Perplexity has just launched Comet, an AI-native browser that fuses powerful agentic capabilities with a Chromium foundation. Unlike plugins or AI overlays, Comet rethinks the entire browsing experience—from search and tab management to task execution and content interaction.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Comet isn’t just another Chrome clone. It’s built for an era where AI agents assist—not just observe—your online behavior. While other browsers add generative AI as a feature, Comet puts it at the core of the experience.
Perplexity calls it a "thought partner", not a passive search engine.
| Feature | Chrome | Arc | Comet |
| AI-Native Sidebar | No | Basic | Built-in agent |
| Task Automation | No | No | Book, summarize, buy |
| Context Awareness | No | Partial | Fully page-aware |
| Local Privacy Controls | Limited | Mixed | Data stays local |
| Default AI Search | No | No | Perplexity Answers |
Comet isn’t just faster. It’s smarter—capable of executing real actions based on what you’re reading or asking.
The browser is designed around intent-based interaction:
No need to jump tabs or copy-paste. The assistant understands your goals, not just your clicks.
This lets Comet move beyond ChatGPT-like answers into real action execution.
In early demos, users report fewer open tabs, faster completion of tasks, and “less mental load” compared to traditional tab-jumping.
With growing AI backlash, Perplexity emphasizes privacy:
As reported by Reuters, this move follows criticism of AI models scraping unlicensed content.
Comet is not a general-use browser—yet.
It’s built for:
For now, casual users may find it overkill. But for the right user base, it’s a productivity amplifier.
Comet Assistant
A real-time AI sidekick that answers questions about your active page, handles tasks, and summarizes dense content.
Perplexity Search
Built-in AI search that provides direct, factual answers—no 10 blue links or SEO traps.
Agentic Workflow Execution
The AI can handle full tasks: comparing hotels, booking reservations, or even summarizing legal PDFs while you browse.
Context-Awareness
Knows what’s on screen, understands your tabs, and adjusts suggestions based on real-time content.
While Chrome dominates market share, Comet's entry signals a paradigm shift:
Backed by Nvidia, Jeff Bezos, and SoftBank, Perplexity isn’t just competing—it’s aiming to redefine what the browser is.
Pros: Fewer tabs, less searching, deeper focus, real-time assistance
Cons: High entry cost, occasional lag in agent execution, limited integrations
Opportunities: Mobile rollout, native app integration, group collaboration via shared agents
Comet doesn’t just answer queries—it thinks with you. It's a browser for people tired of juggling tabs, drowning in search results, and clicking through noise. For those willing to pay and adapt, it offers a glimpse into the next phase of human-computer interaction.
But make no mistake: this is not Chrome with AI on top. It’s something different. And whether it becomes mainstream or remains a power-user tool, Comet has set a new bar.
I love the features of Comet, but the $200/month subscription feels steep, especially since it’s only available for Perplexity Max members right now. I really wanted to try it out, but the limited access is frustrating. Hopefully, they make it available to more people soon.
Sarah Lee
Jul 11, 2025Switching to Comet was so easy! Since it’s based on Chromium, I imported all my bookmarks and extensions in one go. The Comet Assistant is always there in the sidebar, helping me stay on track. It’s perfect for writing emails, researching, and even scheduling meetings.