Perplexity - Ask Anything

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About Perplexity - Ask Anything

Perplexity—Where Knowledge Begins. Accurate answers to any question, backed by sources and citations.

Cut through the clutter and get straight to credible, up-to-date answers. This free app syncs across devices and leverages the power of the top AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and more.

Features:

· Perplexity Pro Search & Deep Research: Guided AI search for deeper exploration.

· Thread Follow-Ups: Keep the conversation going for a deeper understanding.

· Assistant: Draft emails, schedule appointments, book reservations, and more.

· Perplexity Labs: Bring your reports and projects to life faster than ever before.

· Voice: Instant, up-to-date answers whether you type or say it.

· Trust Built In: Cited sources for every answer.

· Discover: Learn new things from the community.

· Your Library: More than search history, it's a curation of your discoveries.

Download Perplexity now and continue your journey to better knowledge and understanding.

In-app Subscriptions:

If you decide to subscribe to Perplexity Pro, it will be applied to your iTunes account upon confirmation. Subscriptions will automatically renew unless canceled within 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can cancel anytime by visiting the 'Manage Subscription' section of your account. For more information, please refer to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Terms of Service: https://www.perplexity.ai/tos

Privacy Policy: https://www.perplexity.ai/privacy

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App Information

Remember that moment when you realized ChatGPT was making stuff up? For me, it happened when I was fact-checking a research paper. ChatGPT confidently cited three academic papers that sounded perfect. One problem - they didn't exist. That's when I discovered Perplexity, and honestly, it changed how I feel about AI tools completely.

After three weeks of putting Perplexity through its paces (including the new Deep Research feature that just launched), I'm ready to share whether this "answer engine" actually lives up to the hype. Spoiler: I deleted ChatGPT from my phone, but there's a catch you need to know about.

What Perplexity Actually Does (And Why Citations Matter)

Perplexity isn't trying to be another chatbot. It's what happens when Google Search had a baby with Wikipedia and raised it on academic integrity. Every answer comes with numbered citations you can actually click and verify. No more "according to sources" nonsense - you get real links to real websites.

The app pulls from multiple AI models (OpenAI's GPT-4, Anthropic's Claude, even Meta's Llama) but that's not the interesting part. What matters is how it searches the internet in real-time, reads through hundreds of sources, and synthesizes everything into an answer that actually makes sense. Think of it as having a research assistant who's allergic to BS.

On my iPhone 14 Pro, the app takes up 174MB - hefty but worth it. The interface looks like Google's cleaner, smarter cousin. You type a question, pick a focus (all sources, academic papers, Reddit, YouTube), and watch it work. No flashy animations, no overwhelming menus. Just answers with proof.

Three Weeks of Daily Testing - The Good, Bad, and Surprising

Week 1: The Honeymoon Phase

Day one, I threw my hardest question at it: "What are the actual long-term effects of the new semiconductor export restrictions on TSMC?" Instead of vague generalizations, Perplexity pulled quotes from TSMC's earnings call, recent Reuters articles, and industry analyst reports - all dated within the last month. Each claim had a little number next to it. Click the number, boom, you're reading the original source.

By day three, I was using it for everything. Recipe for pad thai? It pulled from five different cooking sites and warned me that fish sauce brands really do make a difference (they weren't kidding). Best noise-cancelling headphones under $200? It compared recent reviews from RTINGS, Wirecutter, and actual user feedback from Reddit.

The mobile app syncs perfectly with the web version. Started research on my Mac at home, continued on my phone during lunch. No lost threads, no signing in again. Just… worked.

Week 2: Finding the Limits

Here's where things got interesting. I discovered the Pro Search feature (free users get 3 per day, unlimited with Pro). This thing is insane. It doesn't just search once - it searches, reads what it finds, thinks about what else it needs to know, then searches again. Watching it work is like seeing someone's thought process in real time.

Tested it with "Should I switch from iPhone to Samsung S24 considering I use a Mac for work?" It spent about 45 seconds researching ecosystem compatibility, recent software updates, actual user experiences from people who made the switch. The final answer? Basically said "technically possible but you'll hate it" with 15 sources backing up why.

But here's a weird limitation - it cant create images like ChatGPT or Midjourney. Asked it to generate a logo concept and it basically shrugged and suggested I try DALL-E instead. Fair enough, but feels like a missing piece in 2024.

Week 3: The Deep Research Game-Changer

This is when Perplexity dropped their Deep Research feature (February 2025), and holy crap. Remember those college all-nighters researching for term papers? This does that in 3 minutes.

I tested it with something personal - researching treatment options for my mom's arthritis. Instead of WebMD doom-scrolling, it analyzed recent medical studies, compared treatment effectiveness from multiple sources, even found patient discussion forums about side effects doctors don't mention. All organized in a clean report I could export as a PDF and bring to her doctor.

The scariest part? It found information I'd missed after hours of Googling. Not obscure stuff - relevant studies from major medical journals that somehow never showed up in my searches.

The Features That Actually Matter

Deep Research Mode This is Perplexity's nuclear option. It performs dozens of searches, reads hundreds of sources, and creates comprehensive reports. Free users get 5 per day (Pro gets unlimited). Used it for planning a trip to Japan - got a 6-page report covering everything from visa requirements to train pass comparisons to restaurant recommendations in specific neighborhoods. Would've taken me days to compile this myself.

Focus Modes That Work

• All: General search across everything
• Academic: Scholarly papers only (goodbye, Google Scholar)
• Writing: Helps draft emails, posts (without sounding like AI wrote them)
• Reddit: Actual human opinions and experiences
• YouTube: Searches video transcripts for specific info

Spaces for Organization Think folders but smarter. Created one for "House Renovation Research" and it remembers context across all searches in that space. When I ask about tile options, it knows I already researched bathroom dimensions last week.

The Privacy Question Unlike ChatGPT which trains on your conversations, Perplexity claims they don't use your searches for training. There's even an incognito mode. But (and this is important) a Reddit user found that uploaded images get permanent URLs anyone can access. Don't upload anything sensitive. Period.

Perplexity Pros & Cons - Quick Comparison

Pro vs Free - Is Premium Worth $20/Month?

Been using Pro for two weeks now. Here's the real breakdown:

Free Gets You:

• Basic searches (unlimited)
• 3 Pro searches daily
• 5 Deep Research queries daily
• All focus modes
• Cross-device sync

Pro ($20/month) Adds:

• Unlimited Pro searches (using GPT-4, Claude 3)
• Unlimited Deep Research
• File uploads (PDFs, images, CSVs)
• API access for developers
• Priority during high traffic

Honestly? Most people don't need Pro. The free tier is generous enough for normal use. I upgraded because I'm doing heavy research for work, but my wife uses free version daily and never hits limits.

The Competition Check

Vs ChatGPT Plus ($20/month): ChatGPT is better for creative writing, brainstorming, and image generation. But for anything requiring facts? Perplexity wins. No contest. ChatGPT makes stuff up; Perplexity shows receipts.

Vs Google Search: Google gives you 10 blue links and ads. Perplexity gives you the actual answer with sources. For quick facts, Google's still faster. For understanding topics? Perplexity saves 20 minutes of tab-hopping.

Vs Google Gemini: Gemini's trying to do what Perplexity does but feels half-baked. Perplexity's citations are clearer, answers more comprehensive. Gemini integrates better with Google Workspace though.

Who Should Download This (And Who Should Skip)

Perfect for:

• Students writing papers (citations are gold)
• Researchers who need current information
• Anyone tired of AI hallucinations
• People who fact-check everything
• Professionals doing market research
• Medical research (with doctor consultation)

Skip if:

• You need image generation
• You want creative writing help
• You're looking for a coding assistant
• You prefer simple yes/no answers
• You dont have steady internet (needs connection)

The Subscription Controversy Nobody Talks About

Found some concerning reviews about surprise $200 yearly charges. Apparently, some users get auto-enrolled in annual plans without clear notice. The company's response to refund requests has been... not great. Multiple reports of people getting charged after accepting "free trial" offers then having accounts cancelled.

My advice? If you go Pro, choose monthly. Set a calendar reminder to review before renewal. Use a virtual credit card if possible. And screenshot everything during signup.

Real-World Usage That Sold Me

Last week, my car started making weird noises. Instead of panicking or calling my mechanic immediately, I described the sound to Perplexity. It searched automotive forums, mechanic resources, and recent recall notices. Turns out, my exact model had a known issue with brake pad sensors. Saved me from an unnecessary $200 diagnostic fee.

That's when it clicked - this isn't just another search tool. It's like having an expert on everything in your pocket. One who actually admits when they're not sure and shows you where the information comes from.

Bottom Line - The First AI I Actually Trust

After three weeks, Perplexity has become my default search tool. Not because it's perfect (that image generation gap is annoying), but because it's honest. When it doesn't know something, it says so. When it makes a claim, it backs it up.

Is it worth deleting ChatGPT? For me, yes. I'd rather have accurate information with sources than creative writing with hallucinations. The free version is generous enough for most users. At $0, it's a no-brainer to at least try.

The Deep Research feature alone justifies keeping this app. It's like having a personal research assistant who actually went to college. Just watch out for those subscription tricks, dont upload sensitive images, and remember - it's a research tool, not a creative companion.

Download it, test it with your hardest questions, and see if you don't find yourself using Google less. Just happened to me without even trying.