Comet

Comet is Perplexity’s Chromium-based browser, with an assistant that can answer questions about open tabs and act on websites. It suits readers who want AI help alongside everyday browsing; its appeal depends on how much they value page-aware assistance and accept its handling of page context.

Overview

Comet pairs a conventional browser with an assistant for both research and practical tasks. It can summarize or explain content, compare information across tabs, search the web, and interact with websites on the user’s behalf. That makes it more useful than a browser that confines AI to a separate chat window, particularly when a task depends on what is already open.

Perplexity is the default search engine. Comet also includes ad blocking, cross-device sync, and support for most Chrome extensions. The trade-off for switching browsers is that Chrome extensions and their data do not come along: each extension must be installed and configured again.

Key features

Page-aware assistance

Comet Assistant can work with open-tab context, answer questions, and search the web. Its examples extend to drafting emails, scheduling meetings, and making purchases. These capabilities suit users who want help moving from finding information to acting on it, but consequential actions still call for attention: Comet says users can stop the agent at any time and should review actions before confirming them.

Connected services and privacy

Email and schedule tasks may require opting in to Perplexity Connector access to third-party services. Those permissions can later be changed or revoked in Perplexity settings. Comet stores browsing data—including URLs, searches, cookies, open tabs, and site permissions—locally on the device; website passwords and credit cards are kept in the device’s secure vault, not on Perplexity’s servers. Users can delete browsing and search history, cookies, and cached data in Comet’s privacy settings.

Those controls do not mean page context always stays on-device. Comet may process page content, including text or email, on Perplexity’s servers when needed to answer a query. Readers uncomfortable with that possibility should be cautious about using the assistant on sensitive pages.

Extensions and enterprise controls

Chrome extension support eases the move for users with established browser workflows, but reinstalling and reconfiguring extensions adds setup work. Enterprise deployments add MDM support on macOS and Windows and configuration of more than 500 Chromium-based policies, making Comet a more plausible fit for managed environments than its consumer focus alone might suggest.

Pricing

Comet is free to download, with a free plan listed as free. It is the straightforward choice for individuals who want its browser and assistant without a subscription. No paid Comet plan is described here, so there is no higher tier to weigh against the free option.

Platforms

Comet is available on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. Its Chromium engine, Chrome extension support, and cross-device sync make it a practical option for users who browse across those platforms, though extensions must be set up again rather than migrated from Chrome.

Who it's for

Comet is best suited to people who regularly compare sources, ask questions about pages they are reading, or want an assistant to help with web-based tasks. It is less suitable for readers who want page content to remain entirely local when using AI, or who depend on a fully transferred Chrome setup.

Pros and cons

• Pros: The assistant can use open-tab context, compare information across tabs, and help with tasks such as drafting emails and scheduling.
• Pros: Free access, ad blocking, cross-device sync, and Chrome extension support cover several everyday browsing needs without a listed subscription cost.
• Pros: Local browsing-data storage, secure-vault credentials, and controls for deleting history and cache give users specific privacy tools.
• Cons: Page context, including text or email, may be processed on Perplexity’s servers to fulfill a query.
• Cons: Chrome extensions need to be reinstalled and configured, and their existing data does not transfer.
• Cons: Website actions require user oversight; users should review them before confirmation.

Alternatives

For another free browser with AI, Norton Neo includes unlimited AI and offers a VPN allowance of 5 GB per month, or unlimited VPN when it is the default browser. Mind Browser is a better fit for readers who prioritize no account and no telemetry; its AI agents require the user’s model or Ollama.

Genspark AI Browser suits readers who want on-device AI, with a free plan offering 169 open-weight models and no internet requirement or usage limits. Tandem Browser is a free, open-source option for readers who prefer that combination.

BrowserOS is another free, open-source choice, with built-in AI agents and support for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Dia is worth considering on macOS if a free browser without AI features is preferable.

Fellou offers a free plan with a 1,000-Sparks new-user bonus, approximately four tasks, and two scheduled tasks. Tabbit is an alternative for macOS and Windows users who want a free basic plan with default-model chats and no scheduled tasks.

Explore more options in AI Browsers, Web browsers, and AI Browser Agents.

Verdict

Choose Comet if you want a free Chromium browser whose assistant can work with the pages and tabs you are already using. That context-aware help is its clearest reason to switch; the reasons to look elsewhere are the possibility of server-side page processing and the work of rebuilding a Chrome extension setup.