The internet was once a place we browsed. We opened tabs, we clicked links, we searched and scrolled. But in 2025, that model feels ancient. Today, we live online. We work, learn, plan, and think through the web. And the tools we use to access it? They’re still stuck in the past. Enter Comet browser, Perplexity AI’s bold new answer to Chrome.

It’s not just a search engine upgrade—it’s a complete reimagining of what it means to navigate the internet. Instead of just reading webpages, Comet helps you think with them. Ask it to summarize YouTube videos, find the best deal on your next Switch 2 game, or even send an email for you—Comet gets it done.

Whether you’re deep in research, dodging distractions, or just vibing through daily tasks, Comet turns the web into something radically more intelligent. Browsing? That’s old-school. This is cognitive surfing—and it hits different.

A New Way to Surf: Is Comet Browser Free, and Is Comet AI Open Source?

The Comet browser isn’t just making waves—it’s redrawing the map of what browsing means. Built by Perplexity AI, Comet is designed for a world where we don’t just surf the web; we think with it. But for anyone eyeing this slick new platform, two questions pop up fast: Is Comet browser free? And is Comet AI open source?

As of now, Comet is not freely available to everyone. It’s limited to Perplexity Max subscribers—those paying $200/month or on an early access waitlist. So no, it’s not free… yet. But a wider rollout is expected in the near future.

On the open source question? Not quite. Comet’s backend is closed, with proprietary AI models powering the assistant. While it’s built on Chromium (the same open-source engine behind Chrome), the intelligent assistant itself is locked behind Perplexity’s proprietary stack—meaning the magic stays in-house.

The Real Shift Is Cognitive: Your Browser, Rewired for Thinking

Comet isn’t just a browser—it’s your second brain online. Traditional browsers were built for passive reading and manual control. Comet flips the script. Instead of juggling tabs or diving into link rabbit holes, you now have a tool that thinks alongside you.

Tasks like comparing travel plans, summarizing YouTube videos, or finding product alternatives are now things you can casually ask. Imagine saying, “Hey Comet, find me a place that sells this same jacket but ships faster,” and the browser just… does it.

You’re not opening five tabs to compare insurance quotes anymore. You’re chatting and thinking out loud. And that’s where Comet shines: in taking your curiosity and giving it instant, intelligent direction—without interrupting your flow.

Meet the Comet Browser: Built to Amplify Your Intelligence

Let’s be real—Comet browser is the smartest Chrome rival we’ve seen. And it’s not about flashy design. It’s about intelligent action. Instead of just indexing web content, Comet executes tasks and workflows on your behalf. This is agentic AI in the wild.

It’s already handling tasks like booking reservations, adding items to your Amazon cart, unsubscribing from email spam, or summarizing massive comment threads. Yes, it takes control of your browser when you tell it to, and yes—it even posts to your social media if you want it to.

For users wondering is Comet AI open source, here’s why that matters: because it’s not, Perplexity has full control over how fast and far Comet evolves. That means tighter integrations, faster updates, and less friction when adapting to new forms of agentic AI.

Still Beta, Still Brilliant: What Comes After the “Wow” Moment?

Here’s the thing—Comet isn’t perfect. Not yet. Tasks that require personal details can stumble. Some prompts lag. Others fail outright. But let’s zoom out: even in its beta state, Comet delivers real utility that most browsers only promise in marketing slides.

The magic starts when you stop micromanaging it. Let it unsubscribe from those promo emails, let it accept those 5+ mutual LinkedIn invites. Let it handle the chaos of modern digital life while you work, think, create—or just breathe.

And that’s the real story here: Comet marks a turning point. Like Apple’s “AI for the rest of us,” this is browsing for the future. One that’s intuitive, cognitive, and refreshingly human-centered. It’s not about what AI can do—it’s about what you don’t have to.