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SillyTavern vs Perplexity
SillyTavern edges Perplexity on our editorial score (4.3 vs 4.0), but SillyTavern is the stronger pick if you want live voice calls and custom characters, while Perplexity fits better if voice notes matter more.
0| SillyTavern0 | Perplexity0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Editor score | 4.3 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Price | Free | $16.67/mo |
| Price band | Free | $10–20/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Price detail | Free and open source under AGPL-3.0. You pay only for whichever model API you connect. | Free tier (unlimited quick searches, 5 Pro queries/day). Pro $20/mo or $200/yr (~$16.67/mo); Max $200/mo. |
| Adult content | Optional mature mode | No adult mode |
| Voice | Live calls | Voice notes |
| Images | Yes | Yes |
| Video | No | No |
| Memory | Yes | Yes |
| Custom characters | Yes | No |
| Companion types | Any character | Any character |
| Platforms | Desktop, Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Runs locally | Yes | No |
SillyTavern — our take
If you want total control and zero subscription, this is where the advanced users live.
- Complete control over prompt and memory
- Works with local or hosted models
- Free forever
Perplexity — our take
Less a companion, more a research sidekick, but its free tier and cited answers make it a handy daily AI.
- Cited sources on every answer
- Strong free tier
- Fast, focused answers
SillyTavern vs Perplexity — common questions
Which is cheaper, SillyTavern or Perplexity?
SillyTavern is the cheaper of the two at Free, against $16.67/mo for Perplexity.
Which one has a free tier?
Both do — you can try either without paying.
Which remembers conversations better?
Both keep context across sessions. The practical difference is elsewhere: voice support differs between them.
Which handles adult content differently?
SillyTavern: Optional mature mode. Perplexity: No adult mode. This directory is SFW — we record whether a mature mode exists so you know before signing up, and we describe no explicit material.