Basic Search vs Pro Search

What Makes Perplexity Different

Perplexity is not a search engine in the traditional sense. It reads actual web pages, synthesizes information across sources, and produces a direct answer with citations. You get the insight, not a list of links to read.

Basic Search

Basic search is Perplexity's default mode. It performs a fast retrieval and synthesis cycle:

1. Interprets your query
2. Searches the web in real time
3. Reads the top results
4. Synthesizes a cited answer

Best for: Quick factual questions, definitions, recent news, simple how-to queries.

Basic search is fast (2–3 seconds) and works well for questions with clear, factual answers.

Pro Search

Pro Search does more rounds of research before answering. It:

1. Analyzes your query for ambiguity and asks clarifying questions
2. Performs multiple search rounds
3. Cross-references sources
4. Synthesizes a deeper answer

Best for: Complex research questions, nuanced topics, anything where accuracy matters more than speed.

Pro Search takes 15–30 seconds but produces substantially better results for complex questions.

When to Use Each

The Clarification Feature

Pro Search will ask you clarifying questions before researching. Answer them — the specificity dramatically improves result quality.

"Are you asking about EU regulations for consumer fintech or B2B fintech?" — a two-word answer to this question doubles the relevance of the final output.

Cost Awareness

Basic search uses standard credits; Pro search uses Pro credits (limited per day on free plans). Use Pro strategically for research that matters, not for quick lookups.