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ChatGPTvsPerplexity

ChatGPT vs Perplexity

Detailed comparison of OpenAI's ChatGPT and Perplexity AI's Perplexity. Find out which AI is best for your needs.

By Council Research TeamUpdated: Jan 27, 2026
ChatGPT

ChatGPT

by OpenAI

OpenAI's ChatGPT is the most widely-adopted AI assistant with 100M+ users, offering the richest ecosystem of plugins, DALL-E image generation, and Code Interpreter for data analysis.

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Perplexity

Perplexity

by Perplexity AI

Perplexity is the AI-powered research engine that combines multiple LLMs with real-time web search, providing every answer with clickable citations and sources.

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Strengths Comparison

ChatGPT Strengths

  • Largest AI ecosystem with plugins and integrations
  • DALL-E 3 for high-quality image generation
  • Code Interpreter for data analysis and Python execution
  • GitHub Copilot integration for developers
  • Custom GPTs for specialized workflows
  • Memory feature for personalized assistance

Perplexity Strengths

  • Every response includes clickable citations
  • Real-time web search integration
  • Access to multiple AI models (GPT-4, Claude, Sonar)
  • Focus modes for specific sources
  • Strong at current events and news
  • Academic and research-optimized

Best Use Cases

When to use ChatGPT

  • All-in-one productivity and task automation
  • Data analysis with file uploads and visualizations
  • Image generation and editing with DALL-E
  • Coding with Copilot integration
  • Business writing and professional communication

When to use Perplexity

  • Research requiring citations and sources
  • Fact-checking and verification
  • Current events and news analysis
  • Academic paper research
  • Competitive intelligence and market research

Key Differences: ChatGPT vs Perplexity

ChatGPT is the generalist that does everything well, while Perplexity is the specialist optimized for research with citations. Use ChatGPT for creation, Perplexity for research.

Choose ChatGPT if:

  • Content creation is your focus
  • You need coding assistance
  • Image generation matters
  • You want one tool for everything

Choose Perplexity if:

  • Research with citations is essential
  • Current events and news analysis
  • Fact-checking and verification
  • Academic or journalistic work

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for coding: ChatGPT or Perplexity?

For coding, ChatGPT offers excellent IDE integrations through GitHub Copilot and broad language support. Meanwhile, Perplexity helps with research and documentation with cited sources. The best choice depends on your specific needs - try both with Council to see which works better for your projects.

Which has better pricing: ChatGPT or Perplexity?

ChatGPT Plus is $20/month with a free tier available. Perplexity Pro is $20/month with a generous free tier. With Council, you can use multiple models efficiently and compare their value for your specific use cases.

Can I use ChatGPT and Perplexity together?

Yes! Council allows you to query both ChatGPT and Perplexity simultaneously. Send one prompt and see both responses side-by-side to get the best of both worlds.

Which AI has a larger context window?

ChatGPT supports 128K tokens with GPT-4. Perplexity supports varies by underlying model. Larger context windows are better for analyzing long documents or maintaining extended conversations.

Best For These Use Cases

Best AI for Coding

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Best AI for Writing

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Best AI for Research

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Best AI for Business

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Learn AI Concepts

Large Language Model (LLM)Context WindowAI HallucinationPrompt EngineeringTemperature (AI)

Why Choose? Use Both with Council

Stop alt-tabbing between AI tools. Council lets you query ChatGPT, Perplexity, and more simultaneously. Compare responses side-by-side and get the best answer every time.

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