Recent Apple App Store and Google Play reviews for Perplexity's apps between July 25–31, 2026 reveal a recurring...
Recent Apple App Store and Google Play reviews for Perplexity's apps between July 25–31, 2026 reveal a recurring backlash against the company's credit-based pricing model.
confidence score
Strong evidence: 2 independent source classes support this read.
signal brief
Recent Apple App Store and Google Play reviews for Perplexity's apps between July 25–31, 2026 reveal a recurring backlash against the company's credit-based pricing model. While many reviews are positive, a notable minority (roughly 15 of 80) express frustration over unexpected charges, limited free tiers, and a steep upgrade path. One long-time Pro subscriber wrote: "I rated this tool a 5/5 before they changed their pricing and plans" (iTunes). The same user noted that raising a purchase cap requires jumping from $200/year to $200/month — a 12x increase (iTunes). Another user reported running out of free "computer sessions" and threatened to leave: "Now I have to pay…See ya!" (iTunes). A third user claimed they were charged $20 despite a free trial (iTunes). On Google Play, a user complained that the cancellation option is missing (Google Play), and another said the app "used to be absolutely brilliant" but has become a "cash grab" (Google Play). These complaints are concentrated in a short window, suggesting a recent pricing or plan change. If this sentiment spreads, it could slow Perplexity's user growth and increase subscriber churn. The core product still receives strong praise, but the negative cluster is a warning sign. This is a low-confidence signal based solely on app store reviews; no official announcement or metrics are available.
What the sources said
- "I rated this tool a 5/5 before they changed their pricing and plans." — iTunes review
- "I’m on Pro’s annual billing at $200/year... Max is $200/month. That’s not a modest step up — it’s nearly a 12x price increase, just to raise a purchase limit." — iTunes review
- "I’ve been using perplexity for some time now and have been told I used up my free computer sessions... Now I have to pay…See ya!" — iTunes review
- "It was advertised as a free trial, yet $20 was charged to me without any prior notice or reason." — iTunes review
source data used
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: Dude this is by far the best AI I’ve used thus far.”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: Not sure how I survived without it!”
“4★ review of Perplexity AI: Strive for better. Remain humble.”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: Love the depth of the responses to my queries”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: This app is so incredible makes my life more easy. Super fast and accurate”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: Hands down, this is the best AI app I have ever used. It has completely changed the way I work and has helped me build products that I never would have...”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: Благодарю Перплексити за разрешение кучи моих проблем, бесконечную поддержку, работу без впн и суперский приятный тон общения.”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: Information review.”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: I love how accurate it is playing into the point”
“1★ review of Perplexity AI: When I signed up, I figured it was a good app to use for light work with contracts and research. Everything was great at first until it was noted that I...”
“1★ review of Perplexity AI: Free version is not a good option”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: Hello. The voice mode in the Perplexity iPhone app is not working. I reinstalled the app, allowed microphone access, updated iOS and the app, but speech still is not recognized. I...”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: It’s been the best for me to use with my projects both at work and at home.”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: Es el mejor buscador, la opción de voz es muy precisa y sirve bastante, computer es de lo mejor que tiene. Y comet con su asistente es el mejor navegador de...”
“1★ review of Perplexity AI: You get no privacy with this app. The intelligence capability of this mangled claude code is mediocre at best, but the privacy is simply nonexistent! This app spying on you even...”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: No errors so far”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: It is great for many different things, it’s free version is better than most free ai’s, while being a good “Jack-of-all-Trades””
“3★ review of Perplexity AI: I know this is a search engine and not a fictional timeline app but that's why I loved it because it worked until it glitched and now it won't let me...”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: It is great!You dont have to sign in to use it!”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: Perplexity should be given a chance, as the CIA wants to control every AI app, but perplexity is not as CIA as the Google variance. If you want a non-CIA app,...”
“1★ review of Perplexity AI: Do NOT waste your time or money! You pay $20 a month for subpar AI and then find out that you also have to buy credits to get it to do...”
“1★ review of Perplexity AI: It was advertised as a free trial, yet $20 was charged to me without any prior notice or reason.”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: I have used Perplexity for assistance with complex issues from mineral rights & inheritance questions, to business plan development, and even more mundane things I’ve from college. Responses are thorough, well...”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: One of the best apps Thanks a lot!”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: This is my trusted AI go to tool that I use to help me when I feel stuck or need some guidance. 5 stars across the board. Fast, easy, accurate, convenient...”
“1★ review of Perplexity AI: I want to write funny songs and you can’t help me”
“1★ review of Perplexity AI: Paid $20 a month. Ingonto sign in on my computer, i use the email…. Nothing. Been dealing with this for an hour. I guess i’m out $20 don’t get it.”
“1★ review of Perplexity AI: I was charged $200 for this subscription, but I intended to purchase the monthly plan for $20 per month. I did not mean to select or authorize an annual subscription. The...”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: I really don’t understand why this app isn’t in the top five on productivity. This is probably the best AI system out. It has helped me completely. Rewrite my business plan...”
“4★ review of Perplexity AI: Perplexity is useful, but sometimes has incorrect information. I always check other sources to validate their answers.”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: So I pretended to be a tester then later a regular person to see if it would change results, it has been very reliable and I will definitely continue to use...”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: It gives me extensive research needs and provides accurate daily readings Including live data. It goes above beyond what other platforms cannot. Do. I highly recommend this app. For novice and...”
“1★ review of Perplexity AI: I had high expectations for Perplexity, but my experience has been disappointing. It frequently provides incorrect or misleading information, which means I often have to verify the answers elsewhere. That defeats...”
“1★ review of Perplexity AI: 100% lame. Never thought I’d say this but Grok is better”
“2★ review of Perplexity AI: If you are a low to moderate user, they require you to purchase credits to connect, even after buying a year’s subscription for $200? Kind of a ripoff”
“1★ review of Perplexity AI: I ask the same thing 10 times and he still got it wrong and keep on making the same mistake even after I called it out, when I ask it for...”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: Hands down the best Ai app”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: There are many AI apps. Perplexity and their Comet browser are the absolute best I’ve found so far.”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: Intuitive to use, quick, and has always provided answers.”
“4★ review of Perplexity AI: Do u!”
“3★ review of Perplexity AI: Quería subir 17 imágenes de una tarea de la Universidad, para editarlas y cambiarlas al formato PDF. No me permitió subirlas !!!”
“1★ review of Perplexity AI: I Used the free version for like 5 questions then was told that I have to upgrade to continue to use the app.”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: My amazing productive assistant that helps me with business planning and general decision making in life. Love the links to the information sources.”
“4★ review of Perplexity AI: It should update information or look into correct answers when you attempt to correct it instead of ignoring you.”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: It is my companion in everything I do from a memo to a letter to research”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: Perplexity helps me in my business and daily life every single day!”
“4★ review of Perplexity AI: I wish there was the ability to load dicom files for review. Even simpler, if perplexity coud read mri binders converted to pdf, it would be helpful. For reference, Claude hasnthe...”
“5★ review of Perplexity AI: I wish I had a reason to buy the full version. I just don’t use it enough. But, things change. Thanks Perplexity!”
“1★ review of Perplexity AI: I’ve been using perplexity for some time now and have been told I used up my free computer sessions. Was four stars now I have to pay…See ya!”
“2★ review of Perplexity AI: ★★ (2/5) I rated this tool a 5/5 before they changed their pricing and plans. I’ve been a Pro subscriber for over a year and have spent more than $1,000 on...”
“5★ review of Perplexity: For me perplexity is a must have as it has many tools to not only get information but also get work done even the way the AI talks is perfect but my...”
“4★ review of Perplexity: nice”
“4★ review of Perplexity: చాలా బాగుంది”
“5★ review of Perplexity: Good”
“1★ review of Perplexity: cancel subscription option is missing in perplexity. I got perplexity pro with my airtel wifi but after 3-4 month its went before 12 month(1year free subscription). and cancelation option is missing.”
“5★ review of Perplexity: Awesome”
“4★ review of Perplexity: Impressive 😁 🤭🧟”
“5★ review of Perplexity: pretty bad a$$”
“3★ review of Perplexity: nice App 👍”
“5★ review of Perplexity: very good app”
“1★ review of Perplexity: please update your document to cancel subscription there is no option to check the subscription”
“5★ review of Perplexity: helpful”
“4★ review of Perplexity: still testing so far so good”
“5★ review of Perplexity: Outstanding!”
“5★ review of Perplexity: Great!”
“1★ review of Perplexity: good one”
“5★ review of Perplexity: Clear and straightforward.”
“5★ review of Perplexity: This is good”
“5★ review of Perplexity: I really like the flavor of perplexity in its responses to my queries and I am a big fan of how it has kept track of my interests and uses my previous...”
“5★ review of Perplexity: Very excellent 🥇”
“4★ review of Perplexity: It's superb”
“5★ review of Perplexity: it's so good”
“5★ review of Perplexity: Great 👍🏽”
“5★ review of Perplexity: I love it so much”
“5★ review of Perplexity: The Age Of Aquarius !”
“5★ review of Perplexity: Great system”
“5★ review of Perplexity: Good app I like it”
“5★ review of Perplexity: good”
“1★ review of Perplexity: do not use”
“1★ review of Perplexity: Used to be absolutely brilliant the first year. Now its taken a nose dive, asking for tokens and credits for basic tasks. Cash grab has out grown its use. Has generated lower...”
Decision support, not stock advice. This signal is research with cited evidence — not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.