6 alternativesPerplexity: Free to start

The best Perplexity alternatives

For most people the best alternative to Perplexity is ChatGPT, and the best free one is Claude.

The Useful TechResearched and written with AI under our rulesUpdated 14 Oct 2026

Best alternativeChatGPT app iconChatGPTPick it if you want 1 assistant you can type to, talk to or show photos on every device.Free to start
Best free alternativeClaude app iconClaudePick this if you write or code for a living and want an AI that reasons through problems with you.Free to startAlso greatDraw Things app iconDraw ThingsPick it if you want to generate and edit AI images on your own device, with control over models and settings.Free to start

Compare at a glance

Perplexity is highlighted, so you can see what you give up and what you gain.

AppPriceHow you payMaciPhoneiPadApp StoreDeveloperSetappRating
Perplexity app iconPerplexityFree to startFree, with paid upgrades4.8
ChatGPT app iconChatGPTFree to startFree, with paid upgrades4.8
Claude app iconClaudeFree to startFree, with paid upgrades4.7
Draw Things app iconDraw ThingsFree to startFree, with paid upgrades4.4
Gemini app iconGeminiFree to startFree, with paid upgrades4.7
Locally AI app iconLocally AIFreeFree4.7
Eney app iconEneyFrom $14.99SubscriptionToo few ratings

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The alternatives, in order

  1. 1ChatGPT app icon

    ChatGPT

    Free to startBest alternative4.8

    Pick it if you want 1 assistant you can type to, talk to or show photos on every device.

    The AI assistant to start with if you want to type, talk and show photos to 1 app on both iPhone and Mac.

    Prices and full verdictApp Store
  2. 2Claude app icon

    Claude

    Free to startBest free4.7

    Pick this if you write or code for a living and want an AI that reasons through problems with you.

    A thoughtful AI partner for writing, research and code, with a free plan that already searches the web and reads your files.

    Prices and full verdictApp Store
  3. 3Draw Things app icon

    Draw Things

    Free to start4.4

    Pick it if you want to generate and edit AI images on your own device, with control over models and settings.

    A free offline AI image generator for iPhone, iPad and Mac with inpainting, ControlNet and LoRA training.

    Prices and full verdictApp Store
  4. 4Gemini app icon

    Gemini

    Free to start4.7

    Pick it if your email, files and calendar already sit in Gmail, Google Drive and Google Calendar.

    The AI assistant to pick if your email, files and calendar already live with Google, with a free Mac app on top.

    Prices and full verdictApp Store
  5. 5Locally AI app icon

    Locally AI

    Free4.7

    Pick it if you want an AI chat you can use offline, with no account and nothing leaving your device.

    A free AI chat app that runs open models on your iPhone, iPad or Mac with no account and no data collected.

    Prices and full verdictApp Store
  6. 6Eney app icon

    Eney

    From $14.99

    Pick it if you want to ask your Mac for chores like sorting Downloads or drafting a reply, and you already pay for AI tools.

    MacPaw's AI assistant that organizes files, drafts emails and works with your apps, on a credit plan from $14.99 a month.

    Prices and full verdictApp Store

Perplexity head to head

Perplexity app icon

When Perplexity is still the right pick

You want quick answers to factual questions and like to click through to the source before you believe them.

Perplexity prices and verdictFree to start