AI search & research · 2 tools compared
Last verified:
Prices may changeAccurate citations
Perplexity ◐Free plan
Numbered citations appear on every sentence so you can trace sources instantly. You can also upload files to ask questions.
No signup, in your everyday search bar
Google AI Mode ✓Free
Just switch tabs in Google search, linking seamlessly to Maps and Shopping.
When writing research reports
Perplexity ◐Free plan
Deep Research aggregates multiple sources to generate comprehensive reports. Great for narrowing down via follow-up questions.
Korean local info
Google AI Mode ✓Free
Connects with local maps and business listings. However, Naver AI Briefing is still better for domestic Korean info.
| Item | Perplexity | Google AI Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ◐Free plan | ✓Free |
| Free limits | Unlimited basic searches, daily limit on advanced (Pro) searches | Free. Built into Google Search |
| Paid price | Pro $20/month ($200/year) · Max $200/month ($2,000/year) | None |
| Korean | ○KoreanBoth UI and answers support Korean. Proportion of Korean sources is relatively low | ○KoreanKorean search and answers supported. Feature rollout timing differs by country |
| Login | Optional | Optional |
| Platforms | Web · iOS · Android · Windows · macOS | Web · iOS · Android |
| File input | PDF, IMAGE, TXT | IMAGE, PDF |
| Source Citations | Numbered source cards matched sentence by sentence | Link cards, followed by regular search results |
| Follow-up Questions | Great for conversational, deep exploration | Supported, but kept within the search view |
| Connected Features | Deep Research, file uploads, Collections | Integrated with Maps, Shopping, and Image Search |
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Perplexity provides numbered source citations for every sentence, letting you verify claims instantly. It excels at conversational drill-downs and generating deep research reports. You can also upload files. Advanced searches on the free tier are limited daily.
Google AI Mode is built directly into search tabs with no sign-up needed. It answers complex queries and links seamlessly to Maps, Shopping, and standard web results. However, conversational history is limited, and citations are not mapped sentence by sentence.
First, consider if you need direct citations. For reports, Perplexity's sentence-level sources save verification time. For quick lookups, Google AI Mode is seamless. Next is your next step: choose Perplexity to dig deeper, or Google to check maps and shopping. For Korean local info, both fall behind Naver AI Briefing. Always check the original source for critical figures.
| Situation | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 📎 Accurate citations | Perplexity | Numbered citations appear on every sentence so you can trace sources instantly. You can also upload files to ask questions. |
| ⚡ No signup, in your everyday search bar | Google AI Mode | Just switch tabs in Google search, linking seamlessly to Maps and Shopping. |
| 💼 When writing research reports | Perplexity | Deep Research aggregates multiple sources to generate comprehensive reports. Great for narrowing down via follow-up questions. |
| 🗣️ Korean local info | Google AI Mode | Connects with local maps and business listings. However, Naver AI Briefing is still better for domestic Korean info. |
Not a ranking. Different situations, different answers.
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Prices may change; confirm on each official site before paying. A comparison's verified date is the oldest of the comparison and its tools.
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