Comet AI browser goes free, challenging Google Chrome’s monopoly

Perplexity AI makes its Comet browser available for free worldwide. The move positions Comet as a major competitor to Google Chrome. This strategy is described by the company as a ‘big swing’ that signals an intent to seize market share by eliminating the consumer’s cost barrier.

In the crowded browser and ICT sector, a free distribution model immediately positions Comet as a direct, no-cost alternative to the dominant Google product.

The advent of Comet

The Comet browser debuted in July as an exclusive feature available only to subscribers of the company’s highest tier, Perplexity Max, which carried a subscription cost of USD 200 per month. This initial model focused on providing a high-value, AI-centric tool to power users and professionals willing to pay a substantial premium for its advanced capabilities. Access was also managed via a long waitlist, which the company claims grew into the millions.

While the core Comet browser with its AI sidebar assistant is now free for all users, Perplexity still maintains a tiered model for advanced features. Max subscribers retain access to exclusive productivity tools, such as the new Background Assistant, which can perform complex, asynchronous tasks, and advanced AI models for deeper research.

Furthermore, the company has announced Comet Plus, a separate USD 5-per-month subscription offering curated news content from major publishers, demonstrating a clear intent to monetise high-value data and services around the free browser.

A new alternative for businesses

From a B2B and enterprise technology standpoint, this aggressive pricing pivot, from USD 200 per month to free, is about establishing a critical beachhead. A browser is not merely an access tool; it serves as a critical data ingestion and workflow platform. And by opening access to Comet at no charge, Perplexity AI prioritises gaining widespread user adoption and accumulating essential usage data.

 This focus on distribution volume is a prerequisite for establishing Comet as a viable platform for B2B applications and future monetisation channels, which often include premium enterprise features or specialised data services.

With it’s actions company is directly positioning itself as an attacker to Google’s desktop monopoly, forcing a reaction from the incumbent and reshaping the competitive dynamics in the underlying web technology market.

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