The way users search for information, resolve queries, and manage everyday tasks has undergone a radical transformation with the advent of artificial intelligence. In this context, Perplexity It's positioned as one of the most comprehensive and innovative solutions: a search engine, virtual assistant, chatbot, and process automation all in one. This article explores in depth how Perplexity works, its main advantages, its differences compared to traditional search engines and other assistants, and how you can get the most out of it both on the web and on mobile.
Perplexity: The Next Generation of AI-Powered Search and Assistance
Perplexity is a conversational AI search engine that goes beyond what Google, Bing, or traditional AI chats offer. It integrates advanced natural language processing technology and AI models such as GPT-4o and Claude, allowing users to interact with the platform using natural language questions, not just keywords. This enables fluid, contextual and personalized conversations, in which the system understands concepts, nuances and specific needs.
One of the key points of Perplexity is its ability to connect to the Internet in real time, accessing always up-to-date sources and data. When you request information, the response is based on active web research, showing not only the summary, but also the original sources so you can compare and dig deeper if you wish. This transparency is a major improvement compared to other chatbots, which don't always cite or show the source of their data.
The Perplexity User Experience It is designed to be simple yet powerful. You can start a consultation from its official website, from the mobile app for iOS and Android, or as an extension for the Chrome browser. In all cases, you have the option to interact via text, voice, or even using your device's camera for visual feedback.
Technology and features: how Perplexity helps you in your daily life
- Virtual assistant and task automationPerplexity not only answers questions, but can also take action. Its capabilities include writing and sending emails tailored to your style, organizing your personal calendar, creating reminders, and automatically booking restaurants and ride-hailing services (Uber, for example).
- Conversational and contextual searchUnlike Google, where you have to jump back and forth between links, Perplexity interprets your queries and generates an accurate summary, citing sources. It maintains context between queries, so you can refine your requests without starting from scratch.
- Multimodality: Allows queries and answers via voice, text, and images. You can ask it to identify objects using the camera, search for products, solve math problems, or analyze PDF documents you upload to the platform.
- Multilingual availabilityAlthough the base interface is in English, Perplexity understands and responds in multiple languages, including Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque, and Valencian, removing barriers for users around the world.
- Integration with apps and services: It's compatible with popular apps like Uber, Spotify, YouTube, and Messaging, and continues to expand integration with other services to automate even more everyday tasks.
- Transparency and verification: Always cite sources of information, facilitating verification and analysis of responses, which is essential in the context of AI to avoid bias and errors.
Thanks to these features, Perplexity becomes a personal and professional ally to simplify searches, manage calendars, set reminders, prepare trips, analyze complex documents, or even discover new trends and learn from your community.
Perplexity vs. Google, ChatGPT, and other AI search engines
Perplexity's main competitor is Google, but the approaches are radically different. Google It is based on displaying lists of web links and depends on the user's ability to filter what is relevant. Perplexity, on the other hand, gives you answers crafted directly, summaries, explanations, and suggestions without having to open multiple tabs or filter information on your own.
Versus Other AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot, Perplexity stands out for its access to sources in real time (even in its free version), its transparency when citing sources, and the ability to maintain the context of the conversation over several consultations, in addition to its native integration with external applications and useful services for everyday use.
Another key difference is respect for sources. Conventional chatbots often hide the origins of data and offer "closed" answers, while Perplexity facilitates access and validation of information, which reduces the risk of errors and “hallucinations” typical of AI.
Why choose Perplexity? Key benefits and real-world use cases
- Complex and personalized queries: You can request a summary of an academic article, analyze sports results, solve programming case studies, identify products with the camera, or even ask for recommendations for restaurants or activities near your location.
- Multilingual interactions: It's ideal for both users who prefer Spanish and those who use co-official or foreign languages, allowing you to ask questions or receive answers in your preferred language without limiting your understanding.
- Automation of routinesImagine asking someone to book a taxi, schedule a medical reminder, or send an email to a frequent contact; Perplexity understands and executes complex instructions thanks to its multimodal contextual engine.
- education and learning: Its 'Discover' section allows you to access other users' searches and threads, learn about scientific, technological, and current events, and share your own discoveries.
- Verification and transparency: The ability to view and compare all sources for each answer is especially useful for professionals, students, and any user concerned about the reliability of information.
How to use Perplexity: platforms, apps, and getting started
- Web: From any browser, go to . You don't need an account to perform simple searches, although advanced features (file uploads, Pro queries) require free registration.
- Mobile appAvailable on Google Play for Android and the App Store for iOS. The app lets you use the virtual assistant, activate your voice and camera, and receive notifications or reminders. On Android, you can set it as the default system assistant, replacing Google's.
- Chrome extension: Allows you to quickly access Perplexity from any web page, integrating contextual searches and automatic summaries of the content you visit.
The usage process is simple: Type your query, ask by voice, or use the camera to identify objects or visually analyze texts. In seconds, you'll get a precise answer, with a cited source, and the opportunity to delve deeper or continue the conversation to refine the information you've received.
Perplexity Versions and Pricing: Free or Paid?
Perplexity offers a comprehensive free version, both on the web and on mobile devices. This free version includes full internet access, unlimited text and voice queries, camera recognition, and most basic automation and organization features.
However, there are Limitations in the free version related to the size and number of files you can upload for analysis, the speed of certain queries, or access to advanced AI models (e.g., GPT-4o).
For advanced users, professionals or companies, there is Perplexity Pro (Premium), a monthly subscription that unlocks:
- Choosing the AI model: You can use the most advanced models available at any given time.
- Daily Pro Consultations: Priority access and faster processing.
- Unlimited file upload and analysis, especially useful for large PDF documents or databases.
- Imaging and advanced visualizations using different creative AI.
Perplexity Pro is priced at around $20. (Check the platform for offers or variations.) This version is designed for those who need to maximize productivity or analyze big data.
Perplexity Assistant case studies and usage examples
- Book a table at a restaurant: The assistant can show suggestions, filter by reviews, book directly, and even help you send a confirmation message.
- Prepare a trip: Request recommendations for places to visit, check the weather, plan routes, and transfer the information to your personal calendar.
- visual identification: Take a photo of a product, artwork, or menu and ask for detailed information, a history, or online price comparisons.
- Support in studies and learning: Analyze scientific articles, book summaries, and step-by-step solutions to math exercises. You can obtain concept maps, tables, or related images.
- Integration into daily routinesSet reminders like, "Let me know to take my medicine two hours before the game." Or, for example, request a specific song to be played on Spotify or YouTube.
- professional writing: Generating and sending emails in your usual style, preparing reports, assisting with project management, or analyzing market trends.
All of this is achieved thanks to its intelligent engine, which maintains context in conversations and learns your preferences as you use it.
Perplexity has managed to bring together the best of conversational chatbots, virtual assistants, and intelligent search engines into a single platform.Its potential lies in its ability to understand context, automate tasks, deliver reliable and verifiable results, and do all this from a simple and accessible interface on both the web and mobile. Whether you're looking to resolve doubts, organize your schedule, automate routines, or discover up-to-date and relevant knowledge, Perplexity is emerging as the most innovative and powerful option in the world of artificial intelligence applied to daily and professional life.