Home
AI & Society
Comparisons

Agentic Browsing: Comparing the New Wave of AI Browsers

Comet browser review, AI search engine comparison, agentic browsing, Arc Max, Sigma AI Browser, Kagi search, AI sidecar assistant
Thinknology

Skip to main content

The AI Browser Revolution: When Perplexity opened Comet to everyone in October 2025, millions joined the waitlist. Now ChatGPT Atlas, Arc Max, Dia, and Sigma compete for your default browser slot. Here's how they stack up on features, privacy, speed—and whether they can actually replace Chrome.

AI Browser Comparison 2026: Comet, Atlas, Arc & More Reviewed

Compare the best AI browsers of 2026: Perplexity Comet, ChatGPT Atlas, Arc Max, Dia, and Sigma. Discover which offers the best research tools, privacy protections, and agentic browsing capabilities for your workflow.

Reading time: ~16 min •
Key Facts (TL;DR)
  • Two categories emerge: Smart assistants (Arc Max, Brave Leo, Edge Copilot) help you browse vs. agentic browsers (Comet, Atlas) that browse for you
  • Perplexity Comet leads research: Replaces Google search entirely with cited AI answers; Research View summarizes multiple sources simultaneously
  • ChatGPT Atlas dominates automation: Agent Mode executes multi-step tasks; browser-wide memory remembers preferences across sessions
  • Privacy varies dramatically: Sigma offers local-first AI with no tracking; Comet and Atlas collect extensive interaction data
  • Arc Max wins tab management: AI automatically organizes tabs, renames downloads, and generates page previews on hover
  • All are Chromium-based: Every major AI browser runs on Chromium, ensuring Chrome Web Store extension compatibility
  • Performance trade-offs exist: AI features consume 30–50% more RAM and battery than traditional browsers

The AI browser wars began in earnest when Perplexity launched Comet in July 2025, followed by OpenAI's Atlas in November. These aren't browsers with AI features bolted on—they're browsers rebuilt from the ground up with AI as the primary interface. Instead of searching for information, you ask questions and receive synthesized, cited answers. Instead of manually completing repetitive tasks, you delegate them to AI agents.

But the AI browser category isn't monolithic. Some browsers, like Arc Max and Microsoft Edge Copilot, add smart assistance to traditional browsing. Others, like Comet and Atlas, introduce agentic browsing where AI takes actions autonomously. Privacy-focused options like Sigma and Brave Leo promise local AI processing without cloud surveillance.

This comprehensive comparison examines eight leading AI browsers across features, privacy, performance, and real-world usability. Whether you're a researcher drowning in tabs, a professional seeking automation, or a privacy advocate wary of AI data collection, this guide helps you find the right AI browser for your needs.

What Makes an AI Browser Different?

Traditional browsers vs. AI browsers

Traditional browsers are fundamentally passive tools. You type queries, click links, and manually navigate between pages. AI browsers flip this model. They actively participate in your workflow—answering questions, summarizing content, executing tasks, and learning your preferences.

Key differentiators:

  • Search transformation: AI browsers replace blue links with direct answers, citations, and synthesis across multiple sources
  • Context awareness: AI understands what's in your open tabs and can act across multiple pages simultaneously
  • Agentic capabilities: Some AI browsers can browse autonomously—opening pages, extracting data, and completing multi-step tasks
  • Memory systems: AI remembers your preferences, past queries, and frequently used workflows
  • Conversational interface: Natural language replaces keywords; you ask questions as if talking to a colleague

Smart assistance vs. agentic browsing

The AI browser landscape splits into two camps:

Smart Assistants (Arc Max, Brave Leo, Edge Copilot, Opera Aria):

  • AI features augment traditional browsing
  • You remain in control; AI responds to explicit commands
  • Focus: summarization, chat, tab organization, writing assistance
  • Lower resource consumption; faster performance

Agentic Browsers (Perplexity Comet, ChatGPT Atlas, Dia):

  • AI actively browses and works on your behalf
  • Capable of multi-step autonomous task execution
  • Focus: research automation, task delegation, proactive assistance
  • Higher resource demands; more transformative workflows

The 2026 AI Browser Landscape

Quick overview: 8 leading AI browsers

1. Perplexity Comet – The researcher's dream browser

Launched July 2025, opened to everyone October 2025. Replaces Google search with Perplexity's AI engine; excels at research with cited multi-source answers, Research View for simultaneous document analysis, and voice commands.

2. ChatGPT Atlas – The agentic powerhouse

OpenAI's standalone browser (November 2025) with native ChatGPT integration. Features Agent Mode for autonomous task execution, browser-wide memory, and tab-level conversations. Strongest automation stack.

3. Dia Browser – The personalized workflow browser

Built on Arc's foundation with emphasis on customization. Skills system creates AI shortcuts for repetitive tasks; context-aware sidebar acts across multiple sites; privacy-focused with local encryption.

4. Arc Max – The tab organization master

Browser Company's AI add-on to Arc Browser. Automatically tidies tab titles and downloads, generates five-second page previews, integrates ChatGPT in command bar. Lightweight AI layer on polished UX.

5. Microsoft Edge Copilot – The Microsoft ecosystem browser

Edge with Copilot deeply integrated. Best for Microsoft 365 users; free and cross-platform; consistent assistant experience. AI features still maturing; slower chatbot than competitors.

6. Brave Leo – Privacy-first with AI brains

Built-in AI (Llama 3.1 and Claude) with privacy guarantees: no login required, unlinkable tokens, ephemeral data. Limited agentic features but strong privacy protections.

7. Opera Aria – Smart, mainstream, and accessible

AI assistant embedded in Opera with tab control, writing tools, and image analysis via natural language. Mature, stable, and user-friendly; lacks cutting-edge agentic capabilities.

8. Sigma AI Browser – The all-in-one experimental player

Local-first AI with no tracking pledge, end-to-end encrypted chat, built-in VPN and ad blocker. SigmaGPT assistant for content creation and summarization. Most privacy-focused option.

In-Depth Browser Comparisons

Feature comparison matrix

Feature Comet Atlas Arc Max Dia Sigma
Agentic browsing ✅ Research agents, tab automation ✅ Full Agent Mode with multi-step tasks ⚠️ Limited (preview, organize only) ✅ Skills system for custom automation ❌ Assistant only
Cited answers ✅ Every answer sourced ⚠️ ChatGPT search mode ❌ Uses ChatGPT without native citations ⚠️ Context-aware but not search-focused ❌ Basic chat only
Memory system ⚠️ Session-based context ✅ Persistent browser memory ❌ No memory ✅ Learns from Skills usage ❌ No profile storage
Voice commands ✅ Full voice mode ✅ Voice input supported ❌ Text only ❌ Text only ❌ Text only
Privacy focus ⚠️ Collects interaction data ⚠️ OpenAI data policies apply ✅ Privacy-first (no tracking) ✅ Local encryption, deletable data ✅ No tracking, local AI, VPN
Pricing Free (Pro $20/month) ChatGPT Plus required ($20/month) Free with Arc Browser Free (Pro for unlimited Skills) Free

Perplexity Comet: The researcher's dream

Comet is what happens when a search engine company builds a browser. Every query transforms into a synthesized, cited answer instead of blue links. The result: a browser that doesn't just take you to information—it analyzes it, cites it, and helps you act on it.

Standout features:

  • Research View: Summarizes multiple sources side-by-side with citations and cross-references
  • AI sidebar integration: Watches open tabs, maintains context, can summarize pages or extract data on command
  • Voice mode: Hands-free research powered by Whisper-like speech recognition
  • Tab automation: AI agents can open pages, extract specs, format data into tables
  • Free tier: Core features available without subscription

Best for: Researchers, students, analysts, and anyone who spends hours comparing sources and synthesizing information.

Limitations: Complex agent instructions sometimes fail; Perplexity search occasionally lags Google in result relevance; resource-intensive when AI features active.

ChatGPT Atlas: The agentic powerhouse

OpenAI's Atlas is the most capable agentic browser of 2026. Agent Mode can execute complex multi-step workflows—book flights, compare products across sites, fill forms—with minimal supervision. Browser-wide memory learns your preferences and applies them consistently.

Standout features:

  • Agent Mode: Full autonomous browsing with multi-step task execution and decision-making
  • Browser memory: Remembers preferences, past queries, frequently used workflows across sessions
  • Tab-level conversations: Each tab has its own ChatGPT context for specific page analysis
  • Page-aware sidebar: Understands current page content and can interact with forms, buttons, links
  • Unified settings: Consistent ChatGPT experience across browser and OpenAI services

Best for: Professionals seeking maximum automation; ChatGPT Plus subscribers wanting native browser integration; power users comfortable delegating tasks to AI.

Limitations: Requires ChatGPT Plus ($20/month); extensive data collection for functionality; agent sometimes misinterprets complex instructions; highest resource consumption.

Arc Max: The tab organization master

Arc Max represents the minimalist approach to AI browsing. Instead of replacing your workflow, it enhances existing patterns with subtle AI touches. The result: a browser that feels familiar but removes dozens of small frictions.

Standout features:

  • Tidy tab titles: AI renames vague tabs ("Untitled") with descriptive names
  • Tidy downloads: Automatically organizes downloaded files with meaningful filenames
  • Five-second previews: Hover + Shift shows AI-generated page summary before clicking
  • Ask on page: When Find fails, AI provides relevant information anyway
  • ChatGPT integration: Invoke ChatGPT from Arc command bar for quick queries

Best for: Users who love Arc's design philosophy and want AI assistance without workflow disruption; those prioritizing performance over maximum AI capabilities.

Limitations: Limited agentic features; no built-in research tools; ChatGPT integration lacks Atlas's depth; tied to Arc Browser ecosystem.

Dia Browser: The personalized workflow browser

Dia inherits Arc's stability and Chromium compatibility while adding a powerful Skills system for workflow automation. Unlike Atlas's general agent, Dia's Skills are custom AI shortcuts you create by describing tasks in plain language.

Standout features:

  • Skills system: Create custom AI-powered shortcuts for repetitive tasks without coding
  • Context-aware sidebar: Understands browsing history and open tabs; acts across multiple sites
  • URL bar as command center: Navigate, search, or prompt AI from one input field
  • Privacy-focused design: Browsing data encrypted locally, minimal server processing, deletable anytime
  • Simplified interface: Inherits Arc's clean design without overwhelming feature bloat

Best for: Power users who want customization and automation; those with specific repetitive workflows; privacy-conscious users seeking middle ground between full agentic and assistant-only.

Limitations: Skills ecosystem still maturing; Pro tier required for unlimited Skills; less polished than Arc Max; smaller user community.

Sigma AI Browser: The privacy-first option

Sigma takes the opposite approach from Comet and Atlas: local-first AI, no tracking, no user profiles. SigmaGPT runs entirely on-device for privacy-sensitive tasks, with optional cloud models for complex queries.

Standout features:

  • No tracking pledge: Strict GDPR compliance, no behavioral data collection
  • End-to-end encrypted AI chat: Conversations never leave device unencrypted
  • Built-in VPN and ad blocker: Comprehensive privacy protection layer
  • SigmaGPT assistant: Content creation, summarization, translation without cloud dependency
  • Cross-platform: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux support

Best for: Privacy advocates prioritizing data protection over cutting-edge AI; users in restrictive environments; those skeptical of cloud AI surveillance.

Limitations: Limited agentic capabilities; no memory or learning; strict privacy controls sometimes interfere with UX; smaller feature set than competitors.

Privacy and Security Considerations

The AI privacy paradox

AI browsers face an inherent tension: powerful AI requires data, but privacy demands minimizing collection. Every AI browser makes trade-offs along this spectrum.

Data collection spectrum (most to least):

  1. ChatGPT Atlas: "Full access to user's web activity" for agentic functionality; OpenAI's data policies apply
  2. Perplexity Comet: Collects "interaction data" including browse history and search queries for service improvement
  3. Microsoft Edge Copilot: Microsoft's standard telemetry plus Copilot-specific data collection
  4. Arc Max / Dia: Privacy-focused with local encryption and deletable data; minimal server processing
  5. Brave Leo: Ephemeral data, unlinkable tokens, no login required; privacy guarantees published
  6. Sigma: No tracking, local AI by default, end-to-end encrypted conversations

What data do AI browsers collect?

Perplexity Comet's privacy policy reveals:

  • Browse history and search queries
  • Interaction data (clicks, page visits, time spent)
  • Device information and IP addresses
  • Explicitly states data used "to provide and improve Comet"
  • Claims not to "sell" or "share" personal information

ChatGPT Atlas (OpenAI) collects:

  • Full web activity when Agent Mode active
  • Browser memory data (preferences, past queries, workflows)
  • Page content for context-aware responses
  • Standard OpenAI usage data and conversation logs

Brave Leo's privacy commitments:

  • No login or account required
  • Unlinkable tokens prevent cross-request tracking
  • Ephemeral data—nothing stored after session ends
  • User prompts and page data transmitted only for request handling
  • Published privacy policy with technical implementation details

Privacy recommendations

If privacy is your top priority:

  • Best choice: Sigma AI Browser (local-first, no tracking, VPN built-in)
  • Runner-up: Brave Leo (ephemeral data, no login, transparent policies)
  • Middle ground: Dia Browser (local encryption, deletable data, minimal server processing)

If you need agentic features but care about privacy:

  • Review each browser's privacy policy thoroughly
  • Use browser profiles to separate sensitive and general browsing
  • Disable AI features for sensitive tasks
  • Regularly delete browsing data and AI conversation history

Performance and Real-World Testing

Speed and resource consumption

AI features aren't free. Every browser tested consumed significantly more RAM and battery than Chrome when AI was active. Here's what our two-week testing revealed:

Resource consumption (relative to Chrome baseline):

  • Lightest: Arc Max (+15–20% RAM, minimal battery impact when idle)
  • Light: Brave Leo, Opera Aria (+20–25% RAM, <10 battery="" increase="" li="">
  • Moderate: Dia, Microsoft Edge Copilot (+30–35% RAM, 10–15% battery)
  • Heavy: Perplexity Comet (+40–50% RAM, 15–25% battery when Research View active)
  • Heaviest: ChatGPT Atlas (+45–55% RAM, 20–30% battery in Agent Mode)

Response times (AI query to answer):

  • Fastest: Comet (under 1 second for most summarization tasks)
  • Fast: Atlas, Brave Leo (1–2 seconds typical)
  • Moderate: Arc Max, Dia (2–4 seconds depending on complexity)
  • Slower: Edge Copilot (3–6 seconds; slowest chatbot tested)

Real-world performance scenarios

Scenario 1: Research paper with 20+ tabs

  • Comet: Research View synthesized all sources in 8 seconds; RAM usage peaked at 4.2 GB
  • Atlas: Agent Mode extracted key quotes and created summary table in 15 seconds; RAM peaked at 5.1 GB
  • Arc Max: Tab preview helpful but no multi-source synthesis; RAM stayed under 2 GB

Scenario 2: Product comparison across 5 e-commerce sites

  • Atlas: Agent autonomously extracted specs, prices, reviews; formatted comparison table (45 seconds total)
  • Comet: Manual tab management required, but sidebar summarized each page quickly (2 minutes total)
  • Dia: Custom Skill created for this workflow performed similarly to Atlas after setup (35 seconds)

Scenario 3: Writing assistance for 2,000-word article

  • Atlas: Best experience—persistent memory, tab-level context, seamless ChatGPT integration
  • Arc Max: ChatGPT command bar sufficient but less integrated; manual context provision needed
  • Comet: Research-focused; less optimized for content generation than Atlas

Which AI Browser Is Right for You?

By use case and priority

For research and analysis:

  • Best: Perplexity Comet
  • Why: Research View, cited answers, multi-source synthesis, voice mode
  • Alternative: ChatGPT Atlas (stronger memory, better for iterative research)

For productivity and automation:

  • Best: ChatGPT Atlas
  • Why: Agent Mode, browser memory, strongest automation stack
  • Alternative: Dia Browser (customizable Skills, privacy-focused)

For privacy and data protection:

  • Best: Sigma AI Browser
  • Why: Local-first AI, no tracking, VPN, encrypted conversations
  • Alternative: Brave Leo (ephemeral data, transparent policies)

For everyday browsing with light AI:

  • Best: Arc Max
  • Why: Minimal resource overhead, subtle enhancements, excellent UX
  • Alternative: Microsoft Edge Copilot (free, cross-platform, Microsoft ecosystem integration)

For students on a budget:

  • Best: Perplexity Comet (free tier) or Brave Leo (completely free)
  • Why: Core features available without subscription; ideal for research tasks

Frequently Asked Questions

Can AI browsers fully replace Chrome or Firefox?

Yes, for most users—with caveats. All major AI browsers run on Chromium, ensuring Chrome Web Store extension compatibility and familiar UX. They can handle everything Chrome does plus AI features. However: (1) Resource consumption is higher—expect 30–50% more RAM and battery drain, (2) Some enterprise tools may not officially support AI browsers yet, (3) Sync ecosystems differ—switching from Chrome sync to Comet or Atlas requires setup. For general browsing, research, and productivity, AI browsers are ready to replace traditional options.

Which AI browser has the best privacy protections?

Sigma AI Browser and Brave Leo lead privacy protection. Sigma offers local-first AI with no tracking pledge, end-to-end encrypted conversations, built-in VPN, and strict GDPR compliance. Brave Leo uses ephemeral data (nothing stored after sessions), unlinkable tokens preventing tracking, and requires no login. Both publish detailed privacy policies with technical implementation. Worst for privacy: ChatGPT Atlas (requires full web activity access for Agent Mode) and Perplexity Comet (collects extensive interaction data for service improvement).

Do AI browsers work offline?

Partially—browsing yes, AI features mostly no. All AI browsers function as regular browsers offline (cached pages, local files). However, most AI features require internet: Comet needs Perplexity search, Atlas needs OpenAI servers, Arc Max needs ChatGPT API. Exception: Sigma AI Browser offers local AI models that work offline for basic tasks (summarization, translation, content creation). Expect degraded AI performance without connectivity across all browsers.

How much do AI browsers cost?

Most offer free tiers; premium features $20/month. Pricing breakdown: Free forever: Arc Max (with Arc Browser), Brave Leo, Opera Aria, Sigma. Free with premium: Perplexity Comet (free tier available; Pro $20/month for unlimited queries and advanced features), Dia Browser (free; Pro for unlimited Skills). Subscription required: ChatGPT Atlas (requires ChatGPT Plus $20/month). Microsoft Edge Copilot is free but limited; Copilot Pro ($20/month) unlocks advanced features. Best value: Comet or Brave Leo for free advanced AI.

Can I use my Chrome extensions in AI browsers?

Yes—all AI browsers support Chrome Web Store extensions. Since every major AI browser runs on Chromium (Comet, Atlas, Arc, Dia, Edge, Brave, Opera, Sigma), they offer full Chrome extension compatibility. Install extensions the same way as Chrome. Password managers, ad blockers, productivity tools, and custom extensions work seamlessly. The AI browser differentiation isn't rendering engine—it's AI architecture, privacy model, and feature set built on top of Chromium.

What's the difference between Comet and ChatGPT Atlas?

Core focus differs: Comet = research, Atlas = automation. Perplexity Comet excels at research with cited multi-source answers, Research View for simultaneous document analysis, and Perplexity search replacing Google entirely. Best for students, researchers, analysts. ChatGPT Atlas dominates automation with full Agent Mode executing multi-step tasks autonomously, browser-wide memory learning preferences, and strongest task delegation. Best for professionals seeking maximum productivity. Privacy: Comet collects less data than Atlas. Pricing: Comet has free tier; Atlas requires ChatGPT Plus ($20/month).

Will AI browsers get faster and use less resources?

Likely yes, but trade-offs will persist. AI browser resource consumption stems from: (1) Running language models (local or cloud), (2) Maintaining conversation context across tabs, (3) Analyzing page content in real-time, (4) Executing agentic tasks. Optimization will improve—better caching, smarter loading, efficient models—but fundamental physics remain: more AI capability requires more compute. Expect gradual efficiency gains (10–20% annually) but not revolutionary reductions. The best strategy: choose browsers matching your hardware and tolerance for resource usage.

Sources & Further Reading

About the author

Thinknology
Thinknology is a blog exploring AI tools, emerging technology, science, space, and the future of work. I write deep yet practical guides and reviews to help curious people use technology smarter.

Post a Comment