For years, the browser wars felt settled. Google Chrome became the default window to the web for most of us, a reliable tool for searching, shopping, and connecting. But the ground is shifting. AI search engine Perplexity just launched its own web browser, Comet, on July 9, 2025, and it’s not just another coat of paint on the same old engine. Comet is a bold attempt to fundamentally change how we interact with the internet, moving from a “search and find” model to a “request and accomplish” one.
This isn’t about finding links faster. It’s about having a cognitive partner that understands your goals and helps you achieve them directly within the browser. Let’s look at what makes Perplexity Comet tick.
The Brains of the Operation The Comet Assistant
The star of the show is the Comet Assistant, an AI agent that lives in a sidebar. Think of it less like a search bar and more like a capable research assistant sitting right next to you. It can see what’s on your active web page and help you with it. Instead of you having to copy-paste information between ten different tabs to compare laptops, you can just ask it.
Its core capabilities include:
- Contextual Summarization: It can read an entire 5,000-word article, a complex email chain, or even a Google Doc and give you the key takeaways in seconds.
- Task Automation: The assistant can handle tedious tasks for you. This includes booking meetings that work for everyone’s schedule or even executing online purchases based on your criteria.
- Deep Research: It collapses complex research into a single step. You could ask it to “find the top three noise-canceling headphones under $300 with the best battery life, summarize user reviews, and show me where they’re in stock.” Comet does the legwork across multiple sites.
How Do I Get It and What Does It Cost
Perplexity is positioning Comet as a premium tool for power users, researchers, and professionals who value their time immensely. Access is currently exclusive.
Pricing & Availability
Price: $200 per month, included with a Perplexity Max subscription.
Platforms: Initially available for Windows and macOS.
Access: Early access began on July 9, 2025, for existing Perplexity Max subscribers and those invited from a waitlist.
Perplexity’s Explosive Growth A Sign of Things to Come
Before launching a browser, Perplexity was already a fast-growing force in AI search. The company’s query volume has been surging, showing a clear public appetite for direct, summarized answers instead of endless blue links. This existing momentum provides a powerful launchpad for Comet.
The company isn’t stopping there. CEO Aravind Srinivas has set an ambitious target: growing from the 780 million queries processed in May 2025 to a staggering one billion queries per week within the next year.
A Direct Challenge to Google’s Throne
With backers like NVIDIA, Jeff Bezos, and SoftBank, Perplexity has the resources to make a serious run at the browser market. By building on Chromium, the same open-source foundation as Chrome, they’ve made the switch incredibly easy. Users can migrate all their bookmarks, passwords, and extensions with a single click. It’s a smart move that removes the biggest hurdle for trying a new browser.
The vision extends far beyond just being a better browser. It points to a future where the browser acts more like an operating system for your digital life.
“Develop an operating system with which you can do almost everything.”
This statement captures the scale of their ambition. They don’t just want to help you find information; they want to build the platform where you get things done.
Under the Hood: A Modern Browser Comparison
How does Comet really stack up against a traditional browser like Google Chrome? The core difference lies in their fundamental purpose. One is a vehicle for accessing information, while the other is a partner for processing it.
Is Perplexity Comet Worth the Price Tag?
At $200 a month, Comet is clearly not for everyone. It’s a high-end product for a specific audience: professionals, developers, researchers, and enterprise teams whose productivity is directly tied to the speed and quality of their online work. For them, saving several hours of manual research and task management each week could provide a clear return on investment. Perplexity is betting that as AI becomes more capable, the value of a true cognitive assistant will make the price seem like a bargain for the right user.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Perplexity Comet?
Perplexity Comet is a new AI-powered web browser designed to help users accomplish tasks directly, rather than just searching for information. It features a built-in AI called the Comet Assistant that can summarize pages, automate tasks, and answer complex questions. Learn more here.
How much does Perplexity Comet cost?
Comet is available as part of the Perplexity Max subscription, which costs $200 per month. It’s aimed at professionals and power users who need advanced AI capabilities. See pricing details.
Is Perplexity Comet meant to replace Google Chrome?
Perplexity Comet is positioned as a direct challenger to browsers like Google Chrome. It is built on the same Chromium foundation, which allows for an easy transition of settings and extensions, signaling its intent to compete for users who want a more integrated AI experience. Read about its market position.
