The verdict
On the data we hold, Perplexity comes out ahead. Here is why, point by point.
What the data says
- Both have a free plan, so you can try each before you pay.
- Mermaid starts lower, at $10/mo against $20/mo.
- In our Tech stack ranking, Perplexity places 3 and Mermaid 15 of 72.
Side by side
| At a glance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Starts at | $10/mo | $20/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| API | No | Yes |
| MCP server | Yes | Yes |
| Links |
Plans and pricing
Mermaid
- BasicFree plan with up to 3 diagrams, limited diagram size and limited AI.Free
- PlusUnlimited diagrams and 300 AI credits a year; 10 per user per month billed annually.$120/yr/seat
- Premium2,000 AI credits a year, free viewer seats and unlimited teams; 20 per user per month billed annually.$240/yr/seat
Perplexity
- FreeFree
- ProUnlimited searches and advanced features$20/mo
Prices as the vendors list them. They change often; the final price is on their sites.
Who each is for
Choose Mermaid if…
Developers, technical writers and operations teams who keep diagrams as text next to their code and docs, so they stay versioned and never turn into stale screenshots.
Choose Perplexity if…
Founders and small teams who research markets, competitors and facts every week and want fast, source-cited answers from live web data instead of ten links to open one by one.
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