WhichBot › Compare › ChatGPT vs Perplexity
Last checked Oct 28, 2026 · plain English · no paid picks
ChatGPT vs Perplexity
Short answer: neither wins at everything.
Pick ChatGPT if you want one app that does a bit of everything: chat, voice, images, files and deep research.
Pick Perplexity if you want answers with sources you can check, especially on current events.
ChatGPT vs Perplexity side by side
| ChatGPT | Perplexity | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Chat app from OpenAI | Answer app from Perplexity that cites its sources |
| Made by | OpenAI | Perplexity |
| Price | Free $0; Go $8/mo (US); Plus $20/mo; Pro 100 $100, Pro 200 $200, Pro 500 $500 /mo | Free $0; Pro $17/mo billed annually; Max $167/mo billed annually |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Good at | Broadest feature set in one app: voice, images, files, deep research; Best for: all-rounder, data analysis, images, voice | Citations on every answer (Perplexity pricing page); fast to check; Best for: research with sources, current events |
| Watch out for | Go plan may include ads (OpenAI pricing page) | Free plan has limited Pro Search and Research |
| Privacy | Personal accounts: chats may train models by default; turn off 'Improve the model for everyone' in Data Controls. Business/Enterprise: no training by default | AI data retention/training is ON by default for Free, Pro and Max; turn off in Preferences > AI data retention. Enterprise data never used for training |
| Where it runs | web, iOS, Android | Not listed in our data |
| Status | Current. Custom GPTs retire Dec 11, 2026 (Enterprise workspaces with an approved delay: Feb 11, 2027); OpenAI says move them to Plugins. Existing chats with GPTs stay accessible. New Oct 20, 2026: locked chats (hide a chat behind a 4-digit PIN or device unlock) rolling out to Free, Go, Plus and Pro | Current |
| Sources | chatgpt.com · openai.com · help.openai.com · help.openai.com (2) · help.openai.com (3) · help.openai.com (4) | perplexity.ai · perplexity.ai (2) |
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Questions people ask
Is ChatGPT or Perplexity better?
It depends on what you do. Pick ChatGPT if you want one app that does a bit of everything: chat, voice, images, files and deep research. Pick Perplexity if you want answers with sources you can check, especially on current events.
Is ChatGPT free?
Yes. ChatGPT has a free plan. Plans: Free $0; Go $8/mo (US); Plus $20/mo; Pro 100 $100, Pro 200 $200, Pro 500 $500 /mo.
Is Perplexity free?
Yes. Perplexity has a free plan. Plans: Free $0; Pro $17/mo billed annually; Max $167/mo billed annually.
Can I try both ChatGPT and Perplexity?
Yes. Both have a free plan, so you can try each one on the same task and keep the one you like.
How does WhichBot decide?
Hector uses a written rubric: everyday usefulness, cost and free plans, privacy, reliability, ease of use, availability and safety. Rankings are one input, not the answer.
Facts come from the companies' own pages, linked above, and were last checked Oct 28, 2026. Prices are US and can change. Picks are Hector's: no paid picks, sponsors always labeled, and no sponsorship from AI labs. Our policy.