Overview
Metaso AI Search (Metaso) is the most popular AI search engine in China, developed by Metaso Technology. It deeply integrates AI conversational capabilities with search engines, serving as a domestic alternative to Perplexity—but with significantly better search and understanding of Chinese content.
Metaso's biggest feature is its "Academic Search" mode, which can directly retrieve and analyze Chinese and English academic papers, making it a popular tool for students and researchers in China. It is completely free to use and requires no registration.
**📌 2026 Update**: Metaso AI Search continues to maintain its **leading position in domestic AI search**, with ongoing product iterations: **0.5-second voice transcription and organized output** (no typing required, words become actions) has become a standout feature. The search engine focuses on "no ads + structured answers + deep academic search," forming a top four domestic AI search landscape alongside Doubao AI Search, Quark AI Search, Kimi AI Search, and Tencent Yuanbao's search capabilities. **Metaso Technology** (the parent company) is also continuously expanding from AI search to AI all-in-one office tools (corresponding to the metaso-office product).
Key Features
- AI Search + Answer: Real-time internet search with AI comprehensive answers, including source links
- Academic Search Mode: Dedicated academic mode for retrieving Chinese and English papers and generating literature reviews
- Full Web Search Mode: Searches the entire web and synthesizes answers from multiple sources
- Transparent Source Citation: Each answer cites source websites, clickable for verification
- Completely Free: All features are free to use, no registration required
- Chinese Optimization: Significantly better understanding and search quality for Chinese content compared to Perplexity
Use Cases
- Daily AI search alternative for domestic users
- Literature retrieval and research for student thesis writing
- Report and article writing requiring source citations
- Deep search of Chinese internet content
- Domestic alternative to Perplexity
Pros
- Completely free: All features at zero cost
- Top-tier Chinese search: Coverage and understanding of Chinese internet content significantly better than Perplexity
- Useful academic mode: Practical paper retrieval and literature review functions
- Transparent sources: Information traceable and verifiable
- No registration required: Ready to use with zero barriers
Pricing
Metaso AI Search is currently completely free to use, with all search modes and features available at no cost. Whether a paid plan will be launched in the future has not been announced.
Summary
Metaso AI Search is the 'Perplexity alternative' for domestic users—completely free, with high-quality Chinese search and a practical academic mode. Recommended for all domestic users who need AI search. If you primarily search for English content or need deeper research capabilities, you can use it alongside Perplexity.