Perplexity vs xAI.
Prices checked
For a model's own search, Perplexity web_search tool, fast costs $1 per 1,000 searches at 1,000 a month against xAI web_search tool at $5, checked .
Where to start
Each kind of search both sell
Per 1,000 searches, the cheaper of the two marked.
| Kind and volume | Perplexity | xAI |
|---|---|---|
| Model toolsat 1,000 a month | $1web_search tool, fast | $5web_search tool |
| Model toolsat 100,000 a month | $1web_search tool, fast | $5web_search tool |
Side by side
| Fact |  Perplexity |  xAI |
|---|---|---|
| What it returns | Own index, Model tools | Model tools |
| Page text | yes | no |
| Free tier | none listed | none listed |
| Prices published | 4 | 1 |
How we count
Each kind of search both sell is a row, each side at its cheapest product of that kind, because a Google results page and a written answer are not the same purchase. Each price is per 1,000 searches when you make 1,000 or 100,000 searches a month and buy them the cheapest way that provider sells: pay as you go, the plan that covers them with its overage, or a pack spread over the months it lasts. A free allowance is not subtracted; free tiers are listed on their own.
A model's search tool bills the model's tokens on top of each search, so it is compared only with other model tools.
Frequently asked
- Is Perplexity cheaper than xAI?
- For a model's own search, Perplexity web_search tool, fast costs $1 per 1,000 searches at 1,000 a month against xAI web_search tool at $5. Checked 21 Oct 2026, before tax.
- What about at 100,000 searches a month?
- Model tools: Perplexity $1, xAI $5 per 1,000.
- Do Perplexity and xAI have a free tier?
- Perplexity: none listed. xAI: none listed. A free tier is a limit, not a price, so neither is the cheaper for having one.
- How current are these prices?
- Both are read every day from the providers' own pages. Perplexity was last read 21 Oct 2026 and xAI 21 Oct 2026.
Provider pages