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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Perplexity vs Google

Perplexity 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Perplexity
Google 4.6★ · Free to download 60

Perplexity is the better choice for users seeking an AI-powered search and research tool with advanced features, despite recent issues with subscription value and app glitches, while Google remains a reliable general search engine but faces increasing criticism for AI integration and intrusive ads.

Full reviews: Perplexity · Google

Perplexity offers advanced AI capabilities, including access to multiple LLMs and sophisticated research tools, but has recently faced user frustration over subscription changes and app performance. Google, while a ubiquitous search engine, is drawing criticism for its AI integration, intrusive ads, and perceived decline in search quality.

Head to head

Features and AI Capabilities edge: PerplexityR20R28R48R14
Perplexity Perplexity is praised for its ability to provide condensed information, rapid responses, and less hallucination compared to competitors R20. Users appreciate its advanced research aid, context refinement for complex queries, and access to a diversity of AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for one fee R28R48. The 'Read Aloud' option is also a favorite R14. The 'Computer' feature, when working well, is seen as powerful, initiating sub-agents and skills seamlessly and checking its work .
Google Google users acknowledge its utility for general information, research, and finding songs . However, many express strong dislike for its AI features, finding them inaccurate, bloatware, and intrusive, with no option to remove them R62R70. Some users report that Google's AI provides wrong answers or gets confused .
Ease of Use and Reliability tieR12R44R1R6
Perplexity Perplexity is generally considered easy to use R12R44. However, recent reviews highlight significant issues: typing bugs R1, permanent pop-ups that erase prompts R6, exhausting glitches, getting stuck in loops, ignoring user input, and forgetting context R19. Some users also report losing access to their Pro subscriptions or previous questions after updates R15.
Google Google is generally seen as easy to use for basic searches . However, some users report the app freezing or acting 'crazy' . There are also complaints about the app being too intrusive with constant sports scores or notifications . Some users find the new version difficult to use and wish for the old one back .
Price and Value edge: GoogleR39R41R7R37
Perplexity Perplexity offers a free tier, but many users find it unusable due to persistent subscription pop-ups and glitches R39R41. Pro subscribers express significant frustration over recent downgrades in usage limits, with some feeling the Pro plan is now comparable to the free tier R7R37. There are also complaints about misleading pricing, unexpected charges, and the introduction of a 'Pro Pro' tier or 'computer tokens' not covered by the standard Pro plan, leading to feelings of being scammed R43.
Google Google is free to download and use, but users frequently complain about intrusive ads R61R68. Some users also report encountering scam sites through Google's feed, leading to financial loss .
Accuracy and Bias tieR10R19R50R11
Perplexity Perplexity is praised for its accuracy in specific, complex queries where other AIs failed R10. However, some users report it providing incorrect information, lying about its correctness, or getting confused R19R50. There are also strong accusations of massive bias, with the app being criticized for openly criticizing politicians, discussing 'shaky' topics carefully, and showing pro-Trump, MAGA, and Israel support while being offensive to others R11.
Google Google is generally trusted for providing 'the truth' and accurate information . However, some users express concern about 'AI disinformation' invading search results R61 and the AI giving wrong answers .
Customer Support edge: GoogleR25R15
Perplexity Perplexity users report poor customer support, with instances of lost Pro accounts not being resolved and the company showing no interest in their business R25. Users also mention being locked out of subscriptions they are paying for with no explanation or alternative R15.
Google Reviews for Google do not directly address customer support experiences, focusing instead on app functionality and content.
Pick Perplexity if

you need an AI-powered search tool for deep research, complex queries, and access to multiple LLMs, and are willing to navigate potential subscription issues and recent app glitches R28R48R10.

Pick Google if

you need a reliable, free general search engine for everyday queries, despite increasing concerns about AI integration, intrusive ads, and privacy R62R68.

Evidence note: Evidence for Google's customer support is thin, as reviews primarily focus on the search engine's functionality and content. Perplexity's recent negative reviews regarding subscription value and app performance contrast with its higher lifetime rating, suggesting a decline in user satisfaction.

Frequently asked

Is Perplexity's free version usable?
Many users report that Perplexity's free version is unusable on the iOS app due to an infinite subscription page glitch that prevents starting new dialogues R39R41.
Are Perplexity's Pro subscriptions worth it?
Recent reviews indicate that Perplexity's Pro subscriptions have been significantly downgraded, with usage limits comparable to the free tier and new features like 'computer tokens' requiring additional payment, leading many users to feel it's no longer worth the cost R7R37R43R49.
Does Google's app have too many ads or AI features?
Many Google users complain about the app being invaded by ads and AI disinformation, with no option to remove the AI features, which they find inaccurate and bloatware R61R62R68R70.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 100 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R20] Perplexity 5/5 · GB The real Lady: Perplexity is fantastic, it gives huge amounts of information condensed, is rapid and an excellent resource. It seems to hallucinate less than its competitors.
  2. [R28] Perplexity 5/5 · GB Great research partner: I use Perplexity as a research aid in systems science philosophy and has been excellent. I like the way it keeps and helps you refine context for complex queries. It is also great to have access to a diversity of AI models. For me it helps AI be usefully smart.
  3. [R48] Perplexity 5/5 · GB Get it: I love that this AI service gives you access to the chatGPT, Claude and Gemini models for one fee. Its own AI search is the best around.
  4. [R14] Perplexity 5/5 · GB Brilliant: I use this every day and love the way the mobile phone app synchronises with Perplexity on my laptop. Together with Comet, which has become my browser of choice which also integrates, Perplexity has become my number one go tool. I particularly love the Read Aloud option for when I’m on the go.
  5. [R12] Perplexity 5/5 · GB Easy to use: Nice
  6. [R44] Perplexity 5/5 · GB Fantastic: Fantastic for me as inept with tech….
  7. [R1] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Typing bugs: Typing out a prompt is so difficult with all the silly mistakes the keyboard makes. Yes I've tried stock ios, Gboard and others. Nothing works. Fix please.
  8. [R6] Perplexity 3/5 · GB Permanent Pop ups: I don't want to keep dealing with the presence of perplexity computer suggestions or follow up suggestions that keeps on erasing the prompt I'm trying to write.
  9. [R39] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Don’t download if you won’t subscribe: Free version is unusable with iOS app. Infinite subscription page glitch persists for months and doesn’t get fixed - so you cannot start any new dialogue. Plex itself says it seems to have malicious intent :-) And the bug is exclusive for iPhone app - PC, browser and Android versions work perfectly
  10. [R41] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Poor interface perpetually upselling to paid version: I was recommended the app by a friend but find it impossible to use the app. Trying to scroll text just highlights. Adjusting text from an autocorrect error in a prompt doesn’t allow editing, just opens the upgrade ad. Not impressed.
  11. [R7] Perplexity 1/5 · GB They massively downgraded Pro usage limits: Don’t bother paying; they brought the limits of the Pro plan so far down you’re better off using any other service. It’s now comparable to what it used to be in the free tier.
  12. [R37] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Was good, went downhill fast.: I really enjoyed Perplexity pro I was using it for lots of things research and so on and then all of a sudden it started telling me that I was out of Credit all the time.
  13. [R10] Perplexity 5/5 · GB Surprisingly, only Perplexity AI could do…: Was recently asking about the report that caused Wall Street stock market drop in Feb 2026. Maybe my prompt not specific enough as I couldn’t recall the specific “Citrini Research” keywords, all ChatGPT,Gemini, Claude failed to answer correctly but Perplexity surprising answered perfectly as Citrini … well done, but not sure why as Perplexity is reusing
  14. [R19] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Exhausting glitching junk.: This app is infuriatingly bad. It gets stuck in loops. It ignores what you say. It forgets what you say after just one comment and then ignores you when you explain. It provides incorrect info and then lies and says it’s correct. Dire. Deleted after a few hours.
  15. [R50] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Asked it basic question got legal wrong: I asked it a list of questions and it got confused with what I was asking, which was very clear, I had been using several other AI and then it gave wrong answers on various questions including legal. This would have caused considerable problems and would have led me down the wrong route and lost the advantage legally.
  16. [R11] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Massive bias!: Do not expect honest or direct answers from this app. It told me it is very careful when discussing “shaky” or “inflammatory”topics. Who gets to decide what they are? It will openly criticise politicians it’s programmers don’t like.
  17. [R25] Perplexity 1/5 · GB No other option: You’re not helping so you get 1 star. Lost my pro account I had with a PayPal offer and perplexity did nothing. They’re not interested in your business so use other companies that are
  18. [R15] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Can’t access my Pro subscription: Paying for Pro but can’t access it. The app suddenly demands my phone number with no way to skip it. No warning, no explanation, no alternative. I’m locked out of a subscription I’m being charged for. Unacceptable.
  19. [R43] Perplexity 2/5 · GB App ruined since Perplexity Computer: I used to use this app and the pro subscription plan all of the time but it’s now becoming super annoying. What used to be useful suggested questions to investigate something further perplexity computer links, which is just a way of trying to sell you credit as they are not covered by the pro plan. I’m now using Perplexity less and less and will not renew my
  20. [R49] Perplexity 1/5 · GB Immediately ran out of credits: What a joke. First request and wants to be topped up for credits. What’s the sub for? Deleted
  21. [R61] Google 4/5 · US Deteriorating: Google continues deteriorating from its once quick usefulness. More and more it’s been invaded by ads and AI disinformation so it takes twice as long to find what you need and judge its integrity. What are we to do?
  22. [R62] Google 1/5 · US REMOVE Ai: I hate this search engine now because it always uses Ai when i type anything and there's no option to completely remove that. we never asked for this feature give us our rights to decline it or face a lawsuit
  23. [R68] Google 1/5 · US Google ads in Vita Mahjong: I really don’t need to see the ad for Google repeated 6 to 8 times when I’m trying to play Vita Mahjong and I am already a Google user.
  24. [R70] Google 1/5 · US AI ruined everything: AI search engine is inaccurate bloatware that’s ruining the internet and the environment. I can’t even search for a recipe without the top result being a “summary”, you can’t just put multiple recipes together and average it out, but computers are soulless and don’t know that! They can’t cook! I hate you all.

Synthesized from 100 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store