Perplexity AI has officially released its Comet AI browser to the public, offering free access to its advanced AI capabilities. Previously, Comet was limited to subscribers of Perplexity's premium tiers, "Perplexity Max" and "Pro", or those who managed to snag an invite from a waitlist that reached millions. This move marks a significant step toward Perplexity's mission to make AI-powered tools more accessible and challenge the dominance of traditional web browsers like Google Chrome.
Comet distinguishes itself from conventional browsers through its deep integration of AI, most notably through its built-in AI assistant. This assistant is designed to be a "cognitive partner" that understands user context, answers questions, and performs tasks seamlessly across the web. Users can interact with the AI assistant directly within the browser to summarize pages, draft emails, organize tabs, compare shopping options, and even manage tasks in the background. Perplexity claims that users with Comet access ask significantly more questions compared to regular browsing, suggesting the tool fosters curiosity and exploration.
Unlike traditional browsers that primarily serve as a window to the web, Comet aims to actively assist users in completing tasks and gaining insights. Instead of manually navigating multiple tabs and copy-pasting information, users can rely on Comet's AI to automate workflows and provide relevant information on demand. For instance, the AI can summarize articles, explain complex topics, and even extract data from charts and documents.
Perplexity's Comet is built on Chromium, the same open-source engine that powers Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and other popular browsers. This ensures compatibility with existing web standards and Chrome extensions, making the transition to Comet relatively smooth. However, Comet diverges from Chrome in its fundamental approach to browsing. While Chrome follows a traditional "search and click" model, Comet embraces an "ask and act" paradigm, where users can directly interact with the AI assistant to accomplish their goals.
The release of Comet comes amid growing interest in AI-powered browsers. Several companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, have released AI extensions for existing browsers, while others are developing entirely new browsers with AI at their core. Microsoft has also integrated its Copilot AI into Edge. Perplexity is positioning Comet as a direct competitor to Chrome, the current market leader, by offering a more intelligent and user-centric browsing experience.
While Comet's core features are now available for free, Perplexity continues to offer premium subscription tiers with additional benefits. "Comet Plus" provides curated journalism from major publishers, while "Perplexity Max" allows users to run AI tools for extended periods with the Background Assistant feature.
Currently, Comet is available as a desktop browser for Windows (10 and 11) and macOS (M1 or newer chips). Perplexity plans to release a mobile version in the near future, promising to eliminate mobile ad clutter and offer voice-powered interaction with its AI assistant. The company believes that Comet's AI-powered browsing experience has the potential to transform how people interact with the internet, making it more efficient, informative, and enjoyable.
