DOAChatGPT vs Perplexity: which one to choose?
We compare ChatGPT and Perplexity on price, devices, difficulty and who each one suits, using the data on their DOA pages.
ChatGPT
OpenAI's general assistant for writing, reasoning, file analysis and coding. The most familiar starting point for almost any AI task.
Perplexity
Answer engine with cited sources: every fact comes with its link. Ideal for research, study or checking news without losing where it came from.
DOA verdict for writing
ChatGPT wins
88.5 ChatGPT · 85.3 Perplexity / 100
Daily writing, studying and first contact with AI. Very easy to use and versatile.
Why
- DOA score in writing · ChatGPT: 93/100 vs 85/100
- Free version · Perplexity: 80/100 vs 72/100
- Ease of use: tie
- Devices: tie
Pick Perplexity if…
Students, journalists and researchers. More transparent than a generic chatbot.
How we decide: this verdict uses a formula of its own for comparisons, different from the DOA score: DOA score in writing (60%), free version (20%), ease of use (10%) and devices (10%). Data from each tool page, reviewed on 14 October 2026. How we calculate the DOA score and the verdict
| ChatGPT | Perplexity | |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | Browser · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone / iPad | Browser · Android · iPhone / iPad · Mac · Windows |
| Level | Easy | Easy |
| What it is for | Writing Getting work done Research Study Coding | Research Study Writing |
| DOA score | 93/100 | 85/100 |
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On the overall DOA score, ChatGPT gets 93/100 and Perplexity 85/100. It is an indicative rating: try both on a real task before you pay.
ChatGPT and Perplexity side by side: plans, models and privacy
Only facts from their official sites, linking each source. If the site doesn't publish something, we say so.
Data checked on 14 October 2026.
| Item | ChatGPT | Perplexity |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Unlimited text chats (with abuse guardrails). Limited uploads, image creation, voice and deep research.source: chatgpt.com (opens in a new tab) | A few advanced searches per day and a single default model.source: perplexity.ai (opens in a new tab) |
| Cheapest paid plan | Go: €8/month. Plus: €23/month (Spain prices on the official page).source: chatgpt.com (opens in a new tab) | Pro: US$17/month billed annually (the page does not show the monthly price).source: perplexity.ai (opens in a new tab) |
| Top plan | Pro: from €103/month in Spain, in three usage tiers. The help centre lists US$ prices: Pro 100, Pro 200 and Pro 500 at US$100, US$200 and US$500/month. Monthly billing only.source: chatgpt.com (opens in a new tab) · help.openai.com (opens in a new tab) | Max: US$167/month billed annually (the monthly price is not shown).source: perplexity.ai (opens in a new tab) |
| Models by plan |
| Free: one default model. Pro: choose between models from several companies; the page names GPT-6.1 Sol, Gemini 3.8 Flash, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Kimi K3, GLM 5.3 and Grok 4.7.source: perplexity.ai (opens in a new tab) |
| Documented features | Codex included (limited on Free and Go). Pro includes Pro models, Codex, deep research, image creation, memory and file uploads.source: chatgpt.com (opens in a new tab) · help.openai.com (opens in a new tab) | Pro: deep research, choice between models from several companies, and higher limits and memory.source: perplexity.ai (opens in a new tab) |
| Privacy: does it train on your chats? | OpenAI may use your chats to train its models; turn it off in Settings › Data controls (“Improve the model for everyone”). Temporary chats are not used.source: help.openai.com (opens in a new tab) | By default your searches may be used to improve its AI; you can opt out in account settings.source: perplexity.ai (opens in a new tab) |
| Apps and platforms | Browser · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone / iPadper the DOA tool page (updated 14 October 2026) | Browser · Android · iPhone / iPad · Mac · Windowsper the DOA tool page (updated 14 October 2026) |
| Best model in the DOA ranking | GPT-6.1 Sol: 92.4/100 · position 3AI models | No model with a DOA ranking in our table |
Key differences
- Free plan: Perplexity gives a few advanced searches per day and one default model; ChatGPT, unlimited text chats with abuse guardrails.
- Entry paid plan: Perplexity Pro, US$17/month billed annually (no monthly price published); ChatGPT Go, €8/month, and Plus, €23/month (Spain prices).
- Models: Perplexity Pro lets you choose models from several companies (GPT-6.1 Sol, Gemini 3.8 Flash, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Kimi K3, GLM 5.3 and Grok 4.7); ChatGPT uses OpenAI's GPT models.
- Top plan: Perplexity Max, US$167/month billed annually; ChatGPT Pro (the most expensive), US$500/month.
- Training: Perplexity may use your searches by default and you can turn it off in settings; ChatGPT has the “Improve the model for everyone” setting.
The DOA model ranking averages two external sources. We show the best-scoring model among those our table places in a plan of each app.
Model quality: DOA model ranking (average of Arena and Epoch AI, no DOA opinion) →
ChatGPT is a better fit for
- Daily writing, studying and first contact with AI
- Teams that want one familiar general assistant
Perplexity is a better fit for
- Students, journalists and researchers
- Fast briefings with sources