Got nerfed by Perplexity?
1 major change on record. Below: open-source replacements you can switch to today + tracked paid competitors ranked by who’s least likely to nerf you next. Step-by-step guides walk you through the actual install + config + API-key transfer - that part’s a Personal-tier feature.
Self-hosted, free, or freemium tools that cover the same workflow. Every entry is real software with a public repo and an active community.
Direct Perplexity replacement. Free if you BYO API key.
- Open-source Perplexity clone
- Multiple search modes (Academic, YouTube, Reddit)
- Self-host, BYO LLM + SearXNG
Docker compose with SearXNGUse under Perplexica/Morphic for the search backend, or just as a private Google.
- Privacy-respecting meta-search engine
- 70+ search backends
- Foundation for AI search tools
DockerLighter-weight Perplexica with prettier output.
- Generative UI search engine
- Streaming results with rich cards
- Vercel-deployable in 1 click
git clone + Vercel deploy or npm run devOther paid tools we track in the same category, ranked by current Nerf Index. Lowest = least likely to nerf you next.
1 receipt logged, none critical.
1 major change on record · roughly one every 17 days.
2 major changes on record · roughly one every 242 days.
Perplexity → SearXNG
Unlock the full SearXNG migration
Step one’s on us. The rest — config port, smoke test, the buried cancel path with a prefilled refund email, and the rollback — open the second you join.
- All 8 steps, copy-paste ready
- Every migration playbook — including ones we haven’t written yet
- Refund email that’s clawed back $80+
- gotnerfed ask — grounded help through every step