I Tried 5 AI Browsers So You Don’t Have To: Here’s What Actually Works in 2025

AI is rapidly changing the way we search for information, read content, and manage our online tasks. To explore this shift, I spent a week using five different AI browsers to determine whether they can truly replace traditional browsing. In short: they can be quite helpful, sometimes even magical, but they still require a fair amount of oversight and decision-making—a bit like using power tools rather than an autopilot.

The Five AI Browsers I Tested:

• Chrome with Gemini
• Microsoft Edge with Copilot Mode
• ChatGPT Atlas
• Perplexity Comet
• Dia by The Browser Company

I tackled everyday tasks that a busy person might delegate to these tools: managing a chaotic inbox, summarizing a complex policy PDF, extracting a transcript from a lengthy YouTube talk, planning a purchase with set constraints, and comparing information across multiple tabs. I also examined security implications and the level of user input each tool required. Overall, my findings align with other reviewers who conducted similar tests: these tools can certainly expedite focused tasks, but they still aren’t a safer or more intuitive alternative to traditional browsing.

What Exactly Is an AI Browser in 2025?

In 2025, the term “AI browser” encompasses two main concepts:

1. Assistive Browsing: This refers to a chatbot integrated into or operating alongside your browser that can summarize web pages, extract data, provide translations, draft responses, and answer questions relevant to the content you’re viewing.

2. Agentic Browsing: This automation allows the AI to navigate on your behalf. It can click links, scroll, fill out forms, compare multiple tabs, and even perform actions like unsubscribing from emails or making reservations. However, this capability introduces new risks, such as prompt injection, where hidden text on websites can hijack the AI’s actions. Security experts now classify prompt injection as a significant risk for agentic tools.

How I Conducted the Tests

• Platforms: I used macOS on Apple Silicon for Atlas, Dia, and Comet; Windows 11 for Edge and Chrome; and Android for the mobile version of Comet.
• Scenarios: Tasks included inbox triage, summarizing lengthy PDFs with citations, fetching YouTube transcripts and highlights, shopping while adhering to a budget, and making multi-tab comparisons.
• Safety Measures: I kept banking and health accounts out of reach for automation and required explicit confirmation prompts for agent actions.

I cross-referenced vendor claims and recent feature updates, as many tools have evolved rapidly this year.

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Chrome with Gemini

Overview

Google has integrated Gemini directly into Chrome. You can request assistance from the address bar, receive summaries of multiple tabs, search for previously visited pages, and soon, switch to AI Mode for an enhanced conversational search experience. Gemini also works with Google apps like Calendar, YouTube, and Maps, easing the burden of juggling multiple tabs.

Performance

• Quick research tasks, like comparing product specifications across different retail sites, worked well without needing complex prompts.
• While it remembered many of my open tabs, context was sometimes lost, especially with pages that had heavy scripts.
• For shopping, it provided useful summaries and tradeoffs but struggled with details about personal fit and style. I still had to visit several shops to verify sizes and return policies.

Best For

Individuals already immersed in Google services seeking faster summaries and comparative analysis without needing additional installations.

Cautions

Responses in AI Mode are convenient, but you’ll still want to verify details manually. It’s a supplementary layer, not a substitute for accuracy.

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Microsoft Edge with Copilot Mode

Overview

Edge’s experimental Copilot Mode transforms the browser into an assistant that coexists with every webpage. It summarizes all open tabs, recalls prior browsing sessions through a feature called Journeys, and adds Copilot Actions for automated tasks like unsubscribing from newsletters or booking reservations. Voice control is integrated, and these features are opt-in and permissioned, currently in a preview phase in the U.S.

Performance

• Journeys proved to be genuinely useful, effectively collecting relevant tabs and suggesting next steps upon returning to an unfinished project.
• Cross-tab summarization rivaled Chrome’s Gemini capabilities.
• While the Actions preview shows promise, it requires careful supervision and often encounters login barriers or captchas.

Best For

Windows users or anyone looking for an assistant that comprehensively understands their current webpage without constant copying and pasting.

Cautions

The agent features are still in early development. Approach any automation of emails or reservations as supportive, not fully autonomous. Keep permissions limited until you fully trust the tool.

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ChatGPT Atlas

Overview

OpenAI’s Atlas is a unique browser featuring ChatGPT. It opens directly to a chat panel in a new tab, keeps an Ask ChatGPT interface available while you browse, and includes an agent mode that can open tabs and take action with your consent. Released for macOS in October 2025, Windows and mobile versions are forthcoming.

Performance

• Atlas excelled as a reading companion, effectively summarizing lengthy pages and turning highlighted text into drafts while allowing context-rich follow-up questions.
• The agent mode managed to perform tasks and open pages, but still required step-by-step confirmations and sometimes misclicked due to site variation. I preferred to keep it in read-only mode for sensitive tasks.

Best For

Mac users who are already integrated into ChatGPT and want that experience throughout their online activities.

Cautions

The agent preview is robust but needs close supervision. Security researchers continue to warn of prompt injection risks that can mislead agents. Always use confirmation prompts and be careful with sensitive accounts.

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Perplexity Comet

Overview

Comet is Perplexity’s AI-first browser that includes a built-in assistant capable of summarizing, searching, and, when permitted, clicking and typing for you. Initially a desktop app, it became free for all in October and has since launched an Android version. The assistant can think across open tabs and even supports voice commands. It’s built on Chromium, so most Chrome extensions are compatible.

Performance

• The inline assistant was intuitive for quick page summaries and seamlessly connecting information from various tabs.
• However, on extended multi-step tasks, it often struggled with captchas, infinite scrolling, or account logins.

Security Considerations

Comet has faced scrutiny over prompt injection and resilience against phishing since its launch. Analysis by third parties pointed out vulnerabilities that could allow malicious instructions to steer the assistant. Perplexity states they’ve implemented fixes, but users should apply caution: keep agents under strict supervision and treat cross-account access as privileged.

Best For

Early adopters who desire a bold, agent-driven experience across desktop and Android, while being prepared to closely monitor its performance.

Cautions

Utilize separate browser profiles, limit agent permissions, and avoid logging into sensitive accounts when agents are active. This advice applies across all agentic browsers, not just Comet.

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Dia by The Browser Company

Overview

Dia is the successor to Arc, reimagined as an AI-centric browser. It features a chat panel on every tab, memory for personalized responses, and Skills aimed at common tasks like summarization and outlining. Launched for macOS in October, Dia is available in a free tier and a Pro plan, reflecting recent updates that enhance speed and user experience.

Performance

• As a daily browser with integrated AI, Dia struck a pleasant balance, allowing normal browsing and providing a chat panel for summarization, extraction, or drafting.
• Its educational Skills proved exceptional for creating flashcards or outlines from notes and readings.

Best For

Mac users who appreciated Arc’s design and want a simplified, more AI-embedded browsing experience.

Cautions

With any AI usage, verify citations for critical information and be cautious about what the Memory function retains.

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Comparison Results on Real Tasks

Inbox Triage

Organizing an inbox by urgency or importance remains challenging even for these tools. They often rely on keywords rather than an individual’s judgment of priority. Edge’s Actions preview could initiate unsubscribing but needed guidance for effective classification. Chrome and Dia helped with summaries; Atlas composed good responses. Across the board, AI assistance sped up the skimming process, but I wouldn’t trust any tool to make final decisions on what to discard or keep.

Long Document Summarization

All five browsers performed well with dense PDFs and policy documents. The most effective method was to request a bullet-point summary, followed by an organized outline highlighting definitions, risks, and questions, concluding with a checklist of verifications to perform on source links. Chrome and Edge stood out for speed; Atlas made follow-up inquiries feel particularly smooth.

YouTube Transcripts and Highlights

Extracting transcripts, summarizing content, and jumping to specific timestamps all worked effectively across the tools, with Atlas and Edge providing the most seamless experience thanks to their side panels. Requesting action items by chapter was a significant time-saver.

Shopping Under Constraints

The assistants successfully identified candidates meeting size, price, and specification filters but struggled with aesthetic choices. Verifying return policies and stock levels still relied on manual checks. One reviewer aptly noted that while AI can simplify the browsing experience, final purchasing decisions, especially for personal items like clothing, still require human insight.

Multi-Tab Comparisons

Chrome with Gemini and Edge with Copilot Mode were particularly strong in summarizing cross-tab information. Comet performed well after some nudging, while Dia required tailored prompts to deliver precise comparisons. For most users, this remains the safest and most reliable current application of AI browsers.

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The Fine Print: Security and Trust

Agentic browsing alters the risk landscape. When an AI can read and act across multiple tabs, it becomes susceptible to hidden instructions that could manipulate the agent into performing undesirable actions. Research and industry standards now recognize prompt injection as a major concern for agents, revealing that even sophisticated systems can be misled. Most attacks still require user permissions or context, but adopting a cautious approach is vital; prioritize least privilege and vigilant supervision.

Comet’s early vulnerabilities highlighted these issues since it marketed broader agency. Reports suggested that attackers could embed harmful instructions that misdirected actions, though vendors assert that they have implemented fixes. Regardless of the browser, you should approach any agent capable of performing actions on your behalf as you would a human assistant with your computer.

Practical Safety Steps I Recommend:
– Keep agents in read-only mode by default, elevating permissions only for specific tasks.
– Utilize separate profiles for sensitive activities and for using agents.
– Never assign agents tasks involving banking, health, or HR matters.
– Manage agent memory carefully, keeping it limited and regularly cleared.
– Conduct manual reviews of outputs, links, and forms before submitting.

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Which AI Browser Should You Try?

• Fast and Familiar: Start with Chrome’s Gemini features for quick summaries and multi-tab comparisons frictionlessly.
• Integrated Copilot on Windows: Edge’s Copilot Mode serves as an impressive side-by-side assistant with good contextual awareness.
• ChatGPT Everywhere: If you primarily use ChatGPT on Mac, Atlas offers that experience throughout your browsing.
• Bold Agentic Approach: Perplexity Comet is ideal for those seeking a cutting-edge agent experience but should be used with caution.
• Everyday AI Experience: Dia is a solid choice for users desiring an AI-driven daily browser with versatile chat capabilities.

For most individuals, the safest utilization of AI is for reading, synthesizing, and comparing information—rather than allowing it to act autonomously on your behalf. That’s where today’s tools can save you significant time without introducing unnecessary risk or confusion.

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Key Takeaways

• AI browsers excel at providing summaries, comparisons, and note-taking assistance.
• Agentic features offer powerful capabilities but demand strict permissions and close supervision.
• The best return on investment today comes from read-and-reason workflows rather than hands-off automation.
• Maintaining security hygiene is crucial: adopt a least privilege approach, create separate profiles, and keep a human in the loop.

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FAQs

Are AI browsers safe for daily use?
Yes, when used thoughtfully. Treat agent modes as privileged and keep them read-only unless supervising a specific duty. Prompt injection is a known risk; avoid granting agents access to sensitive accounts.

What distinguishes assistive from agentic browsing?
Assistive browsing helps you understand content and draft responses. In contrast, agentic browsing enables the AI to click, type, and navigate for you. Chrome’s Gemini and Edge’s Copilot effectively handle assistive tasks, while Edge and Atlas are experimenting with greater agent-like actions under strict controls.

Which AI browser should I try first?
If you currently use Chrome or Edge, explore their built-in AI features. Mac users who appreciate ChatGPT should consider Atlas. For those preferring an AI-driven browser with study tools, Dia is worth a try. Early adopters interested in automation might find Comet compelling but should be cautious with permissions.

Will AI browsers replace search engines?
Not in the near future. They enhance web searches by layering conversational answers and summaries. The most productive strategy is to use AI to analyze results before verifying sources.

What about mobile usage?
Gemini powers AI functionalities in Chrome, and Comet has launced an Android version. Other browsers are working to catch up with mobile features.

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Bottom Line

AI browsers are now practical tools, but they are not an autopilot. When utilized effectively, they can streamline reading, synthesizing, and comparison tasks. However, casual use with broad permission settings may lead to new risks and require additional effort. Choose a browser that suits your platform and comfort level, maintain tight security practices, and assign them tasks requiring a second brain—not just a second pair of hands.