If you thought web browsing was just about opening tabs and scrolling through pages, think again. Perplexity AI is shaking things up with the launch of its Comet AI browser in India. This isn’t your typical browser—it’s more like having a smart assistant sitting right next to you as you surf the internet. But here’s the catch: for now, it’s only available to paying users. Still, this launch marks a bold step for Perplexity, targeting India’s massive, tech-savvy internet population and signaling big ambitions on the global stage.
What Makes Comet AI Browser So Different?
Most of us are used to browsers like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. They work, sure, but they’re mostly just tools to navigate the web. Comet AI, on the other hand, is designed to actively help you get things done. Think of it as a browser with a brain.
At the heart of Comet is an AI sidebar, which Perplexity calls “agentic.” This means the AI doesn’t just answer questions—it can take actions, follow multi-step tasks, and manage workflows across different tabs without needing you to constantly intervene. It’s like having a digital partner who handles the boring, repetitive parts of online work so you can focus on the important stuff.
The Magic of Agentic AI
“Agentic” might sound like tech jargon, but it’s simple to understand. It basically means the AI can act on your behalf. Picture this: you want to research products, compare prices, book a meeting, send emails, and even make a purchase online. Normally, you’d need multiple tabs and a lot of clicking around. With Comet AI, the browser can handle all of that in one smooth flow.
Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, describes Comet as a “thinking partner rather than a passive tool.” Instead of just showing web pages, the browser maintains context, reduces tab clutter, and lets you accomplish tasks without constantly switching between apps or tabs. It’s productivity, reimagined.
Key Features That Make Comet Stand Out
So what exactly can Comet AI do? Here’s a look at some of its standout capabilities:
Compare prices and reviews across multiple e-commerce sites instantly.
Draft and send emails based on your prompts and browsing context.
Schedule meetings by integrating with your calendar and other tools.
Complete transactions securely after you authorize them.
Summarize long articles and research papers in seconds.
On top of all this, Comet also emphasizes privacy. Your browsing history and AI interactions are stored locally, encrypted end-to-end. It even works with popular password managers, so your data stays safe while the AI does the heavy lifting.
Why India?
India is home to one of the largest internet populations in the world, making it a prime market for a browser like Comet AI. To make the launch more impactful, Perplexity has teamed up with Bharti Airtel, offering millions of customers a full year of free access to Perplexity Pro. That’s a smart move—it lets people experience the AI-powered browser without paying upfront, while giving Perplexity immediate scale in a competitive market.
But this isn’t just about short-term user numbers. Perplexity is also hiring locally and building an Indian team, signaling a serious long-term commitment. For Aravind Srinivas, an IIT Madras alumnus, expanding into India is both a strategic business move and a personal milestone.