Perplexity launches free Comet browser for iPhone with AI assistant and voice search

Reviewed byNidhi Govil

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Perplexity has released its Comet AI browser for iPhone, completing a cross-platform rollout that began on desktop. The AI-powered browser integrates an assistant that can summarize web pages, conduct research across multiple tabs, and complete tasks autonomously. Once priced at $200 per month, Comet is now free on mobile, though privacy concerns around ad targeting and data usage remain.

Perplexity Expands Comet Browser to iPhone Users

Perplexity has officially launched its Comet AI browser for iPhone, marking the completion of a cross-platform rollout that started on desktop in 2025 and expanded to Android in November

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. The AI-powered browser combines traditional web browsing with an integrated AI assistant that can perform tasks on behalf of users, positioning itself as both a research tool and productivity companion in the increasingly competitive AI browser category. The Comet AI browser for iPhone brings many of the same capabilities as its desktop counterpart, though with some limitations inherent to Apple's iOS platform

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Source: Analytics Insight

Source: Analytics Insight

AI Assistant Capabilities and Deep Research Features

The Comet browser distinguishes itself through what industry observers call "agentic AI"—where the assistant doesn't just respond to queries but actively navigates, clicks, and completes actions autonomously

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. Users can ask the AI assistant to summarize web pages, conduct research across multiple sources, compare prices across websites, and even manage emails

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. Perplexity's Deep Research feature ingests information from multiple web sources to provide quick, useful summaries, streamlining the mobile browsing experience for research-heavy workflows

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Source: Engadget

Source: Engadget

One standout feature is the voice search capabilities that allow users to ask questions about what they're viewing completely hands-free

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. The browser can summarize information across multiple open tabs, cutting down the need to jump between pages—particularly useful when comparing information across sources. Users can also choose which AI model powers their browsing, with options from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and others

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Pricing Shift and Platform Limitations

The launch represents a dramatic pricing shift for Perplexity. When Comet first debuted on desktop, it carried a $200-per-month subscription fee

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. The browser is now free on mobile platforms, with Pro and Max subscription plans available starting at $20 per month

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. This aggressive pricing strategy positions Perplexity to compete directly with established browsers like Safari and Chrome

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However, the iOS version faces constraints due to Apple's platform restrictions. Users cannot install third-party extensions, which may limit appeal for power users accustomed to customizing their browsing experience

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. The app does take advantage of Apple's Liquid Glass technology for visual appeal and can be set as the default browser

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Source: MacRumors

Source: MacRumors

Privacy Concerns and Data Usage Practices

Privacy concerns represent a significant consideration for potential users. Perplexity has acknowledged that it collects browsing and search history from Comet to create ad-targeting profiles

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. This data usage raises questions about how much visibility users are willing to grant an AI assistant that can access emails, tabs, and browsing activity to automate tasks

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. The transparency around ad targeting may concern privacy-conscious users, particularly given the deep level of integration the AI assistant requires to function effectively.

Industry analysts also note that agentic browsing introduces potential security risks, as AI agents have shown susceptibility to scams or unreliable information when acting autonomously online

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. These concerns highlight the tradeoffs users face when adopting AI-first browsing tools.

Cross-Platform Integration and Future Outlook

With the iPhone launch, Comet now operates across iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS platforms

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. Perplexity emphasizes that conversations and research threads started on one device carry over seamlessly to others, allowing users to pick up where they left off

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. A dedicated iPad version has not yet arrived, though observers expect it may follow given the broader rollout

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The launch reflects a broader industry shift in how technology companies view browsers—not just as gateways to websites, but as workspaces where AI can assist with research, content discovery, and everyday tasks

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. Whether Perplexity's AI-first approach proves compelling enough to pull users away from established browsers like Safari and Chrome remains to be seen

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. Early indications suggest that for research-heavy workflows, tools like Comet may already be making a strong case for adoption

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