Curious about whether Perplexity uses ChatGPT? You're not alone. With the growing popularity of both platforms, many users wonder if these two AI tools are connected. In this comprehensive guide, we explore Perplexity AI's technology stack, whether it relies on OpenAI's models, and how it stacks up against ChatGPT in real-world use cases. Whether you're a developer, researcher, or casual user, understanding the connection between Perplexity and ChatGPT can help you choose the right AI tool for your needs.
What Is Perplexity AI and How Does It Work?
Perplexity AI is a conversational answer engine that uses large language models (LLMs) to provide factual, source-backed responses to complex user queries. Unlike traditional search engines that link to webpages, Perplexity offers direct answers with references. The platform uses AI to summarize, cite, and explain, making it a valuable tool for researchers, students, and everyday users looking for trustworthy information.
? Core Purpose: Provide cited, conversational answers powered by advanced AI models.
? User Base: Writers, coders, researchers, students, and professionals.
? Available Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, and browser extensions.
Does Perplexity Use ChatGPT? The Short Answer
Yes — in part. Perplexity AI integrates multiple large language models, and one of them is from OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. Specifically, Perplexity supports OpenAI’s GPT-4 and GPT-3.5 models — including GPT-4-turbo — especially for users on the Pro plan. However, it's important to note that Perplexity is not built solely on ChatGPT. It uses a multi-model architecture to offer flexibility and diverse outputs.
?? Quick Breakdown:
Perplexity Pro users can choose GPT-4-turbo (OpenAI) in their model settings
Other models include Claude (Anthropic) and Mistral
Perplexity’s own infrastructure is independent and not part of ChatGPT.com
Perplexity AI vs ChatGPT: Key Differences
While Perplexity can use ChatGPT models like GPT-4, it’s not the same tool. Here's how they differ:
?? ChatGPT
Built by OpenAI, ChatGPT is designed for conversation, coding, writing, and general-purpose interaction. It doesn’t cite sources by default and is more like an assistant.
?? Perplexity AI
A research assistant with citations, real-time web access (via Pro), and multiple AI model options. It's optimized for finding, summarizing, and explaining factual data.
Available AI Models on Perplexity (Including ChatGPT)
Perplexity offers a model-switching feature for Pro users. Below are the current options as of 2025:
?? GPT-4-turbo – OpenAI’s latest turbocharged model (used in ChatGPT Plus)
?? Claude 3 – From Anthropic, known for long memory and ethical tuning
?? Mistral – A fast, lightweight open-source model
?? Perplexity’s Experimental Model – In-house tuning for faster answers
Why Perplexity Uses ChatGPT (and Others)
The reason Perplexity uses ChatGPT models like GPT-4 is due to their proven strength in reasoning, summarizing, and generating natural language. By including OpenAI models, Perplexity ensures:
? Better comprehension of complex questions
? High fluency in natural conversations
? Compatibility with multilingual queries
? Flexibility for different user needs and budgets
Use Cases Where Perplexity Excels Over ChatGPT
While ChatGPT shines in creativity and coding, Perplexity is superior for research, summarization, and citations. Below are some standout scenarios:
?? Academic Research: Cites academic journals and articles with inline sources.
?? Real-Time Information: Pro users can access live web data, unlike ChatGPT (limited browsing).
?? News Summarization: Highlights reliable sources like Reuters, BBC, and NYT.
????? Student Support: Offers clearer, fact-checked responses that can be referenced in papers.
How to Check If You're Using ChatGPT on Perplexity
To verify whether you're using ChatGPT inside Perplexity:
Open Perplexity.ai
Sign in with a Pro account
Click the dropdown in the top right labeled "Model"
Select GPT-4-turbo to access the OpenAI/ChatGPT model
Final Thoughts: Should You Use ChatGPT Inside Perplexity?
If your focus is on accurate answers with citations, then using GPT-4 within Perplexity gives you the best of both worlds — OpenAI's advanced language model and Perplexity’s research-oriented interface. It’s ideal for fact-checking, summarizing content, or generating well-referenced information fast.
Key Takeaways
? Yes, Perplexity supports GPT-4 (ChatGPT model) among other LLMs
? ChatGPT is only one option; not the core engine
? Best used for research, citations, and real-time answers
? You can switch between AI models with a Pro subscription
Learn more about Perplexity AI