Perplexity vs ChatGPT
Research with sources, or one assistant for everything?
If your work is ever questioned, pay for the one that shows its working.
Pick Perplexity when
You need to check the answer. Perplexity's citations are the feature; without them it would be an ordinary chatbot.
Pick ChatGPT when
You want one tool and accept that verifying it is your job. Its researching modes are good, but the citations are less disciplined.
What each one costs
Perplexity
$20/mo / seat, per seat
maintained by the desk · recorded 2026-10-03
Best for. Competitive research and any question where you need the link, not the answer alone.
Watch for. Check the citations rather than the summary; the summary is a convenience layer over them.
| Plan | Price | Recorded |
|---|---|---|
| Pro | $20/mo / seat | 2026-10-03 |
| Free | Free | 2026-10-03 |
ChatGPT
$20/mo / seat, per seat
maintained by the desk · recorded 2026-10-03
Best for. Teams that want one assistant for writing, summarising and light analysis.
Watch for. Business tiers charge per seat and the free tier changes shape often, so pin the plan your team is actually on.
| Plan | Price | Recorded |
|---|---|---|
| Business | $25/mo / seat | 2026-10-03 |
| Plus | $20/mo / seat | 2026-10-03 |
| Free | Free | 2026-10-03 |
What we don't know
- We compare list prices. Your effective cost depends on how much you use it and whether you pay annually.
- Neither tool was given a free account in exchange for this page. There is no sponsorship here.
- Both vendors change pricing without notice. Check the date above against the vendor's own page.