After initially arriving in the hands of a small group of consumers who were willing to invest hundreds of dollars each month for privileged early access, Perplexity’s ambitious agent-driven AI browser, known as Comet, has now been opened up to the general public without any financial barrier at all. The company makes a bold promise with this move, publicly declaring that Comet will remain cost-free indefinitely. In doing so, Perplexity explicitly positions its browser not as a modest alternative, but as a direct and formidable rival to Google’s heavily entrenched Chrome, emphasizing a vision of an internet that they insist is both more intuitive and more empowering when accessed through their technology.
At the very heart of Comet’s design lies the seamless integration of advanced artificial intelligence capabilities. Unlike conventional browsers that treat AI as a peripheral extension or an optional plugin, Comet weaves intelligent systems directly into the browsing framework. This means that Perplexity’s proprietary AI search mechanisms are embedded from the ground up, complemented by a personal digital assistant described by the company as one that truly “travels alongside” the user throughout their journeys online. Rather than being an add-on bolted awkwardly onto an existing structure, AI is presented here as an inseparable companion, reshaping the entire online experience. The purpose is multifaceted: simplifying navigation across the web, assisting with routine but often time-consuming undertakings such as managing online purchases, arranging travel logistics, or tackling the countless smaller organizational tasks that make up day-to-day life. The overarching promise, reiterated by the company in its own words, is that users will be enabled to “get more done” with considerably less friction.
Comet was first introduced to the market in July, though access at that stage was tightly restricted. Initially, only individuals subscribed to Perplexity Max — a premium plan carrying a strikingly high price tag of $200 per month — were permitted to use the tool. Subsequently, eligibility was broadened somewhat, with “select” members of the less costly Pro plan and certain handpicked individuals drawn from a waitlist, which the company claims has grown to encompass millions, gaining entry. With the current announcement, however, that exclusivity has been eliminated: every interested individual may download and use Comet without subscription fees of any kind, signifying a dramatic democratization of the technology.
In tandem with the browser’s universal release, Perplexity is also unlocking its Comet Plus content initiative at no charge. This program, which only a short time ago debuted as a standalone subscription priced at five dollars per month, offers carefully curated streams of news and information. Chief executive Aravind Srinivas has rendered a comparison between this model and Apple’s Apple News+, suggesting that it aims to provide a similarly polished and coherent experience, blending AI-driven efficiency with professional editorial curation.
Perplexity’s effort to transform web browsing through artificial intelligence does not exist in isolation, nor can it be viewed as an outlier within the industry. Competing technology giants and independent innovators alike are accelerating their own explorations of AI-driven internet tools. Google, for instance, has woven its Gemini model directly into Chrome, creating a more intelligent environment within its established ecosystem. Meanwhile, the team behind the Arc browser, developed by The Browser Company, has gone all-in with its proprietary AI engine known as Dia, while Opera recently entered the fray with the launch of Neon, its own specialized AI-centric browser. Taken together, these developments highlight an emerging consensus within the technology sector: the future of internet exploration is almost certain to be guided — if not fundamentally redefined — by artificial intelligence.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/790419/perplexity-comet-available-everyone-free
