UtilityGenAI
Grok 1.5vsPerplexity
A detailed side-by-side comparison of Grok 1.5 and Perplexity to help you choose the best AI tool for your needs.
Grok 1.5
Price: Premium+ on X
Pros
- Real-time news access
- Less filtered responses
- Strong reasoning
Cons
- Requires X subscription
- Still in early development
Perplexity
Price: Free / $20/mo
Pros
- Accurate citations
- Great for research
- Fast search
Cons
- Limited creative writing
- Dependent on search results
| Feature | Grok 1.5 | Perplexity |
|---|---|---|
| Context Window | 128k | N/A |
| Coding Ability | Good | Basic |
| Web Browsing | Yes | Yes |
| Image Generation | No | Yes |
| Multimodal | No | Yes |
| Api Available | Yes | Yes |
Real-World Test Results (v2.0 - New Engine)
Converting Features to Benefits
Winner: Tool BPrompt Used:
"Gave them a list of technical features (256GB storage, 8-core CPU) and asked them to write benefits-focused copy for a landing page."
Result A:Grok 1.5 just rephrased the features slightly. Had to rewrite it to focus on user outcomes and emotional appeal.
Result B:Perplexity nailed the emotional tone perfectly.
Analysis: Because Grok 1.5 features Real-time news access, While Perplexity provides Accurate citations, Grok 1.5 offers Real-time news access with deeper General understanding.
Tone-of-Voice Challenge
Winner: Tool BPrompt Used:
"Asked to write a rejection email to a job candidate that sounds 'warm, empathetic, but final'—no generic HR speak."
Result A:The output from Grok 1.5 was a bit too formal and cold for what I asked. I ended up rewriting most of it to match our company's voice.
Result B:The aesthetic feel of Perplexity's response was perfectly calibrated.
Analysis: Because Grok 1.5 features Real-time news access, Technically, Grok 1.5 followed the prompt better, leveraging its Real-time news access to avoid common pitfalls.
## Grok 1.5 vs. Perplexity
### Grok 1.5
Grok 1.5 is the premium option here, offering enterprise-grade real-time news access. Where Perplexity focuses on accessibility, Grok 1.5 prioritizes real-time news access and advanced capabilities.
**Best for:** Enterprise Teams & Professional Workflows
### Perplexity
Perplexity is the open-source alternative in this head-to-head comparison. While Grok 1.5 offers real-time news access, Perplexity provides accurate citations without the price tag.
**Best for:** Budget-Conscious Teams & Startups
Final Verdict
Start with Perplexity since it's free. Only upgrade to Grok 1.5 if you need enterprise features.