Elicit vs Perplexity AI: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Elicit and Perplexity AI comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Elicit
AI for scientific research, helping researchers be 10x more evidence-based.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.3/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • AI-powered semantic search across 138M+ academic papers and 545K+ clinical trials.
- • Automates research tasks like report generation and systematic literature review screening.
Perplexity AI
AI-powered search engine with real-time answers
Best for you if:
- • AI search engine with sourced answers
- • Get accurate responses with citations
| At a Glance |  Elicit | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Knowledge Base | Knowledge Base |
Rating | 83/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Elicit | Perplexity AI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 83 | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Knowledge BaseAI Assistants | Knowledge BaseAI Assistants |
How Elicit and Perplexity AI Compare
Elicit
AI for scientific research, helping researchers be 10x more evidence-based.
Free tier available · 83/100 score
Perplexity AI
AI-powered search engine with real-time answers
Free tier available
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Elicit
Want the highest-rated option?
Elicit scores 83/100. Perplexity AI is unrated.
Go with: Elicit
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Elicit
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are knowledge base tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Elicit
- Higher score: 83/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Perplexity AI
The Bottom Line
Elicit (83/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elicit or Perplexity AI better?
Elicit scores 83/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Elicit and Perplexity AI used for?
Elicit: AI for scientific research, helping researchers be 10x more evidence-based.. Perplexity AI: AI-powered search engine with real-time answers.
What does Elicit cost vs Perplexity AI?
Elicit is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Perplexity AI is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.