AI/Search · Multi-Cloud
Perplexity
Perplexity operates a multi-cloud architecture: it historically built and hosted its Sonar models on AWS (including Bedrock for Anthropic/Claude) while later signing a large Azure agreement to deploy models via Microsoft Foundry, indicating active use of both providers.[1][3][8][9][15] Its core production stack centers on proprietary Sonar LLMs (built on and fine‑tuned from open-source bases like Mistral and later Llama 3.x) combined with partner frontier models (GPT‑5/4-class, Claude, Gemini, Grok) selected per query.[1][2][5][6][10][11][13][14]
Foundation proximity: Native (own / self-hosted weights)
Foundational models & how they consume them
PrimarySonar (family: Sonar, Sonar Pro, Sonar Reasoning, Sonar Deep Research)· Perplexity · Native (own / self-hosted weights)
SecondaryDeepSeek-R1 (via Sonar Reasoning Pro)· DeepSeek · Cloud-hosted (Bedrock/Vertex/Azure)
TertiaryGPT-5 / GPT-4.x class· OpenAI · Direct API
TertiaryClaude (Claude 4.x Sonnet / Opus)· Anthropic · Cloud-hosted (Bedrock/Vertex/Azure)
TertiaryGemini 2.5 Pro· Google · Direct API
TertiaryGrok 4· xAI · Direct API
Cloud & datastore
Multi-CloudElasticsearchPostgreSQLvector storeCompliance
—Others that build on proprietary / self-built models
Abnormal SecurityAbridgeAdobeAI21 LabsAleph AlphaAmbienceExplore
FAQ
Does Perplexity use a foundational AI model?
Perplexity uses Sonar (family: Sonar, Sonar Pro, Sonar Reasoning, Sonar Deep Research), DeepSeek-R1 (via Sonar Reasoning Pro), GPT-5 / GPT-4.x class, Claude (Claude 4.x Sonnet / Opus), Gemini 2.5 Pro, Grok 4 (Native (own / self-hosted weights)).
What cloud does Perplexity run on?
Perplexity runs on Multi-Cloud.
What database does Perplexity use?
Perplexity uses Elasticsearch, PostgreSQL, vector store.
How close does Perplexity run to the foundational model?
Perplexity is Native (own / self-hosted weights) — close to the metal, so cheaper tokens and more control over outputs.
Sources
perplexity.ai ↗Also on the map
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Architecture inferred from public sources · confidence medium · verify before betting on a detail.