The best Perplexity alternatives: research with sources you can check

Perplexity describes itself as an AI-powered search engine whose answers include citations and links to the original sources, and its plans include a free Standard plan. This guide is for people looking at alternatives for research they can check: what to look for, why we put Raven first, and the other assistants worth a look, each described from its own pages. We make Raven, so read our pick as our view.

What should you look for in an AI research assistant?

• A source on every finding. Each claim should carry a marker that leads to the page it came from.
• Sources you can open. The list should link to the pages themselves, so checking a claim takes one click.
• A say before a long run. Deeper research takes longer than an answer, and a good assistant asks before it starts.
• Progress you can follow. While it works, you should see what it is doing.
• Your own pages, read first. When you paste a link, the answer should rest on what that page says.

Why do we put Raven first?

Because checking is built into how Raven researches. For a question that needs the live web, Raven offers deeper research and asks first; nothing starts until you say yes. It shows its progress while it works and comes back with a full source list, and every finding carries a numbered source you can open. The run itself is described in our story on deep research with sources.

When you already have the page, paste its link. Raven reads the page before it answers, so the answer is about what the page says rather than a guess from its address. A source can still be wrong or out of date, so open the ones a decision rests on before you act.

What else comes with Raven?

Research is part of the Raven app, which runs on both of our models, Raven Max and Raven Flash, on every plan, including Raven Free at $0. Raven also makes real files: ask for a .docx report, a .pptx deck, a .pdf or an .xlsx sheet. Share a chat as View only or Collaborate when a colleague should see the sources too. Raven keeps a memory of lasting facts that you can see, edit and clear. We are a Canadian company, and your personal information is handled under Canadian privacy law.

Which other assistants research with sources?

Each is described here only as its maker describes it, and their own pages have the details.

• Perplexity numbers the citations in each answer, linked to the original sources, and its Research mode ends in a report.
• ChatGPT, from OpenAI, lists web search and deep research among its features, and its pricing page lists a Free plan.
• Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant, searches the web for current information and cites its sources, as its own page says. Its pricing page lists a Free plan.
• Gemini, Google's AI assistant, lists Deep Research among its capabilities and draws on Google Search for its answers.
• Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft's AI assistant, offers grounded answers and help to research topics. A free tier is available with a Microsoft account.

How do I switch?

1. Create a free account from the Raven page.
2. Ask a question you have researched before, and start deeper research when Raven offers it.
3. Open two or three of the numbered sources and read them against the findings.
4. Paste a link you trust and ask Raven about that page.

Plans are on the pricing page, and how search and research work is in the Search and research guide.

Product names are trademarks of their owners and are used here only to identify the products.