- Comet is a Chromium-based browser with a built-in AI assistant that understands context and acts on the page.
- Offers practical automation: summarize, compare, purchase, manage emails and tasks, with memory between tabs.
- Privacy: Browsing data is stored locally and only minimal context is sent when necessary.
- Available for free on Windows and macOS; paid plans add background assistants and Comet Plus.
The arrival of Comet, Perplexity's browser, is shaking up the web browsing landscape by placing artificial intelligence at the heart of the experience, not just as an add-on. The browser relies on an integrated assistant capable of understanding context and acting independently , so many common tasks are completed with fewer clicks and without jumping from tab to tab.
Those who have been using Google Chrome for years will recognize that Comet feels familiar because it's based on Chromium and is compatible with extensions, bookmarks, and familiar settings. The big difference is the Assistant button that pops up in a sidebar and changes the way you browse : you can ask it to summarize, compare, search, fill out forms, or close tabs for you, with a time-saving digital co-pilot approach.
What is Comet and who is behind it?
Comet is the first browser created by Perplexity , the AI company founded in 2022 known for its chatbot that always cites sources. The company envisions Comet as a reinvention of how we interact with the web , combining search engine, assistant, and automation into a single product so that AI is not a band-aid, but the core.
From a technical standpoint, Comet is based on Chromium, the open-source project also used by browsers like Chrome and Edge. In practical terms, the interface is very similar to Chrome's , and the same extensions can be used, making the transition from other browsers smooth.
One key difference is the default search engine. If you had Google set up, in Comet searches are routed to Perplexity . You can still search on Google at any time, although it requires an extra click. Perplexity's idea is that the browser will respond with verified results linked to reliable sources, reducing the noise of the click-based model that, according to its CEO, has turned the web into a labyrinth of ads and paywalls.
How it works: Side Assistant, Actions, and Memory
The heart of Comet is its Assistant, accessible from a sidebar in any tab. This assistant understands the context of what you're viewing and can act on the page itself : typing, clicking, filling out forms, following links, or opening additional tabs, depending on your needs.
When you ask it to navigate for you, Comet transparently demonstrates the process, opening tabs just as you would. You can stop the process at any time to regain control , making the automation feel natural and under your supervision.
The built-in memory allows the assistant to remember what you've viewed in other tabs or previously, a valuable tool for creating comparisons or resuming research. This ability to remember and cross-reference context between tabs speeds up research and shopping tasks , and prevents you from having to repeat instructions constantly.
Comet goes beyond simply summarizing or responding: it can complete purchase processes, reply to emails, close and organize tabs, or search for very specific information about what's on the screen. If you grant it access to your tools, it can also integrate with work suites.
In this sense, the browser offers integrations that unlock superpowers. With access to Google, Comet can create events in Calendar or compose and reply to emails in Gmail ; with access to Slack, it can read channel conversations and even create new ones, all guided by your instructions.
In addition to the main assistant, Perplexity has introduced background assistants that work in parallel. These automated assistants can handle simultaneous or asynchronous tasks , such as sorting emails or preparing reminders, expanding the scope of what Comet can do without requiring you to be glued to the screen.
The experience is enhanced by specialized modules that make Comet more than just a browser. These modules include Discover, Spaces, Shopping, Travel, Finance, and Sports , designed for recommendations, project organization, shopping, travel, finance, and sports tracking.
- Discover: Personalized recommendations of content and news based on your interests.
- Spaces: spaces to organize projects and documents in smart folders.
- Shopping: price comparison and locating offers in online stores.
- Travel: travel planning, flight and accommodation search.
- Finance: tools for budget control and investment monitoring.
- Sports: Access to results, schedules, and real-time updates.
As if that weren't enough, Perplexity complements the browser with Comet Plus. For $5 a month, Comet Plus integrates a constantly updated selection of reference media to enhance the quality of what you read directly in the browser; this plan is included in Pro and Max.
What Comet can do in practice
The beauty of Comet lies not in the theory, but in what it solves in everyday life. With a couple of natural language commands, you can perform tasks that previously involved multiple searches and multiple tabs , and do so with links to reliable sources for verification.
A classic example is travel planning. Simply request a Barcelona–New York flight for a specific day, arriving in the morning, and Comet will return summarized options, add direct airline connections, and suggest saving it to your calendar.
In shopping, if you search for "best wireless headphones for less than 100 euros", the browser shows you models, specifications and links to stores , always linking to the original sources so you can compare and minimize the typical hallucinations.
If you're watching a match, you can set it to notify you when your team scores. Comet monitors sports feeds in the background and sends you an instant notification , without you having to refresh pages.
For intensive reading, the sidebar shines. You select a long article and request a short summary ; in seconds, the assistant condenses the information and shows you where the data comes from.
It's also useful as a personal manager within the browser. From the same interface, you can access your calendar and to-do list to note events or reminders without having to switch tools, and with the added benefit that the assistant understands the context.
Beyond that, Comet handles contextual actions well: replying to emails in your own tone, translating paragraphs, opening links related to a specific topic, or creating events on the fly . All orchestrated from the sidebar with simple prompts.
Privacy, permissions, and how your data is handled
One point that sparks debate is the access it needs to operate smoothly. The level of permissions it can request is somewhat daunting , especially when connecting with accounts like Google or Slack. However, Perplexity details how it manages this access to balance usability and privacy.
According to the company's public statements, some processing is hybridized between the browser and servers, with one clear principle: your browsing data is comprehensively stored locally, on your own device . This includes activity, technical data, and sensitive elements such as extensions or credentials.
- Browsing activity: URLs, searches, cookies, open tabs, and site permissions.
- Technical data: Operating system information, crash logs, and IP address for security and troubleshooting.
- Extensions and credentials: add-ons, passwords, payment methods, and profile settings.
This local storage enables features like recommendations, tab management, and AI help without sending your activity to remote servers. Only when you ask a question that requires custom context is minimal, relevant data sent to Perplexity's servers, and transmission is limited to that specific purpose.
Additionally, you can delete these queries from your history or work in incognito mode to keep interactions strictly local. In practice, this means you have reasonable control over what the assistant shares and when , although this control may expand as features become more advanced.
Another practical detail: as we mentioned, the address bar defaults to Perplexity instead of Google . You can still access the Google search engine, but it requires an extra step. If you're coming from the Google ecosystem, you'll have to decide what balance you want between convenience and familiarity.
Availability, price and plans
Comet debuted in July 2025 in a fairly controlled phase. For months it was reserved for Max subscribers or those invited from a huge waiting list , and in September it opened up to Pro plan users.
After that period, Perplexity has taken a big step: since October 3rd, Comet has been available for free to everyone . The desktop version can be downloaded for Windows and macOS; mobile apps for iOS and Android are on the way, although there's no official release date yet.
Those who pay for higher-tier plans enjoy additional benefits. The Max plan offers more powerful AI models, an advanced email assistant, and background assistants that can handle tasks automatically without your constant intervention.
The ecosystem is further strengthened with Comet Plus. For $5 a month, and already included in Pro and Max, it integrates content from reputable media outlets to enhance what you read directly in your browser—a kind of AI-powered Google News within Comet.
Advantages, limitations and criticisms
For some users, Comet is a breath of fresh air in a market that hadn't seen any surprises in a while. For others, it feels like it's basically Chrome with an AI layer on top —useful, but not exactly groundbreaking if you already use AI extensions in Chrome.
On a more critical note, some point out that the experience feels the same as with regular Chrome and that the only differentiating factor is the integrated helpers. There was even criticism of the $200 early access price , a figure difficult to justify for testing a browser in its early stages.
Emerging alternatives are also mentioned. BrowserOS , for example, supports multiple LLMs, allows the use of two or three models simultaneously , and boasts a wizard capable of generating websites from simple commands; some believe that Comet is starting to do what BrowserOS already did.
Meanwhile, offerings like Dia from The Browser Company, still in testing for some users, and the highly anticipated AI browser from OpenAI are emerging . Chrome, Arc, and Opera are competing to integrate AI into browsing with their own assistants, but Comet's key difference is that it's built with AI at its core, not as an add-on.
Perplexity's Strategy and Ambition
Perplexity makes no secret of its objective: it wants to challenge Chrome's current monopoly on the gateway to the internet . Its slogan is forceful: "The internet is now better on Comet," and its message criticizes a click-based model that pushes the web towards ads and paywalls.
The company has even demonstrated the extent of its ambition with high-profile offers. There were reports of attempts to acquire Chrome for figures ranging from €29.500 billion to $34.500 billion , maneuvers that underscore its desire to accelerate the shift in browsing habits.
The free launch of Comet fits into that roadmap. First, they tested the waters in a controlled, paid way, then decided to offer the port for free to attract a wider audience . This move comes just as other companies are vying to launch their own AI-powered browsers and as traditional browsers are trying to rapidly add smart features.
Who is Comet for?
If you spend your day navigating emails, documents, comparison tabs, and searches, Comet can save you hours. Its value grows the more you let it interact with the page and the more context you give it , always within the permissions you're comfortable with.
For general users, the browser is also a good fit. The ability to summarize articles, follow events in the background, compare prices, or translate on the fly makes typical tasks easier without installing half a dozen extensions. The transition is smooth because visually it's very much like Chrome.
If you already use Chrome with several AI extensions, you'll likely see less of a jump in performance. Native integration and tab memory are the key factors that can tip the scales , along with background assistants if you're on a higher plan.
In professional environments, integration with Gmail, Calendar, or Slack opens up exciting possibilities. Delegating email replies, scheduling meetings, or reading team threads without leaving the workflow lays the foundation for an assistant that not only responds but also takes action.
The issue of trust remains. Local storage and sending minimal personalized data only when necessary are steps in the right direction, but the debate about broad permissions will persist, especially if automation becomes more ambitious over time.
After trying it, many agree that it's a breath of fresh air, reminiscent of what Chrome could be if it fully integrated its AI. We'll likely see Chrome evolve towards something similar , but Perplexity has taken the lead by going all in from the very beginning.
The impression Comet leaves is clear: if you're looking for real productivity and are willing to let AI assist you while browsing , it will score points against browsers that only add smart features as an add-on. If you prefer absolute manual control and zero permissions, you'll find it less distinctive.
Between its powerful modules, background assistants, and free access, Comet has gone from being an exclusive promise to an option for everyone. If its value proposition resonates with you, it's worth installing and measuring how much time it saves you in your daily routine ; few tests are more compelling than that.
