AI startup Perplexity has just shaken up the tech industry with a bold move: its AI-powered browser, Comet, is now available for free. The announcement, made on Friday, immediately sparked reactions across the market, sending Alphabet Inc.’s stock down 0.6% to $246.43. The timing added extra intrigue, as Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai had sold 32,500 shares just a day earlier at an average of $249.50.
A Direct Challenge to Google Chrome and OpenAI
Previously, Perplexity offered its premium Max plan at $200 per month, attracting millions of early subscribers. By scrapping the high entry cost, founder and CEO Aravind Srinivas has positioned Comet as a direct challenger to Google Chrome—while getting ahead of OpenAI’s rumored AI-powered browser.
Comet is designed not just as a browsing tool but as a knowledge companion. Using advanced AI, the browser can summarize webpages, extract insights, and help users cut through today’s flood of low-quality online content. Srinivas highlights Comet as a platform that delivers reliable, high-value information for research, business, and decision-making.
Free Features Packed with AI
Even the free version of Comet arrives with a robust lineup of tools:
– Discover : Personalized feed for news and content recommendations, akin to OpenAI’s Pulse.
– Spaces : Project organization for teams and individuals.
– Shopping, Travel, Finance: Integrated AI tools for expense tracking, budget planning, and investments.
– Sports : Real-time updates, highlights, and news coverage.
This extensive feature set positions Comet above traditional browsers that lack AI-first designs.
A Smart Monetization Strategy
While the browser is now free, Perplexity continues to pursue strategic monetization. For $5/month, users can access premium publisher content, while the Max plan—still available for power users—offers access to advanced AI models and a powerful email assistant. The assistant can draft personalized replies, manage inboxes, schedule meetings, and even answer contextual questions based on email content.
This tiered structure allows Perplexity to draw in casual users while continuing to serve enterprises and professionals who need more advanced AI tools.
Why Comet’s Launch Matters
Perplexity’s move represents a pivotal moment in the browser wars, with Comet taking direct aim at both Google Chrome’s massive user base and OpenAI’s pending AI browser. By combining research-grade AI with everyday browsing, Perplexity is trying to rewrite what it means to navigate the web.
If adoption scales as expected, Comet could significantly alter the balance of power in internet search, AI services, and even digital advertising.
