Perplexity AI Launches Comet Browser, Directly Challenging Google Chrome's 68% Market Share

San Francisco – Perplexity AI, the Nvidia-backed startup known for its conversational search engine, officially launched its new AI-powered web browser, Comet, on July 9, 2025. This strategic move aims to redefine online information retrieval and directly challenge the entrenched dominance of Google Chrome, which currently holds a commanding 68% share of the global browser market. TechCrunch noted in a recent tweet, "The way we look for information online is changing, and Perplexity's new web browser is just the latest way it's trying to topple Google."

Comet integrates Perplexity's core AI search capabilities, offering a unified interface where users can ask questions, perform tasks, and conduct research through a conversational assistant. The browser features "Comet Assistant," an AI sidekick designed to streamline workflows by summarizing emails, organizing tabs, comparing products, scheduling meetings, and even executing purchases. This agentic AI aims to transform browsing into a more intuitive and efficient experience, moving from passive consumption to active assistance.

Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas has emphasized Comet's importance in the company's battle against Google, stating that becoming the default browser could translate to "infinite retention." The company envisions Comet as an "operating system" that allows its AI to assist users across various applications and websites, effectively bypassing traditional search engine interactions.

The launch places Comet in a competitive arena. While Google is integrating its own AI features like "AI Overview" into Chrome, other players are also emerging. The Browser Company introduced its AI-powered browser, Dia, in June, and OpenAI is reportedly preparing to launch its own browser, potentially bringing ChatGPT's power directly into the browsing experience.

Perplexity AI, founded in 2022, has seen significant growth, raising $500 million in late 2024, which valued the company at $9 billion. Despite its innovative approach, Perplexity has faced scrutiny from media organizations like Forbes and The New York Times regarding content scraping and copyright, leading to the launch of a publisher partnership program. Comet is initially available to Perplexity Max subscribers at $200 per month, with broader invite-only access rolling out over the summer.