According to Perplexity, Sonar Pro outperformed leading models from Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic, on a benchmark measuring factual correctness in AI chatbot answers
By Nileena Sunil
Perplexity, an AI-driven search engine startup, has launched its API service called Sonar which allows developers and enterprises to build its generative AI tools using their own applications.
Launched on Tuesday, Sonar is available in two tiers—Sonar and Sonar Pro. The API uses lightweight models with an optimal balance of speed and cost, and offers straightforward answers with citations, while Sonar Pro is built for complexity.
READ: Perplexity AI acquires Carbon, hits $9 billion valuation before year-end (December 19, 2024)
The Sonar Pro version gives in-depth answers, and uses robust models. It also has a larger context window, allowing for longer, and more nuanced searches. While the basic version of Sonar charges $1 per million input and output tokens and $5 per 1,000 searches, Sonar Pro charges $3 per million input tokens, $15 per million output tokens, and $5 per 1,000 searches.
The Perplexity team stated, “While most generative AI features today have answers informed only by training data, this limits their capabilities. To optimize for factuality and authority, APIs require a real-time connection to the Internet, with answers informed by trusted sources. With Perplexity’s Sonar and Sonar Pro API (the latter generally available to all developers starting today), you can build your own generative search capabilities powered with unparalleled real-time, web-wide research and the Perplexity features you’ve come to expect, like citations.”
READ: Aravind Srinivas unveils the secrets behind Perplexity AI’s meteoric rise (December 12, 2024)
According to Perplexity, Sonar Pro outperformed leading models from Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic, on a benchmark measuring factual correctness in AI chatbot answers. Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas said, “We aim to make search-grounded large language models accessible and cost-effective,” and emphasized the importance of supporting AI-driven tools with real-time search capabilities.
Perplexity claimed that Sonar is the most affordable API product on the market in a statement on X. Video communications company Zoom has been cited among the companies who have seen “big wind” after integrating Sonar. The video conferencing platform uses API to strengthen native search in their AI Companion 2.0 product, according to Perplexity.