Perplexity AI
Perplexity AI
Perplexity's Sonar API is organized around search, reasoning, and research models: Sonar for lightweight grounded answers, Sonar Pro for advanced search, Sonar Reasoning Pro for multi-step work, and Sonar Deep Research for comprehensive reports.
perplexity.aiLast updated: May 5, 2026
$3/M
Sonar Pro Input
200K
Context (Sonar)
6+
Available Models
4
Sonar Families
Available Models
Perplexity offers Sonar models for search-grounded inference, reasoning, and deep research. Third-party model access is handled separately through Perplexity plans and Agent API options.
| Model | Input $/1M | Output $/1M | Context | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonar Pro | $3.00 | $15.00 | Search context fee applies | Advanced search with grounding |
| Sonar | $1.00 | $1.00 | Search context fee applies | Quick search-grounded answers |
| Sonar Reasoning Pro | $2.00 | $8.00 | Search context fee applies | Complex multi-step reasoning |
| Sonar Deep Research | $2.00 | $8.00 | Search and research fees apply | Comprehensive reports and exhaustive research |
Consumer Plans
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | Basic search, limited queries |
| Pro | $20/mo | Frontier models, more queries, file upload |
| Max | $200/mo | Highest limits, Computer agent, all models |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Search-grounded models designed around citations and retrieval
- Separate search, reasoning, and research models for different depth/cost needs
- Sonar API pricing separates token costs from search context request fees
- Agent API can access third-party models at direct provider rates with separate tool costs
- Deep Research supports comprehensive reports across multiple sources
Weaknesses
- Search context, Pro Search, and Deep Research fees can make costs less obvious than token prices alone
- Usage limits on free and Pro plans
- Dependent on third-party model availability
Best For
- Deep research with real-time citations
- Users who want access to multiple frontier models
- Agentic workflows via Computer
- Search-grounded factual answers
- Multi-model synthesis and comparison
Latest Release NEW
Sonar API model lineup — May 2026
- Sonar and Sonar Pro cover lightweight and advanced search-grounded answers
- Sonar Reasoning Pro covers complex multi-step reasoning
- Sonar Deep Research covers comprehensive reports with exhaustive web research
- Search context size affects request fees separately from token pricing
Previous Releases
March 2026 Updates — March 2026
- Launched Computer — an AI assistant with persistent memory and tool use
- Introduced recurring tasks and scheduled cron capabilities
- Added 200+ external integrations via connectors
Sonar Pro Launch — January 2026
- Search-grounded API with multi-step retrieval and citation
- $3/M input pricing with 200K token context
- Powers Perplexity's consumer search and Pro features