I used Leonardo AI for a year before Perplexity existed. Then I tried it.

I gave Leonardo AI and Perplexity the same job neither was built exclusively for. My to-do list is a joke at this point, so I test tools by whether they shrink it.

Leonardo AI is a concept-art and game-asset generator with presets. What sold me is that it keeps styles consistent and gives you real control over the look. The part that annoys me is that it uses a credit system that's confusing and easy to burn through.

Perplexity is an answer engine that cites every claim. Its edge is that it tells you where each fact came from. The downside is just as real: it leans on a small set of sites more than it should.

Side by side, the same prompt through both, Leonardo AI got to something usable faster and Perplexity did the better job on the part that needed search-level care. Neither embarrassed itself, which is rare.

Verdict: if your work leans toward image, keep Leonardo AI. If it's search you actually do all day, Perplexity is the one to open first. Neither tool owed me anything. One just gave me an hour back, and that's the only metric I care about.