The AI search game is heating up, with OpenAI adding search capabilities to ChatGPT yesterday and Perplexity launching a macOS desktop app a week ago. Perplexity could currently be considered a leader in AI-powered search, and now Mac users can quickly use Perplexity’s advanced search engine right from their desktop without having to access it through a web browser.
If you’re not familiar with Perplexity, it’s a conversational search engine launched the same year as ChatGPT. It lets you ask questions and make requests using natural language (like how we communicate with each other in real life). Similar to ChatGPT, there are two tiers for users: a free “Standard” tier that allows you to perform unlimited “quick” searches, ideal for those looking for quick, basic answers produced by the Standard Perplexity AI model (plus five free Pro-level searches). per day), and the “Pro” level which includes quick searches as well as 600 Pro searches per day.
It’s these Pro searches that are recommended for more complex and longer queries, allowing you to choose from several different AI models and tools, including OpenAI’s GPT-4o and Athropic’s Claude-3. It also includes the ability to analyze files such as PDFs, spreadsheets, and images using AI tools. You can subscribe to Perplexity Pro for $20 per month or $200 per year.
What makes Perplexity on macOS so good?
Now the macOS app brings these types of key Perplexity features right to your desktop, letting you perform Pro searches by typing or using your voice. Then, Perplexity will return answers in real-time, powered by advanced AI models, complete with cited sources – so you can verify the veracity of Perplexity’s answers for yourself.
The app also brings a new threaded conversation feature, allowing you to ask follow-up questions on your initial query without Perplexity losing the context of the original question, allowing for more back-and-forth naturalist. It also has a library feature that saves past searches and discoveries, as well as the ability to create custom shortcuts to quickly access your favorite features.
Before you consider subscribing, I recommend trying Perplexity for free first, either in your browser or by downloading the app for macOS, available now from the Mac App Store.
It’s interesting to see the number of AI-powered conversational search products increasing, and I’ve seen discussions around ChatGPT’s new search features on sites like Reddit, arguing that it could (or perhaps should ) light a fire under companies like Google to stay competitive. . If you are a ChatGPT Plus user, a Team user, or registered on the SearchGPT waitlist, you should see ChatGPT offering you the ability to search the web for answers. Enterprise and Education users will have access to it in the coming weeks, and it will be available to all free users in the coming months.
You can already get the ChatGPT desktop app for macOS and Windows 11, and I assume its search capabilities extend to the app (or at least, they will soon).
I think it’s hard to say whether Perplexity or ChatGPT will come out on top when it comes to conversational search. ChatGPT has more recognition, but Perplexity has been in this specific game for a bit longer. Either way, I’m intrigued and will be following closely, and I’m really looking forward to delving deeper into both.