Google Chrome and Apple Safari currently dominate the web browser market. Chrome holds a significant share due to ongoing innovations, especially in integrating generative AI into its search functions. For users seeking alternatives, a variety of browsers aim to challenge these industry leaders.
To help navigate this competitive landscape, here is an overview of some top alternative browsers available today. This includes browsers leveraging AI, open source browsers that promote customization and privacy, and mindful browsers designed to enhance user well-being.
AI-Powered Browsers
Perplexity’s Comet is a recent AI-powered web browser from the startup Perplexity. This new product acts as a chatbot-based search engine and can perform actions like summarizing emails, browsing web pages, and sending calendar invites. It is currently only available to users with Perplexity’s two hundred dollar per month Max plan, though there is a waitlist for others to sign up.
The Browser Company, the startup behind the Arc browser, recently introduced Dia, its AI-centric browser. Dia looks similar to Google Chrome but includes an AI chat tool. Currently available as an invite-only beta, Dia is designed to help users navigate the web more easily. It can look at every website a user has visited and every website they are logged into to help find information and perform tasks. For instance, it can provide information about the current page, answer product questions, and summarize uploaded files. To get early access, users must be an Arc member, while non-members can join a waitlist.
Another recent entry into the AI browser space is Opera’s Neon. This browser has contextual awareness and can perform tasks like researching, shopping, and writing snippets of code. Notably, it can perform tasks while the user is offline. Neon is not yet available, but people can join a waitlist. It will be a subscription product, though Opera has not announced pricing.
OpenAI recently launched its own AI-powered web browser called Atlas. This browser allows users to ask ChatGPT about search results and browse websites within the chatbot instead of being directed to outside links. It also includes an agent mode for users to ask ChatGPT to complete tasks on their behalf. Atlas was first rumored to launch in July but only became available on macOS in October. It is expected to arrive on Windows, iOS, and Android devices soon.
Privacy-Focused Browsers
Brave is a well-known privacy-first browser, popular for its built-in ad and tracker blocking. It also has a gamified approach to browsing, rewarding users with its own cryptocurrency called Basic Attention Token. When users opt in to view ads to support their favorite websites, they get a share of the ad revenue. Additional features include a VPN service, an AI assistant, and a video calling feature.
DuckDuckGo is another browser many people are familiar with, thanks to its search engine of the same name. Launched in 2008, the company recently made significant investments to stay competitive by introducing generative AI features like a chatbot. It also enhanced its scam blocker to detect a wider range of scams, including fake cryptocurrency exchanges and fraudulent e-commerce websites. In addition to blocking scams, DuckDuckGo prevents trackers and ads and does not track user data.
Ladybird, led by GitHub co-founder and former CEO Chris Wanstrath, has an ambitious mission to build an entirely new open source browser from scratch. This means it will not rely on code from existing browsers, a feat that has rarely been accomplished. Like other privacy-focused browsers, Ladybird will offer features to minimize data collection, such as a built-in ad blocker. The browser has yet to be launched, with an alpha version scheduled for release in 2026 for early adopters on Linux and macOS.
Vivaldi is a Chromium-based browser created by one of the original developers of the Opera browser. Its biggest selling point is its highly customizable user interface, which allows users to change the appearance and enable or disable features. One unique feature is that the browser window changes color to match the website being viewed. Other key features include ad blocking, a password manager, no user data tracking, and productivity tools like a calendar and notes.
Niche Browsers
Opera launched the Air browser in February, becoming one of the first mindfulness-themed browsers. While it functions like a typical web browser, it includes unique features designed to support mental well-being. These features consist of break reminders and breathing exercises. Another feature, called Boosts, provides a selection of binaural beats to help improve focus or relaxation.
SigmaOS is a Mac-only browser featuring a workspace-style interface that emphasizes productivity. It displays tabs vertically, allowing users to treat them like a to-do list that can be marked as complete or snoozed for later. Users can create workspaces, which are groups of tabs, to better organize different activities like work and entertainment. This Y Combinator-backed browser has recently introduced more AI features, including the ability to summarize various elements of a web page. It also has an AI assistant that can answer questions, translate text, and rewrite content. SigmaOS is free to use, but users who want more than three workspaces can subscribe to a plan for eight dollars per month for unlimited workspaces.
Zen Browser aims to create a calmer internet with its open source browser. It lets users organize tabs into Workspaces and offers a Split View to see two tabs side by side, among other productivity-focused features. Users can also enhance their browsing experience with community-made plug-ins and themes.