Perplexity vs Cursor
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right AI tool for your needs.
Our Pick
Cursor
Cursor edges out Perplexity AI with superior overall performance and features that make it the better choice for most users.
Try CursorFeature Comparison
Feature
Perplexity
Cursor
Ratings
Overall Rating
4.6
4.7
Coding
3.5
4.8
Writing
4.2
-
Reasoning
4.4
4.5
Speed
4.8
4.6
Value
4.7
4.7
Pricing
Monthly Price
$20
$20
Free Tier
Input (per 1M tokens)
-
-
Output (per 1M tokens)
-
-
Features
Context Window
128K
200K
Vision/Images
Audio
Video
Code Generation
AI Agents
Perplexity AI
Pros
- Real-time web access
- Cites all sources
- Great for research
- Fast responses
- Generous free tier
Cons
- Not as capable for coding
- Writing not as polished
- Limited context for complex tasks
Cursor
Pros
- Best IDE experience for AI coding
- Understands project context deeply
- Multi-file editing
- Tab completion is excellent
- Uses latest Claude/GPT models
Cons
- Limited to coding only
- Premium features require subscription
- Can be resource-intensive
Choose Perplexity if you need:
Research, fact-checking, current events
Choose Cursor if you need:
Daily coding, large projects, professional developers
Ready to get started?
Both tools offer free tiers or trials. Try them out and see which one works best for your workflow.