- Perplexity releases Comet for any free account, after months of limited access.
- The free version will have usage limits; advanced features like Background Assistants and Email Assistant are reserved for Pro/Max plans.
- Comet Plus costs $5/month and includes content from outlets like CNN and The Washington Post; it's included with Pro and Max.
- Based on Chromium and powered by Perplexity as the answer engine, it's available on Windows and macOS, with a mobile version on the way.
Perplexity has decided to open the doors of its AI-powered browser wide open: Comet is now available for free to everyoneUntil now, its use had been linked to high-level paid subscriptions or invitations, which significantly limited its adoption.
With the new approach, anyone with an account can download it and start using it for free. The company says the goal is to bring more useful and direct navigation, supported by responses with sources, summaries and contextual actions, and compete with consolidated proposals such as Chrome or Edge.
Comet Free: What Changes and How to Navigate
Comet is built on Chromium, so it's familiar in design and compatible with extensions Popular. The difference isn't in the form, but in the substance: the browser integrates Perplexity as an answer engine, so each search is interpreted as a prompt and returns synthesized information with links to the original sources.
The assistant lives in a sidebar always available and understands the context of what you're seeing. You can ask it to summarize a page, translate an article, extract key data, or follow links for you without opening additional tabs, all using natural language.
Another key piece is memory: Comet remembers what you've already consulted and can retrieve information from your history when you need it. It also integrates tools like Discover (content recommendations) and Spaces (project organization) to group queries, notes, and resources.
Beyond searching, the assistant can help with everyday tasks: Compare prices, prepare trips, manage finances or dictate queries by voiceThe idea is for the browser to accompany the user and reduce steps, without complicating things with a thousand tabs or menus.
Plans, extras and availability
Free access comes with certain usage limitations to ensure performance, but maintains the core assistant experience. For those who need to go a step further, Perplexity reserves several advanced features for its paid plans: Background Assistants can run multiple tasks in parallel in the background, and the Email Assistant helps you compose and manage emails without leaving your browser.
In the content section, the company launches Comet Plus, a $5-a-month add-on that offers a selection of news and features from prestigious media outlets such as CNN, The Washington Post or Condé Nast, among others. This package is included at no additional cost for Pro and Max plan users.
As for platforms, Comet is now available for download on desktop for Windows and macOS from perplexity.ai/cometThe mobile version is in development and will be available later, with a phone-adapted assistant and a focus on reducing the noise typical of smartphone browsing.
Like any AI-powered service, there's some fine print: data access permissions and the privacy management will be keyThe company assures that it is committed to responsible and transparent use, and reminds that responses include sources to facilitate cross-checking of information.
The move fits into a broader race: traditional browsers integrate AI functions (like Google's AI mode in Chrome), and other players are exploring subscription models. In contrast, Comet seeks to differentiate itself with free access and a "conversational search" experience that blends navigation and an assistant.
With this launch, Perplexity aims to encourage more users to try a browser that combines classic tabs and contextual help. If the proposal succeeds and maintains the bar in privacy, stability and quality of sourcesComet could become a force to be reckoned with in the new era of the AI-powered web.
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