Comet arrives to change how you use your browser

Perplexity, a company known for its AI-powered search engine, launched Comet, its own desktop browser. The proposal is different from what you’ve seen in Chrome, Edge, or Arc: instead of just being a program to open pages, Comet was built so that AI acts as an autonomous agent, capable of executing tasks within the browser for you. Think of it this way: it’s like having an assistant who not only answers questions but clicks, fills out forms, and navigates on your behalf.

The short answer for those wondering if it’s worth it: it depends on your profile. If you regularly use Perplexity, live in search workflows, and want a browser that understands the context of what you’re doing, Comet has real arguments. If you’re a casual user or rely on a consolidated extension ecosystem, the switch might frustrate more than help.

According to Perplexity’s public information, Comet was launched still in early access phase, with initial focus on users of the platform’s Pro plan. The product is new, which means that some of what exists today may change with updates. This review brings what is known based on specifications and official communications from the company.

Comet’s Technical Specifications

What is Agentic AI and Why It Defines Comet

Before talking about performance, it’s worth understanding the central concept of the product. Agentic AI is when artificial intelligence not only answers a question but takes actions in sequence to complete a task. In the context of a browser, this means you can ask Comet “research the three cheapest flights to São Paulo this week and show me the results,” and the agent navigates, filters, and organizes for you without you needing to click anything.

This is different from the AI copilot that Microsoft’s Edge offers, for example. There, AI comments on what’s on screen or summarizes text. In Comet, according to Perplexity, the agent has access to the page’s DOM (the internal structure of the website, like a map of clickable elements) and can interact with it directly. It’s a layer of automation that, until now, required separate tools like scripts or specific extensions.

The depth of this integration is what sets Comet apart in the current market. But it also comes with a caveat: for it to work well, the agent needs broad permissions over what happens in your browser, which raises legitimate privacy questions that Perplexity is still detailing publicly.

Performance and Day-to-Day User Experience

Being built on Chromium, the same base as Google Chrome, Comet inherits good compatibility with modern websites. Pages that work on Chrome tend to work on Comet without adaptations. According to the manufacturer, the browser went through optimizations to reduce RAM consumption compared to pure Chrome, but the company has not released specific benchmark numbers officially, so readers should consult updated independent tests for accurate comparisons.

The most commented point by those with early access is contextual search integration. Instead of opening a new tab and typing in Google, you trigger Perplexity directly through the browser, and the assistant already considers the context of the page you’re visiting. If you’re reading a technical article, the AI uses this as a starting point to deepen or question the content. For those working with research, writing, or analysis, this workflow is genuinely more fluid than switching between tabs.

Memory management is an area that deserves attention. Chromium-based browsers tend to be heavy, and adding a layer of AI running in the background can make this worse. If your computer has less than 16 GB of RAM, it’s worth following user reports before adopting Comet as your main browser. If you’re considering new equipment to keep up with this type of software, the guide on best laptops up to R$ 4,000 in 2026 can help you understand what to look for in terms of hardware.

Privacy, Security, and What You Give Up

This is the most delicate point of Comet and deserves honesty. For the AI agent to work, it needs to read the content of the pages you visit, capture interface elements, and potentially log actions. Perplexity published a privacy policy, but details about data retention of browsing, use for model training, and sharing with third parties are points that the Brazilian user should read carefully before adopting the product, especially considering the LGPD (General Data Protection Law).

There is no public independent audit of Comet’s privacy mechanisms yet. This is not uncommon for products at launch, but it’s a relevant fact for anyone using the browser with corporate accounts or sensitive data. For personal and exploratory use, the risk is more manageable. For professional environments with compliance requirements, you need to wait for more transparency from the company.

Comet in Brazil: What Changes in Practice

Comet is a software, so it does not go through Anatel homologation (which regulates hardware with radio transmission, like cell phones and routers). You can download it freely from the Perplexity website. The point of attention in Brazil is different: the cost of the Pro plan, necessary to use agent functions without limitations.

Perplexity Pro costs about US$ 20 per month. With currency fluctuations and taxes on imported digital services (such as the IOF charged on international subscriptions paid by card), the monthly cost for Brazilians ends up being more than that in practice. Check the updated value directly on the Perplexity website, as rates and taxes change. Comet’s interface is still mostly in English in the initial version, which can be a barrier for part of the audience.

Support is also a point of concern. As an American company with no local operations, support happens in English and without the warranty rights provided by the Consumer Protection Code for physical products. As it is software by subscription, the relationship is different, but consumers should be aware that problem resolution goes through Perplexity’s international channels.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Native integration with Perplexity AI, without extensions or workarounds
• Autonomous agent that executes tasks within the browser, not just answers questions
• Chromium base ensures broad compatibility with current websites
• Contextual search that considers the page you’re visiting
• Faster research flow for those already using Perplexity as a work tool

Cons:

• Requires Pro subscription to use the full potential
• Initial interface in English, without complete localization to Portuguese
• Privacy policy still without independent public audit
• Ecosystem of extensions potentially smaller than consolidated Chrome
• Resource consumption not officially detailed; may be heavy on machines with less RAM

Competitors and Alternatives in Brazil

Edge is the most direct competitor in Brazil because it already comes installed on Windows machines and has functional AI at no additional cost. For those who want to experiment with AI agents without paying, it’s the most accessible starting point. Arc has an innovative interface proposal, but its agent is still less deep than Comet’s according to each product’s official descriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Perplexity’s Comet

Does Comet work without Perplexity’s Pro plan?

Yes, it’s possible to use Comet with Perplexity’s free account, but autonomous agent functionalities are limited. The most advanced features, such as executing complete navigation tasks autonomously, are reserved for Pro subscribers. For use as a simple browser with integrated search, the free plan works.

Is Comet available for Linux?

As of the most recent publicly available information, Perplexity confirmed support for Windows and macOS. Linux support has not been officially announced. Check Perplexity’s downloads page to see if there has been an update, as the product is still in expansion.

Can I use my Chrome extensions on Comet?

Since Comet is Chromium-based, there is technical compatibility with extensions in the format Chrome uses. However, Perplexity has not officially confirmed its own extension store or guaranteed full support for the Chrome Web Store. Essential extensions for your workflow should be tested before you permanently switch.

Is Comet use secure for working with sensitive data?

For now, caution is recommended in corporate environments dealing with confidential data. Comet’s AI agent needs access to page content to work, and the privacy policy has not yet undergone public audit. For personal and exploratory use, the risk is different from corporate use, but reading the privacy policy is essential.

Is Comet Worth It?

Comet is a product with a genuinely good idea: putting AI not as a chatbox glued to the side of the browser, but as an active part of browsing. For those already paying for Perplexity Pro and using the platform as a central research tool, Comet is a natural extension and will likely add real value to the workflow.

For the Brazilian user who doesn’t know Perplexity or who relies on specific extensions and a mature ecosystem, switching to Comet now, with the product in its initial phase, may be premature. It makes more sense to monitor updates, wait for more robust Portuguese localization, and wait for independent assessments of performance and privacy before migrating.

If you’re in the early adopter profile, who likes to test what’s newest in productivity and doesn’t mind some rough edges, Comet deserves attention. Just as certain innovative tablets attract those who want to be on the frontier of what technology offers, as shown in the Galaxy Tab S10 FE 2026 review, Comet is for those who want to experience it now and accept that not everything is polished yet.

Recommended for: Perplexity Pro users, research and analysis professionals, early adopters curious about agentic AI, and those who want a more active browser in their workflow.

Price range: free browser to download; full features require Perplexity Pro (around US$ 20/month; convert by current exchange rate and consider IOF to estimate real cost in reals).