Welcome to the forefront of conversational AI as we explore the fascinating world of AI chatbots in our dedicated blog series. Discover the latest advancements, applications, and strategies that propel the evolution of chatbot technology. From enhancing customer interactions to streamlining business processes, these articles delve into the innovative ways artificial intelligence is shaping the landscape of automated conversational agents. Whether you’re a business owner, developer, or simply intrigued by the future of interactive technology, join us on this journey to unravel the transformative power and endless possibilities of AI chatbots.
We tested 10 AI-powered browsers by running identical tasks across each platform: webpage summarization, multi-site research, form automation, and cross-tab workflows. We documented which features worked as advertised and which failed during actual use.
Three major developments in 2026 changed the landscape:
What you’ll get: A comparison of 10 browsers tested across 4 categories, updates on product launches, and concrete examples of what each browser can and cannot do.
Most AI browsers fall between two extremes: chatbots awkwardly grafted onto Chrome, or genuinely useful tools that handle multi-step research tasks. Testing revealed significant accessibility barriers; agent capabilities sit behind $20-200/month paywalls, several browsers can’t actually see the pages you’re viewing, and security vulnerabilities allow malicious websites to hijack AI commands.
Most advanced capabilities sit behind paywalls. The free tiers are intentionally limited to push upgrades.
I asked each browser to summarize AIMultiple’s homepage and a 3,000-word technical article on agentic AI for cybersecurity.
Task: “Summarize AIMultiple’s main page”
We asked each browser to summarize AIMultiple’s homepage and a long technical article on agentic AI for cybersecurity.
Perplexity Comet: Navigated to the site independently, analyzed content, and delivered structured summaries with specific examples.
ChatGPT Atlas: Analyzed pages through its sidebar. When browser memory is enabled, it connects current content to previous browsing history. You can ask follow-up questions about specific sections without re-explaining the context.
Microsoft Edge Copilot: Correctly identified key sections, AI benchmarks, LLM calculators, and enterprise software insights. Solid understanding of business content.
Brave Leo: Accurately covered enterprise software insights, AI benchmarks, calculators, and the site’s transparency focus. Well-structured response.
Arc Max: Can’t perform standalone summarization. AI functionality only activates when you right-click specific page elements. There’s no chat interface where you can ask, “Summarize this page.”
Opera Aria: Failed both tests. Instead of analyzing actual page content, it provided generic LLM responses. The page context feature appears to be broken; it appears unable to see what you’re looking at.
Sigma AI: Unable to access external websites directly. The browser explicitly states that it cannot visit URLs and requires manual text entry to generate summaries, thereby severely limiting web summarization capabilities.
Strawberry Browser: Still in alpha. Early demonstrations suggest strong autonomous capabilities, but a comprehensive evaluation is not yet possible due to limited access.
Analyze article: Agentic AI for Cybersecurity: Real-life Use Cases & Examples
Perplexity Comet: Delivered structured analysis covering SecOps and AppSec use cases, cited specific examples (University of Kansas Health System, APi Group), and broke down benefits and challenges.
Microsoft Edge Copilot: Organized findings into clear sections: SecOps automation, AppSec uses, and implementation challenges.
Brave Leo: Covered autonomous AI operations, SecOps/AppSec applications, automation benefits, and challenges. Strong grasp of technical concepts, suggested follow-up questions.
ChatGPT Atlas: Analyzed the article with context awareness, breaking down technical concepts and offering to compare with similar articles from browser memory.
Arc Max: Provided detailed analysis across multiple attempts, but was repetitive. Captured key concepts like autonomous decision-making, real-time monitoring, and SOC automation, though less concise than competitors.
Opera Aria: Context functionality broken. Defaulted to generic responses instead of analyzing the actual article.
We tested each browser between August 2024 and January 2025 as they became available:
What we tested:
Smart assistants: Add AI chat and analysis, but you still control the browsing. Examples: Arc Max, Brave Leo, Microsoft Edge Copilot, ChatGPT Atlas sidebar.
AI agents: Browse autonomously, make decisions, and complete tasks without constant guidance. Examples: Perplexity Comet agent, ChatGPT Atlas agent mode, Google Chrome Auto Browse, Strawberry Browser.
Whether you need an agent depends on your workflow. If you’re researching a topic across dozens of sites, an agent saves hours. If you want quick summaries while reading, a smart assistant is enough.
Platform-by-Platform Breakdown
ChatGPT runs directly inside your browser rather than as an extension. Every webpage displays an “Ask ChatGPT” button in the top-right corner that opens a sidebar without leaving the page.
ChatGPT subscribers who want automation without switching between browser and ChatGPT tabs. macOS users only (Windows/iOS/Android versions in development with no release date).
You already pay for ChatGPT Plus, Pro, or the new Go plan. You regularly need to cross-reference information across multiple tabs. You want ChatGPT to remember details from sites you visit.
OpenAI launched GPT-5.2 with “Instant” (speed-optimized) and “Thinking” (reasoning-optimized) tiers. Introduced ChatGPT Go, a mid-tier subscription between Free and Plus that includes expanded agent capabilities.
Core features:
Agent Mode (Plus/Pro/Go subscribers only):
ChatGPT navigates websites, fills forms, books reservations, and adds items to carts. You approve each important action before execution.
Example workflow: “Find Italian restaurants in downtown Seattle with availability Saturday night, and book a table for 4 at the one with the best reviews.”
Atlas opens multiple tabs, reads reviews, checks availability, and presents options. You approve the booking, and the reservation is completed.
Safety limits: Can’t run code, download files, install extensions, access other apps, read passwords, or use autofill data.
Search & Browse:
ChatGPT search opens with an AI-generated response, then provides tabs for traditional results, images, videos, and news. Maintains context across multiple tabs and websites.
Privacy & Data:
Browser memories are opt-in. Incognito mode is available for browsing, signed out, with no chat or saved memory. By default, browsing content isn’t used for training (you can opt in via data controls). Chat history is stored in accordance with your ChatGPT account settings. Data is retained for 30 days and then deleted.
Real limitations:
Pricing:
Comet completes multi-step tasks across websites without constant supervision. Tell it to “find the cheapest direct flight to Tokyo departing next Tuesday,” and it actually searches multiple travel sites.
Research professionals who need to gather information across 10+ websites. Users are willing to grant extensive screen access permissions for autonomous browsing.
When it makes sense: You spend hours comparing products, reading reviews, and checking multiple sites manually. You trust Perplexity’s security (see limitations below). You need free autonomous browsing (previously $200/month, now free).
Comet Assistant capabilities:
Mobile & Background features:
Real limitations:
Pricing: Free (changed from $200/month in October 2025)
Right-click AI features without a traditional chat interface. You trigger specific actions rather than asking open-ended questions.
Users who want subtle AI enhancements without chatbot interfaces. macOS users (Windows version available, but features are limited).
When it makes sense: You want instant link previews and smarter page search without learning new interaction patterns. You don’t want an AI chatbot constantly visible. You already use the Arc browser for other reasons.
AI capabilities:
Browser automation & organization:
Real limitations:
Pricing: Free (all Arc Max features included in the Arc browser)
Microsoft’s AI assistant is built directly into the Edge browser with deep Office 365 integration.
Enterprise workers are already paying for Microsoft 365. Organizations standardized on the Microsoft ecosystem.
When it makes sense: You work primarily in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. You need AI that accesses your company’s Microsoft Graph data (calendar, emails, documents). Your IT department already approved Edge.
Copilot features:
Microsoft ecosystem integration:
Productivity features:
Search & Browse:
Real limitations:
Pricing:
Privacy-first AI assistant that stores conversations locally instead of in the cloud. No signup required.
Privacy-conscious users who want AI features without account creation or data collection. Users are willing to sacrifice cutting-edge capabilities for privacy guarantees.
When it makes sense: You won’t create accounts or share browsing data. You want AI that works immediately without configuration. You’re comfortable with slightly less powerful models in exchange for privacy.
Core capabilities:
Privacy design:
Model choices:
Browser integration:
Real limitations:
Pricing:
Opera promises 150+ local AI models with built-in model management, but the page context feature, which is the most critical functionality, doesn’t work.
Who uses it: Tech enthusiasts willing to tolerate broken features for local model experimentation.
When it makes sense: You want to test local LLM variants and don’t care about browser integration. You prioritize model variety over reliability.
Core claims:
Integration:
Real limitations:
Pricing: Free
Chat interface with image generation capabilities, but it can’t access external websites.
Content creators who want multimedia generation tools packaged as a browser rather than actual web browsing AI assistance.
When it makes sense: You want GPT-5.1, Gemini 2.5, image generation, and music creation in one interface. You don’t need the AI to analyze webpages. You’re looking for a creative tool, not a research assistant.
Features:
Model Selection:
Integration:
Real limitations:
Pricing: Free
Experimental AI-first browser from The Browser Company (makers of Arc), built from scratch as an AI-native experience rather than adding AI to existing browser architecture.
Who uses it: Early adopters willing to test paradigm shifts in how browsers work. Users are comfortable with incomplete features and frequent changes.
When it makes sense: You want to experiment with AI-native browsing concepts. You’re willing to provide feedback and tolerate instability. You already use Arc and trust The Browser Company’s development approach.
AI Assistant Capabilities:
Integration & Features:
An alpha-stage browser focused on workflow automation with AI companions that learn by watching your screen.
Who uses it: Power users willing to pay for alpha software. Professionals who perform repetitive multi-site research tasks daily.
When it makes sense: You manually complete the same research workflows repeatedly. You’re comfortable with bugs and incomplete features. You want to beta test autonomous browsing before it’s mainstream.
AI capabilities:
Advanced features:
Pricing: $30/month (alpha access)
An experimental browser from Google Labs that generates custom web applications from your open tabs rather than functioning as a traditional browser with AI added.
Who uses it: Researchers managing complex multi-tab workflows. Users on macOS with Google Labs waitlist access.
When it makes sense: You regularly work with 20+ open tabs for a single project. You want AI to understand your overall task across multiple sites rather than analyze individual pages. You’re comfortable with experimental Google products that might be discontinued.
AI capabilities:
Core features:
Google ecosystem integration:
Real limitations:
Pricing: Free (waitlist required)
New entry January 2026: Google launched Auto Browse for Chrome Premium subscribers, powered by Gemini 3 AI.
Chrome handles multi-step tasks autonomously through a persistent AI side panel. Ask it to “research trip to Paris including flights, hotels, and restaurants,” and it navigates websites, compares options, and compiles results.
Who uses it: Premium subscribers who want autonomous browsing without switching browsers. Users already in the Google ecosystem (Gmail, Drive, Calendar).
When it makes sense: You pay for Chrome Premium. You want AI automation without learning new browser interfaces. You trust Google’s data handling. You need integration with Google Workspace.
Auto Browse capabilities:
Integration:
Real limitations:
Pricing: Chrome Premium subscription required
Firefox introduces a centralized AI Controls dashboard, scheduled for release in version 148 on February 24, 2026.7
Rather than integrating AI features, Firefox gives users tools to disable AI-powered features across the web and within the browser itself.
Privacy-focused users who want to opt out of AI features. Users are concerned about AI data collection. Organizations require strict AI usage policies.
You want to browse without AI features. You’re concerned about AI data collection and training. You need enterprise controls to block employee AI usage. You prioritize user agency over AI assistance.
AI Controls features:
Privacy approach:
Real limitations:
Pricing: Free (included in Firefox 148+)
Security researchers at Brave discovered a significant flaw in Perplexity Comet’s implementation that enables attackers to manipulate AI actions via malicious web content.8 .
Attack mechanism:
Risk levels by browser type:
High Risk – Advanced Agentic Browsers:
Medium Risk – Limited Agentic Features:
Lower Risk – Assistant-Only Browsers:
Core AI Capabilities
Common Privacy Features
Standard Integration
Your email address will not be published. All fields are required.
