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3 Alternatives4 min readUpdated January 14, 2026

3 Best Perplexity Alternatives in 2026

Looking for open source alternatives to Perplexity? We've curated and ranked 3 free, self-hosted options based on community feedback and GitHub activity. Our top pick is Open WebUI with 120.5k stars.

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Perplexity

Perplexity is an AI-powered conversational search engine that provides direct answers to complex queries using real-time web information. It functions as a research assistant by citing sources for every claim, allowing users to verify data accuracy across academic, technical, and news domains. The platform supports file uploads and multiple language models to streamline information gathering and knowledge discovery for professionals.

185.1k

Total GitHub Stars

3

Verified Alternatives

100%

Free & Open Source

Introduction

Perplexity is a popular tool, but there are many reasons you might be looking for an alternative—whether it's cost, privacy concerns, or the desire to self-host your own solution.

Below, we've compiled a comprehensive list of 3 open source alternatives to Perplexity. Each option is free to use and can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data.

These alternatives span categories including Local Tools & WebUI, LLMs & Chat, RAG & Agents, so you can find the perfect fit for your specific needs.

All Perplexity Alternatives

Ranked by recommendation

Choosing the Right Perplexity Alternative

When selecting an alternative to Perplexity, consider these factors:

  • Features: Does it have the specific features you need?
  • Self-hosting requirements: Do you have the infrastructure to host it yourself?
  • Community & Support: Is there an active community for help and updates?
  • License: Check the license fits your use case (personal, commercial, etc.)

Based on community feedback and project activity, we recommend starting with Open WebUI as the top alternative to Perplexity.

Know another alternative to Perplexity?

Help the community discover more open source options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best open source alternatives to Perplexity?

The best open source alternatives to Perplexity include Open WebUI, Anything Llm, Scira. Open WebUI is our top recommendation with 120.5k GitHub stars and an active community.

Is there a free alternative to Perplexity?

Yes! All 3 alternatives listed on this page are completely free and open source. You can self-host them on your own infrastructure or use community-hosted versions.

Can I self-host these Perplexity alternatives?

Yes, all alternatives listed here are self-hostable. This gives you full control over your data and privacy. Each project has documentation for deployment on various platforms.