ChatGPT versus Perplexity
ChatGPT and Perplexity compared on what matters day to day: price, features, apps and privacy.
Data as of October 22, 2026
Side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | ChatGPT | Perplexity |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | OpenAI | Perplexity AI |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Launched | November 2022 | Not disclosed |
| Free version | Yes, limited | Yes, limited |
| Plans | from $8 / month | from $10 / month |
| Web search | Yes | Yes |
| Agent mode | Yes | Yes |
| File upload | Yes | Yes |
| Image generation | Yes | Yes |
| Voice mode | Yes | Not disclosed |
| Memory | Yes | Yes |
| Code execution | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Autonomous browsing | Not disclosed | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Not disclosed |
| macOS | Yes | Not disclosed |
| Browser extension | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| French interface | Yes | Yes |
| Spanish interface | Yes | Yes |
| Opt out of training on your chats | Yes | Yes |
| Temporary chat | Yes | Yes |
| EU data residency | Yes | Not disclosed |
The match-up at a glance
ChatGPT is made by OpenAI, launched in 2022; Perplexity by Perplexity AI. Both answer questions, write and summarise, but their plans, features and privacy rules differ.
ChatGPT runs on GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6.1 Sol and GPT-6 Luna; Perplexity runs on Sonar.
Survey carried out on October 22, 2026 from the official pages of both services.
Price and free version
At a comparable entry plan, ChatGPT is the cheaper one. Higher tiers mostly add usage volume and advanced features.
- ChatGPT: limited free version
- Perplexity: limited free version
- ChatGPT: first paid plan at $8 per month
- Perplexity: first paid plan at $10 per month
Features compared
Both offer: web search, agent mode, file upload, image generation and memory.
Not confirmed for one of the two: voice mode and autonomous browsing.
In total, of the 8 features we track, 6 are confirmed for ChatGPT and 6 for Perplexity. A feature may only be available on a paid plan: check before you subscribe.
Where to use them
Both available on: Web, iPhone and Android.
Your data
Both allow: opt out of training on your chats and temporary chat.
In short
The best way to decide is still to try both free versions on the same task. To widen the choice, use the AI assistants comparison or the which-AI quiz.
- Choose ChatGPT for writing and rewriting.
Other comparisons
Frequently asked questions
ChatGPT or Perplexity: which one is free?
ChatGPT: limited free version. Perplexity: limited free version.
Which one is cheaper?
ChatGPT has the cheaper entry-level paid plan. ChatGPT: first paid plan at $8 per month. Perplexity: first paid plan at $10 per month.
Which one protects my data best?
ChatGPT, with 3 of three safeguards confirmed (training opt-out, temporary chat, EU data residency), versus 2.
Which one should I choose?
Choose ChatGPT for writing and rewriting.
Data sources
Data as of October 22, 2026
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