The AI TillComparisons · AI assistants
Comparison
Gemini (Google AI plans) vs Perplexity
Google's AI assistant, in its own app and built into Gmail, Docs and other Google apps on paid plans. An AI search tool that answers questions with links to the sources it used.
| Gemini (Google AI plans) | Perplexity | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free: $0 with a Google Account. Google AI Plus: $4.99 a month. Google AI Pro: $19.99 a month. Ultra from $99.99 a month. | Free to sign up. Pro: US$17 a month billed annually. Max: US$167 a month billed annually. |
| Free plan | Yes. Everyday help in the Gemini app with a Google Account, with lower usage limits than the paid plans. | Yes. A free account is available; paid plans add more advanced answers and top AI models. |
| Best for | Businesses already on Google Workspace or Gmail who want AI inside the tools they use. | Quick research with sources, such as supplier comparisons, regulations to look up, or local market questions. |
| Watch out for | Usage limits are described as multiples of the free plan, not fixed numbers. Our check showed US-dollar prices; the provider may show pounds to UK visitors. | Always open the cited sources before relying on an answer. |
| UK notes | Available in the UK. Our check showed US-dollar prices; the provider may show pounds to UK visitors. | Prices are shown in US dollars. |
| Made by | Perplexity AI | |
| Checked | 2026-10-14 | 2026-10-14 |
Our verdict
For most small UK businesses starting out, Gemini (Google AI plans) is the easier first pick because its entry plan costs less. Pick Perplexity instead if this sounds like you: quick research with sources, such as supplier comparisons, regulations to look up, or local market questions.
UK price difference
Cheapest paid plans: Gemini (Google AI plans) $4.99 (Google AI Plus, per month); Perplexity $17 (Pro, per month, billed annually). Gemini (Google AI plans) is $12.01 a month cheaper at entry level, though billing terms differ. Check on the provider page whether VAT is included before you buy.
Who should pick which?
- Choose Gemini (Google AI plans) for: businesses already on Google Workspace or Gmail who want AI inside the tools they use.
- Choose Perplexity for: quick research with sources, such as supplier comparisons, regulations to look up, or local market questions.
Both have a free plan, so the simplest test is to try each on a real job for a week. Prices change, so check the provider's page before buying.
Other ai assistants to consider
ChatGPT
A general AI assistant for drafting emails, quotes, policies and posts, summarising documents and answering questions.
Claude
An AI assistant that is good with long documents, careful writing and summaries.
Microsoft 365 Copilot
AI built into Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams for businesses on Microsoft 365.
Full details
Gemini (Google AI plans) tool page · Perplexity tool page · How we check prices
Sources
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