Perplexity AI has surprised the tech world by making its Comet browser free to use worldwide.
The tool was previously priced at $200 a month and launched in July exclusively for Perplexity Max subscribers.
Unlike traditional browsers, Comet is designed as a personal AI assistant.
It can organize tabs, draft emails, shop online, and handle everyday digital tasks — going far beyond just surfing the web.
Taking On Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic
The launch comes at a time when big tech companies are racing to build AI into browsers.
Google recently integrated Gemini into Chrome, Anthropic introduced its own agent in August, and OpenAI unveiled Operator earlier this year.
Perplexity has been vocal about its ambition to challenge these giants.
In August, it even made headlines with a bold $34.5 billion unsolicited bid for Chrome — a move many saw as unrealistic, but one that highlighted the company’s aggressive vision.
Features, Publishers, and What’s Next
Perplexity is already known for its AI-powered search engine that blends answers with links to original sources.
After criticism for using publisher content without credit, it introduced a revenue-sharing model in 2024.
Now, through Comet Plus, users can access premium content from top outlets like CNN, The Washington Post, Condé Nast, Fortune, Le Monde, and more.
Looking ahead, Perplexity plans to add a mobile version of Comet and a Background Assistant that can run multiple tasks at once, even when you’re busy with something else.
The Big Question: Will Users Switch?
By removing the paywall, Perplexity is making Comet more accessible and positioning it as a mainstream alternative.
But with Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic already integrated into users’ daily digital habits, the real challenge is clear:
