Perplexity Launches Comet: An AI-Powered Web Browser 혁신적인 AI 기반 웹 브라우저, Comet을 소개합니다

On Wednesday, Perplexity unveiled its inaugural AI-driven web browser, named Comet, representing the startup’s latest attempt to rival Google Search as the primary method for online information discovery.

At launch, Comet will initially be available to subscribers of Perplexity’s $200-per-month Max plan, along with a select group of invitees who registered for a waitlist.

Here’s what a new tab looks like for me on Comet
Image Credits: Screengrab/Maxwell Zeff / Perplexity

Comet’s standout feature is Perplexity’s AI search engine, which is pre-installed and set as the default, bringing the company’s core product — AI-generated summaries of search results — to the forefront.

Users can also utilize Comet Assistant, a new AI agent embedded in the web browser designed to automate everyday tasks. Perplexity claims the assistant can summarize emails and calendar events, manage tabs, and navigate web pages on users’ behalf. Users can interact with Comet Assistant by opening a sidebar on any web page, which allows the AI agent to view the content and respond to inquiries regarding it.

Comet Assistant in your email inbox
Image Credits: Perplexity

Perplexity has recently rolled out several products and initiatives, but none seem as significant as Comet. The company’s CEO, Aravind Srinivas, has heavily promoted Comet’s launch, likely seeing it as essential in Perplexity’s competition with Google.

Through Comet, Perplexity aims to engage users directly without relying on Google Chrome, the current leading browser. While AI-powered browsers are unfamiliar territory for many users, Google appears to be betting on this trend: The search giant has integrated several AI features into Chrome recently, not to mention AI mode, an AI search product reminiscent of Perplexity’s offerings.

Srinivas stated in March that his objective with Comet was to “develop an operating system through which you can accomplish almost everything,” enabling Perplexity’s AI to assist users across various apps and websites. Establishing itself as the default browser could lead to “infinite retention,” Srinivas explained in June, potentially resulting in increased requests on Perplexity.

Perplexity’s Comet Assistant can open new tabs for you
Image Credits: Perplexity

However, Comet is entering a competitive space. While Google Chrome and Apple’s Safari dominate the market, The Browser Company launched the AI-driven browser, Dia, in June, which shares many features with Comet. OpenAI has also considered launching its own browser as a rival to Google, hiring key members from the original Google Chrome team over the past year.

Comet could gain an early advantage in the browser competition if a significant number of Perplexity users adopt the product. Srinivas recently mentioned that Perplexity recorded 780 million queries in May 2025, with the company’s search products experiencing over 20% month-over-month growth.

Competing with Google Search is a formidable challenge, but Perplexity seems to be on the right track by introducing its own browser. Nonetheless, the startup may find persuading users to switch browsers more difficult than convincing them to move away from Google Search.

Hands on with Comet

The most notable feature of this browser appears to be Comet Assistant. During testing, we found Comet’s AI agent to be surprisingly effective for simple tasks, though it struggled with more complex requests. Making full use of Comet Assistant also requires granting an excessive level of access to Perplexity.

My preferred method for utilizing Comet Assistant so far is loading it in the sidebar while browsing the web. Perplexity’s on-browser AI agent can automatically recognize what I’m viewing, allowing me to ask questions without needing to open a new window or copy and paste text or links. It’s right there with the necessary context for what I’m looking at.

Comet Assistant can view your web page
Image Credits: Perplexity

Comet Assistant successfully answered questions about social media posts, YouTube videos, and even phrases I just wrote in a Google Doc. I anticipate this will enhance workflows for millions of people who constantly send screenshots, files, and links to ChatGPT.

Next, I tested Comet Assistant’s ability to browse my Google Calendar. However, before proceeding, I had to provide Perplexity with extensive access to my Google Account — quite a substantial amount. Just look at how extensive this list is.

Image Credits: Screengrab/Maxwell Zeff / Perplexity

Personally, granting Perplexity permissions to view my screen, send emails, check my contacts, and add events to my Calendar raised some concerns. Nevertheless, it seems AI agents require this level of access to be effective.

Despite this, Comet Assistant performed reasonably well when checking my Calendar. It alerted me about upcoming events and provided suggestions on when to leave, as well as how to navigate public transit to attend those events.

The assistant also managed to summarize emails I received that morning from significant senders — in my case, notable startups and tech companies with upcoming announcements. I’ve noticed that AI agents generally struggle with identifying important emails, but Comet Assistant performed admirably.

However, Comet Assistant falters with more complex tasks. For instance, I requested help finding a long-term parking spot at the San Francisco airport for an upcoming trip, specifically looking for locations with favorable reviews costing less than $15 a day.

The assistant provided several options that seemed to fit my criteria, so I asked it to book me a spot at one of the locations for my travel dates. The agent navigated the parking lot’s website, inputting dates and even some of my information, then prompted me to review what it had done and proceed with checkout.

Ultimately, Comet Assistant faltered and entered incorrect dates, later stating that my desired dates were booked but still prompting me to complete the checkout process. I had to clarify to the AI agent that the dates were not flexible and asked it to locate another option. It encountered the same problem again.

AI agents that make critical errors like this are hardly new. My experiences with OpenAI’s agent, Operator, and Perplexity’s previous shopping assistant yielded similar outcomes. Clearly, hallucinations impede these products from becoming reliable tools. Until AI companies can resolve this issue, AI agents will remain a novelty for complex tasks.

Nevertheless, Comet appears to introduce some fresh functionalities that may grant Perplexity an advantage over competitors in the current browser landscape.