Side Copilot vs Perplexity Comet AI Assistant
You do not need another AI Browser.
As AI-first browsers multiply, comet ai browser has emerged as one of the most talked-about options. But not every user needs a new browser—some prefer adding AI power to the browser they already use. In this article we compare Comet (by Perplexity) and Side Copilot (an AI extension from Side Space), explain what each does best, and help you choose the right solution for your productivity needs.
What is Comet ?
Comet is Perplexity AI’s AI-first browser that places a persistent, context-aware assistant (often called the Comet Assistant) alongside your browsing session. It’s designed to act like a personal assistant that can summarize pages, answer questions about the content you’re viewing, automate simple tasks, and surface helpful tools (shopping, travel, news, etc.) while you browse. Comet launched from limited access into wider availability in 2025 and Perplexity has positioned it as a free, broadly available AI browser with optional paid tiers for advanced capabilities.
Key points about Comet:
- It features an assistant that reads page context and answers questions or performs actions in-context.
- Perplexity integrated multiple model choices and aims to offer seamless tools for research, shopping, and productivity directly inside the browser.
- Comet expanded from a paid early access model to broader free availability while keeping Pro/Plus options for advanced users.
Security note: Independent audits have highlighted potential security concerns around Comet’s agentic features — often referred to as Cometjacking. This term describes the risk that an AI-powered browser could be manipulated to perform unintended or even harmful actions. If you prioritize data protection or enterprise-level safety, this is a crucial factor to evaluate before adopting Comet AI.
What is Side Copilot?
Side Copilot is an AI-powered browser extension from Side Space that works inside your existing browser (Chrome, Edge, Brave, Firefox etc). Rather than replacing your browser, Side Copilot augments it with two modes:
- Chat Mode — instant, lightweight content analysis: summarize pages, translate text, extract key points, take screenshots.
- Agent Mode — deeper automation and actions across your browser: intelligent tab grouping, multi-window management, session restore, history analysis, and research automation.
Under the hood, Side Copilot uses dedicated tools (Tab Tool, Tab Group Tool, Window Tool, History Tool, Session Tool, Research Tool) and supports custom shortcuts plus BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) so organizations and privacy-conscious users can run AI requests through their own API credentials.
Comet AI Assistant vs Side Copilot — Feature Comparison
| Feature | Comet AI Assistant | Side Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Full, standalone Chromium browser — AI assistant built in. | Browser extension that runs inside browsers (no switch required). |
| Primary focus | AI-native browsing + built-in assistant & services (shopping, travel, research). | Automation & productivity: tab/window management, research workflows, agentic tasks. |
| Context awareness | Deep: reads active tab content and multi-tab context to answer queries. | Deep: tools operate on tabs, windows and (opt-in) history for automated actions. |
| Multi-step automation | Yes — but focused on assistant workflows inside the browser. | Strong: designed for multi-step workflows (open, group, summarize, restore, re-arrange). |
| Shortcuts / workflows | Comet assistant suggestions and shortcuts; product evolving. | Custom shortcuts, saved workflows, and Agent tools for complex automation. |
| BYOK / key control | Model/feature access tied to Perplexity account tiers. | BYOK support — let users connect their own API keys for privacy/control. |
| Platform & install | Requires switching to Comet browser (download and set default). | Install as an extension — keeps your existing browser and settings. |
| Best for | Users who want an AI-centric, integrated browsing experience. | Power users and researchers who want AI automation without switching browsers. |
| Security considerations | Powerful agentic features reported to have security implications in audits — evaluate risk. | Operates inside browser security model; History Tool is opt-in and BYOK gives more control. |
When Comet AI Is the Right Choice
Choose Comet if you want a browser built around an always-present AI assistant and you’re okay switching to a new, integrated experience. Comet’s assistant is handy for quick in-tab Q&A, summarization, and a more tightly integrated, “everything in one browser” approach. It’s particularly appealing if you prefer an out-of-the-box AI environment and don’t mind migration friction.
When Side Copilot Is the Better Fit
Choose Side Copilot if you:
- Prefer to keep your current browser and add AI power without relearning a new UI.
- Need fine-grained automation for heavy multitasking: intelligent tab grouping, multi-window workflows, session restore, and repeatable shortcuts.
- Want BYOK control over where your AI calls are routed and opt-in history analysis for privacy.
Side Copilot is designed for users who treat the browser as a workspace: many tabs, multiple projects, and repeatable workflows.
Cometjacking — A Security Risk to Be Aware Of
As you evaluate comet ai, it’s important to understand Cometjacking — the risk that an AI‑enabled browser assistant can be manipulated to execute unwanted or malicious actions.
What is Cometjacking?
The term refers to scenarios where a browser with deep AI access (like Comet) is tricked into performing harmful tasks through prompt injection, malicious browsing context, or tab‑based manipulation. Because the assistant interacts with live browser content and can act based on commands, vulnerabilities may allow attackers to steer the assistant to reveal sensitive data, follow phishing links, or perform destructive operations.
Why it matters for Comet and AI Browsers
Comet’s strength—its context‑aware assistant and ability to act across tabs—also expands its attack surface. Independent reporting has raised concerns that without rigorous permission controls and prompt safeguards, such browser assistants may be vulnerable.
By contrast, Side Copilot mitigates these risks through measures such as:
- Opt‑in features (e.g., History Tool)
- BYOK to manage key and data control
- Use of existing browser security boundaries rather than a fully new browser model
Practical tips to reduce risk:
- Only enable powerful features when needed
- Verify multi‑step actions before running them
- Keep your browser and extensions up to date
- Monitor and audit assistant activity and permissions
Practical Example Workflows
Task: “Collect all research tabs on AI productivity tools, summarize each, group them by topic, then open them in a new window.”
- Comet: Use the AI assistant to summarize page content and ask for grouping recommendations — you’ll get concise answers and can manually organize tabs.
- Side Copilot: Run a single Agent command that locates research tabs, summarizes each automatically, creates topic groups, opens tabs with groups in a new window — all in one multi-step action. (Extension-native Agent tools make this possible.)
Final Verdict
If your goal is a seamless, AI-native browsing experience and you’re willing to switch browsers, comet ai is a compelling, modern choice with a rich AI assistant and broad tooling.
If you value automation, control, and continuity, and you need to preserve your current browser setup while adding powerful AI workflows, Side Copilot gives you agentic automation, BYOK privacy, and advanced tab/window management without forcing a platform change.