Perplexity just launched a free AI browser for iPhone — it replaces Safari and Google at once
Perplexity's Comet browser hit the iPhone App Store for free — combining web browsing with an AI assistant that searches, summarizes, shops, and schedules for you.
Perplexity just brought its AI-powered browser to iPhones — and it's free. Called Comet, it's not just another browser with a chatbot bolted on. It's designed from the ground up to replace both your browser and your search engine with a single AI assistant.
The app hit the App Store on March 18, after a one-week delay from its original launch date. It joins Comet versions already available on Mac, Windows, and Android.
Safari with a brain — what Comet actually does
Comet looks like a normal browser, but everything revolves around the AI Comet Assistant — Perplexity's AI that can understand any webpage you're viewing and take action on it.
• Summarize any webpage — tap a button and get the key points from a long article
• Answer questions about what you're reading — like having a tutor for every page
• Search with cited sources — AI answers include links to where the information came from
• Deep Research — pulls information from multiple websites and synthesizes it into one report
• Shop smarter — compare prices, find deals, and research products across sites
• Schedule and plan — manage tasks directly from the browser
• Voice mode — speak your questions instead of typing them
The browser also supports cross-device sync — start a search on your Mac, pick it up on your iPhone. And you can set it as your default browser on iOS, fully replacing Safari.
From $200/month to free — what's the catch?
When Comet first launched on Mac in summer 2025, it cost $200 per month. The iPhone version is completely free to download and use.
The business model shift is significant. Perplexity now collects browsing and search data to build ad-targeting profiles. In other words: the free version is supported by ads and data collection, similar to how Google's Chrome works.
How it compares to Chrome and Safari
Chrome and Safari are built for displaying web pages. Comet is built for understanding them. The difference shows up in everyday tasks:
Reading a news article? Tap the assistant to get a summary. Shopping for headphones? Ask it to compare reviews across five sites. Planning a trip? It can research destinations, find flights, and organize results — all without leaving the browser.
The main limitation on iPhone: no extension support. Apple's iOS doesn't allow third-party browser extensions, so ad blockers and other add-ons from the desktop version won't work here. An iPad version is also still missing.
Should you try it?
If you've ever wished Google gave you answers instead of a list of links, Comet is worth a look. The AI search is genuinely useful — it synthesizes information from multiple sources rather than just showing you 10 blue links.
• Researchers and students — Deep Research summarizes multiple sources instantly
• Online shoppers — AI price comparison across sites
• Busy professionals — voice search and quick summaries save real time
• Anyone tired of scrolling through Google results
The privacy trade-off is real though. Perplexity openly collects browsing data for ads. If that concerns you, the Pro tier may reduce (but not eliminate) data collection. For most users, the convenience of having an AI assistant built into every webpage they visit will outweigh the privacy cost — the same bargain billions of Chrome users already make.
Comet is available now as a free download on the App Store.
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