Best AI Tools (2026)
These are the best AI tools for real work. Use this page to make a fast, confident choice.
Top Picks
ChatGPT
General-purpose AI assistant for writing, coding, and research.
Starting at $20/month
Perplexity
AI search with citations and real-time answers.
Starting at $20/month
ChatGPT vs Perplexity Comparison
Expert comparison of ai assistant AI tools updated January 2026
Expert Verdict:
ChatGPT wins for deep creation and versatile workflows, while Perplexity is best for fast research.
Winner: ChatGPT
ChatGPT
General-purpose AI assistant for writing, coding, and research.
4.8★
12800 reviews
$20
per month
Pros
- +Strong reasoning
- +Large ecosystem
- +Fast iteration
Cons
- -Model limits on free tier
- -Quality varies by prompt
Perplexity
AI search with citations and real-time answers.
4.6★
8200 reviews
$20
per month
Pros
- +Citations by default
- +Fresh information
- +Simple UX
Cons
- -Limited depth for long tasks
- -Less creative output
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Side-by-side analysis of key features and capabilities
pricing
Free plan
Both offer a free tier with limits.
Importance: high
ChatGPT
Perplexity
features
Best for long-form creation
Importance: high
ChatGPT
YesPerplexity
Limitedperformance
Real-time sources
Importance: high
ChatGPT
LimitedPerplexity
Strongsupport
Team collaboration
Importance: medium
ChatGPT
AvailablePerplexity
Limitedsecurity
Enterprise controls
Importance: medium
ChatGPT
YesPerplexity
Yesratings
Average rating
Importance: low
ChatGPT
4.8Perplexity
4.6Comparison Summary
ChatGPT
3 wins
Ties
2 features
Perplexity
1 wins