If you're wondering does Perplexity use ChatGPT or develop its own proprietary models, you're not alone. In 2025, AI platforms are evolving rapidly, and users want clarity on what powers their tools. This article explores the architecture of Perplexity AI, compares it with ChatGPT, and reveals how it delivers its fast, real-time answers.
Understanding the Core of Perplexity AI
Perplexity AI is known for providing direct, sourced answers to user queries. But does Perplexity use ChatGPT to generate these responses? The answer is layered. While Perplexity originally utilized OpenAI's language models—particularly ChatGPT variants—it has also invested in building its own in-house large language models (LLMs), such as the “Perplexity Model” and newer specialized versions for its Pro users.
This means that depending on your subscription and the context of the query, Perplexity AI may be leveraging OpenAI’s GPT-4 (via API), Anthropic’s Claude, Meta’s LLaMA, Mistral, or its internally trained models. It's a hybrid system designed for flexibility, performance, and speed.
Key Insight: Perplexity does not rely solely on ChatGPT. It incorporates multiple models, including its own, depending on context and user access level.
So, Does Perplexity Use ChatGPT in 2025?
Yes—Perplexity still uses ChatGPT, but mostly in the background and not as its default model. For free-tier users, Perplexity often utilizes open-source models or lightweight in-house models to reduce costs. However, users with a Pro subscription can explicitly choose between several models, including OpenAI’s GPT-4 (used in ChatGPT) and Claude 3.
This multiverse of models gives Perplexity AI flexibility and allows users to tailor results based on speed, depth, and context sensitivity. So while ChatGPT is still part of its model library, it’s no longer the exclusive engine powering it.
What Models Does Perplexity AI Currently Use?
? OpenAI GPT-4 – Available to Pro users under "GPT-4 Turbo" mode
? Claude 3 – From Anthropic, known for its reasoning and context retention
? Mistral – Open-weight model offering efficiency and open data transparency
? Perplexity’s Own Models – Optimized for fast search-style queries
? Meta’s LLaMA – Occasionally used in free-tier systems
So if you’re asking, does Perplexity use ChatGPT? The accurate answer is: sometimes—but not always, and not exclusively.
Why Perplexity Doesn’t Fully Depend on ChatGPT
While OpenAI’s GPT-4 is powerful, it comes with limitations such as high API cost, slower speed, and limited real-time web access. To build a more versatile product, Perplexity AI diversified its model backend.
? Performance Boost
Perplexity's in-house models are lighter and faster for search-driven tasks.
?? Cost Control
Using their own models reduces dependency on GPT-4 APIs, which are expensive.
Perplexity vs ChatGPT: What’s the Difference?
Both platforms are powerful, but their goals and technology stacks differ. Here's a quick comparison:
| Feature | Perplexity AI | ChatGPT |
|---|---|---|
| Model Sources | Multiple (GPT-4, Claude, Mistral, LLaMA, in-house) | GPT-4/ChatGPT-3.5 |
| Web Search Integration | Native & real-time | Limited (via browser plugin) |
| Interface Style | Search + Chat hybrid | Chat-first UX |
Is ChatGPT Still Relevant to Perplexity Users?
Absolutely. Users who prefer OpenAI's deep reasoning can still activate GPT-4 Turbo from within Perplexity Pro. In fact, Pro users have full control over model selection, making Perplexity one of the most versatile AI platforms currently available.
If you're looking for a more research-oriented tool with real-time results, Perplexity's hybrid setup may serve you better than ChatGPT alone.
When Does Perplexity Actually Use ChatGPT?
The platform uses ChatGPT in the following scenarios:
?? When Pro users select GPT-4 Turbo for complex tasks
?? When internal model confidence is low
?? When answering highly contextual or creative queries
But even then, ChatGPT is just one of several models in its arsenal.
How to Check Which Model Perplexity Is Using
When using Perplexity Pro, you can see which model is responding by checking the dropdown at the top left of the interface. Here, users can switch between:
?? GPT-4 Turbo (ChatGPT engine)
?? Claude 3 Opus
?? Mistral Medium
?? Perplexity’s Experimental Model
This level of transparency and customization is rare and valuable for researchers, students, and professionals alike.
Final Verdict: Does Perplexity Use ChatGPT?
The short answer: Yes, but it’s not limited to ChatGPT. Perplexity AI has evolved beyond simply using OpenAI’s models and now employs a model-agnostic framework. It combines ChatGPT’s strengths with other LLMs and its in-house innovations to deliver fast, accurate, and sourced answers.
Key Takeaways
? Perplexity AI uses ChatGPT, but it's one of many models.
? Pro users can choose GPT-4, Claude 3, or other advanced models.
? Perplexity also develops its own LLMs to optimize performance and speed.
? Users benefit from faster, source-linked, real-time answers with model flexibility.
Learn more about Perplexity AI