kitio.aiPerplexity vs Brave Search
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Brave Search is completely free, while Perplexity is freemium.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Cited answers
- Deep Research reports
- Model choice
- File uploads
- Spaces
- AI answers with sources
- Follow-up questions
- Independent index
- Goggles re-ranking
- Search API
| Feature | Perplexity | Brave Search |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | AI answer engine that searches the web and cites its sources | Independent private search engine with AI-generated answers |
| Category | Research & search | Research & search |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting price | $20/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | Perplexity | Brave Software |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Brave Search is completely free, while Perplexity is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
5 plans
Free
Free
- Unlimited basic searches
- Limited Pro searches
Pro
$20/mo
- Advanced AI models
- More Pro searches and research
- File uploads
Max
$200/mo
- Highest usage limits
- Early access to new features
Enterprise Pro
$40/mo
- Per seat
- Admin and security controls
- 500 Computer credits/mo
Enterprise Max
$325/mo
- Per seat
- 15,000 Computer credits/mo
- Highest limits
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Perplexity
- Every answer shows sources
- Fast and current
- Choice of top models
- Citations sometimes don't support claims
- Best features need Pro
Brave Search
- Free and private
- Own index, not a Bing wrapper
- Good AI summaries
- Results weaker for some local queries
- Fewer features than Perplexity
Which one should you choose?
Choose Perplexity if you want:
- Every answer shows sources
- Fast and current
- Choice of top models
Watch out: citations sometimes don't support claims.
Choose Brave Search if you want:
- Free and private
- Own index, not a Bing wrapper
- Good AI summaries
Watch out: results weaker for some local queries.
Perplexity vs Brave Search FAQ
What is the difference between Perplexity and Brave Search?
Perplexity: AI answer engine that searches the web and cites its sources. Brave Search: Independent private search engine with AI-generated answers. Both are research & search tools.
Is Perplexity or Brave Search cheaper?
Brave Search is completely free, while Perplexity is freemium.
Do Perplexity and Brave Search have free plans?
Perplexity: Yes. Brave Search: Yes, fully free.
Who makes Perplexity?
Perplexity is made by Perplexity, based in United States.
Who makes Brave Search?
Brave Search is made by Brave Software, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Perplexity or Brave Search?
Choose Perplexity if you value every answer shows sources and fast and current. Choose Brave Search if you value free and private and own index, not a bing wrapper.