In short
How they differ.
Worked out from the makers' own pages, read Oct 20, 2026. Prices change; check before you pay.
- Both have a free plan.
- Google AI Mode's cheapest paid plan is cheaper: $4.99 a month against $10.
- Google AI Mode also has a web and phone app.
- Perplexity shipped an update more recently (Oct 19, 2026).
Side by side
The details.
| Google AI Mode | Perplexity | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Google · United States | Perplexity AI · United States |
| What it says it is | “AI Mode is Google’s most powerful AI search experience.” | “Perplexity Pro unlocks more ways to learn and get work done.” |
| Free plan | YesNo price for AI Mode itself on the pages read. Gemini 4 Argon in AI Mode is limited to "Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers 18 and above", with daily usage limits. | YesFree (Standard): Pro Searches "3/day", Research Queries "1/month", "Practically unlimited basic searches". |
| Plans | Free: freeGoogle AI Plus: $4.99 a monthGoogle AI Pro: $19.99 a monthGoogle AI Ultra: $99.99 a month | Standard (Free): freePro: not in US$Max: $200 a monthEducation Pro: $10 a monthEnterprise Pro: $40 a month |
| Runs on | web, Android, iOS | Not stated |
| Latest update | More ways to connect with the web from Search, Oct 15, 2026 | Ultrafast Computer models, Decisions API, and connector controls, Oct 19, 2026 |
| Its terms | “Google uses people's interactions with Search and these AI experiences”What it does with your data · Google Search Help: AI Mode | “Some data may be used to train AI models and improve search quality, unless you opt out through Account Settings”What it does with your data · Perplexity Help Center: Data Collection at Perplexity |
| Disputes | None on file | None on file |
| Sources | Prices, Oct 20, 2026 · Description · company-reported | Prices, Oct 20, 2026 · Description · company-reported |
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