Perplexity’s Comet AI Browser Arrives on iPhone

Perplexity has launched Comet — its AI-powered browser — as a free standalone app for iPhone users. The move follows a pricey PC debut last summer, when the tool was offered as a $200-per-month product; the mobile releases for Android and now iOS come at no charge.

Comet blends a traditional web browser with a chatbot-like assistant that can summarize pages, dig up extra context and perform simple tasks on the user’s behalf. That hybrid model is part of a broader wave of "agentic" browsers that have gained attention over the past year, positioning themselves as personal research helpers rather than just page renderers.

On iPhone, Perplexity leans into Apple’s Liquid Glass design language, and the app looks polished — the address bar and UI elements pop in a way that feels native to modern iOS apps. However, some platform constraints are unavoidable: Apple’s ecosystem prevents third-party browsers from offering the same level of extension support you might get on desktop. Still, Comet can be set as the device’s default browser, which helps with day-to-day use.

There are practical use cases: Comet can help users shop, draft schedules or synthesize long articles into bite-size summaries. That said, caution feels warranted. AI-driven browsers have proven to be susceptible to misinformation and online scams, and relying on an assistant for transactions or complex decisions may produce uneven results.

Privacy is another consideration. Perplexity has acknowledged that browser usage helps it collect data for ad targeting, which likely explains why the product is available for free on mobile after a paid desktop launch. Users who prioritize data minimization will want to review the app’s privacy practices before fully committing.

Comet is now available for iPhone, Android, Windows and macOS. There isn’t a native iPad-specific Comet browser yet, though the company’s standard Perplexity app is already on iPad, so it may follow. If you're curious about an AI-first browsing experience, Comet is worth trying — just keep a skeptical eye on shopping results and privacy trade-offs.