Five AI applications equipped with advanced research capabilities that compete with ChatGPT.

      Artificial intelligence brands are competing intensely, focusing on enhancing their AI tools by enabling them to perform deep search functions that yield expert-level results and analyze larger volumes of data more quickly. In recent weeks and months, various companies have unveiled deep research features that excel in fields like finance, science, marketing, and academia. Tasks that previously required weeks or months of research can now be completed significantly faster with a well-crafted prompt.

      Deep research features are regarded as AI agents capable of operating autonomously. Users can submit a query and the AI will process the information for several minutes before returning the results. These features are seen as initial steps toward achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), which is characterized as a model that can understand and respond to new data it hasn’t been trained on, thereby generating original content. However, we haven't reached that level yet; the primary function of these deep search tools is to manage large datasets and present them in a comprehensible manner.

      Here are some currently available deep research tools suitable for various applications:

      **Google Gemini Deep Research**

      Google was the pioneer in launching a deep research tool for consumers, making it available in December 2024 exclusively to paid subscribers of the $20 per month Gemini Advanced tier. The Gemini deep research tool is based on the Gemini 1.5 Pro model, which introduced the concept of autonomous web browsing and facilitated multi-step reasoning and structured research reports. After its release, many other AI brands followed suit and developed their own versions of deep research tools, often adopting similar names.

      According to analysts, Gemini’s deep research feature delivers detailed outcomes, citing numerous internet sources. Depending on the subject matter, it can reference over 50 sources during its research and store the results in a Google Docs file. Due to its comprehensive approach, the results tend to be thorough and extensive. Reviewers have highlighted practical applications, such as gathering information for podcast episodes.

      In late March, Google extended access to its tool to users of its free Gemini chatbot, enabling anyone with a Google account to utilize the feature. In April, Google enhanced the deep research tool under its Gemini 2.5 Pro Experimental model, the brand's most advanced AI model, which remains exclusive to Gemini Advanced users. Testers of the updated tool noted that it allows for longer processing times and generates more extensive results, drawing from a wealth of information. However, the free version operates on the Gemini 2.0 model and is limited to five reports per month.

      **Perplexity AI Deep Research**

      Perplexity AI introduced its deep research tool in February 2025, offering a free tier at launch, which distinguished it from competitors whose similar features were confined to paid plans. The free version permits five queries per day, while the $20 monthly Perplexity Pro subscription allows for 500 queries daily. This tool leverages OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 models, alongside Microsoft’s Azure data infrastructure and Bing search engine for data retrieval.

      With this setup, Perplexity claims its deep research tool can analyze hundreds of sources in under five minutes to produce a report that can be exported as a PDF or document, or shared through a Perplexity page. Reviewers have noted its speed in synthesizing results, labeling it as an advanced web search result but also pointing out traditional AI limitations like inaccuracies and hallucinatory outputs.

      **Grok 3 Deep Search**

      xAI launched the Grok 3 deep search tool in February 2025, together with its Grok 3 AI model. CEO Elon Musk stated that this model surpassed competitors like Gemini 2.0 and GPT-4o. Musk described Grok 3’s deep search as a “next-generation search engine.” Although it was briefly available for free post-launch, it primarily operates through a paid subscription model, including options like the $40 monthly X Premium+ or the $30 SuperGrok tier.

      Users testing the deep search tool reported that the full capabilities were not available in the free preview. They noted that while Grok 3 effectively analyzes specific subjects like economics, it struggles with its core function of gathering and citing sources, with fewer citations compared to other tools.

      **Anthropic Claude Research**

      Anthropic unveiled its research tool in April 2025 as a competitor to existing deep research options. Based on the Claude 3.7 Sonnet model, this tool not only offers research capabilities but also integrates with various third-party applications, including Google Workspace, Jira, Confluence, and more. The brand has recently updated the feature to allow for query processing of up to 45 minutes for generating even more detailed results. Reviewers have highlighted Claude’s ability to produce more professional-sounding outputs, featuring bullet points and summaries for easier readability. While there is a free version available, it lacks the research functionality. The Claude Pro tier costs $20 per month, while the Max tier is priced at $100 per month.

      **Microsoft Think Deeper**

      Microsoft collaborated with OpenAI