Perplexity has expanded access to its AI browser Comet, making it available to all users at no cost. Alongside this move, the company introduced Comet Plus, a new subscription tier priced at $5 per month. Pro and Max subscribers will receive Comet Plus for free, making the offering more inclusive while building on its initial premium launch.
The announcement marks a major shift for Perplexity, positioning Comet as a strong contender in the rapidly heating AI browser market.
From Exclusive to Open Access
When Comet was first unveiled in July, it was available exclusively to Perplexity Max subscribers at a steep price of $200 per month. The limited launch drew immense interest, with CEO Aravind Srinivas revealing that an initial waitlist of 460,000 users ballooned into millions eager to try the browser.
Now, with the free release, Perplexity is opening the doors wide, aiming to compete with upcoming AI-powered platforms.
Comet Plus: News and Publishers on Board
The new Comet Plus tier is designed to transform the browser into a central hub for news and curated information. It has already attracted a lineup of prestigious media partners, including:
- CNN
- Condé Nast
- The Washington Post
- Los Angeles Times
- Fortune
- Le Monde
- Le Figaro
With this roster, Perplexity is positioning Comet Plus as a direct alternative to Apple News, but powered by AI’s ability to personalize, summarize, and deliver context-rich content.
Background Assistant: A Step Beyond Browsing
Alongside Comet Plus, Perplexity introduced a feature called Background Assistant. This tool allows Comet to work on tasks across multiple apps while the user is away—searching, summarizing, and even drafting emails autonomously.
This makes Comet more than just an AI-enhanced browser; it becomes a productivity companion capable of handling complex workflows without constant user input.
The Race for AI Browsers Heats Up
The launch comes at a time when competition in the AI browser market is accelerating. Just days ago, Opera introduced Neon, an AI browser that can run code and perform automated tasks. Meanwhile, OpenAI is expected to unveil its own browser soon, further raising the stakes in this fast-evolving space.
Perplexity’s move to democratize Comet while offering an affordable premium option may give it a first-mover advantage in winning mainstream adoption.
