News

Comet Goes Free: Perplexity Widens AI Browser Push Against Chrome

• By John K. Waters
• 10/02/2025

Artificial intelligence startup Perplexity announced on Wednesday that it is making its Comet web browser available for free to users worldwide, ending a subscription model that had previously restricted access since its July launch.

The San Francisco-based company, which markets itself as a challenger to Google and other established players in search and browsing, described the move as a way to broaden adoption of its "agentic AI experience."

From premium to free

Comet first became available to subscribers of Perplexity’s $200-per-month Max plan in July; it was later extended to a smaller group of Pro-tier customers and invitees from what the company said grew into a waitlist numbering in the millions. No free version was offered until now.

The browser integrates Perplexity’s AI search tools with an on-screen assistant designed to accompany users across the web rather than functioning as a plug-in or add-on. The assistant can answer questions about the page being viewed, summarize articles, and manage content. It can also assist with tasks such as comparing shopping options, planning trips, and organizing projects.

New content and features

The free release coincides with an expansion of Comet Plus, a curated news service introduced in August at $5 per month. Users of Perplexity’s Pro and Max plans will receive it at no extra cost, while others can subscribe separately.

Launch partners include CNN, Condé Nast, Fortune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, the Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post. Perplexity has previously compared the service to Apple’s Apple News+.

Max subscribers are also gaining access to a new "background assistant" that can execute multiple tasks simultaneously, such as drafting emails, booking flights, and adding event tickets to a shopping cart. Progress is displayed in a central dashboard, and users are notified once tasks are completed.

Competitive landscape

The rollout comes as technology companies move to embed AI more deeply into internet access tools. Google has integrated its Gemini AI into Chrome. The Browser Company is adding its assistant, Dia, to the Arc browser, and Opera recently launched an AI browser, Neon. OpenAI is also reportedly preparing its own AI-powered browser, expected to launch in the coming weeks.

Perplexity’s broader strategy

Founded in 2022, Perplexity has positioned itself as a specialist in conversational AI search. Its core service competes with Google Search and Microsoft’s Copilot by generating direct answers to user queries rather than returning a list of links.

The company has raised significant funding from investors, including IVP and NVIDIA, as previously disclosed. Analysts view Perplexity as seeking to create an AI-native information ecosystem by combining search, browsing, and productivity tools into a single package. Making Comet free is a bet on seeding a user base that may later convert to paid tiers.

Market dynamics and challenges ahead

Google Chrome continues to dominate global browsing, accounting for roughly two-thirds of usage across devices. Other browsers, including Safari, Edge, Firefox, and Opera, split the remaining share.

Analysts warn that dislodging entrenched incumbents will demand not just novelty, but consistent utility, reliability, and trust. AI browsers must prove they do more than present an alluring headline feature: users will need a compelling reason to switch from familiar interfaces and ecosystems tied into extensions, accounts, and workflows.

Regulatory pressure may also reshape the contest. Google is under scrutiny for its dominance in search and browser ecosystems, and new entrants could gain traction if regulators push for more openness in how default browsers and search engines are bundled.

For now, Perplexity’s move signals an intensification of competition in what had been a relatively stable domain. Whether Comet can convert curiosity into sustained usage — and ultimately revenue — remains a test of both engineering and market positioning.