Perplexity AI Free Plan 2026: What's Included & What's Not
Honest breakdown of the free tier limits and features
Perplexity AI pricing varies by team size and features, ranging from $0 to $325 per user/month in 2026. Your actual cost depends on the tier you choose, contract length, and negotiated discounts.
Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.
- Free tier: No free tier available
- Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
- Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training
Perplexity AI offers a freemium model with limited features; upgrade to unlock more.
What's Included in the Free Plan
- Standard search with AI summaries
- Web search with source citations
- Basic conversation history
- Access to standard models
- Limited file uploads
- Access on web, iOS, and Android
What's NOT Included (Paid Only)
- Unlimited searches with Pro search mode
- Access to advanced models (GPT-4, Claude, Llama, Gemini)
- Choose your preferred AI model per query
- Unlimited file uploads and analysis
- API credits included ($5/month value)
- Longer conversation history
- Priority support
- Advanced search modes (Research, Labs)
Free Plan Limits
| Limit | Free Plan | Paid Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Searches | Limited daily quota | Unlimited/Higher |
| Models | Standard models only | Unlimited/Higher |
| File uploads | Limited | Unlimited/Higher |
| Advanced features | None | Unlimited/Higher |
| Team features | None | Unlimited/Higher |
You'll Need to Upgrade When...
- You exceed the user limit
- You need features like Unlimited searches with Pro search mode or Access to advanced models (GPT-4, Claude, Llama, Gemini)
- You require premium support or SLA guarantees
- You need to remove branding or watermarks
- You need advanced integrations or API access
Hidden Restrictions on Free Plan
- Perplexity AI branding may appear on your content or communications
- Support is limited to community forums or email with longer response times
- Export options may be restricted or include watermarks
- API access is typically limited or not available
- Advanced reporting and analytics require paid plans
Free vs Paid: Which Do You Need?
Free Plan is Enough If...
- You're an individual or very small team
- You need only basic features
- You don't mind usage limits
- Branding on output is acceptable
- Community support is sufficient
You Need Paid If...
- Your team is growing beyond limits
- You need advanced features
- Professional branding is required
- You need priority support
- Integrations/API access is critical
Free vs Pro Plan Comparison
| Free $0 | Pro $20/user/month | |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 6 included | 8+ included |
| Support | Community/Email | Priority Support |
| Branding | Perplexity AI branding | Your branding |
| Best For | Casual users exploring AI-powered search with source citations | Individual power users who need unlimited searches with access to multiple advanced AI models |
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Is Perplexity AI free?
Yes, Perplexity AI offers a freemium plan with 6 core features included. However, there are limits on searches, models that may require upgrading.
02 What's included in Perplexity AI's free plan?
Perplexity AI's free plan includes: Standard search with AI summaries, Web search with source citations, Basic conversation history, Access to standard models, Limited file uploads, and 1 more features. Key limits include Searches: Limited daily quota, Models: Standard models only, File uploads: Limited.
03 What's NOT included in Perplexity AI's free plan?
The free plan excludes: Unlimited searches with Pro search mode, Access to advanced models (GPT-4, Claude, Llama, Gemini), Choose your preferred AI model per query, Unlimited file uploads and analysis, API credits included ($5/month value). You'll also have Perplexity AI branding and limited support options.
04 When should I upgrade from Perplexity AI's free plan?
Consider upgrading when: you hit user or storage limits, need features like Unlimited searches with Pro search mode or Access to advanced models (GPT-4, Claude, Llama, Gemini), require premium support, or want to remove branding. The cheapest paid plan starts at $20/user/month.
05 Is Perplexity AI's free plan really free forever?
Yes, Perplexity AI's free plan is available indefinitely with no time limit. However, feature and usage limits may restrict what you can do without upgrading to a paid plan.
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