Perplexity AI Features Explained: Free, Pro, Max & Comet

Introduction

Perplexity is my go-to AI search engine because it goes well beyond simple search. In this article, I walk through every major feature from the free plan to the Pro and Max plans, and I end with Perplexity Comet, the AI-powered browser. I’ll keep the flow true to how I use it: start with the basics, then move into the more powerful tools.

What is Perplexity AI?

Perplexity is an AI-driven search and research tool that answers questions directly with citations, organizes sources, and shows the steps it took to reach an answer. It supports quick searches, deeper research runs, file analysis, knowledge organization (Spaces), and publication (Pages). Paid plans unlock more powerful models, more Pro Searches, larger file workflows, Deep Research, Labs, and the Comet browser.

To get started, visit perplexity.ai and create a free account.

Table Overview

Here’s a concise view of what each plan includes based on what I use and see in the app.

Plan	Price	Core Search	Pro Search Quota	Models	File Uploads	Connectors	Deep Research	Pages	Labs	Comet Browser	Ads
Free	$0	Unlimited basic search	3/day	Sonar (default)	Up to 3 files per thread	—	—	Yes	Limited	—	Yes
Pro	$20/mo	Unlimited	Expanded (far more than free)	“Best” auto-select + manual model choice (e.g., GPT5, Claude, Gemini)	Expanded (no practical limit for typical use)	Google Drive, Dropbox	Yes	Yes	Included (monthly quota)	Rolling out to some users	No
Max	$200/mo	Unlimited	Unlimited/Highest	Full model access	Highest limits	Google Drive, Dropbox	Yes	Yes	Higher usage	Yes	No

Notes:

Pro Search uses stronger models and gathers more sources per answer.
Deep Research runs multi-step investigations across many sources and creates assets (tables, charts, code).
Labs builds interactive, shareable mini-apps from prompts.
Comet is available on Max and rolling out to some Pro users.

Key Features

Basic Search (Free)

Type a prompt and Perplexity returns a direct answer with citations.
Tabs across the top help you switch views: Answer, Images, Sources, and Steps.
Related questions appear at the bottom for quick follow-ups.
Each answer shows the exact sources it used and the step-by-step path it took.

Why I use it:

It’s fast, clear, and well-cited.
It’s more direct than scanning a page of links and opening tabs.

Pro Search (Limited on Free, Expanded on Pro/Max)

Free plan includes a small daily quota of Pro Searches.
Pro Search uses stronger models and typically yields better, more complete answers.
On paid plans, you can keep “Best” and let Perplexity auto-pick the model, or manually select a model like GPT5, Claude, or Gemini.

Why it matters:

Pro Search is the single biggest quality jump I notice day to day.
Answers are richer, with broader source coverage and improved reasoning.

Click the globe icon to control what Perplexity searches:
- Web
- Academic papers
- Social channels and discussions (e.g., Reddit)
- Finance filings (e.g., SEC)
Turn categories on or off to tailor results to your task.

Why it matters:

It adds domain-specific rigor (e.g., academic queries) or topical breadth (e.g., social sentiment).
The sources tab confirms where the answer came from, including specialized sites.

Share: Copy a link to the full answer, with sources.
Export: Save as a PDF or export as a Word document for editing.
Privacy: Toggle a shared answer back to private so only you can view it.

Why it matters:

Answers are already formatted and cited, so exporting saves time.
I often move long answers to Word to refine them further.

Add Files and Compare (Free Limit)

Attach documents and ask Perplexity to read, compare, and cite them.
On the free plan, you can upload up to three files per thread.
Answers can combine your attachments with online sources in one response.

Why it matters:

I can fold personal docs into the same search flow.
Comparing documents is simple: upload, ask for contrasts, get a cited answer.

Dictation and Voice Mode

Dictation: Use your computer’s mic to dictate prompts.
Voice Mode: Excellent on the mobile app for hands-free querying.

Why it matters:

Helpful when I’m away from the keyboard.
On mobile, Voice Mode feels natural and quick.

Spaces: Organize by Topic, Add Instructions, Build a Knowledge Base

Spaces group threads by topic. Start a search, then add the thread to a space.
Add a name, description, and instructions (tone, style, rules).
Upload files and add links into a Space to keep sources together.
Perplexity will consider Space data while answering tasks within that Space.

Why it matters:

It’s like a focused project area for research, writing, and ongoing exploration.
Instructions let me define how I want responses phrased within that Space.

Pro Plan Enhancements

Pro Search becomes the default experience with expanded daily usage.
“Best” model selection handles the choice for you, or you can pick a model manually.
Ad-free interface.

Why it matters:

Fewer limits and cleaner work sessions.
Consistently better answers for complex tasks.

Expanded Uploads with Connectors (Pro/Max)

No more “3-file” limit.
Connect Google Drive and Dropbox to pull in files directly.
Combine local files, cloud files, and web search in a single thread.

Why it matters:

I can bring in the files I actually work with and get cited, blended answers.
Great for briefs, market scans, and technical summaries where I hold source PDFs.

Deep Research (Pro/Max)

Launch a Deep Research run for thorough, multi-step investigations.
It can take a few minutes and touch dozens of sources.
Perplexity creates assets (tables, charts, even code) and shows the full research trail.
Results are presented as a structured, in-depth report with citations.

Why it matters:

Far more rigorous than quick search.
Ideal for planning, comparative reviews, and comprehensive briefs.

Image Generation

Generate images from prompts in research workflows and Pages.
It handles photos well; text inside images can be hit or miss.

Why it matters:

Handy for supporting visuals.
I use it to add imagery to published Pages directly from within Perplexity.

Pages: Turn Research into a Public Web Page

Convert any thread or research into a polished, sectioned web page.
Edit sections, adjust formatting, and add media (generate images or upload your own).
Publish to a shareable public link.

Why it matters:

It transforms a research answer into a clean, readable article.
Perfect for sharing project results without extra formatting overhead.

Labs: Build Interactive Tools from Prompts

Labs turns a prompt into a functional mini-app with live data (when applicable).
Runs multi-step reasoning and scaffolds code for you.
You get a shareable app with interactive elements (charts, filters, dashboards).
Usage is metered monthly; Max unlocks more usage.

Why it matters:

I can get a working dashboard or tool in minutes without coding.
Useful for recurring checks (e.g., market snapshots) or internal utilities.

Comet: The AI-Powered Browser (Max, rolling out to Pro)

Comet is a full web browser with Perplexity built in.
Use the Assistant to interact with the page you’re viewing: recap, answer questions, extract details.
Run browser-level commands like “close all tabs older than today” or “close distraction tabs.”
No third-party extension required; it’s integrated.

Why it matters:

I can query the page I’m on and manage the whole browsing session with natural language.
It’s a more cohesive experience than juggling multiple tools.

How it works?

Query understanding: Perplexity parses your prompt and decides which sources to consult (based on your filters).
Retrieval and reasoning: It visits sources, reads them, and synthesizes an answer.
Citations and steps: It lists the sources and displays the step-by-step process used.
Models: On Pro and Max, “Best” automatically chooses a suitable model (e.g., GPT5, Claude, Gemini). You can override this and select one manually.

The core flow remains consistent across features: gather relevant sources, reason over them, and present a cited answer. Deep Research increases the scope and depth, saving assets and a more extensive trace.

How to use?

Follow these short guides in the same order I typically use features.

Start a Basic Search

Go to perplexity.ai and sign in.
Type your prompt and press Enter.
Review the Answer, then click Sources or Steps to inspect how it worked.
Use Related Questions at the bottom to continue.

Tips:

Keep prompts clear and scoped.
Click Images for visual results when needed.

Switch to Pro Search

Click the Pro Search option (it’s usually on by default with a daily quota on free).
Run the same query to compare depth and quality.
On Pro or Max, leave the model on “Best” or pick a model manually.

Tips:

Use Pro Search for nuanced topics or when you want more rigorous synthesis.

Filter Source Types

Click the globe icon next to your query field.
Turn on/off Web, Academic, Social, or Finance.
Run the query and check Sources to see the coverage.

Tips:

For research tasks, add Academic; for sentiment, add Social; for filings, add Finance.

In any answer, click Share to copy a link.
Click Export to download as PDF or Word.
Toggle privacy to revoke public access if needed.

Tips:

Export to Word for extensive edits.

Upload Files and Compare

Click the upload icon and attach up to three files on the free plan (more on Pro/Max).
Ask Perplexity to analyze or compare them.
Check Sources to see attachments included in citations.

Tips:

Ask for a summary first, then drill into sections or tables.

Use Dictation and Voice Mode

Turn on dictation on desktop to speak your prompt.
On mobile, open the app and try Voice Mode for hands-free use.

Tips:

Short, direct speech prompts produce cleaner transcripts.

Create and Use a Space

Run a query, then add the thread to a new Space (three dots menu).
Name the Space and add a description and instructions (tone/style).
Upload files and add links relevant to the Space.
Keep all related threads inside that Space for continuity.

Tips:

Use Spaces for research tracks, client projects, or long-term topics.

Upgrade to Pro for More Pro Searches

From your account, upgrade to Pro.
Keep “Best” model selection unless you prefer a specific model.
Enjoy ad-free sessions and expanded Pro Search usage.

Tips:

If you regularly hit the Pro Search limit on free, Pro is worth it.

Connect Google Drive and Dropbox (Pro/Max)

Click Upload, then choose Google Drive or Dropbox.
Authorize access and select files.
Ask Perplexity to read, cite, and combine them with web results.

Tips:

Keep your most-used PDFs and docs in a connected folder for quick access.

Run Deep Research

Choose Deep Research (available on Pro/Max).
Enter your research task clearly (scope, constraints, goals).
Let it run; it may take a few minutes.
Review the structured report, Sources, and Assets.

Tips:

Use Deep Research for plans, comparisons, and analyses that need multiple angles.

Turn an Answer into a Page

Open a thread, click the three dots, and select Convert to Pages.
Edit sections, adjust formatting, and add media (generate images or upload).
Publish and copy the link to share.

Tips:

Pages are ideal for sharing finished research with teams or clients.

Build a Mini-App in Labs

Open Labs and describe the app you want (e.g., dashboard with specific feeds).
Wait for the build to complete (a few minutes).
Open the App tab to interact and share it.

Tips:

Be explicit about the data you want, layout elements, and update frequency.

Use the Comet Browser (Max, rolling out to Pro)

Open Comet and sign in with your Perplexity account.
Browse as usual; click Assistant to ask about the current page.
Use session-level commands like “close all tabs older than today.”

Tips:

Use Assistant to recap long articles, extract key data, and manage your tab chaos.

FAQs

What makes Pro Search different from basic search?
- It uses stronger models and consults more sources, producing more comprehensive answers.
Can I choose the AI model?
- On Pro and Max, yes. You can leave it on “Best” or select GPT5, Claude, Gemini, and others manually.
How many files can I upload?
- Free: up to three per thread. Pro/Max: far more, plus Google Drive and Dropbox connectors.
Does Perplexity show its work?
- Yes. Each answer lists Sources, and you can view the Steps it took.
What is Deep Research?
- A multi-step research run that scans many sources, builds assets (tables, charts, code), and returns a structured, cited report.
Can Perplexity generate images?
- Yes. It works well for photos. Text inside images can occasionally be imperfect.
What are Pages?
- A feature that converts an answer or research thread into a polished, sharable web page with sections and media.
What is Labs?
- A builder that turns prompts into interactive mini-apps. Usage is monthly; Max offers more capacity.
What is Comet?
- An AI-powered browser with Perplexity integrated, including an Assistant that understands the page you’re on and can manage tabs via natural language.
Are there ads?
- Free has ads; Pro and Max remove them.

Conclusion

Perplexity starts as a fast, cited AI search engine and scales into a full research and publishing platform. On the free plan, you get strong basic search, a taste of Pro Search, file uploads, dictation, Voice Mode, and Spaces. Pro unlocks better models, more Pro Searches, connectors, Deep Research, Pages, and Labs with meaningful monthly usage. Max adds the Comet browser and the highest usage tiers.

If you want quick, direct answers with sources, start with the free plan. If you need deeper, more reliable outputs and integrated workflows—file analysis, multi-source research runs, polished publishing, live mini-apps, and an AI-aware browser—Pro and Max are built for that.

Perplexity AI Features Explained: Free, Pro, Max & Comet

Introduction

What is Perplexity AI?

Table Overview