Perplexity has officially made its Comet AI browser free for users across the globe, positioning it as a powerful, AI-driven alternative to Google Chrome. The move marks a bold step in the race to bring personal AI assistants directly into the browser layer.
The newly released free version comes with usage limits and core AI assistant tools, while premium subscribers get advanced features such as Background Assistant and enhanced automation for power users and enterprise teams.
From $200 Private Launch to Free Global Access
Originally priced at $200 per month during its limited early access phase, Comet is now freely available for desktop download worldwide. Perplexity said the shift was driven by overwhelming demand, with a waitlist reportedly in the millions, and a vision to make its AI assistant “accessible to everyone.”
While Comet will stay free for regular users, Perplexity plans to manage resource usage through rate limits and introduce mobile apps and background tasking under paid plans in the coming months.
What Makes Comet Different
Comet is designed to go beyond traditional browsing. It embeds a built-in AI sidecar that assists users as they navigate the web, summarizing pages, following links, organizing research, and even handling tasks like shopping, booking trips, or drafting emails.
The browser is built on Chromium, so it supports familiar Chrome extensions and bookmarks. However, it layers on smart features like Discover, Spaces, Shopping, Travel, Finance, and Sports, creating a unified workspace powered by AI.
A Stand Against “AI Slop”
Perplexity is marketing Comet as an antidote to what it calls “AI slop”, the growing flood of low-quality, automated web content. The company says Comet’s assistant emphasizes trusted citations and verified sources, helping users find reliable answers rather than recycled content.
To support this, the company is launching Comet Plus, a new partner-content network that shares revenue with quality publishers, encouraging informative, credible web pages over clickbait.
Taking on Chrome Head-On
Perplexity’s CEO says the free global launch directly challenges Chrome’s dominance by offering AI integration built into the browser itself, instead of relying on add-on extensions.
Industry analysts note that this could add pressure to Google, which is still rolling out its Gemini AI features inside Chrome. Meanwhile, emerging competitors like Dia and Neon are also experimenting with similar AI-first browsing experiences.
Free vs. Paid Tiers
The free version of Comet includes its AI assistant and core web tools, suitable for everyday productivity and browsing.
The paid plans, aimed at professionals and teams, unlock Background Assistant, enabling asynchronous and parallel tasking, more automation options, and expanded compute limits for heavy users.
Why This Move Matters
By embedding an AI agent directly inside the browser, Perplexity hopes to shift user behavior from endless searching and tab-switching to direct task completion.
If Comet can deliver consistent time-savings, faster answers, fewer tabs, and organized “Spaces” for ongoing projects, it could become a viable replacement for mainstream browsers.
Early Signals of Growth
Initial reports suggest strong global demand for Comet, but experts warn that sustained success will depend on the reliability of its AI agent in real-world tasks, not just demos.
Some investors have even noted slight market ripples for Alphabet stock following Comet’s release, a small but telling indicator of how seriously competitors are taking the new entrant.
Privacy and Safety First
AI browsers face unique security challenges, such as prompt injection, hallucinations, and data misuse. Perplexity says Comet addresses these risks by ensuring transparency, source citations, and clear user controls.
Its partnership program with verified publishers is also designed to prioritize accurate information and maintain user trust over time.
What’s Next for Comet
- Launch of mobile apps and feature parity with the desktop version
- Testing of Background Assistant for mobile workflows
- Monitoring of agent performance across use cases like travel, finance, and shopping
- Publisher growth within Comet Plus
- Competitive responses from Chrome and other major browsers
