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Perplexity Search / Research
You ask, it answersHelps you thinkDoes steps, you checkLast checked 2026-10-18
What stays yours: Checking citations, assessing conflicting evidence and making the recommendation.
Mostly helps you think. See which level of help each tool gives.
The decision in plain English
Where this fits in your work
Move from a question to a source-backed research answer.
- Consider it when
- Consider it when the main job is finding evidence, comparing sources and developing a cited report from the web and permitted files.
- The limit to keep in mind
- A citation is a pointer to check, not proof that the answer is right. Search/Research and Computer are different work surfaces.
- A first task to try
- Ask a bounded research question with geography and date range. Open the primary sources and identify where the report overstates the evidence.
Use Perplexity Computer when the research must continue into a deliverable or connected workflow.
See Perplexity Computer →Agent Watch editorial guidance, reviewed . Based on the documented capabilities below; this is a suggested starting task, not a published hands-on test or a performance ranking.
Access, permissions and controls
Check these against your organisation's rules and the account you will actually use.
- Can it open and edit your files?
- Uploaded files can be analysed; Research produces sourced reports. Editing original connected files is not established.
- What it can connect to
- Web research; file uploads; Enterprise file connectors depend on organisational access.
- Can it keep working while you're away?
- Not yet confirmed
- Controls for your organisation
- Enterprise offers account/seat management and governed file connectors. Individual and Enterprise privacy settings differ.
Plans, price and where it runs
- Made by
- Perplexity
- Which plans include it, and cost
- Free search with limited Research; Pro and Max extend research and model access. Exact current Pro price not confirmed in retrieved official material.
- Where you can use it
- web, mobile apps
- How it works with you
- You ask, it answers
- How much it does on its own
- Helps you thinkDoes steps, you check
Prices are in US dollars as shown on the vendor's US pricing page, unless stated.
Where this comes from
These are documentation sources, not a claim that we have tested every feature ourselves. Availability can depend on your plan, region and workspace settings. Our Assist, Augment and Adapt ratings are editorial judgements.
- https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/en/articles/10352901-what-is-perplexity-pro
- https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/en/articles/11187416-which-perplexity-subscription-plan-is-right-for-you
- https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/products/deep-research
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