VS
Head-to-Head Comparison
Perplexity AI vs Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)
An honest, side-by-side breakdown of pricing, features, and security — so you can pick the right tool.
Published Last updated
- Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) is cheaper to start — £16/mo versus £17/mo for Perplexity AI.
- On privacy, Perplexity AI offers a no-training-on-your-data policy where Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) does not.
- Perplexity AI is best for developers adding AI chat via an API; Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) for businesses needing enterprise-ready coding help.
Perplexity AI
AI Chatbot
8.1/ 10
Free · Free tier
Best for developers adding AI chat via an API
Visit Perplexity AISee all AI Chatbots →
Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)
AI Coding
7.6/ 10
Free · Free tier
Best for businesses needing enterprise-ready coding help
Visit Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)See all AI Coding Assistants →Some “Visit” links are affiliate links. How we earn →
Feature comparison
| Feature | Perplexity AI | Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) |
|---|---|---|
| CompareMyAI score | 8.1 / 10 | 7.6 / 10 |
| Free tier | ||
| API access | ||
| Open source | ||
| Enterprise ready | ||
| GDPR compliant | ||
| Vendor holds SOC 2 | ||
| Vendor holds ISO 27001 | ||
| MFA supported | ||
| Trains on your data | Yes |
Certifications may only cover business or enterprise plans. Check the vendor’s trust page for your plan.
Perplexity AI comes out ahead — and you can try it free.
Try Perplexity AI freeAffiliate link · how we earn
Pricing
Price checked with vendor on
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Always check the provider's site for the latest pricing.
Pros & cons
Perplexity AI
Pros
- +Excellent real-time web search with cited sources
- +Great for research and fact-checking
- +Clean interface
- +Generous free tier
Cons
- −Less capable for long-form writing or coding
- −Not ideal for creative tasks
- −Pro plan required for advanced models
Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)
Pros
- +Agentic coding with multi-step task planning built directly into the editor
- +UK GDPR and EEA data rights confirmed in Cognition privacy policy
- +Free tier available — Devin Desktop IDE at no cost
- +Integrates VS Code and Cursor configurations out of the box
Cons
- −Distinct from Devin, Cognition's autonomous AI software engineer — Devin Desktop is the agentic IDE; Devin is a separate autonomous coding agent
- −Trains on user code by default — confirmed from Cognition privacy policy
- −SOC2 and ISO 27001 not confirmed from official sources
- −Teams plan pricing is two-part: £63/mo base plus £31/mo per developer seat — total cost scales with team size
Our take— Perplexity AI wins
Based on our comparison of published pricing, features, and compliance data, Perplexity AI scores 8.1/10 to Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)'s 7.6/10. Perplexity AI pulls ahead with a no-training-on-your-data policy and API access. Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) counters with enterprise-grade readiness. Pick Perplexity AI if a no-training-on-your-data policy matters; pick Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) if you need enterprise-grade readiness.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Perplexity AI or Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)?
Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) is cheaper to start, with its lowest paid plan at £16/mo versus £17/mo for Perplexity AI. These are each vendor's published prices and can change, so check before you buy.
Does Perplexity AI train on your data?
Based on published vendor information, Perplexity AI does not train its models on your data. Policies can differ by plan and change over time, so it is worth confirming the current terms on the vendor's site.
Does Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) train on your data?
Based on published vendor information, Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) may use your data to help train its models. Training is sometimes opt-out, or switched off on paid and business plans, so review the privacy settings in your account.
Are Perplexity AI and Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) GDPR compliant?
Based on published vendor information, both Perplexity AI and Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) state they are GDPR compliant. Vendor-level compliance does not remove your own obligations when you process personal data through either tool.
Do Perplexity AI and Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) have a free tier?
Yes — both Perplexity AI and Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) offer a free tier, so you can try each one before committing to a paid plan. Free tiers usually come with usage limits.