Perplexity, a rising star in AI-powered search, released Comet, its first-ever web browser. Initially available to subscribers of its Perplexity Max plan priced at $200/month, Comet is positioned as the intelligent next evolution of web navigation. Built atop Chromium, it offers familiar browsing features, such as tabs, Chrome extension support, and one-click import of bookmarks and settings, while integrating Perplexity’s conversational search engine and a dynamic AI assistant into the sidebar.
Comet isn’t a simple plugin or overlay but a whole browser experience. Users can ask questions mid-session, manage tasks like booking meetings or comparing products, and expect answers drawn from across the web, accompanied by source citations.
The sidebar assistant can see and understand the content of any active webpage, whether it’s a YouTube video, a Google Doc, or a news article, allowing you to ask questions about what you’re viewing without switching tabs or copying and pasting information. Designed for Windows and Mac, Comet will later expand to Linux, iOS, and Android.
Shifting from browsing to thinking
Perplexity describes Comet as a tool to “amplify our intelligence” rather than confuse it with more tabs or faster scrolling. Its sidebar assistant keeps track of context, so your queries about a product, article, or email carry over fluidly between pages—no need to jump between tabs or copy-paste text.
Tasks that used to require multiple tools, such as researching, summarising, emailing, managing tabs, booking meetings, comparing products, or even making purchases, can now happen in one intelligent flow. The assistant can summarise emails and calendar events, send emails on your behalf, and automate complex workflows through a conversational interface. Comet is touted to transform entire browsing sessions into single, seamless interactions.
Behind Comet: Privacy and publisher partnerships
Comet places a strong emphasis on user privacy. Personal data is stored locally and won’t be used to retrain AI models. Users can choose stricter local modes for sensitive data, such as calendar management, and multiple tracking modes offer more privacy control than many mainstream browsers. The browser also faces pressure from media companies, such as News Corp and Dow Jones, over content usage without proper licensing.
In response, Perplexity is rolling out a publisher partnership initiative, offering revenue share models for those whose content contributes to AI-generated summaries. This shift could help ease tensions and create a more sustainable future for the integration of journalism into AI systems.
The browser wars enter a new arena
Comet arrives amid heightened competition. OpenAI is reportedly preparing its AI-backed browser, which will embed ChatGPT and autonomous agents within Chromium. The Browser Company launched Dia in June with similar smart features. Google has integrated AI overviews and conversational tools directly into Chrome, while Microsoft Edge has made parallel moves.
By becoming a standalone browser rather than another extension, Perplexity is betting on deep integration and on capturing browser usage that has traditionally belonged to tech giants. In Chrome alone, over three billion users represent a massive opportunity to shift the centre of gravity in search and browsing.
Fuelled by growth and big-name investors
Perplexity itself has been on a meteoric rise. After raising $500 million in December 2024 at a $9 billion valuation, the company closed another $500 million in May 2025, a funding round that valued the business at $14 billion.
This surge followed earlier rounds (including a $73.6 million Series B in early 2024) and brought total funding to roughly $915 million over seven separate rounds. Backers include heavyweights like Accel, IVP, SoftBank Vision Fund, Nvidia, Jeff Bezos, Nat Friedman, Elad Gil, and others .
Company founders are a familiar quartet in AI startup circles: Aravind Srinivas, Denis Yarats, Andy Konwinski, and Johnny Ho, each bringing rich experience from industry labs and enterprise AI teams.
Final thoughts about Comet
Perplexity’s Comet is more than a specialised browser. It signals a bold statement: AI isn’t just reshaping search, it’s changing how we experience the web. With deep integration of natural language agents, privacy-conscious design, and strong connections to publishers, Comet aims to redefine the browsing experience.
Still, it remains a paid, invite-only offering, targeted at professionals and power users. Whether it can break loyal habits tied to free, entrenched browsers will be the test. However, with nearly $1 billion in capital, fast monthly growth, and increasing query volumes, reaching 780 million in May with over 20% month-over-month growth, Perplexity is well-equipped for the challenge.
