While it’s common to see AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity provide concise answers, they are now capable of generating in-depth, multipage reports. By leveraging sophisticated language models, web searches, and analytical reasoning, these tools transform into versatile research aids.

Engaging with a Deep Research query can take time—anywhere from five to thirty minutes depending on complexity—but the outcome is a comprehensive document on virtually any topic, even intricate areas such as niche market insights or scientific enigmas. Fortunately, each major AI service provider offers free access to their Deep Research functionalities.

However, it’s clear that not everyone conducts scientific inquiries daily. So, what practical advantages do these Deep Research platforms offer?

Understanding Deep Research

Deep Research merges vast web resources, advanced language model capabilities, and innovative reasoning frameworks. When a prompt is submitted, the AI first analyzes the request for clarity. This might involve the bot posing follow-up queries and drafting a research outline autonomously. Users have the option to respond with clarification or adjust the research outline, though these steps are often optional.

As the research progresses, a sidebar (or a separate tab in Perplexity) allows users to monitor the AI’s activities, showcasing searches, documents being reviewed, and data compilation processes.

While thorough reports can take up to thirty minutes for highly complex inquiries, testing revealed that results generally materialize within five to ten minutes, delivering detailed multi-page outputs.

Optimal Usage Times for Deep Research

Utilizing Deep Research tools proves most beneficial when standard Google searches fail to yield satisfactory results or when time constraints preclude sifting through multiple articles for essential information on a subject.

There have been personal instances where these AI capabilities identified a hard-to-find spare part number for a vehicle that Google could not assist with, along with insights regarding stock forecasts for specific companies and detailed information about a handpan—a musical instrument that has captured attention.

For quick responses, traditional searches on AI chatbots are often preferable. Yet, for broader inquiries, particularly in professional contexts requiring market analyses across various competitors, consider upgrading to premium services within your chosen Deep Research tool. For everything else, knowing how to navigate its lighter alternatives can certainly prove advantageous.

How to Utilize Deep Research Tools in ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity

Each of the primary AI chatbots has integrated Deep Research features that operate similarly. To kickstart the process, input a detailed prompt, select the Deep Research button, and submit your question. Enhanced context can also be provided by uploading relevant documents, spreadsheets, or images.

Limitations of Free Deep Research

While free tiers offer robust functionality, they come with restrictions. Both Perplexity and Gemini deliver consistent report quality across free and paid plans but enforce usage constraints. Perplexity offers a more liberal daily limit but does not disclose specific numbers; users can monitor remaining queries each day. Based on trials, there’s an allowance of around three queries daily, with an option to upgrade for unlimited access at $20 per month.

Gemini restricts free users to a maximum of five searches monthly, while Gemini Advanced subscribers can produce up to 20 reports through a $20 monthly plan.

ChatGPT operates on a more intricate model. Free users have access to five searches monthly utilizing a simplified version that lacks comprehensive report generation capabilities; for ordinary inquiries, this model may suffice. However, the $20/month Plus plan increases the monthly allowances significantly.

Testing the Deep Research Tools

Deep Research functionality was evaluated on all three platforms using the same three queries: crafting a beginner’s guide for handpan enthusiasts, analyzing a corporation’s stock outlook, and sourcing a part number for a specific vehicle component. The final query posed significant challenges when using standard search engines.

Results varied across platforms based on user prompts and inquiries.

ChatGPT Deep Research: Concise and Effective

The Deep Research feature in ChatGPT stands out for its clarity and effectiveness. Reports generated are well-structured and focused, addressing requested information directly. ChatGPT proactively engages users with follow-up questions, which, although potentially tedious, ultimately enhances the process—a feature that users can opt out of if desired.

This effectiveness was also apparent in the stock analysis and handpan queries. However, its capacity to retrieve online shopping links remains underwhelming; although ChatGPT correctly identified the car part, it struggled to find purchasing options in India, providing alternatives only from the US and Europe.

Gemini Deep Research: Contextual but Verbose

Gemini’s strengths lie in its ability to modify proposed research plans and its integration with Google tools.

When beginning a Deep Research query, Gemini creates a research outline before presenting it to the user for approval or edits, unlike ChatGPT, which prompts for clarification. Its advantage includes the utilization of Google accounts for comprehensive inquiries and even personalizing results based on browsing history.

Nonetheless, Gemini’s reports can be overly verbose, requiring users to narrow down research plans for better precision. In specific tests, such as searching for the car part number, Gemini provided extensive detail about spare wheel covers rather than the concise response required—a task better addressed by ChatGPT or Perplexity. However, Gemini does seamlessly integrate its findings with its Audio Overviews feature, allowing for the creation of succinct podcast-style episodes based on research outputs.

Perplexity: Fast and Focused on Web Research

Perplexity’s Deep Research functionality is renowned for its speed, often delivering outputs within just two minutes. It excels in locating shopping links and product-related information effortlessly. The process is straightforward, as Perplexity does not engage users with follow-up inquiries or require approval for research parameters; it executes requests promptly.

Currently, Perplexity adeptly integrates online searches into its research reports, sometimes outperforming Gemini in this aspect. Yet, the expedited responses may compromise report depth, as findings tended to lack the comprehensive detail that ChatGPT and Gemini provide.

Choosing the Right Deep Research Tool

Each of the three free Deep Research tools serves distinct purposes, with each having strengths tailored to different needs. Based on practical evaluation, here are key insights:

• ChatGPT’s Deep Research: Delivers well-rounded and precise reports, though its ability to locate specific online links could improve.
• Gemini’s Deep Research: Highly detail-oriented, but can be excessively wordy and sometimes loses focus.
• Perplexity’s Deep Research: The quickest option available, generating results in mere minutes, although often lacking the detail offered by its competitors.