Perplexity AI Launches ‘Comet,’ AI Browser to Compete with Google and Microsoft

Perplexity AI on Wednesday unveiled Comet, a new AI-powered web browser aimed at reshaping how users interact with the internet and enterprise apps—marking the startup’s boldest step yet into the consumer tech space, as it squares off against giants like Google and Microsoft.

The browser, described by the company as an “intelligence amplifier,” is currently available only to Perplexity Max subscribers at $200 per month. An invite-only waitlist for broader access will gradually roll out this summer.

In a demo shared Wednesday, Comet demonstrated the ability to interact with enterprise tools like Slack, allowing users to pose complex questions via both voice and text, and receive instant answers powered by Perplexity’s AI system. Unlike traditional browsers that direct users to a search engine, Comet brings AI into the browsing layer itself—blurring the lines between exploration, assistance, and action.

“We built Comet to let the internet do what it has been begging to do: to amplify our intelligence,” the company said in a blog post, framing the browser as a next-generation tool for navigating both the open web and corporate platforms.

From Search Engine to Ecosystem

Perplexity made its name with an AI search engine that provides concise, citation-rich answers, distinguishing itself from ChatGPT and other large language model tools by focusing on real-time web results and attribution. That model came under scrutiny in 2023 when Perplexity was accused of lifting content from news organizations without permission or payment. The backlash prompted the company to introduce a revenue-sharing program for publishers, offering them a cut of revenue generated from their content.

Now, with Comet, Perplexity is expanding its offering to include a fully integrated browser, betting that users will pay a premium for a tool that fuses AI capabilities with real-time internet access and workplace productivity.

Growing Ambitions, Soaring Valuation

Wednesday’s launch comes just weeks after reports surfaced that Perplexity was in late-stage talks to raise $500 million at a valuation of $14 billion. The startup, still only a few years old, has attracted serious interest from major tech players: Meta reportedly approached Perplexity for an acquisition earlier this year, though those discussions did not result in a deal.

While Meta’s interest underpinned the strategic value of Perplexity’s AI infrastructure, the startup appears determined to chart its own course—and Comet is now at the center of that strategy.

The release of Comet coincides with growing activity in the AI browser space. OpenAI is preparing to launch its own browser in the coming weeks, aiming to challenge Google Chrome by integrating AI agents directly into the browsing experience. Others, like Brave and The Browser Company, have also launched tools that embed AI into how users search, read, and act on web content.

But Perplexity’s approach is different: Comet is not simply a smarter search bar. It’s being positioned as a hub for personal and professional productivity, leveraging AI to connect across platforms, carry out tasks, and deliver context-rich responses on demand.

In its launch announcement, the company hinted at future upgrades, saying: “We will continue to launch new features and functionality for Comet, improve experiences based on your feedback, and focus relentlessly—as we always have—on building accurate and trustworthy AI that fuels human curiosity.”

It’s too early to conclude whether Comet can compete against entrenched players like Chrome and Edge—or convince users to pay $200/month for an AI-native browser. But with its deep war chest, rising valuation, and expanding vision, Perplexity is no longer just a startup with a clever search engine. It’s now staking a claim to the future of the web itself.