Perplexity Launches 'Comet' AI Browser, Max Tier Access at $200 Monthly, Aiming to Redefine Digital Workflows

Perplexity, the AI-powered search startup, is advancing its vision for the future of digital interaction with the rollout of its new AI browser, "Comet." Perplexity co-founder and CEO Aravind Srinivas, speaking at an AI Startup School event in San Francisco, detailed the company's strategy to evolve AI from mere tools into comprehensive workflows, positioning Comet as a "cognitive operating system" designed to automate complex tasks. The browser is currently available for Windows PCs and Mac devices, with early access granted to subscribers of the company's premium Perplexity Max tier.

Comet is designed to function as a "thought partner" that deeply integrates artificial intelligence capabilities beyond traditional web browsing. Srinivas explained that the browser aims to enable task automation, personalization, and a conversational interface, effectively turning the browser into a "mini-OS with smart cron jobs." This includes automating actions like purchasing products, booking tickets, managing emails, and sending Slack messages, thereby streamlining daily digital activities and reducing cognitive burden for users.

A key strategic rationale behind developing Comet is to facilitate the operation of advanced AI agents, particularly within restrictive ecosystems like iOS, by bypassing typical application sandboxing limitations. Perplexity aims to challenge established players like Google, which has its own AI-powered search, and OpenAI, rumored to be developing a similar browser. Srinivas highlighted that a browser provides the necessary interface and context for AI to understand and act on behalf of the user across various online platforms.

The company's monetization strategy for Comet includes its high-tier Perplexity Max subscription, priced at $200 per month, which offers unlimited access to advanced features and early entry to experimental tools. Srinivas also indicated plans to collect data on user browsing habits outside the app to build detailed user profiles, potentially for "hyper-personalized" advertising. While Perplexity generated an estimated $34 million in revenue in 2024 with a $65 million cash burn, its annual recurring revenue climbed to $80 million by January 2025, and the company is reportedly in discussions to raise $500 million at a $14 billion valuation.

Perplexity's broader vision, as articulated by Srinivas, is to create a "productivity economy at a user level" where AI proactively assists users, anticipating their needs rather than merely responding to queries. The company also operates Perplexity Labs, a feature enabling users to generate complex outputs like dashboards and reports from web information, which serves as a precursor to Comet's agentic capabilities. Furthermore, Perplexity has initiated a publisher program to share revenue, acknowledging the critical role of content creators in providing up-to-date, real-time knowledge for AI systems.