What Is Perplexity? Free Plan, Pro Pricing, Computer, Comet and Student Discount

Instead of opening ten tabs on Google and reading them, you ask Perplexity the question; it scans many sources, writes a summary answer and puts a link to the source next to each claim. People use it to check facts, research competitors and learn quickly.

Showing sources does not mean the answer is correct: the terms of use state that the output may be wrong, incomplete or biased. Source labels (Government, Academic) rate the site, not each individual sentence. For important information, open the source and read it yourself.

On paid plans Perplexity also does work: it produces reports, spreadsheets and presentation files; with Computer it runs a multi-step job from a single command; in the Comet browser it takes actions on web pages for you.

1. Go to perplexity.ai or download the app; you can search without creating an account.
2. Write your question as a full sentence in your own language; instead of short keywords, explain what you want to know.
3. Click the numbers in the answer to check the sources; confirm important information at its source.
4. For a deep topic, choose Research; most reports arrive in a few minutes and you can get them as a PDF.
5. You can upload a PDF, spreadsheet or audio recording and ask questions about it (40 MB per file; limited on the free plan).

Computer is the agent you use to have Perplexity carry out a multi-step job from a single command: "research the top 5 competitors, compare their prices, prepare a presentation". The job runs in the background; you can schedule recurring tasks (a news summary every morning). It is available only to people with an active subscription and spends credits.

The desktop app is now “Personal Computer”: on Mac (macOS 15+) and Windows 10/11 you open your folders and apps to Perplexity and work with local files; code runs in an isolated environment and asks for approval on sensitive steps. For Linux, “Portable Computer” (Pro and Max, NVIDIA graphics card with 24 GB VRAM) runs with a local model and spends no credits. The page does not state a separate plan requirement; Computer's terms apply.

With Projects you gather your searches, tasks, files and instructions in one workspace and share it with up to 5 people. Google Drive and Dropbox can be connected (Pro); Gmail and Google Calendar can also be connected, and when you connect them you grant permission to read, write and send email.

Comet is Perplexity's Chromium-based AI browser; most Chrome extensions work, and you can import bookmarks and passwords. Windows 10/11 and macOS 13+ are officially supported. For phones the official sources conflict: two help pages list iOS and Android as unsupported, but a Comet app is listed on the Turkish App Store.

The browser is free. The assistant has two modes: Search mode (summarizing a page, extracting information) spends no credits; whether it is available on the free plan is not clear, so try it in the assistant panel. Work mode (tasks such as adding to a cart or filling in forms) is on paid plans and spends Computer credits; check the mode before sending.

In Perplexity you usually don't pick the model: the “Best” option chooses the right model for each question itself and has no quota. On the free plan you can't select an advanced model manually; only Best is available. On Pro and Max you choose a model and reasoning (Thinking) via Custom in the model menu at the bottom right of the prompt box.

The model list is Perplexity's snapshot dated September 4, 2026; checked on October 14, 2026, and it changes often. The official pages don't describe what each model is good for or how fast it is. The subscription does not include API access.

Yes. On the free plan, basic search is practically unlimited and answers include sources. What is limited: 3 Pro Searches a day, 1 Research a month and limited file uploads. Model selection, file and app creation, video, Computer and task-performing in the Comet assistant are on paid plans. For image generation the official pages conflict (either not available or very limited).

Credits are the unit that Computer and Comet's task mode spend: 100 credits = $1. A short job can cost a few dozen credits, a multi-step report a few hundred (Perplexity's examples, not a guarantee). Pro has no monthly credits; it has weekly included usage and a one-time 4,000 credits. Credit packs are also sold on the App Store.

Perplexity states that it does not discount by geographic location; the official sources mention no Turkey-specific campaign. Don't enter card details on unofficial sites advertising "free Pro".

Official pricing page last checked on October 28, 2026.

You can ask in Turkish and get answers in Turkish. Interface language and response language are separate settings (Preferences > Language and Preferred response language); Turkish is not listed by name in the official response language list. The help center is not in Turkish.

On Free, Pro and Max accounts the "AI data retention" setting is on by default; your data may be used to improve models. To turn it off: Account settings > Preferences > AI data retention. Turning it off applies only to data from then on. Memory is separate: Settings > Memory.

!Commercial use: Perplexity's consumer terms of use (section 5.1) state that the service is only for personal, non-commercial use; the image page also ties commercial use to Enterprise. Check the terms and the Enterprise plan before using it for client or agency work. This is not legal advice.

1. If you bought on the web: Settings > Subscription > Manage Subscription > Cancel subscription. The refund option appears on the cancellation screen.
2. Users in Turkey who cancel within 14 days of purchase can get a refund on monthly and yearly subscriptions; state in your request that you are in Turkey.
3. If you bought on your phone, cancel from the App Store or Google Play subscription screen; App Store refunds go through reportaproblem.apple.com.
4. Deleting your account does not cancel the subscription; cancel the subscription first.

Not free, but discounted: verified university students and educators get Education Pro for $10 a month.

1. Create an account with any email address.
2. Click Upgrade at the bottom left and choose the Education plan.
3. Complete SheerID verification with "Verify as student"; the discount is applied at checkout.

If verification was approved but checkout won't open, choose Pro in the Upgrade Plan > Personal view in a desktop browser; the discount is applied at checkout.

Each feature shows separately whether it is on the free plan. Where the official sources are unclear, what you can do is written next to it.