When it comes to AI tools, Perplexity and ChatGPT stand out for their accuracy and communication style. But while they both excel at delivering information and answering questions, their approaches differ.
Perplexity is an AI-powered search engine that combines the functionalities of traditional search engines with chatbots. It provides concise, real-time answers to user queries by pulling information from recent articles and indexing the web daily.
Unlike ChatGPT, which also now has its own search engine, users will see ads in Perplexity, but to be fair, the ads are small and not prominent.
Often synonymous with AI itself, many users are more familiar with ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI. This conversational AI model was designed to generate human-like conversational text based on the prompts it receives. ChatGPT excels in real-time search, as well as understanding and producing natural language, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
I put the two head-to-head in seven categories, showcasing how each handles specific tasks and which shines in certain situations. I compared Perplexity and ChatGPT across various tasks to determine their strengths and ideal use cases.
1. General knowledge question
Prompt: “What is quantum entanglement?”
Perplexity: Perplexity provides a concise definition of quantum entanglement and includes citations from reputable sources such as scientific journals or educational websites. The response is to-the-point and accompanied by links for further reading.
ChatGPT: ChatGPT delivers a more conversational explanation when tackling this complex question. However, in comparison, it doesn’t offer an as detailed or specific response, making it lose this round.
Winner: Perplexity for its sourced accuracy.
2. Creative writing assistance
Prompt: “Write a poem about winter in the style of Robert Frost.”
Perplexity: Perplexity produces a poem that mimics Frost’s tone and themes but is limited in its creative flair due to its more factual focus.
ChatGPT: ChatGPT crafts a much longer and vivid, evocative poem that captures Frost’s voice, incorporating imagery and stylistic nuances.
Winner: ChatGPT for its imaginative and adaptive writing skills.
3. Complex research question
Prompt: “What are the latest advancements in CRISPR gene editing?”
Perplexity: Perplexity pulls recent updates, citing studies and articles from reliable sources. The response includes dates and links, making it ideal professional research or academic purposes.
ChatGPT: ChatGPT provides a well-rounded summary and includes citations, yet the information was not as detailed as what was provided by Perplexity. Although the response was conversational and engaging, it lacks the most recent news and updates.
Winner: Perplexity for research reliability.
4. Step-by-step instruction
Prompt: “How do I bake a sourdough loaf?”
Perplexity: Perplexity offers a concise list of steps and links to detailed recipes, leaving users to choose their preferred source.
ChatGPT: ChatGPT provides a detailed, personalized set of instructions, anticipating potential questions (e.g., "Why do I need to let the dough rest?"). I appreciate that while the recipe was detailed, it did not appear too complex or overwhelming. The way ChatGPT spread out the recipe into sections was helpful.
Winner: ChatGPT for its tailored, user-focused guidance.
5. Personalized advice
Prompt: “What’s a good vacation spot for a family with young kids?”
Perplexity: Perplexity lists several popular destinations with factual details about family-friendly attractions, offering links for further exploration.
ChatGPT: ChatGPT suggests destinations based on preferences, such as budget, activities, and travel style, while weaving in tips for traveling with kids. Before going in with this question, I had a feeling ChatGPT would be far more personal – it proved me right!
Winner: ChatGPT for its personalized recommendations.
6. Summarizing a news article
Prompt: “Summarize the latest article about electric vehicles from The New York Times.”
Perplexity: Perplexity quickly summarizes several current news stories and provides a link to the source, ensuring users can verify the information.
ChatGPT: ChatGPT dropped the ball. This was incredibly surprising as ChatGPT Search usually offers up-to-date information. I tried this prompt a few times and in a few ways and ChatGPT did not come through.
Winner: Perplexity for its direct connection to verifiable sources.
7. Casual conversation
Prompt: “Tell me a joke about AI.”
Perplexity: Perplexity delivers a witty one-liner but lacks follow-up engagement.
ChatGPT: ChatGPT not only delivers jokes but also engages in playful banter if the user wants more. ChatGPT offered several more jokes
Winner: ChatGPT for its conversational flair and human-like banter.
Overall winner: ChatGPT
Both Perplexity and ChatGPT excel in distinct ways, but the overall winner here is ChatGPT because it excels in fact-based queries and research, offering transparency with its citations while also shining in creativity, personalized advice, and conversational abilities.
Perplexity definitely has its strengths, which are clearly seen here. But overall, when you’re looking for engaging, adaptive, and creative interaction, ChatGPT takes the crown. That said, I believe the two chatbots complement each other and both are worth considering depending on your needs, ensuring you’ll always get the best response for any query.
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