In July 2025, Perplexity AI introduced Comet, a groundbreaking web browser designed to fundamentally reshape how we interact with the internet. Unlike traditional browsers, Comet infuses artificial intelligence at its core, promising not just faster browsing—but a true partnership between user and machine. Here’s a deep dive into what makes Comet unique and how it works.
Comet is an advanced browser built on the Chromium framework, instantly familiar to anyone who has used Chrome, Edge, or Brave. But under the hood, Comet is radically different. It employs Perplexity’s state-of-the-art AI to transform the browser from a passive tool into an “agentic” partner: one that understands your intent, provides answers on the fly, automates routine tasks, and orchestrates multi-step workflows—all within your browser window.
Core Features and Capabilities
- Integrated AI Search
Unlike regular browsers that rely on classical search engines delivering pages of links, Comet’s default search is powered by Perplexity’s answer engine. Enter a question or highlight any text, and the browser delivers concise, sourced explanations or full summaries—no need to sift through numerous tabs or websites. - Contextual Sidebar Assistant
Comet features a persistent AI assistant docked as a sidebar or “sidecar” on any page. This assistant is context-aware: it can summarize articles, explain videos, extract actionable steps from what you’re reading, and answer questions about what’s currently visible—removing the friction from information gathering. - Workflow Automation
The true promise of Comet is automation. Ask Comet to compare insurance plans, summarize your inbox, find and book a hotel, or even send emails and schedule meetings. The assistant draws on your browsing context (sometimes even your emails and calendar, if you allow access), detects your intent, and executes complex, multi-step workflows—turning research, comparison, and decision-making into a natural conversation. - Agentic Browsing
Agentic technology means Comet can act on your behalf, not just answer questions. The browser might navigate to pages, fill forms, manage tabs, and organize information around projects. For example, if you need to research a purchase, it can search, compare options, and even help finalize the transaction—all by describing what you need in plain language. - Personalization and Learning
Comet is designed to learn from your habits, preferences, and repeated workflows. Over time, it predicts your needs, offers proactive suggestions, and adapts its automation to streamline your daily browsing—making it more effective the longer you use it.
How It Works
- Local and Cloud AI
Page rendering and navigation happen locally on your device, ensuring speed and privacy. Advanced AI features—like summarization, contextual assistance, and workflow automation—are powered by Perplexity’s secure cloud infrastructure, balancing privacy protection and AI sophistication. - Natural Language Interactions
You interact with Comet much as you would with a human assistant. Highlight text, use voice commands, or type natural-language instructions: “Find the best deals on flights,” or “Summarize this research paper.” Comet parses intent, consults vast sources, and presents actionable results within seconds. - Privacy and Transparency
AI-driven analysis raises privacy concerns, and Perplexity emphasizes explicit consent and robust privacy settings. Data used for task automation or summarization is protected—and users control what access Comet has to their emails, calendar, or browsing data.
Real-World Impact and Reception
Early reviews highlight Comet’s ability to collapse complex information tasks—comparison shopping, in-depth research, or content summarization—into quick, seamless interactions that save hours per week. The sidebar assistant is a standout, making every page interactive and keeping context across tabs and sessions. However, as with any new tech, some features (like deeper agentic actions) are still maturing and not every task can yet be fully automated.
Availability
As of July 2025, Comet is gradually rolling out to Perplexity Max subscribers and to those on the waitlist. The pace will increase as new features are tested and more users are onboarded. Those eager to try this paradigm shift in browsing can join the waitlist for access.
Conclusion
Comet by Perplexity signals a new era for browsers: moving from static “windows to the web” to dynamic, AI-powered copilots for the digital world. Whether it’s research, productivity, automating tedious workflows, or simply finding reliable answers faster, Comet aspires to make the internet feel like an extension of your own mind.
