Cited research
Unlimited basic searches with numbered sources you can open and verify. The best free option when you need answers you can trust and cite. See the research comparison.
Perplexity vs Copilot · Free
Perplexity Free vs Copilot Free: what you get for free
Both tools have a genuinely usable free plan, so you can do real work before paying anything. But they hand you different things for free: Perplexity Free is a cited research engine with unlimited basic searches, while Copilot Free is a general assistant built into Windows, Edge and your browser. Here is exactly what each free plan includes — and where the limits kick in.
Free vs free
What each free plan includes
Both are free, but the value is shaped differently. Perplexity leans into cited search; Copilot leans into being everywhere on your PC.
| Free feature | Perplexity Free | Copilot Free |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Basic searches | Unlimited, with inline citations | Web search with citations |
| Deeper answers | Limited Pro Searches/day (~5) | Everyday answers via GPT-class model |
| Model switching | No (Pro feature) | No — single GPT-class model |
| Image generation | Image gen is a Pro feature | Yes, included free |
| Where it lives | Web and apps | Windows, Edge, app and web |
| Office apps | No | No (paid Microsoft 365 Premium adds them) |
Free limits change often. Confirm what is currently included on the official Perplexity and Microsoft Copilot pages before relying on any limit.
Where each free plan shines
Pick the right free tool for the job
You can run both at no cost — but each one is clearly better at certain tasks.
Already on your PC
One keystroke away in Windows and Edge, with no extra app to install. Great for quick everyday questions, summaries and help while you work.
Free image generation
Generate images at no cost alongside web search and chat. On Perplexity, image generation sits behind the Pro plan.
A few deep answers daily
The small daily allowance of Pro Searches lets you run multi-step research a handful of times before the cap kicks in — enough for occasional deep dives.
Zero-cost everyday help
Together the two free tiers cover most casual needs: cited research from Perplexity, instant help from Copilot — without spending a cent.
Model switching
No free tier lets you choose between OpenAI, Anthropic and Google models. For that you need a paid plan or a multi-model tool.
When free is enough
Do you actually need to pay?
Plenty of people never outgrow the free tiers. Use this to decide whether to stay free or upgrade.
| If you… | Free is enough? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Ask occasional questions | Yes | Stay on Perplexity Free and Copilot Free. |
| Run deep research daily | No | You will hit Perplexity's ~5 Pro Searches/day — consider Pro (a paid tier). |
| Want AI inside Word/Excel | No | Free Copilot lacks Office apps — see Microsoft 365 Premium on the pricing page. |
| Need to pick your model | No | Upgrade to Perplexity Pro or use a multi-model tool — see alternatives. |
If you do decide to pay, compare the two paid tiers on the Pro vs Pro page first.
Smarter than picking one
Want more than one model — without paying twice?
The free tiers each lock you to a single provider. If you would rather compare ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini in one place than juggle accounts, a multi-model workspace puts several assistants under one subscription — cheaper than buying each paid plan separately.
All-in-one
MultipleChat AI
multiplechat.aiUse ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and other models in one place — compare answers and stop paying for several separate tools.
ResearchPerplexity
perplexity.aiBest for cited, source-backed answers and fast research.
OfficeMicrosoft Copilot
copilot.microsoft.comBest for AI inside Windows and Microsoft 365 apps.
WritingClaude
claude.aiOften stronger for careful writing and long documents.
All comparisons
Perplexity vs Copilot: every guide
Pricing & plansFree, Pro, Max, business — what you pay.
Free tiersWhat each free tier includes.
Pro vs ProThe paid tiers head-to-head.
For researchCitations, sources and accuracy.
For codingWhich helps developers more.
For writingDrafting, tone and documents.
For studentsStudy, research and value.
For businessAdmin, security and rollout.
AccuracyHallucinations and sourcing.
Which is better?The verdict and how to choose.
AlternativesOther tools and all-in-one options.
FAQEvery common question.
FAQ
Perplexity Free vs Copilot Free — your questions
Honest answers on limits, models, image generation, Office access and when to upgrade.
Is Perplexity really free?
Yes. Perplexity's free tier is free and gives you unlimited basic searches with inline citations, plus a limited number of Pro Searches per day (around five). You do not get frontier model switching on the free plan. It is genuinely useful for everyday research without paying, but heavy users will hit the daily Pro Search cap. Confirm current free limits on Perplexity's site.
Is Microsoft Copilot really free?
Yes. There is a free Copilot in Windows, Edge, the Copilot mobile app and on the web. It uses a GPT-class model and includes web search with citations and image generation, at no cost. The free plan does not include the Office desktop apps or the deepest Microsoft 365 integration — those come with paid Microsoft 365 Premium or business Copilot. Verify details on Microsoft's site.
What is the main difference between Perplexity Free and Copilot Free?
Perplexity Free is built around cited web search — almost every answer comes with numbered sources you can click. Copilot Free is a general assistant baked into Windows and Edge that also searches the web and generates images. Choose Perplexity Free for source-backed research; choose Copilot Free for everyday help that is already on your PC and in your browser.
How many free searches do you get on Perplexity?
Perplexity Free gives unlimited basic searches, so you can ask as many ordinary questions as you like. The limit is on Pro Searches, the deeper multi-step answers, which are capped at a small number per day (around five). Once you use those up you wait for the daily reset or upgrade to Pro. Limits can change, so check Perplexity's current free tier details.
Does Copilot Free include image generation?
Yes. The free Copilot can generate images as well as search the web with citations and answer everyday questions, using a GPT-class model. It works in Windows, Edge, the Copilot app and on the web at no cost. The free tier does not include the Office desktop apps or the deepest data-grounded Microsoft 365 features.
Can I do serious research on the free tiers?
For light to moderate research, yes. Perplexity Free is the stronger choice because it shows clickable citations on almost every answer, making it easy to verify claims, and its basic searches are unlimited. The constraint is the small daily cap on deeper Pro Searches. Copilot Free can also research and cite, but Perplexity Free is the more research-focused free option.
Does the free tier let me switch AI models?
No. Perplexity Free does not include frontier model switching — that is a paid Pro feature that lets you choose between models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Google plus Sonar. Copilot Free runs on a GPT-class model chosen by Microsoft, without a model picker. If choosing your own model matters, you will need a paid plan or a multi-model tool.
When should I upgrade from the free tier?
Upgrade Perplexity to Pro (a paid tier) when you keep hitting the daily Pro Search cap or want model switching, file upload and image generation. Move from free Copilot to Microsoft 365 Premium (paid) when you want AI inside the Office apps. If you only research occasionally, the free tiers may be all you ever need.
Is Perplexity Free or Copilot Free better for students?
For citation-heavy study and essays, Perplexity Free is usually better because it shows sources you can quote and verify. For general homework help and writing inside Office documents, Copilot Free is handy since it is already in Windows and Edge. Many students use both free tiers together, and Perplexity sometimes offers a discounted Education Pro plan.
Can I use both free tiers at the same time?
Yes, and it is a smart, zero-cost strategy. Use Perplexity Free for cited research and Copilot Free for quick help inside Windows and Edge. Running both in separate tabs costs nothing and covers most everyday needs. If you want several assistants in one place instead, a multi-model tool can consolidate them under a single subscription.
Is there a free way to use several AI models in one place?
The free tiers of Perplexity and Copilot each lock you to one provider's models. If you want to compare ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini side by side, a multi-model workspace such as MultipleChat puts several assistants under one subscription. That is not free, but it is cheaper than buying each model's paid plan separately and avoids switching between accounts.