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Perplexity announces free access to the Comet AI Browser for all users
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Perplexity Opens Comet AI Browser to All Users for Free

Luca Fischer
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Comet Browser Becomes Free for All Users

Perplexity released Comet browser globally without charge on October 2, 2025, ending limited Max subscriber access.

  • Comet released free worldwide on October second
  • Million users joined waitlist during limited access
  • Download available at perplexity dot ai slash comet
  • Sidecar assistant operates in every browser tab
  • Max subscribers get Background Assistants for tasks
  • Chromium based browser supports extensions and bookmarks
  • Mobile versions with voice features under development
  • AI browser market features competition from Google

Perplexity released its Comet browser to all users worldwide on October 2, 2025, ending a three month limited access period that began in July. The browser is now available for free desktop download with no subscription or waitlist requirement [1].

Comet Browser Becomes Publicly Available

Perplexity made Comet freely accessible after millions of users joined waitlists during the limited release. The browser had previously been exclusive to Max subscribers paying $200 per month. Data from the limited period showed users asked between 6 and 18 times more questions on their first day after downloading Comet [2].

Desktop Platforms and Mobile Development

The free release supports Windows 10, Windows 11, and macOS devices. Users can download Comet directly from perplexity.ai/comet. Mobile applications for iOS and Android are under development with voice interaction features planned for future releases [3].

AI Assistant Integration and Features

Comet includes a sidecar assistant that appears in every browser tab. The assistant answers questions about web pages, summarizes content, and navigates sites on behalf of users. Built on the Chromium framework, Comet supports standard browser extensions and bookmarks while adding AI capabilities [4].

Max subscribers receive access to Background Assistants that operate asynchronously to complete multiple tasks simultaneously. All users can access tools including Discover for personalized content, Spaces for project organization, Shopping for price comparisons, and Travel for destination information [5].

Competition in AI Browser Market

The free release positions Comet against established browsers and new AI powered competitors. Context for the competitive landscape includes:

  • Google integrated Gemini AI into Chrome in September 2025 [6]
  • Anthropic launched browser based AI agent features in August 2025 [7]
  • OpenAI released Operator browser agent in January 2025 [8]
  • The Browser Company announced Dia AI browser for testing [9]
  • Opera shipped Neon with local agent workflows [10]

Productivity and Economic Impact Claims

Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas stated that Comet could reduce hiring needs for businesses by supplementing existing team productivity. He estimated the productivity gains could be worth $10,000 per year per person. Srinivas claimed that a 20 percent efficiency gain from tools like Comet could add $5 trillion to gross domestic product, based on human digital knowledge work contributing approximately $25 trillion to GDP [11].

Comet entered a market where major technology companies plan to spend up to $320 billion on AI technologies and datacenter expansions in 2025 [12].

Luca Fischer

Luca Fischer

Senior Technology Journalist

United States – New York Tech

Luca Fischer is a senior technology journalist with more than twelve years of professional experience specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics. He earned his M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2011, where he developed a strong foundation in data science and network security before transitioning into tech media. Throughout his career, Luca has been recognized for his clear, analytical approach to explaining complex technologies. His in-depth articles explore how AI innovations, privacy frameworks, and next-generation devices impact both industry and society. Luca’s work has appeared across leading digital publications, where he delivers detailed reviews, investigative reports, and feature analyses on major players such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity AI. Beyond writing, he mentors young journalists entering the AI-tech field and advocates for transparent, ethical technology communication. His goal is to make the future of technology understandable and responsible for everyone.

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Mashable.com is a global, multi-platform media and entertainment company that provides news and articles on digital culture, technology, and entertainment. It is known for covering topics like the creator economy, internet trends, social media, and the technology that powers them. Founded in 2005 by Pete Cashmore, Mashable targets an audience described as "superfans" of culture and tech.

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Elena Voren

Elena Voren

Senior Editor

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Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting. She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior. Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards. Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.

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Updates

Editorial Timeline

Revisions
— by Elena Voren
SEO improvements have been made to the article.
— by Nodin Laramie
  1. Rewrote entire article with verified information from October 8 to October 12 2025
  2. Updated headline to reflect current accessibility status of Comet browser
  3. Added comprehensive coverage of Background Assistants for Max subscribers
  4. Included competitive landscape analysis with Google Gemini Anthropic OpenAI Opera
  5. Integrated CEO Aravind Srinivas productivity impact claims and GDP estimates
  6. Expanded platform availability details for Windows macOS and mobile development
  7. Added twelve unique authoritative sources with proper citation formatting
  8. Restructured content into HTML format with proper headings and bullet list
  9. Updated meta box fields including TLDR headline summary key points FAQ
  10. Enhanced FAQ section with three detailed questions and comprehensive answers

Correction Record

Accountability
— by Nodin Laramie
  1. Corrected Comet browser release date from July 2025 to October 2 2025
  2. Updated pricing information to reflect free availability for all users
  3. Fixed subscription requirement details as no subscription is now needed
  4. Corrected platform availability to include Windows 10 Windows 11 and macOS

FAQ

What operating systems support Comet?

Comet supports Windows 10, Windows 11, and macOS.

Can Comet browser run on mobile devices?

Mobile applications for iOS and Android are currently under development. The release includes voice interaction features planned for future versions. Desktop applications are available now for Windows 10, Windows 11, and macOS.

What features does Comet browser offer?

Comet includes a sidecar assistant in every tab that answers questions, summarizes content, and navigates websites. It supports browser extensions and bookmarks. Max subscribers receive Background Assistants for asynchronous task completion. All users access Discover, Spaces, Shopping, Travel, Finance, and Sports tools.

Tags

Android Anthropic Google OpenAI Perplexity Windows

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Table of Contents

Comet Browser Becomes Publicly AvailableDesktop Platforms and Mobile DevelopmentAI Assistant Integration and FeaturesCompetition in AI Browser MarketProductivity and Economic Impact Claims