Perplexity opens Personal Computer local AI agent to all Mac users

Perplexity launched Personal Computer to general availability on Mac on Thursday, removing the waitlist that previously limited access to Perplexity Max subscribers. The software allows AI agents to operate locally on Mac devices with access to files, applications, and web tools.

Personal Computer runs autonomous agents on Mac hardware, including always-on devices like Mac Mini, and can be controlled remotely from iPhone. According to Perplexity, the software operates within a secure development environment on the company's servers while accessing local resources.

Technical capabilities

The software integrates with:

• Native Mac applications
• Local file systems
• Over 400 connectors for third-party services
• Web-based tools through Perplexity's Comet browser

Agents can execute multi-step workflows across applications, such as comparing files from different apps or pulling notes from one application to create drafts in another. Tasks can be initiated or approved remotely through iPhone.

Positioning against OpenClaw

Perplexity positions Personal Computer as a safer alternative to OpenClaw, which faced scrutiny over security risks from elevated system permissions. The company claims its approach provides "a safer AI-enabled computing environment," though specific security measures were not detailed in the announcement.

Personal Computer extends Perplexity Computer, the company's cloud-based multi-model AI worker, to local devices. Perplexity states this shift addresses the reality that "most of your real work already takes place" on personal computers rather than in cloud-only environments.

Availability and transition

The software is available as a direct download for Mac, not through the Mac App Store. Perplexity will deprecate its older Mac app "in the weeks ahead" to focus development resources on Personal Computer.

Pricing information was not disclosed. Personal Computer was initially released in April 2025 to Perplexity Max subscribers before today's wider launch.

What this means

Perplexity's move to general availability signals confidence in local AI agent software as a product category, though the market remains nascent. The emphasis on security addresses real concerns raised by OpenClaw's approach, but without detailed technical specifications, the actual security improvements remain unclear. The requirement for Perplexity's server-side infrastructure suggests a hybrid model rather than fully local operation, which may affect performance and privacy considerations for enterprise users.