Perplexity’s Comet and Google Chrome share the same engine but take different approaches to AI. Here’s a fair, side-by-side look at features, prices and privacy, then six real workflows from research to booking travel, and a quick quiz to tell you which browser fits you.
Quick verdict
Choose Comet if you want cited AI answers, free agent tasks and built-in ad blocking in one browser. Choose Chrome if you value stability, Linux or ChromeOS support, the full extension store and deep Gemini integration with Google apps, and don’t mind paying for its agent features. Many people keep both: Comet for research, Chrome for everything else.
Features
“Edge” marks which browser leads on that row.
| Feature | Comet | Chrome |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free; Comet Plus $5/mo or with Perplexity Pro/MaxEdge | Free browser; Gemini in Chrome free; auto browse needs Google AI Pro ($19.99/mo) or Ultra |
| Engine | Chromium (Blink) | Chromium (Blink) |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android | Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS, iPhone, AndroidEdge |
| Default search | Perplexity (cited AI answers) | Google Search (with AI Overviews and AI Mode) |
| Built-in AI assistant | Comet Assistant sidebar (Opt/Alt + A) | Gemini side panel |
| Ask about open tabs | Yes, with @tab | Yes, across tabs in the side panel |
| Agent tasks (clicks, forms, carts) | Included with CometEdge | Auto browse: Google AI Pro or Ultra, launched in the US |
| Email and calendar | Gmail and Calendar connectors | Gmail, Calendar, YouTube, Maps, Shopping and FlightsEdge |
| Image editing | Not a headline feature | Nano Banana image editing in the browserEdge |
| Ad and tracker blocking | Built in and adjustableEdge | No general built-in ad blocker; use extensions |
| Extensions | Many Chrome extensions work | Full Chrome Web StoreEdge |
| AI privacy controls | Local data by default, block sites from AI, pause, Incognito | Tied to Google account and Gemini activity settings |
| Maturity | New (since July 2025); changes fast | Long-established, very stableEdge |
Chrome’s Gemini features launched on Mac, Windows and Chromebook Plus in the US in January 2026, and availability may have widened since. Prices in US dollars, checked October 2026.
Workflows
Comet’s cited answers and @tab make multi-source research quicker; Chrome is close behind with Gemini.
Comet wins on price; Chrome on Google Shopping integration. Supervise checkout in both.
Chrome’s Google travel tools give it the edge, if you pay for auto browse.
Both work well with Google accounts; Chrome connects to more Google apps.
Chrome for reliability; Comet if built-in ad blocking matters more.
Comet gives more AI-specific controls, but review both browsers’ settings.
Answer as many as you like; the result updates instantly.
Pick your answers above to see your match.
Try it
Any browser that lets AI click and type on websites can be targeted by hidden instructions on pages (prompt injection). Researchers reported such issues in Comet in 2025, and Google says Chrome’s auto browse pauses to ask for confirmation before sensitive actions like purchases. Whichever you use:
More: Comet privacy and permissions · Comet review: everyday tests.
FAQ
It depends on how you browse. Comet is stronger for AI research with cited answers, includes free agent tasks and built-in ad blocking. Chrome is more mature and stable, works on more platforms, and its Gemini features connect deeply with Google apps. Many people use both.
Both are built on Chromium’s Blink engine, so websites behave the same and many Chrome extensions work in Comet. Comet is made by Perplexity, not Google.
Yes. Gemini in Chrome adds a side panel assistant that can work across tabs and connect to Gmail, Calendar, Maps, YouTube and more. Its auto browse agent requires a Google AI Pro or Ultra subscription.
Comet stores browsing data locally by default and lets you block sites from its AI, pause the assistant and use Incognito. Chrome’s AI features are tied to your Google account settings. Both send data to their AI services when you use them, so review the settings in whichever you choose.
Many Chrome extensions work in Comet because it’s built on Chromium. Some may behave differently, so test the ones you rely on.
Yes. Comet can import bookmarks and passwords from your previous browser. Try it alongside Chrome for a week before making it your default.
Yes. Comet and Chrome are free. Comet Plus costs $5 a month (or comes with Perplexity Pro and Max), and Chrome’s auto browse needs Google AI Pro ($19.99 a month) or Ultra.
Try both
It’s free, imports your Chrome data, and you can switch back any time.