Perplexity - Ask Anything
by PerplexityAI
About this app
Perplexity is an AI-powered search and research tool that combines the conversational interface of ChatGPT with the source-citation discipline of academic writing. Founded in 2022 by former AI researchers from OpenAI and Google, Perplexity's core thesis is simple: AI answers should always be traceable back to real sources, and users deserve to know exactly where the information came from. Every response Perplexity generates includes numbered citations linking to the original web pages. You can click any citation to read the source directly, verify the context, and decide whether you trust the information. This makes Perplexity uniquely well-suited for research, fact-checking, and staying informed — the three tasks where AI hallucination is most dangerous. The app also includes a Discover feed that surfaces AI-summarized takes on trending news across technology, science, business, and culture.
Features
- →Cited Sources on Every Answer — Every response includes numbered inline citations linking to real web pages. Verify any claim instantly without leaving the conversation.
- →Real-Time Web Search — Perplexity searches the live web for every query by default — no knowledge cutoffs, no stale training data. Ask about events from yesterday and get accurate answers.
- →Spaces for Research Projects — Create focused research workspaces with saved sources, shared threads, and project-specific AI instructions. Ideal for ongoing research across multiple sessions.
- →Multi-Model Access (Pro) — Pro subscribers can switch between GPT-4o, Claude Sonnet, and Gemini Pro within Perplexity — getting the best of all models inside one research-focused interface.
Final take
Perplexity is the best AI app for research and fact-checking, and it is not particularly close. The cited-source model fundamentally changes the trust dynamic with AI — instead of accepting answers on faith, you can verify every claim in seconds. For students, journalists, analysts, and curious people who need reliable information rather than fluent-sounding guesses, Perplexity is indispensable. It is less suited for creative writing or long-form generation, where ChatGPT and Claude are stronger. Use both: Perplexity to find and verify, Claude or ChatGPT to write and think.
Pros
- ✓Every answer includes cited sources — easy to verify what the AI tells you
- ✓Real-time web search built in by default, unlike most AI chatbots
- ✓Follow-up questions feel like a natural research conversation
- ✓Spaces feature lets you create focused research projects with saved sources
Cons
- ✗Not ideal for creative writing or long-form content generation
- ✗Pro features (GPT-4o, Claude models) locked behind $20/month subscription
- ✗Can sometimes prioritize speed over depth on complex research topics
