The AI Browser War Begins: Perplexity’s Comet Takes Aim at Google Chrome
“It’s not easy to convince mobile OEMs to change the default browser to Comet from Chrome,” Srinivas said, referring to original equipment manufacturers and highlighting the challenge of user inertia on mobile platforms.
Comet, currently in beta and limited to desktop use, brings Perplexity’s AI directly into the browsing experience. It enables users to interact with their personal data—like emails, calendars, and browsing history—by asking questions or performing tasks such as scheduling meetings and summarizing webpages.
Perplexity plans to scale significantly in the coming year, targeting “tens to hundreds of millions” of users once the desktop version is stabilized, according to CEO Aravind Srinivas.
This push reflects a larger trend in tech toward agentic AI browsers—tools designed to operate with minimal human input, capable of independently completing complex tasks. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that OpenAI is developing a similar AI-powered browser that could handle everything from booking travel to managing personal finances.
AI browser Comet sets sights on Google’s 70% market share
As of last month, Google Chrome dominated the mobile browser market with a 70% share, while Apple’s Safari and Samsung Internet collectively held around 24%, according to Statcounter. This entrenched dominance highlights the uphill battle Perplexity faces in breaking into the mobile space.
However, the AI startup appears undeterred. Bloomberg reported in June that Perplexity is in talks with both Samsung Electronics and Apple to integrate its AI-powered search capabilities directly into their devices — a strategic move that could supercharge digital assistants like Bixby and Siri with real-time, context-aware responses.
Fueling this ambition is strong investor confidence. Perplexity recently closed a $500 million funding round, reaching a $14 billion valuation. Its high-profile backers include Accel, Nvidia, Jeff Bezos, and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt — a lineup that not only signals deep-pocketed support but also underscores the industry’s growing belief in AI-native search as a viable challenger to traditional engines like Google.
Comet vs. Chrome: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Comet (by Perplexity AI) | Google Chrome |
|---|---|---|
| Core Function | AI-powered, question-first search integrated into browsing | Traditional keyword-based search engine with browser UI |
| AI Capabilities | Built-in agentic AI that can summarize pages, manage tasks, and interact with personal data like emails and calendars | Basic AI integration via Google Assistant and Search enhancements |
| Default Status on Devices | Not pre-installed; currently in talks with OEMs | Pre-installed on most Android devices |
| Market Share (Mobile) | <1% (beta stage) | ~70% as of last month |
| Platform Availability | Desktop only (beta); mobile pre-installation in negotiation | Available on all major platforms (Android, iOS, desktop) |
| User Experience Focus | Conversational, proactive, and context-aware | Fast, stable, with deep Google ecosystem integration |
| Strategic Goals | Replace default browsers and integrate deeply with device AI | Maintain dominance through ecosystem and default status |
Bottom Line Perplexity Comet AI browser
While Chrome holds a commanding lead in market share thanks to its speed, reliability, and ecosystem integration, Comet is betting on the future of agentic AI — browsers that do things, not just find things. Its success hinges on whether it can convince OEMs to break default norms and whether users are ready to shift from traditional search to AI-first interaction.
