Perplexity opened its Comet AI browser to everyone for free. You get the sidecar assistant plus built-in tools for Discover, Spaces, Shopping, Travel, Finance, and Sports. Paid users unlock stronger models, file analysis, and, at the top tier, a new Background Assistant that runs tasks in parallel while you work. The big question is simple: does it save time in your real workflow, not just a demo?
What just launched
Free tier
Comet is now a global free download. The headline feature is the “sidecar” assistant that sits next to whatever you’re viewing. Ask it to summarize a page, extract the key details, compare sources, or navigate a site for you. Free users also see the suite of tools inside the browser: Discover for tailored reading, Spaces for projects, plus Shopping, Travel, Finance, and Sports modules. There may be rate limits depending on load.
Pro and Max
Pro ($20/month) adds higher-end models, image/video generation, and file uploads for analysis. Max ($200/month) is where the serious automation lives. You get the Email Assistant that drafts in your tone, organizes threads, and books meetings. Max also gets early access to new features, including the new Background Assistant described below.
Comet Plus ($5/month)
Comet Plus is essentially a premium news bundle inside Comet. Think of it as an AI-enhanced reader that pulls from participating publishers while sharing most of the subscription revenue back to them. It’s included with Pro and Max; free users can add it separately.
Background Assistant: What it actually does
Background Assistant is the “multi-tasker.” Instead of a single chat doing one job at a time, you assign several jobs and watch them run in parallel from a dashboard. A realistic session might look like this:
- Tell it to find the best direct flight for next Friday between two cities, within a price ceiling.
- Have it add the cheapest good seats for a concert to your cart.
- Ask it to draft a follow-up email in your voice and queue it for review.
You can jump in to approve the send, tweak a search, or take over at any point. Notifications let you know when a task finishes. The idea is simple: offload the busywork to a background agent so you can keep writing, coding, or editing.
Should you switch from Chrome or wait?
If you live in Gmail, Docs, and Drive, Chrome still fits like a glove and has AI features rolling in. Comet’s draw is different: the assistant is built into the browsing flow and feels more “present” on every page. For research, shopping, and trip planning, that’s a win.
Two things to consider before switching your default:
- Reliability vs. promise. Agentic features look magical in demos. The real test is whether Background Assistant consistently completes multi-step tasks without babysitting. Try the free tier, then run a few of your real workflows on Max before committing long-term.
- Ecosystem gravity. Chrome holds most of the market for a reason. If half your extensions or work apps assume Chrome, keep Comet as a secondary browser for focused research and automation. You don’t have to move everything on day one.
Plans and pricing at a glance
| Tier | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Sidecar assistant, Discover, Spaces, Shopping/Travel/Finance/Sports tools |
| Pro | $20/mo | Advanced models, image/video generation, file uploads & analysis, Comet Plus included |
| Max | $200/mo | Everything in Pro + Email Assistant, early feature access, Background Assistant |
| Comet Plus | $5/mo | Premium news bundle inside Comet; included with Pro/Max |
Quick start and caveats
How to try it fast
Download Comet, sign in, and pin the sidecar. Open a dense article and ask for a 5-bullet summary with citations. Next, give it a shopping task: “Find this SSD under $100 with delivery by Tuesday.” If you’re considering Max, queue three background tasks you’d normally do after lunch and see what finishes by the time you’re back from a coffee.
Caveats
- Some features depend on integrations that may roll out gradually.
- Background Assistant still needs your oversight for payments, emails, and final clicks.
- If your job relies on specific Chrome-only extensions, keep Comet as a research companion instead of a full replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Comet really free?
Yes. The core browser and sidecar assistant are free globally, with usage limits that may apply.
Do I need Max for Background Assistant?
Yes. Background Assistant and Email Assistant are Max features.
What do I get with Pro?
Stronger models, media generation, and file analysis. Comet Plus is included.
What is Comet Plus?
A $5/month add-on that unlocks premium publisher content inside Comet. It’s bundled with Pro and Max.
Will this replace Chrome for me?
Maybe. If you value built-in research and automation, Comet is compelling. If you need specific Chrome extensions, try Comet alongside Chrome first.
Featured Snippet Boxes
Is Perplexity’s Comet browser free now?
Yes. Comet is now free worldwide. You get the sidecar assistant plus built-in tools like Discover and Spaces. Paid tiers add stronger models and automation, with Background Assistant available to Max users.
What is Comet’s Background Assistant?
It’s a Max-only feature that runs multiple tasks in parallel while you work. You assign jobs like drafting emails, finding flights, or adding tickets to a cart, then approve or intervene from a central dashboard.
What does Comet Plus include?
Comet Plus is a $5/month add-on that provides AI-enhanced access to partner publisher content inside Comet. Pro and Max plans include it.
