Comet

Comet is a Chromium browser with Perplexity’s assistant built into browsing. It is best suited to people who want help with research and website tasks without leaving their open pages. Choose it for that page-aware assistance, but weigh its access to page context against your privacy needs.

Overview

Comet combines a conventional browser with an assistant that can answer questions about open tabs, search the web and interact with websites on your behalf. It can summarize or explain content, compare information across tabs, draft emails, schedule meetings and make purchases. This makes it a stronger fit for users who want to turn browsing into action than for those who want a browser to remain a passive window onto the web.

Perplexity is the default search engine. Built-in ad blocking and cross-device sync round out the everyday browser features. Comet is not open source, and its assistant’s page-aware help comes with a meaningful privacy trade-off: page context, including text or email, may be processed on Perplexity’s servers when a query requires it.

Key features

Assistance with open pages

Comet Assistant can answer questions about open tabs and compare information across them, which is useful when a task depends on pages already in view. It can also help with email, scheduling and purchases. For actions that affect accounts or spending, the ability to stop the agent is a useful safeguard, but Comet still advises reviewing its actions before confirming them.

Connected services and data

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, giving users a way to withdraw access when they no longer need it.

Browsing data such as URLs, searches, cookies, open tabs and site permissions is stored locally on the device. Website credentials, including passwords and credit cards, are kept in the device’s secure vault rather than on Perplexity’s servers. Users can delete browsing and search history, cookies and cached data in Comet’s privacy settings. These controls are useful, but they do not remove the caveat that some queries may send page context to Perplexity for processing.

Extensions and switching

Comet supports most Chrome extensions, but switching from Chrome requires reinstalling and configuring them: extension data does not transfer. Users with a carefully arranged extension setup should expect that extra work rather than a seamless move.

Pricing

Comet is free to download and use. Its Comet plan costs nothing. That makes it an easy option to try for anyone who wants the browser and assistant without a subscription; no paid Comet plan or paid-tier limits are established here.

Platforms

Comet runs on Android, iOS, macOS and Windows. Its Chromium base and support for most Chrome extensions help make it familiar to browser users, although extensions must be set up again when moving from Chrome. Enterprise deployments support mobile device management on macOS and Windows and configuration of more than 500 Chromium-based policies, a useful distinction for organizations managing browser settings across those desktop platforms.

Who it's for

Comet is a good fit for people who regularly compare sources, ask questions about material they are reading, or want an assistant to help complete routine website tasks. It is less suitable for anyone who requires page content to stay entirely off Perplexity’s servers, or who cannot spare time to rebuild a Chrome extension setup.

Pros and cons

Pro: The assistant can work with open tabs and interact with websites, connecting research with tasks such as email and scheduling.

Pro: Local browsing storage, a device-secured credential vault and controls for deleting browsing data give users concrete privacy-management options.

Pro: The free plan covers the browser without a subscription.

Con: Page text or email may be processed on Perplexity’s servers when needed for a query, which rules it out for users unwilling to share that context.

Con: Chrome extension data does not transfer, so switching involves reinstalling and configuring extensions.

Con: Users must review agent actions before confirming them, limiting how confidently consequential tasks can be left unattended.

Alternatives

AI Browsers, AI Browser Agents and Web browsers are useful starting points for comparing categories.

Norton Neo is another free browser, and is worth considering if Linux or web support matters; its free plan includes unlimited AI and a VPN allowance of 5 GB per month, or unlimited VPN when it is the default browser.

Dia suits macOS users who want a free browser without AI features, plus profiles, tab groups, split view and picture-in-picture.

Genspark AI Browser is a better fit for users seeking an on-device option: its free plan offers 169 open-weight models without internet access, subscriptions or limits. A Team plan costs $30 a month.

Arc Search is a free alternative for readers interested in a mobile browser; premium and team features may be charged in the future, without announced specifics.

Aside offers a free tier with 500 credits per month, up to three routines and the option to bring your own subscription; its Pro plan is $20 a month.

MoltBrowser is a free-forever, fully open-source alternative for users who prioritize open source.

Polar may suit users who want browser-agent capabilities with a credit-based free plan: it starts with 3,000 credits and adds 100 daily, capped at 1,000.

Strawberry Browser is another freemium option, with a listed Intern plan at $20 a month.

Verdict

Choose Comet if you want a free Chromium browser whose assistant can work with open pages and help carry out website tasks. Its main advantage is the close connection between browsing context and assistance; its main reason to look elsewhere is that some queries may send page content to Perplexity’s servers. Users comfortable with that trade-off get a capable browser with useful local-data controls, while privacy-first users should choose a tool that better fits their limits.