should nevertheless rely on direct reading of the most important sources.

Comparing products and services

Perplexity can compare software, hardware, subscriptions, or services using information available on the Web.

It is particularly useful for preparing a selection or understanding the main differences between several solutions.

Document analysis

Users can import files to summarize them, compare them, or ask questions about their content.

This workflow is suitable for reports, studies, contracts, technical documentation, and files made up of several references.

Learning

Perplexity can explain a concept, suggest additional sources, and continue the discussion based on the user's questions.

It makes it easy to move from a brief answer to a more in-depth exploration.

Technical research and development

The tool can search documentation, compare libraries, explain an error, or summarize several technical discussions.

Developers can also use the API to integrate search with sources into their own applications.

Creating deliverables

Creation features can transform research into a report, presentation, table, Web page, or application prototype.

This continuity between research and production represents an important evolution of the product.

PANACHES review

Perplexity mainly stands out through the way it connects each answer to sources that can be consulted. It is particularly useful when users need to understand a topic quickly, identify the references being used, and continue research without starting from a blank page.

For monitoring, article preparation, and comparisons, this approach is often more effective than using a general-purpose assistant without Web research. Users can immediately open the cited documents and assess their quality.

Perplexity should not, however, be considered an automatic verification system. A citation may be correct but misinterpreted, incomplete, or insufficient to support the statement being made.

The evolution toward Computer, file creation, and the Comet browser is gradually turning Perplexity into a broader working environment. This expansion is interesting, but it also makes the product more complex and increases the permissions it may require.

Its most convincing use remains source-guided research, provided that users maintain a critical approach and consult the original documents.

Points to consider

  • Perplexity can produce incorrect, incomplete, or fabricated answers.
  • The presence of citations does not guarantee that an answer is accurate.
  • A source may be misinterpreted or quoted out of context.
  • Important sources should be opened and read directly.
  • Results may combine publications of very different quality.
  • Some recent information may still be incomplete.
  • Available models and limits vary depending on the subscription.
  • Plans, credits, and billing rules may change rapidly.
  • Image, video, and file generation features are limited according to the selected plan.
  • Imported files may contain sensitive information.
  • Connectors may provide access to storage spaces or professional tools.
  • Permissions granted to Computer and connectors should be reviewed carefully.
  • Personal Computer may access local files and applications on macOS.
  • Comet can browse, fill in forms, and act on connected websites.
  • Agentic actions should be reviewed before approval.
  • Background tasks may consume additional credits.
  • A Pro or Max subscription does not automatically include API credits.
  • Perplexity is a proprietary service dependent on cloud infrastructure.
  • Perplexity is not a substitute for a qualified professional when making important medical, legal, or financial decisions.