Perplexity Makes Its AI-Powered Comet Browser Free for Everyone

Perplexity has released its Comet browser to the public for free. Previously exclusive to users with a paid 'Max' subscription, Comet is designed as a dedicated workspace for an AI assistant. The browser's core feature is an AI assistant integrated directly into a sidebar. This assistant can interact with webpage content to answer questions, generate concise summaries, and even autonomously follow links to find information. It supports both text and voice inputs.

For users on the premium 'Max' subscription, which costs $200 per month (approximately 16,000 Russian rubles), the company has introduced a distinct feature: a "background agent." Its key advantage is the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously without direct user supervision. For instance, it can draft an email while simultaneously finding and adding concert tickets to a shopping cart. Users can manage these tasks and track their status via a dedicated panel, and the agent sends a notification upon completion.

Looking ahead, Perplexity plans to launch a separate service called Comet Plus, an AI-driven alternative to Apple News. Priced at $5 per month, it will be automatically included at no extra cost for current Pro and Max subscribers. The free version of the Comet browser is now available for download on Windows and macOS from the official website.

The market is seeing a growing number of browsers attempting to deeply integrate artificial intelligence into the web browsing experience. In recent months, companies like OpenAI, The Browser Company, and Google have all announced similar products, signaling the emergence of a new segment of "AI-native browsers."

However, monetization strategies vary significantly between companies. For example, the recently launched Opera Neon browser is positioned as a paid product from the start, requiring a monthly subscription. Its AI assistant, which automates actions on websites, and its data tools are locked behind this paywall. In this context, Perplexity's decision to offer a free base version of Comet appears to be a strategic move to capture a broad user base with a freemium model.