ChatGPT vs Perplexity Comparison

• Go (individual, monthly): $6/mo — OpenAI states this plan may include ads
• Pro (individual, monthly): From $100/mo, with a choice of three usage tiers

• Pro (individual, monthly): $20/mo billed monthly — shown as $17/mo equivalent when billed annually
• Max (individual, monthly): $200/mo billed monthly — shown as $167/mo equivalent when billed annually

Unlimited text chats on the base model, subject to abuse guardrails, but limited file uploads, image creation, voice, deep research, memory and context, and Codex access. Advanced reasoning models, Projects, scheduled tasks, and custom GPTs are paid-tier features.

Free is listed as good for limited daily usage, with basic AI models and limited file uploads. The model picker, the larger Deep Research and file-upload allowances, and Computer access are Pro and Max features.

Conversations, Memories, and the account itself persist until the user deletes them. Once a deletion request is made, OpenAI states data is removed from its systems within 30 days, with exceptions where longer retention is required: fraud and abuse prevention, legal obligations, financial records for payments, and the audit trail of the deletion request itself. Temporary Chats are deleted automatically within 30 days unless a longer hold is needed for legal or safety reasons.

Perplexity states it retains personal information as long as the account is active and removes it from its servers within 30 days of account deletion, which is requested through a form rather than a settings button. Incognito sessions expire within 24 hours and are not recoverable. Opting out of AI training applies only to data collected after the opt-out; data already collected for training cannot be removed.

OpenAI OpCo, LLC, San Francisco, California (1455 Third Street) is the controller for most of the world. OpenAI Ireland Limited, Dublin, is the data controller for users in the EEA, the UK, and Switzerland.

Perplexity AI, Inc., a privately held company headquartered in San Francisco, California. VeraSafe is appointed as its GDPR Article 27 representative for users in the EU and UK, and Perplexity certifies to the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework.