Perplexity has brought its AI-powered Comet browser to the iPhone, expanding the app beyond its existing Mac, Windows, and Android platforms. The launch, which arrived on March 18 after a one-week delay from its originally planned March 11 release, marks a significant push by the AI search company into the mobile browser market.
What Comet Brings to iPhone
Comet is not a traditional browser with an AI chatbot bolted on. It combines standard web search results with Perplexity's answer engine and a built-in AI assistant capable of completing real tasks. Users can ask questions in voice mode, run Deep Research queries that synthesize information from multiple web sources, and delegate actions like comparing product prices across websites, summarizing emails, or filling out forms.
The browser supports cross-device continuity, allowing users to start a search on one device and pick it up on another. However, the iOS version lacks browser extension support — a notable gap compared to the desktop experience.
Pricing Strategy
When Comet originally launched on desktop last year, it carried a steep $200-per-month price tag. For the iOS release, Perplexity has taken a dramatically different approach: the base browser is free. Pro and Max subscription plans with expanded features start at $20 per month.
The pricing shift reflects both competitive pressure from established mobile browsers and Perplexity's ambition to reach a mass-market audience on the platform where most browsing happens.
Privacy Trade-offs
There is a notable privacy consideration. Perplexity collects browsing and search history from Comet to build ad-targeting profiles and serve advertisements. For users accustomed to privacy-focused browsers, this data collection policy may give pause — particularly given that Perplexity's core product has historically positioned itself as a cleaner alternative to ad-driven search.
The Bigger Picture
Comet's iPhone launch positions Perplexity as one of the first AI-native companies to ship a full browser across all major platforms. Rather than competing solely as a search engine alternative, the company is betting that an AI-first browsing experience — where the assistant can see what you see and act on your behalf — represents the next evolution of how people interact with the web.
The move comes as competition in AI-assisted browsing heats up, with major players integrating their own AI capabilities directly into existing browsers. Whether Comet can convince iPhone users to switch from Safari or Chrome will be a key test of whether standalone AI browsers have staying power.
