The browser wars aren’t about search anymore — here are the best alternatives to Chrome and Safari

Published 3 July 2026 · tech

The browser wars have entered a new phase this year: the fight isn’t just over search results anymore, it’s over which company’s AI gets to

The browser wars have entered a new phase this year: the fight isn’t just over search results anymore, it’s over which company’s AI gets to act on your behalf inside the browser itself. Google Chrome and Apple’s Safari still dominate the market overall, with Chrome’s edge coming largely from how aggressively it has woven generative AI into search. But 2026 has brought a wave of new entrants — from well-funded startups to Big Tech itself — all betting that the browser is about to become less like a window onto the web and more like an assistant that gets things done for you. Users looking for alternatives to Chrome and Safari can choose from a growing variety of browsers aimed at challenging the industry giants. To help navigate the competitive landscape, we’ve compiled an overview of some of the top alternative browsers available today. This includes browsers leveraging AI, open source browsers that promote customization and privacy, and “mindful browsers” — a new term that refers to browsers designed to enhance user well-being. AI-powered browsers Image Credits:Perplexity Perplexity’s Comet Perplexity is the most recent startup in the space to launch an AI-powered web browser. Called Comet, the company’s new product acts as a chatbot-based search engine, and can perform actions like summarizing emails, browsing web pages, and performing tasks such as sending calendar invites. It’s currently only available to users with Perplexity’s $200/month Max plan, but there’s also a waitlist where people can sign up. The Browser Company’s Dia Image Credits:The Browser Company The Browser Company, the startup behind the Arc browser, recently introduced Dia, its AI-centric browser that looks similar to Google Chrome but with an AI chat tool. Currently available as an invite-only beta, Dia is designed to help users navigate the web more easily. It’s able to look at every website that a user has visited and every website they’re logged into, enabling it to help you find information and perform tasks. For instance, Dia can provide information about the page a user is currently browsing, answer questions about a product, and summarize uploaded files.

To get early access to Dia, users have to be an Arc member. Non-members can join the waitlist. Opera’s Neon Image Credits:Opera Another recent entry into the AI agentic browser war is Opera’s Neon, which has contextual awareness and can do things like researching, shopping, and writing snippets of code. Notably, it can even perform tasks while the user is offline. Neon is currently available on macOS and Windows. The subscription costs $19.90 per month. OpenAI’s Atlas Image Credits:Bryce Durbin / TechCrunch OpenAI recently launched its AI-powered web browser, called Atlas. The browser allows users to ask ChatGPT about search results and browse websites within the chatbot instead of being directed to outside links. There’s also an “agent mode” for users to ask ChatGPT to complete tasks on their behalf. Atlas was first rumored to launch in July; however, it only became available on macOS in October. It’s expected to arrive on Windows, iOS, and Android devices soon. Aside Backed by Y Combinator, Aside is an upcoming AI-first, browser-native automation platform built to autonomously complete tasks, fill out forms, and manage data on behalf of users. The company describes the experience simply: “Give it your passwords, browsing history, and browser context.” Unlike traditional automation tools that rely on integrations, Aside operates directly within the browser itself, allowing it to work across Gmail, Notion, Slack, Figma, and banking platforms. Users can sign up for the waitlist ahead of launch. Jatter launched its AI-powered browser in June, giving users the ability to ask questions about any webpage, uncover relevant insights, and receive personalized recommendations based on their browsing activity. Additionally, Jatter offers an integrated Notes app, so it can learn from that content, summarize notes, and surface key details. Jatter is currently available on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android devices. It’s free to use, but there’s also an optional subscription for $10 per month. Privacy-focused browsers Image Credits:Brave Brave is among the more well-known privacy-first browsers, popular for its built-in ad and tracker blocking capabilities.