Gemini API vs Perplexity Sonar API pricing
Gemini API is cheaper to start: $0.25 per million input tokens, $1.5 per million output against $1 per million input tokens, $1 per million output, plus $5 to $12 per 1,000 requests for Perplexity Sonar API. Gemini API has not changed its listed prices since 2026. Perplexity Sonar API has not changed its listed prices since 2026.
Gemini API vs Perplexity Sonar API at a glance
Current list prices as last read from each pricing page.
Gemini API
- Starts at
- $0.25 per million input tokens, $1.5 per million outputGemini 3.1 Flash-Lite, USD per million tokens, paid tier, prompts up to 200K tokens
- Top listed plan
- $2 per million input tokens, $12 per million output for prompts up to 200K tokensGemini 3.1 Pro Preview
- Priced by
- Usage based
- Free plan
- Yes
- Price history
- since 2026
- Price changes
- none
Perplexity Sonar API
- Starts at
- $1 per million input tokens, $1 per million output, plus $5 to $12 per 1,000 requestsSonar, USD per million tokens, before per request fees
- Top listed plan
- $3 per million input tokens, $15 per million output, plus $6 to $14 per 1,000 requestsSonar Pro
- Priced by
- Usage based
- Free plan
- Not recorded
- Price history
- since 2026
- Price changes
- none
Gemini API vs Perplexity Sonar API price history
Both histories on one chart. The default line is each product's cheapest paid plan.
Show the data as a table
| Observed | Gemini API Gemini 3.8 Flash, input | Perplexity Sonar API Sonar, input |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 21, 2026 | $0.75 | $1 |
| Oct 3, 2026 | $0.75 | $1 |
Plans side by side
Every plan currently listed, with the price it started at where we have it.
Gemini APIUSD per million tokens, paid tier, prompts up to 200K tokens
| Plan | Price | Listed since |
|---|---|---|
| Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview, input | $2 | Sep 2026 |
| Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview, output | $12 | Sep 2026 |
| Gemini 3.8 Flash, input | $0.75 | Sep 2026 |
| Gemini 3.8 Flash, output | $3.75 | Sep 2026 |
Perplexity Sonar APIUSD per million tokens, before per request fees
| Plan | Price | Listed since |
|---|---|---|
| Sonar, input | $1 | Sep 2026 |
| Sonar, output | $1 | Sep 2026 |
| Sonar Pro, input | $3 | Sep 2026 |
| Sonar Pro, output | $15 | Sep 2026 |
Gemini API vs Perplexity Sonar API pricing questions
- Is Gemini API or Perplexity Sonar API cheaper?
- Gemini API starts lower at $0.25 per million input tokens, $1.5 per million output, Perplexity Sonar API at $1 per million input tokens, $1 per million output, plus $5 to $12 per 1,000 requests. Prices are as shown on each pricing page when it was last read.
- Has Gemini API or Perplexity Sonar API raised prices?
- Gemini API has not changed its listed prices since 2026. Perplexity Sonar API has not changed its listed prices since 2026.
- Do Gemini API and Perplexity Sonar API have a free plan?
- Gemini API lists a free plan. We have not recorded one for Perplexity Sonar API.
- How are Gemini API and Perplexity Sonar API priced?
- Gemini API: usage based, USD per million tokens, paid tier, prompts up to 200K tokens. Perplexity Sonar API: usage based, USD per million tokens, before per request fees.
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