PayPal announced that U.S. and select international PayPal and Venmo customers can now bypass the waitlist to access Perplexity’s Comet browser. The deal includes a free 12-month Perplexity Pro trial, valued at $200, making it one of the most high-profile launches of an AI-powered browser to date.

Comet integrates an AI assistant, answer-focused search, and tools for product comparisons, positioning itself as a hybrid of personal shopper, tutor, and daily-use companion.

“This partnership gives PayPal and Venmo customers early access to one of the most anticipated AI browsers,” said Diego Scotti, General Manager, Consumer Group at PayPal. “It’s exciting to deliver offers and tools that our customers request most, meeting their needs and helping them navigate their financial lives with greater simplicity, added convenience, and even more rewards.”

Ryan Foutty, VP of Business at Perplexity, added: “The Comet browser is like a personal shopper and personal assistant all in one, so we’re excited that PayPal users will have early access to Comet.”

The promotion is tied to the new PayPal Subscriptions Hub, which consolidates recurring subscription management. Users can:

For PayPal, the partnership not only drives engagement with its apps but also highlights this new hub, one of its most requested features.

U.S. PayPal users can sign up for Perplexity Pro directly through the PayPal app today. Venmo users can access the same offer in the Venmo app, while global customers in select markets will be able to redeem it through email campaigns or a dedicated landing page. The PayPal Subscriptions Hub is already live for U.S. customers and will expand to additional international markets later this month.

The offer is valid through December 31, 2025, and is limited to first-time Perplexity users. PayPal and Venmo accounts must be created by September 1, 2025, to qualify. New accounts opened after that date may face a 30-day verification period before the offer can be redeemed. After the complimentary 12-month subscription ends, Perplexity Pro will renew at the then-current rate unless canceled. Once customers activate their Perplexity Pro trial, they’ll receive instructions on how to download and install the Comet browser right away.

According to TechCrunch, the deal helps Perplexity stand out in a market where AI-powered browsers are competing against entrenched incumbents like Google Chrome. The free year of Perplexity Pro may also convert into paying subscribers, either through users forgetting to cancel or deciding the service is worth continuing.

Eligible users can redeem the offer directly in the PayPal or Venmo apps, but only one invite is available per account, and existing Perplexity Pro customers are excluded.

In addition to the PayPal and Venmo partnership, Perplexity is extending early access to students. With Comet’s Study Mode, students can get step-by-step explanations, create personalized flashcards, and generate quizzes from their study notes.

Students can unlock a range of benefits when signing up for Comet:

Q: What is the Perplexity Comet browser?
A: Comet is an AI-powered browser with integrated search, personal assistant tools, and features like product comparisons and Study Mode for students.

Q: What are PayPal and Venmo offering customers?
A: Eligible PayPal and Venmo users get early access to Comet plus a free 12-month Perplexity Pro subscription valued at $200.

Q: How does the PayPal Subscriptions Hub work?
A: It provides a single dashboard to manage recurring subscriptions, update payment methods, and unlock exclusive offers, including a $50 cashback promotion.

Q: What’s the duration of the Perplexity offer?
A: The free Pro trial is valid through December 31, 2025, after which it renews at the standard subscription rate unless canceled.

Q: How can students access Comet?
A: Students can verify their status for free early access. They may upgrade to Perplexity Pro for $4.99/month or earn additional months through referrals.

The PayPal and Venmo partnership gives Perplexity a major distribution boost, leveraging financial apps used daily by millions. For PayPal, the move reinforces its Subscriptions Hub as a central feature for digital payments.

At the same time, extending Comet to students strengthens Perplexity’s positioning as both a consumer and educational tool. The combined approach — pairing financial partners with discounted student access — highlights how AI browsers are moving beyond early adopters and into mainstream use cases.

If Perplexity can convert this wave of free trials into paying subscribers, it may carve out a lasting role in a market still dominated by Chrome.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiroo’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.