Which AI agent for researching and summarizing?
Short answer: Perplexity, ChatGPT or Google Gemini. Perplexity is our first pick: answers with citations.
Here are the AI tools and agents we’d look at first if you want to research a topic and summarize it with sources, with a simple setup recipe. This recipe is based on vendor documentation and common practice; hands-on testing is in progress.
Our picks
ChatGPT
Deep research mode
Free plan available · Paid plans: Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise (see site for prices)
DetailsDeep research mode
Free plan available · Paid plans: Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise (see site for prices)
Google Gemini
Inside Google Workspace
Free: $0 with a Google Account · Paid plans: $4.99/mo, $19.99/mo, from $99.99/mo
DetailsInside Google Workspace
Free: $0 with a Google Account · Paid plans: $4.99/mo, $19.99/mo, from $99.99/mo
How to set it up
- Ask a specific question, not a broad topic.
- Ask for sources and open the important ones.
- Have the AI summarize in your format.
- Save the summary with its links.
Watch out for
AI can misread sources; verify facts before acting.
Last reviewed Nov 2026. Pricing comes from each vendor's official page; confirm before you buy.