Perplexity has officially launched its AI-powered Comet browser worldwide, making it accessible to all users without charge. This move signifies a strategic shift from its initial limited release to high-tier subscribers, driven by substantial user interest and a goal to democratize advanced AI tools. The browser, built on the Chromium framework, integrates a sophisticated AI assistant designed to revolutionize web navigation and boost user productivity.
The Comet browser's core functionality lies in its integrated AI assistant, which acts as a proactive companion during web browsing. This assistant can answer questions about page content, summarize lengthy articles, manage web consultations, and even navigate autonomously, transforming passive browsing into an interactive experience. Free users gain access to tools such as Discover for personalized recommendations, Spaces for project organization, Shopping for price comparisons, Travel for aggregating flight and stay options, Finance for expense and investment tracking, and eSports for real-time updates.
For users seeking enhanced capabilities, Perplexity offers Comet Plus, a $5 monthly service that will be an extended alternative for free users, similar to Apple News, and will be included in Pro and Max subscriptions. Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas emphasized the company's desire to revolutionize web surfing, integrating AI for comprehensive and personalized navigation. This vision is further realized with an AI assistant for email and "background assistants" for premium subscribers, virtual teams that can manage multiple tasks in parallel via a central dashboard, proactively offering insights and handling tasks without active user supervision.
This strategic expansion positions Comet as a direct competitor to established browsers like Google Chrome, which currently holds a dominant 68% of the global market share. The AI browser market is experiencing substantial growth, projected to reach $76.8 billion by 2034 from the $4.5 billion in 2024, indicating a significant shift in user demand towards intelligent and automated web experiences. Comet's foundation on Chromium ensures a familiar user experience and compatibility with existing Chrome extensions and bookmarks, facilitating a seamless transition for users. Perplexity's approach emphasizes user-centric AI, aiming to provide utility and independence rather than relying on traditional advertising models.