Arc Search vs Perplexity: Which Is Better in 2026?
We compared Arc Search and Perplexity across pricing, features, and use cases. Here's what we found.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Pricing | Free | Freemium (from $20/mo) |
| Free Tier | ✓ | ✓ |
| Text Chat | ✗ | ✓ |
| Image Generation | ✗ | ✗ |
| Code Assistant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Voice Input | ✗ | ✗ |
| File Upload | ✗ | ✓ |
| Web Search | ✗ | ✓ |
| API Access | ✗ | ✓ |
| Languages | 1 | 1 |
About Arc Search
AI-native mobile browser that browses the web for you — tap 'Browse for Me' and Arc Search reads multiple pages, extracts the answer, and presents it directly.
Pricing: Free
Best for: Research & Analysis , Productivity
Full Arc Search Review →About Perplexity
Perplexity is an AI-powered search engine that answers questions with cited sources from the live web. Every response links directly to primary sources — making it the most transparent AI assistant for research and fact-checking. Free users get unlimited web searches; Perplexity Pro ($20/month) unlocks multiple AI models including GPT-4o, Claude 3.7, and Grok.
Pricing: Freemium (from $20/mo)
Best for: General Assistant , Research & Analysis , Productivity
Full Perplexity Review →Who Should Choose Arc Search?
- Teams and individuals focused on research & analysis
- Teams and individuals focused on productivity
- Users looking for a free solution with no upfront cost
Who Should Choose Perplexity?
- Teams and individuals focused on general assistant
- Teams and individuals focused on research & analysis
- Teams and individuals focused on productivity
- Developers who need API access to integrate AI into their apps
Our Verdict
Recommended
Arc Search
Arc Search edges out Perplexity with a higher overall rating ( 4.6 vs 4.6). However, the best choice depends on your specific needs — both tools have strong points. Arc Search is also free, making it accessible to everyone.
Not sure which to choose?
Our newsletter covers AI chatbot reviews weekly — including deep dives and head-to-head comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between Arc Search and Perplexity?
- Arc Search and Perplexity differ in their capabilities, pricing, and target use cases. Arc Search uniquely supports ai-search, browse-for-me, web-summarization, mobile-browser, page-qa. Perplexity uniquely supports text, search, file-upload.
- Which is cheaper, Arc Search or Perplexity?
- Arc Search is free to use, while Perplexity requires a paid plan.
- Which is better overall?
- Based on user ratings, Arc Search (4.6/5) is rated slightly higher than Perplexity (4.6/5). The best choice depends on your specific use case and budget.
Related Comparisons
Know a tool we're missing? Submit it free →