Okay, Perplexity Al fans, I get the hype! It’s awesome for those quick answers with sources. But let’s be honest, sometimes you want to switch things up – maybe get a more creative answer or deeper details. With Perplexity hitting over 10 million users, I knew there had to be other cool Al search options out there. With that in mind, I went on a testing spree and found some seriously impressive Perplexity alternatives. Here’s what I found.
Before we dive in, here’s a quick overview of these AI tools and how they compare to Perplexity:
| Perplexity | Arc Search | You.com AI | Monica AI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Version | GPT-3.5 | OpenAI’s APIs | YouBot with GPT-3 | GPT-3 |
| Paid Version | GPT-4 and Claude 2 | – | GPT-4, Claude, Gemini Pro, Zephyr | GPT-4, Claude 3, Gemini |
| Image Generation | Only on Pro | No | 10 with free, Unlimited on Pro | 19 with free, 200 on Pro |
| Additional Features | Perplexity Copilot, File uploads | Ad and tracker blocker, Auto-archive inactive tabs | Genius, Research, and GPT-4 modes | AI Translator |
| Pricing | $20/month or $200 annually | – | $20/month or $180 annually | Starts at $9.9/month or $99 annually |
1. Arc Search (iOS Only)
Highlight: Uses OpenAI’s APIs for the “Browse for Me” feature.
You might’ve heard about the Arc Browser with features like sidebars and tab spaces that make working on your desktop smoother. Arc Search, from the same company, does something different – it changes how you browse on your iPhone.
The app starts with a search bar and an open keyboard. Type something, tap Browse for Me, and it’ll scan different websites for your query, creating a neat little summary page. You’ll find a bulleted overview at the top and a detailed breakdown along with the source links for further exploration.
For example, when you search for “best phones in 2024,” Arc scans multiple websites and shows you a list of awesome phones to choose from. I love that I can get a quick summary of each phone at the top, followed by key highlights (like price, camera, performance, etc.) and links to dive deeper. It’s like bullet points, images, emojis – thankfully, I encountered no annoying ads or pop-ups.
In comparison, Perplexity gives you a basic answer with hardly any details about what makes a phone great. It even throws in that generic chatbot advice about how the best phone depends on your needs and budget. But hey, at least you can ask follow-up questions, a feature Arc doesn’t have yet.
Coming back to Arc Search, the haptics are nice, and you can quickly switch between tabs with the button on the bottom left. Honestly, I feel every iPhone user should give it a shot. It’s so good, that you might just forget about Perplexity… at least for a while.
Download Arc Search for iPhone
2. YouChat (You.com AI Search)
AI models used: YouBot with GPT-3 (free), GPT-4, Claude 3 Opus, Gemini Pro, and Zephyr.
YouChat is an AI search tool that goes way beyond simple web searches. A part of the You.com AI search engine, YouChat gives you a chatbot to ask questions, get summaries, and follow up on the answers.
The free version uses in-house YouBot with only GPT-3 while the YouPro subscription brings GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, and other models. Both free and paid versions are connected to the internet for up-to-date knowledge.
YouChat is similar to Perplexity in a lot of aspects. While I’m not a fan of its bland interface, where it differs is in its answers. YouChat aims to provide a range of possible answers or interpretations, giving you more options. Perplexity focuses on pinpointing a single, highly probable “correct” answer.
With the free version, you can write stories and emails, search the web, check in on news, and more. Here are some examples of what you can ask it:
- “Write an email to reschedule my doctor’s appointment.”
- “Give me three creative story ideas about a dog who finds a magic hat.”
- “Get me the latest news on US elections.”
- “Find the best Mexican restaurants near me,” and so on.
Heads up: It may not always be accurate. For instance, when asked “who is the current Twitter CEO,” it mentioned Parag Agrawal, who left the position in October 2022. Similarly, when asked “who is Twitter CEO,” it correctly answered Linda Yaccarino but with an image of Jack Dorsey. This is the only major con when pitted against Perplexity.
Download You.com AI for Android
Download You.com AI for iPhone
3. Monica AI Assistant
AI models used: GPT-3 (free), GPT-4, Claude 3, and Gemini
Monica AI is available on both phones and desktops. But unlike other chatbots that feel more like a “search engine with a chatbox,” Monica truly feels like a helpful friend. It reminds me of those friendly in-car robots in MG cars – you get that sense of someone being there to help.
While Perplexity focuses on text-based answers, Monica AI goes the extra mile. You can ask questions, start interesting conversations, and even get summaries of PDFs and images directly on your phone – saving you tons of time.
My favorite part – you can talk to Monica using your voice. She’ll respond with answers and you can follow up on it without typing a thing. This is something Perplexity can’t do yet.
Monica AI can even summarize YouTube videos. Plus, there’s an amazing AI translation tool powered by the GPT model. It figures out what language you’re speaking and translates it as you speak. And that’s not it; Monica AI can also generate images and videos with just a few words and all of this is free!
The free version uses OpenAI’s GPT-3 model. While it offers a good starting point, it has restrictions. You get limited queries and access to information only up to September 2021. Upgrading to premium unlocks the powerful GPT-4V engine, web search capabilities, and more!
Download Monica AI for Android
Perplexity Alternatives: So Which One Should You Use
Perplexity AI is a fantastic choice for anyone who wants the most up-to-date information with clear source citations. However, its conversational style might feel a bit formal, and some features require a paid subscription.
If you’re interested in alternatives, there are several compelling options.
- Need a clean, distraction-free experience? Arc Search could be ideal.
- Looking for flexibility and different AI modes? YouChat is a versatile choice.
- If you crave a more personal touch in your AI interactions, Monica AI might be your new favorite.
And for those who prefer a traditional search engine experience, Google Gemini or Microsoft Copilot are both great choices – Gemini taps into Google’s extensive knowledge base while Copilot offers free access to the impressive GPT-4 language model.
