Perplexity AI has expanded access to its Comet browser, first launched in July 2025 exclusively for its $200 per month “Max” subscribers. The browser is now available free of charge to all users, following what the company described as overwhelming demand, with “millions” joining its waitlist.

The free desktop version is currently downloadable via Perplexity’s website, with mobile apps for iOS and Android promised in the coming months. Paying users under Pro and Max plans continue to receive advanced tools, including a “Background Assistant” capable of running asynchronous tasks. Additionally, a separate $5 monthly subscription called Comet Plus provides curated content from media outlets such as CNN, The Washington Post, and Condé Nast, though this is not part of the free tier.

Perplexity has positioned Comet as a tool that integrates productivity, intelligent search, and AI-powered assistance within a single browser. However, critics point out that key features remain locked behind subscriptions, and the product’s long-term success will depend on performance, privacy safeguards, and whether it can lure users away from established platforms like Chrome.

The release comes amid intensifying competition in AI-driven browsing. Google is embedding its Gemini AI into Chrome, The Browser Company is testing “Dia,” Opera has rolled out Neon, and Microsoft’s Edge is integrating Copilot with GPT-5 support.

Attention now shifts to OpenAI’s DevDay 2025, scheduled for 6 October in San Francisco. Analysts and AI watchers expect the event to showcase GPT-5’s capabilities and possibly unveil a ChatGPT-powered browser, codenamed “Aura” or “Orla.” If launched, such a browser would mark a significant step towards conversational, AI-native web experiences, with features including task automation, deep summarisation, and commerce integration.

While expectations are high, concerns also loom. Cybersecurity experts warn that AI browsers present new risks, from prompt injection attacks to credential theft. Data privacy and the potential for AI “hallucinations” further complicate the picture.

The race for dominance in this emerging field is expected to reshape the competitive AI landscape, disrupt search advertising models, and redefine how users interact with the internet — potentially echoing the seismic impact of Google Chrome’s launch in 2008.