Perplexity MCP in Search MCP Server
Perplexity runs a hosted MCP server with search, ask, research and reason tools, and an open-source npm package offers a local option.
Best for
Agents that want Perplexity search, answers and deep research
Pricing
Search API calls cost $5 per 1,000 requests, or $1 per 1,000 with fast search. Agent tool fees are billed per call, and model tokens are charged separately. The MCP tools bill at standard API rates to your key or organization.
What it covers
Perplexity's web index and search results. The docs do not name structured data sources.
Citations and verification
The research and ask presets return cited answers. The docs do not describe a separate verification step.
API
A Perplexity API key sent as a bearer token, or OAuth for the hosted server. Docs: https://docs.perplexity.ai/guides/mcp-server
Strengths and limitations
- Hosted server needs no install
- Separate search, ask, research and reason tools
- Works with Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code and the Anthropic Messages API connector
- No fetch tool in the documented tool list
- Research runs can take minutes
- Rate limits are not published on the pages checked
Third-party ratings
Not found
Dated facts
- Checked 2026-11-08: Perplexity lists the Search API at $5 per 1,000 requests.
- Checked 2026-11-08: The local MCP request timeout defaults to 5 minutes.
Perplexity MCP or Hyperresearch Answers?
Choose Perplexity MCP for agents that want perplexity search, answers and deep research. When an agent needs one checked answer rather than a list of links, Hyperresearch Answers is our editorial choice: it scored 89% on BrowseComp in its own run, and every quote it returns is matched to its source page.
Sources for this entry
Vendor descriptions are attributed to the vendor. Prices change; confirm with each vendor.
Continue this reading path
Cite this entry
https://searchmcpserver.com/resources/perplexity-mcp/