Perplexity, an AI answer-engine platform, plans to launch a free agentic shopping tool next week in the United States, enabling users to automate purchases directly within its website and app through a partnership with PayPal.
The company, which also develops the Comet AI browser, currently offers a “Buy with Pro” tool that assists users with shopping tasks. This existing feature remains exclusive to paid subscribers, allowing them to research and select products using Perplexity’s AI capabilities. The new free product builds on this foundation by extending similar functionalities to all users without a subscription requirement. Perplexity’s move comes amid growing competition in AI-driven commerce, as other major players introduce comparable tools.
OpenAI introduced its Instant Checkout feature in September, permitting users to complete purchases seamlessly without exiting the ChatGPT interface. This tool integrates product recommendations and transactions into the conversational AI experience. Similarly, Google rolled out new shopping integrations this month within its Gemini chatbot and AI Mode, enhancing search results with direct buying options for e-commerce items.
According to a report from CNBC, Perplexity’s free agentic shopping product is scheduled for debut next week. The tool aims to simplify the purchasing process by automating steps from research to payment. Dmitry Shevelenko, Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer, explained the core concept in an interview with the publication. “The agentic part is the seamless purchase right from the answer. Most people want to still do their own research. They want that streamlined and simplified, and so that’s the part that is agentic in this launch,” Shevelenko stated. This description highlights how the AI will handle multiple actions autonomously, starting from a user’s query response.
Details about the precise mechanics of the agentic features or the overall product scope remain undisclosed. The new offering is expected to mirror the “Buy with Pro” experience in terms of integration and user interface, though adapted for broader accessibility. Shevelenko declined to provide information on whether Perplexity will generate revenue through commissions or fees on transactions facilitated by the tool.
In a related development, Alex Chriss, CEO of PayPal, announced the partnership with Perplexity on Wednesday. This collaboration enables PayPal users to conduct searches, browse products, and complete payments entirely within Perplexity’s platform. The PayPal-enabled shopping functionality will activate next week, supporting secure transactions for a variety of online retailers. This integration positions Perplexity as a one-stop platform for information retrieval and commerce.
Excited to partner with @perplexity_ai to power seamless agentic shopping experiences. Starting next week, customers will be able to search, shop and pay for their holiday purchases with @PayPal in Perplexity.
Let’s go! @AravSrinivas 🚀https://t.co/OjSm4AAxB7
— Alex Chriss (@acce) November 19, 2025
