Quick question, freeAI Mode
PerplexityFast cited answer, free, unlimited quick searches.
AI ModeBuilt into Google, free, nothing new to learn.
AI Mode, if you already live in Google; both are excellent here.
Quick verdict
AI Mode for free everyday searching; Perplexity for serious research
Google AI Mode is the best free option for quick questions, places, products and live camera help, with Google’s index behind it. Perplexity is better when you’re researching: citations on every claim, Deep Research, Spaces, file uploads and models from several AI companies. Both are free to try, so use the needs checker below to see which fits you.
Needs checker: tick what matters to you
We’ll count which tool covers more of your needs. Some needs are covered well by both.
Perplexity
0- Tick a need above
Google AI Mode
0- Tick a need above
Tick your needs to see a suggestion.
Features
Perplexity vs Google AI Mode: features side by side
“Edge” marks which one leads on that row. AI Mode features vary by country and language.
| Feature | Perplexity | Google AI Mode |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A standalone AI answer engine | An AI tab inside Google Search |
| Price | Free; Pro $20/mo, Max $200/mo | Free; more Deep Search with Google AI Pro ($19.99/mo) or UltraEdge |
| Account needed | No for basic use | No for basic use |
| Citations | Numbered citations on every claimEdge | Source links beside and within the answer |
| Follow-up questions | Yes, threads saved to your Library | Yes, with AI Mode history |
| Deep research | Deep Research reports, exportable | Deep Search with cited reports (higher limits on paid plans) |
| Search index | Perplexity’s own web search | Google’s index, plus Maps, Shopping and Flights dataEdge |
| Local and shopping | Basic | Strong: places, reviews, product listings, price trackingEdge |
| Voice and camera | Voice mode; image uploads | Search Live with voice and camera in the Google appEdge |
| File uploads | PDFs, images and documentsEdge | Images and some files, depending on device |
| Choose AI models | Models from several companies on paid plansEdge | Google’s Gemini models only |
| Organise research | Spaces, Pages, Labs, Library | History; Canvas in some regions |
| Ads | Not the focus of the experienceEdge | Ads may appear in and around AI answers |
| Availability | Worldwide on web and apps | 200+ countries and territories, many languages |
Price
What each costs
Both are free to use. Paid plans raise limits on the advanced research features. US prices, checked 6 October 2026.
Perplexity
- Free$0Unlimited quick searches, limited Pro Search and Deep Research, file uploads.
- Pro$20/moMany more Pro searches and Deep Research, choice of advanced models, Labs.
- Max$200/moHighest limits and early access to new features and models.
Google AI Mode
- Free$0AI Mode in Google Search, follow-ups, Search Live, Deep Search with limits.
- Google AI Pro$19.99/moHigher access to Deep Search and Gemini 3 Pro, plus Gemini app, 5 TB storage and more.
- Google AI Ultra$99.99+/moHighest Deep Search access and limits across Google AI.
Sources: Perplexity Pro and Google AI plans. Google AI Plus ($4.99) also exists but focuses on the Gemini app.
Use cases
Who wins which task
Based on each tool’s features and design, not a scored benchmark.
In-depth researchPerplexity
PerplexityDeep Research, Spaces, file uploads and exportable reports.
AI ModeDeep Search builds long cited answers; higher limits on paid plans.
Perplexity, for the tools around the research.
Local places and shoppingAI Mode
PerplexitySuggestions with sources, less local detail.
AI ModeMaps listings, reviews, hours, shopping results and price tracking.
AI Mode, clearly.
Checking where facts come fromPerplexity
PerplexityNumbered citations attached to each claim.
AI ModeLinks shown beside and within answers.
Perplexity, for claim-by-claim checking.
Asking about what you seeAI Mode
PerplexityUpload a photo and ask.
AI ModeSearch Live: point your camera and talk.
AI Mode, for live voice and camera.
Comparing AI modelsPerplexity
PerplexitySwitch between models from several companies.
AI ModeGemini models only.
Perplexity.
Trust
Sources and trust
There’s no independent head-to-head accuracy study of the two that we can cite. These findings are still useful context.
Tow Center, Columbia Journalism Review · March 2025
Wrong news citations by AI search tools
Perplexity37%
8-tool average60%
Perplexity had the lowest error rate of eight tools. AI Mode launched after this test and wasn’t included.
Lower is better. Tested news citations only.
Pew Research Center · July 2025
How often people click sources in Google’s AI summaries
Any result8%
Link in summary1%
On Google visits where an AI Overview appeared, people rarely opened the sources. That’s a habit worth breaking in any AI search tool.
Measured AI Overviews, not AI Mode. Browsing data from 900 US adults.
How to verify an answer in either tool: check sources and citations.
Try it
Test Perplexity and AI Mode yourself
Each link opens the prompt in that tool. If AI Mode opens as normal Google results, click the “AI Mode” tab.
1. Recent news, cited
What were the main announcements at the most recent Apple event? List them with dates and sources.
Check: Are the event and date right? Does each item have a source?
2. Product research
What are the best noise-cancelling headphones under $200 right now? Compare three with battery life and sources.
Check: Are prices current? Are sources reviews, not ads?
3. Local recommendation
Good vegetarian restaurants near Galle Face, Colombo, open late.
Check: Are places real, open and correctly located?
4. Deep question
How does Sri Lanka’s current inflation rate compare with India’s and Bangladesh’s? Use official sources.
Check: Are figures from central banks or statistics offices, with dates?
FAQ
Perplexity vs Google AI Mode questions
Is Google AI Mode better than Perplexity?
Each has clear strengths. AI Mode is free, built into Google Search and much stronger for local places, shopping and live camera questions. Perplexity is stronger for research: citations on every claim, Deep Research, Spaces, file uploads and a choice of AI models. Many people use AI Mode for everyday searches and Perplexity for research.
Is Google AI Mode free?
Yes. AI Mode is free in Google Search. Google AI Pro ($19.99 a month) and Ultra subscribers get higher access to Deep Search and more advanced Gemini models.
What’s the difference between AI Mode and AI Overviews?
AI Overviews are short AI summaries that appear above normal Google results on some searches. AI Mode is a separate, conversational tab where every answer is AI-written with sources, and you can ask follow-up questions. AI Mode is the closer match to Perplexity.
Is Deep Search the same as Perplexity Deep Research?
They’re similar: both run many searches and write a long, cited report. Perplexity’s Deep Research comes with Spaces, file uploads and exports; Google’s Deep Search uses Google’s index and Gemini models, with higher limits on paid Google AI plans.
Which is more accurate?
There’s no independent head-to-head study of the two that we can cite. Perplexity had the lowest citation error rate (37%) of eight AI search tools in the Tow Center’s 2025 test. A 2025 Pew study found Google users rarely click the sources in AI summaries (1% of visits), a reminder to check sources in either tool.
Where is AI Mode available?
AI Mode started in the US in 2025 and, by March 2026, Google said it was in more than 200 countries and territories in many languages. Perplexity is available worldwide on the web and in its apps.
Can I use both?
Yes, and it’s a good habit. Ask the same question in each and compare the sources, especially for important or fast-changing facts.
Sources
- TechCrunch: Google’s AI Mode rolls out to the US, adds deeper research and shopping, May 2025
- TechCrunch: AI Overviews have 2B monthly users, AI Mode 100M, July 2025
- GSMArena: Search Live in AI Mode expands to 200+ countries, March 2026
- Google AI subscription plans, checked 6 Oct 2026
- Perplexity Pro, checked 6 Oct 2026
- Computerworld: AI chatbots most often cite incorrect sources (Tow Center study), March 2025
- 9to5Google: Pew study on clicks when AI Overviews appear, July 2025
More comparisons
Try both free
Ask your next research question on Perplexity
Keep AI Mode for quick and local searches, and see which you reach for after a week.