Perplexity, a fast-growing AI search startup, has announced a new premium subscription plan.
The plan, called Perplexity Max, costs $200 per month. It is designed for professionals and teams who need advanced tools and early access to new features.
According to a company blog post published Tuesday, the Max plan includes unlimited access to Labs, Perplexity’s report and spreadsheet generator.
Subscribers will also receive early access to experimental tools like ‘Comet,’ an AI-powered browser set to launch soon.
In addition, Max users will have priority access to the latest AI models, including OpenAI’s o3-pro and Claude Opus 4 from Anthropic.
This places Perplexity alongside other major AI providers offering premium subscription tiers.
OpenAI, for instance, launched its $200-a-month ChatGPT Pro plan earlier this year.
Google, Anthropic, and Cursor have also introduced similar subscriptions in recent months.
Revenue Growth
Perplexity is focusing on increasing revenue and reducing cash burn. In 2024, Perplexity generated about $34 million, mostly from its $20-per-month Pro plan.
However, the company reportedly burned through $65 million during the same period on infrastructure.
Perplexity pays for access to high-performance AI models and cloud computing, and these costs continue to rise as the company grows.
Offering a $200 plan may help balance these expenses. The added income from Max subscribers could support ongoing development and operations.
It could also give Perplexity a financial edge as competition in AI search intensifies.
Competitive Pressure
Perplexity faces direct competition from major companies in the industry. In recent months, Google has promoted AI Mode, a new search feature that mirrors Perplexity’s user experience.
OpenAI has also added real-time web browsing to ChatGPT and is rumored to be working on its own browser.
Despite these challenges, Perplexity has seen growth. As of January 2025, it reportedly reached $80 million in annual recurring revenue.
The company also entered late-stage talks in May to raise $500 million at a $14 billion valuation. However, the outcome of that funding round is not yet confirmed.
With the launch of Max, Perplexity is strengthening its position. It hopes to keep pace with larger competitors by offering fast, reliable tools tailored for serious users.
Why $200 Makes Sense
The $200 monthly fee may appear high, but for certain users, it offers strong value. Professionals who create reports, analyze data, or conduct in-depth research can save time and improve productivity.
For them, fast access to advanced models and features may justify the price. Perplexity Max is not aimed at casual users.
Rather, it is a targeted offering for those who rely heavily on AI tools in their daily work.
