Perplexity launches Comet Plus subscription ($5/mo) and free Comet browser globally

Perplexity's May 2026 updates center on a new monetization model and a browser expansion. The Comet Plus subscription costs $5 per month and is designed to directly compensate publishers for user engagement and AI utilization of their content. This revenue-sharing approach acknowledges the value of publisher data in AI training and retrieval, potentially setting a precedent for ethical AI business models. The subscription also provides enhanced features for users, though specifics beyond publisher compensation were not detailed.

Simultaneously, Perplexity released its Comet browser worldwide, dropping the previous waitlist. The browser is now free for all users and includes a built-in personal AI assistant capable of handling research tasks, meeting summaries, and coding assistance. By removing access barriers, Perplexity aims to increase user curiosity and daily engagement with AI-powered browsing. The Comet browser positions itself as a direct competitor to traditional browsers, integrating AI deeply into the user experience.