Perplexity brings its local AI agent to all Mac users

Perplexity has officially launched its Personal Computer software for all Mac users, moving the tool out of its initial waitlist-only phase. The company announced the general availability of the software on Thursday. The application was first introduced last month, but access was previously limited to Perplexity Max subscribers and required a waitlist. While any Mac user can now download the new desktop application, using the Personal Computer feature still requires a Pro or Max subscription.

The software is designed to move AI workflows from the cloud to the local device. Local AI agents are software programs that run directly on a user’s device rather than in the cloud. According to the company, the application “takes Computer out of the cloud-only world and onto the device where most of your real work already takes place.” To manage files and applications, the tool utilizes over 400 connectors—which are integrations with other apps or services—and can work with native Mac apps and the web. This allows the local AI agents to operate directly on local files and applications. If paired with Perplexity’s Comet web browser, the software can operate web-based tools without direct connectors. Additionally, the system can run autonomous agents on an always-on device like a Mac Mini, which users can access remotely from an iPhone to initiate tasks or approve requests.

Perplexity is positioning the tool as a safer alternative to competitors like OpenClaw. The company claims that OpenClaw “presented several security risks because of its elevated permissions” to users. By contrast, Personal Computer is meant to offer users a safer AI-enabled computing environment, though this remains an unverified claim from the company.

With this general release, the company plans to deprecate its older Mac app in the weeks ahead. This deprecation will allow the development team to focus its efforts on the new Personal Computer application.

Why it matters

Perplexity is positioning its local AI agent as a secure, privacy-conscious alternative to existing tools, signaling a broader industry shift toward on-device AI workflows for professional users.