OpenAI vs Perplexity: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of OpenAI and Perplexity. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Both OpenAI and Perplexity offer free plans. OpenAI has 8 pricing tiers while Perplexity has 3.
Last updated: July 6, 2026
OpenAI vs Perplexity: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | OpenAI | Perplexity |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | $17/mo |
| Number of Plans | 8 | 3 |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Model | usage-based | freemium |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
OpenAI and Perplexity are both priced at Custom pricing, making them equally accessible AI & ML tools. Together they offer 11 pricing plans with 12 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.
Both tools offer free plans, making them accessible for teams on a budget. OpenAI uses usage-based pricing while Perplexity uses freemium pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your AI & ML needs.
| Pricing Plans |  OpenAI Try free |  Perplexity Try free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | How does ChatGPT’s pricing work? Custom pricing | |
| Tier 2 | Is ChatGPT free to use? $0/monthCheapest | ProPopular $17/month $17 / year Includes
|
| Tier 3 | Does OpenAI offer a ChatGPT plan for educational institutions? Custom pricing | Max $167/monthCheapest $167 / year Includes
|
| Tier 4 | Does OpenAI offer a discount for nonprofits? Custom pricing | - |
| Tier 5 | How many users are supported on each subscription plan? Custom pricing | - |
| Tier 6 | What are my payment options? Custom pricing | - |
| Tier 7 | How secure is ChatGPT? Custom pricing | - |
| Tier 8 | How does ChatGPT use my data? Custom pricing | - |
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Frequently Asked Questions: OpenAI vs Perplexity
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Sources
- OpenAI Official Pricing- Vendor pricing page
- Perplexity Official Pricing- Vendor pricing page
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