Stay free if you only need up to 5 documents and 50 ai queries per month. Upgrade if you need unlimited documents and knowledge bases and unlimited team members. Most solo builders can start free.
Why it matters: Free tier caps at 5 documents and 50 queries per month, which is insufficient for any serious research workflow and serves primarily as a demo
Available from: Pro
Why it matters: AI-generated answers still require manual verification despite citations — source passages may be misinterpreted or synthesized out of context across documents
Available from: Pro
Why it matters: Limited integration options with external reference managers like Zotero or Mendeley, note-taking apps, or research tools compared to more mature competitors
Available from: Pro
Why it matters: Pricing details are not prominently displayed on the main website, requiring users to navigate to a separate pricing page to understand costs
Available from: Pro
Why it matters: No native mobile app or offline access — the fully browser-based approach means users cannot work with documents without an internet connection
Available from: Pro
Why it matters: Advanced feature not available in free plan.
Available from: Pro
The free plan of Petal typically includes basic features with usage limitations, while paid plans offer advanced features, higher limits, priority support, and additional integrations. The specific differences depend on their current pricing structure.
Consider upgrading to a paid Petal plan if you're hitting usage limits, need advanced features, require priority support, or want access to additional integrations. Upgrade when the tool becomes central to your workflow and the additional features provide clear value.
Free plans typically have limitations on usage quotas, feature access, support availability, and integration options. These limitations are designed to let you test the core functionality while encouraging upgrades for serious usage.
If Petal offers a free tier, you can typically use it indefinitely within the usage limits. If it's a free trial, the duration is usually clearly stated (commonly 14-30 days). Check their terms of service for specific details.
Start with the free plan — upgrade when you need more.
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Last verified March 2026