Why Look for a Free Perplexity AI Alternative in 2025?
Look friend, Perplexity AI is in the news these days because it gives the correct answer in real time, that too with the source – which helps a lot for those who study or research. But its free plan is a bit limited – you can do advanced search only 5 times a day. If you want to use more, then you have to pay ₹1600 ($20) every month.
Nowadays, where subscription has to be paid for everything, everyone thinks that there should be an AI tool that works well for free. This is the reason why students, bloggers, developers and many others are looking for free tools like Perplexity.
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Students and researchers need tools that give new and correct answers – and yes, there should be a source along with the answer.
Bloggers and marketers need tools that give new content ideas and help in writing – and most importantly, the work gets done for free.
Developers and techies need AI that understands coding – like giving code examples or helping catch bugs.
People who are serious about privacy need tools that have no tracking or ads – like Andi AI.
The simple thing is that if you want help from AI but want to avoid paying money every month, then you should definitely try some free and good options of Perplexity in 2025.
What Is Perplexity AI?
Perplexity AI is a kind of smart search engine—meaning a chatbot that searches for information from the internet and gives you direct, accurate, and source-based answers. It presents a lot of information from the internet in a simple and short answer.
It runs on Microsoft Azure and has OpenAI models installed inside it. Meaning, it uses the latest technology so that it gives absolutely up-to-date information on every topic. When you ask something, it first gives a short answer and also shows the links (sources) of that answer below so that you can see where the information has come from.
Special features of Perplexity AI:
I am searching and answering from the internet in real-time.
Showing the source of that information with every answer.
Because of these things, it is very useful for students, researchers, and people who want accurate information.
Now let’s talk about its plans—
Free Plan: In this, you can ask unlimited questions but can do “Pro Search” only 5 times a day. Pro Search means more powerful and deep answers.
Paid Plan ($15/month): In this, you get the opportunity to do 300 advanced searches every day and also get access to the latest AI models like GPT-4o and Cloud 3. It also has features like reading PDFs and asking questions from photos.
There are some drawbacks too:
The limit in the free plan gets exhausted very quickly, especially for those who use it a lot.
This tool is great for fact-based questions, but if you want to use it to generate stories or code, then it does a little weak work.
What Makes a Good Perplexity AI Alternative?
If you are looking for a good free alternative to Perplexity AI, then there are some important things to keep in mind:
1. Real-Time Web Search
The tool should be such that it can fetch real-time (fresh) information from the internet. For example, Google’s Gemini is very good because it instantly answers with new articles or news. If you are researching the latest news, technology, or trending topics, then this is very important.
2. Citations or Source Links
If you are using AI for studies, research, or professional work, then it is very important to get its source along with the answer. This shows where the information has come from. For example, Phind AI gives links to code and documents. Even if there is no source, at least the information should be from a reliable website.
3. More freedom in the free plan (less limit)
Any tool that allows asking more questions in the free plan is considered good. The limit should not end after 2-4 questions. There should be freedom to use it more for free.
4. Simple and chat-like conversation (Simple Interface)
The user interface (UI) of the tool should be such that anyone can talk comfortably. The conversation should be like you are chatting with a friend. Answers should be easy and correct—and AI should have a good ability to understand our language. Like Andi AI is made to give accurate and correct information.
5. Image, Code, or Voice Support (with extra features)
If the tool can understand photos, codes, or voices, then it is even better. Like Gemini and Komo, it understands questions from photos as well, and You.com has special modes for different tasks. Microsoft Copilot has also been integrated with Office Apps – like you can use it directly in Word or Excel.
6. Privacy and Ads Matter
Some people don’t want their data to be tracked. Andi AI is best for such people—it doesn’t track at all. But if you don’t have a problem with ads, then a tool like You.com is also fine—it’s free; it just shows ads in between.
Top 10 Free Alternatives to Perplexity AI in 2025
ChatGPT
Strengths:
OpenAI’s ChatGPT is a very useful AI that understands what you are saying and responds in the same manner. It is best used when you need a blog written, a story written, something translated, or help with coding. It runs on a model called GPT-3.5, which is still very fast and intelligent.
You can ask it anything, like “draft an email for me” or “what is wrong with my Python code?” Its interface (app or website) is also very clean and easy, which anyone can use.
If you are looking for an idea, want to get some content created, or just want to have a conversation, then this is a great tool.
Limitations:
Now some things to keep in mind: this free version of ChatGPT does not know information after 2021. Meaning if you ask, “Which movie was a hit in 2025?” then the answer may be wrong or you won’t get it at all.
It does not have live internet browsing, meaning it does not provide direct links or the latest information from any website. Like tools like Perplexity, it also does not tell the source where the information came from.
And yes, there is a limit for free users—like you cannot send too many messages every hour.
So if you want up-to-date news or research, then this free version may not be of use to you. But for normal Q&A, writing content, or any creative work, it is absolutely perfect.
Gemini (Google)
Strengths:
Google Gemini (which is the successor of Bard) is completely free and is well integrated with all of Google’s apps and services. Its biggest advantage is real-time search—meaning if you need the latest information, it immediately fetches it from the Internet.
Gemini 2.0 has a new “Deep Research” mode, which can look at hundreds of websites and collect the right information for you. It can also connect with your Google account and work according to personal needs. Apart from this, Gemini can understand both text and images, and it is constantly updated so that it gets fresh data.
Limitations:
But it also has some limitations. First of all, you need a Google account to use it. It mostly shows Google search results, so if you want to get data from another site, it can be a bit limited.
It does not always give clear sources, meaning the information you see may be without details. Sometimes its performance can also vary a bit depending on the question.
But if you need fact-checking or fresh data, Gemini is great. It has good integration with other Google apps (e.g., Search, Maps, YouTube), which makes it even more useful. Just keep in mind, it gives answers from Google’s perspective, so if needed, check from another place.
Microsoft Copilot (Bing Chat)
Strengths:
Microsoft Copilot (formerly known as Bing Chat) is a GPT-4 Turbo-powered chatbot, and it’s completely free. You can use it to search the web, summarize articles, generate text, and even take voice commands (if the device supports it).
Copilot integrates seamlessly with all Microsoft products (Windows, Edge, Office). You can ask it to draft an email or explain a chart. The free version runs on GPT-4o (4 Turbo), and it’s great, especially on Windows PCs. It also has a mobile app. It’s great if you need a quick web search, need help with coding, or need anything that requires chat and search at the same time.
Limitations:
It has some limitations. If you use it a lot, you might get a little lag sometimes, as Microsoft says that free users may face some lag during peak times. Apart from this, there is also a daily query limit, which Microsoft has not disclosed publicly.
If you want to go beyond these limitations, there is a Copilot Pro version, which comes for $20 per month, and it has more features like “Deep Research.” So, if you are using the free version, then it is great for everyday tasks, especially if you are in the Microsoft ecosystem. But if you have to do professional work or heavy usage, then you might have to upgrade.
Claude (Anthropic)
Strengths:
Claude is an AI built by Anthropic, and it is known for its natural and safe conversations. It maintains context well even in long chats and always responds politely and in detail.
Claude’s free plan offers a limited number of messages per day (this varies according to demand), but the basic model is still very good and can be used for free. Many users prefer Claude for brainstorming or dictation, as it writes very smoothly and accurately and is less likely to be redundant. Its reasoning and summarization are also very strong.
Limitations:
Claude does not search the web in real time. This means that all the information Claude has is current until 2023. The free plan has even stricter message limits, while Cloud Pro (which is about $20 per month) offers 5x more usage.
This can be a problem if you need the most up-to-date information or have a lot of use. Plus, Cloudude doesn’t cite sources, meaning it doesn’t say where the information came from.
Overall, Cloudude is a great conversational assistant that’s good for a lot of things, but if you want search-based work, it falls a bit short compared to tools like Perplexity.
Andi AI Search
Strengths:
Andi AI understands your question and extracts accurate information directly from the web, which prevents unnecessary hallucinations. It also gives clear and beautiful answers—with images and text.
The best part is that Andi does not track any of your data—no cookies, no data selling, nothing. And for now, it is completely free.
Limitations:
Only one thing is a little different—its user interface is a little different. Like, the search box is not at the top but at the bottom, so it takes some getting used to at first.
Apart from this, Andi is limited to search and questions and answers only—it will not work on blog posts or any creative work.
But for those who want only facts, that too without ads and without any tracking—Andi is perfect for them. Its no-tracking rule makes it different from the rest.
Komo AI
Strengths:
Komo AI is a free AI search tool that is fast and clean with no ads. It personalizes results by keeping in mind your past searches.
More importantly, Komo not only lets you type but also asks questions by speaking or uploading photos. It also helps you generate ideas, such as suggesting writing topics or new ideas.
Komo is fast and gets straight to the point, so it’s great for quick fact-checks or understanding things.
Limitations:
Komo’s answers are accurate, but it doesn’t have the depth or source information that Perplexity or Phind offer.
The free version works fine, but if you use it a lot, you’ll need to get a paid plan.
Komo is perfect for those who want simple answers, an ad-free interface, and the option to search by voice or image.
Poe (by Quora)
Strengths:
Poe, i.e., Platform for Open Exploration, is a chat platform where you can talk to many different AI models in one place. Through this, you can chat with bots like GPT-4.5, Claude, and Meta AI (Grok) in the same interface.
The best part is that you can ask the same question to all the bots and see everyone’s answers side-by-side—this makes it easy to do a quick comparison.
Now a new feature has also come in Poe, through which you can also create your own custom AI apps, which run on these AI models.
Limitations:
Poe has a point system for chatting—free users get a limited number of points daily, with which they can ask questions of AI.
If you run out of points, you will have to wait till the next day or take a premium plan for $5/month.
Poe doesn’t search the web itself, meaning its answers are based on information already stored in the AI models. Some bots may have a browsing option, but not always.
Overall, Poe is good for those who want to try out different AI tools in one place, without having to pay for each one separately. Its free use is limited.
Phind
Strengths:
Phind (formerly known as SearchCody) is a tool specifically designed for developers. It’s like StackOverflow and ChatGPT combined.
When you ask Phind a programming question, it searches the web (forums, documentation) and shows you the answer with code and source.
Phind is a kind of AI coding assistant. It uses powerful models like Phind-70B and GPT-4, which deeply understand your question.
You can use it in the browser and there is also a VS Code extension for it.
Free users get unlimited use of its core model, and some limited answers from GPT-4 are available for free every day – which is quite good compared to other tools.
Limitations:
Phind is made only for technical and coding related questions – you can’t do general discussions or creative writing in it.
Those who are not developers will not find it as useful.
And if you run out of free GPT-4 answers, you will either have to wait or get a paid plan.
But for those who need help with coding – understanding code, debugging, or learning the API – Phind is great. According to one user, Phind feels like having an AI partner programmer working alongside you.
YouChat (by You.com)
Strengths:
YouChat is a chat tool from the You.com search website. You can ask any question in it and it gives you an immediate answer.
It not only gives answers, but also helps in writing blog posts, creating social media posts, and designing photos (artwork). For this, it has special tools like “YouWrite” and “YouImagine”.
You can also search for images, videos, news and maps – everything is available in one chat box.
YouChat can be used easily on mobile or computer, as it is available in both app and browser extension.
Limitations:
The free version of YouChat shows ads and there is a limit to its usage (how many times you can use it, it is not clearly stated).
Its answers are good, but many times the source or link is not given in them, so if necessary, you may have to double-check the information.
This tool is good for those who want to chat, search and create content in one place. Just keep in mind, some of the answers may not be completely correct, so you may have to check them a bit.
Best Perplexity AI Alternative Based on Your Needs
No single AI tool is the best for everyone. That’s why here are different tools for different types of users – so that you can choose the right option according to your needs.
Students/Researchers:
If you are a student or do research work, then you need tools that give you the latest and reliable information. Although Perplexity itself (free version) is also good for doing small research. But apart from this, Andi AI is also a good option, because it gives the most accurate answers from the web and also takes full care of your privacy. If you want the most up-to-date information, then Google Gemini is also good. And if you are working on a project related to coding, then Phind will be the best, because it shows the source along with the answers to coding questions.
Bloggers/Content Creators:
If you write blogs or create any digital content, then you need AI tools that can create content in a creative way and also provide correct information. For this work, Free ChatGPT is at the forefront, as it helps in drafting articles, thinking of ideas and content planning. If you need fresh facts or data points, then Google Gemini can be of great help. YouChat is also an all-round tool, which can give not only text but also image and design ideas. If there is work of SEO or research, then you can quickly fact-check with Perplexity or You.com, that too with the source.
Developers/Techies:
If you are a developer or are associated with technology, then the best tool for you is Phind. It is specially made to solve coding related questions and problems, and the need to visit sites like StackOverflow is also reduced. Apart from this, Poe is also a great option, where you can try many different AI models like GPT-4, Claude at one place. ChatGPT (free) is also good for small codes or practice, but it does not have the latest knowledge of the web. On the other hand, Claude is a good tool for thinking a little deeper and explaining logic, when you have to plan something in depth.
Privacy-Focused Users:
If you are a user who is most concerned about their privacy, then Andi AI is the best option for you. This tool does not track or sell any of your information. Apart from this, some other AI browsers like Brave are also available, which provide search and AI tools keeping privacy in mind. If you use You.com, then you can opt out of tracking in that too. Just keep in mind that many AI tools save your conversation, so choose the tool keeping these things in mind.
Cost-Sensitive Casual Users:
If you are a user who wants to ask questions to AI occasionally and doesn’t want to spend money, then tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are a good option. They offer a free experience of tools like GPT-4, but with some limitations. Tools like You.com and Google Gemini are also free for basic use. The best way is to make a combination of different tools according to your needs – for example, use ChatGPT or Cloud for writing, Phind for coding, and Gemini or Perplexity for facts or research.
Conclusion:
If you are looking for a Perplexity AI Alternative, there are many free tools in 2025 that can be useful for you. These tools help you in accurate information and content creation without any cost.
You can get better results through tools like Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Andi AI and Phind. Google Gemini gives fresh information, Microsoft Copilot provides accurate information without any ads, Andi AI takes care of your privacy, and Phind is especially useful for developers.
Read Also : Top 10 Free AI Tools for Startups to Boost Productivity
FAQs – Free Perplexity AI Alternatives
Q: Are all these free AI tools as accurate as Perplexity AI?
A: Accuracy can vary from tool to tool. Tools like Perplexity and Phind also show the source along with the answer, which increases trust. ChatGPT and Claude also give good answers, but sometimes they can make up things on their own (this is called hallucinate in AI language) and do not show the source. If there is any important or research work, then one should always check the answer once. Tools like Andi and You.com that extract information directly from the web usually give more accurate answers.
Q: Are all these tools really free?
A: Yes, all these tools do have a free version, but many of them also have paid plans. For example, Microsoft Copilot has a free version, but it also has a paid version (Copilot Pro $20). Claude and Phind can also be used for free up to a certain limit, but for more usage you need a subscription. ChatGPT’s GPT-3.5 version is free, but GPT-4 is available for payment. This means that if you use it occasionally, the free version is enough — but if you use it professionally or use it daily, the limit may be exceeded.
Q: Can I do study or research work with these tools?
A: Yes, you can — but it is important to choose the right tool. For research, tools that provide answers with sources are better, such as Perplexity or Phind. ChatGPT and Cloud can be used to create ideas or write a draft, but facts must be checked. Many colleges and universities also refuse to use AI without giving credit, so use these tools as a helper, not as a final decision. Tools that provide links and sources (such as Perplexity, You.com, Phind, Andi) are more reliable for research.
Q: Will all these tools work on mobile or tablet?
A: Yes, most tools work in the browser and some also have mobile apps. Google Gemini has apps for both Android and iOS. Microsoft Copilot runs in mobile browsers (such as Edge). You.com (which includes YouChat) also has an app and browser extension. ChatGPT also has a mobile app. Phind and Andi run on mobile friendly websites. Meaning you can use them on mobile, tablet or computer – anything.
Q: Which tool is right for me if I need the most privacy?
A: If you are very sensitive about your privacy, then Andi AI is the best. It does not save any of your personal information nor does it track your activity. You.com is also a good option, which lets you browse without tracking. But tools like ChatGPT and Google do save some information about you to improve the tools. So it’s a good idea to check the privacy policy of any tool before using it.
Q: Do these free tools support languages other than English?
A: Yes, most tools understand and speak many languages. ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude and Copilot can communicate in many languages. But You.com/YouChat and Phind mostly work best in English — especially Phind understands coding questions better in English. If you need to work in a specific language, check the settings or documentation of each tool to see if it supports it.