Perplexity AI’s newly launched Comet browser is gaining attention as a potential challenger to Google Chrome—especially for users looking for an AI-powered browsing experience. Built on Chromium and currently in early access, Comet reimagines how we interact with the web, positioning itself as a frontrunner in the emerging category of agentic AI browsers.
What Sets Comet AI Browser Apart
Comet integrates Perplexity’s conversational answer engine directly into the browser interface. Instead of relying on traditional search results, it enables a more natural and task-oriented experience through the Comet Assistant—an AI sidebar that can summarize articles, compare content across tabs, automate actions, and even manage calendar entries or emails using natural language prompts.
Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas believes browsers are the ideal platform for AI agents, thanks to their built-in handling of logins, tabs, and user context. This foundation allows Comet to automate workflows that previously required manual steps, making it one of the most advanced browser-AI integrations yet.
Hands-On Experience: Early Feedback on Comet
Early users and reviewers have found that Comet significantly boosts productivity—once users adapt to its new interface style. Simple tasks like summarizing news or comparing shopping options are handled efficiently by the assistant. However, when used for complex interactions such as booking flights or filling out forms, the AI still struggles with occasional inaccuracies or “hallucinations.”
While the Comet AI browser shows promise in terms of speed and intelligence, it’s not without its learning curve. Users accustomed to tab-heavy, manual workflows may find the transition jarring at first.
Comet vs Chrome: Key Differences
Advantages of Comet AI Browser
- AI-Native Architecture: Unlike Chrome, which adds AI through extensions, Comet is built around Perplexity’s assistant for seamless integration.
- Simplified Migration: Users can import Chrome bookmarks, extensions, and settings with minimal friction.
- Task Automation: The assistant can perform multi-tab tasks like summarizing, planning, and even drafting messages—all from within one interface.
- Privacy-Focused: Data is stored locally, and user activity is not used to train the AI. A native ad blocker comes built-in.
Limitations of Comet AI Browser
- Limited Availability: Currently invite-only and accessible only to Perplexity Max subscribers at a premium price.
- Device Restrictions: Only available on Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2); support for Windows and Intel-based Macs is still in development.
- Reliability Concerns: Errors in complex tasks can lead to missteps, limiting the assistant’s trustworthiness in high-stakes scenarios.
- Performance Load: Uses more system resources than Chrome, especially during extended AI sessions.
The Road Ahead: Comet’s Market Strategy
Perplexity is reportedly in talks with smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Comet AI browser on mobile devices. If successful, this could challenge Chrome’s dominance, especially on Android devices where Chrome holds more than 70% of the market.
The company recently raised its valuation to over $18 billion, with support from major investors including Nvidia and Jeff Bezos. Perplexity’s CEO has openly criticized Google’s hesitation to fully embrace agentic AI, suggesting that Chrome’s ad-based business model conflicts with the kind of proactive, intelligent browsing experience Comet aims to deliver.
Verdict: Can Comet Replace Google Chrome?
The Comet browser by Perplexity offers an exciting glimpse into what the future of web browsing could look like—proactive, intelligent, and deeply integrated with personal tasks. While it isn’t ready to replace Chrome for the average user just yet, especially given its cost and platform limitations, Comet signals a clear shift in how browsers may evolve in the age of AI.
If Perplexity successfully scales the product, improves reliability, and rolls out broader support across devices, Comet could emerge as a serious Chrome alternative in 2025 and beyond.
Photo Credit: Indian Express
