ChatGPT vs Perplexity: UI comparison
How ChatGPT (OpenAI) and Perplexity (Perplexity AI) compare on a desktop screen in the week of October 19, 2026: 5 differences and 3 similarities, measured from each product's weekly screenshot.
Open in Compare
Differences
- ChatGPT shows 11 menu items; Perplexity shows 17.
- Perplexity's message box covers more of the screen than ChatGPT's (7.5% vs 3.9%).
- Perplexity shows more clickable items than ChatGPT (~22 vs ~17).
- ChatGPT's sidebar is wider than Perplexity's (27% vs 19% of the screen width).
- ChatGPT uses 4 text sizes; Perplexity uses 3.
Similarities
- Neither shows a note about the AI's limits.
- Both were captured in dark mode.
- Both message boxes sit in the middle third of the screen.
Latest menu changes
ChatGPT
Week of October 19, 2026, compared with the week of October 12, 2026:
- The Chat item no longer appears in the top bar.
- The Work item no longer appears in the top bar.
Perplexity
Week of October 12, 2026, compared with the week of October 5, 2026:
- The sidebar item Sessions is now labeled Recents.