Google Chrome and Apple Safari still lead the browser market. But challengers are picking up steam, especially in AI and privacy.
Here’s a quick look at top alternative browsers making moves now.
AI-powered browsers
Perplexity just rolled out Comet. It’s a chatbot-based browser that can summarize emails, browse sites, and send calendar invites. Access is limited to Perplexity’s $200/month Max plan users, with a waitlist open. 
Image Credits: Perplexity
The Browser Company launched invite-only beta Dia. It looks like Chrome but packs AI chat that scans all visited sites and logged-in accounts. Dia can answer product questions, summarize files, and more. You need to be an Arc member for early access or join the waitlist.
Image Credits: The Browser Company
Opera teased Neon, an AI agentic browser with contextual awareness. It can research, shop, and write code snippets—even offline. Neon is subscription-only, pending pricing, with a waitlist out now.
Image Credits: Opera
OpenAI reportedly plans an AI browser inside ChatGPT by July, letting users browse in-chat instead of redirecting to external sites.
Privacy-focused browsers
Brave blocks ads and trackers and rewards users with Basic Attention Token (BAT) crypto for watching ads. It also packs a VPN, AI assistant, and video calls.
Image Credits: Brave
DuckDuckGo upgraded its browser with generative AI chat and a stronger scam blocker catching fake crypto exchanges, scareware, and bogus ecommerce sites. It blocks trackers and ads, no user data tracking.
Image Credits: DuckDuckGo
Ladybird, led by GitHub co-founder Chris Wanstrath, is building an open-source browser from scratch—no Chromium code. It’ll feature built-in ad blocking and cookie controls. Alpha launches in 2026 for Linux and macOS.
Image Credits: Ladybird
Vivaldi stands out with a fully customizable interface, color-changing windows per site, ad blocking, password manager, zero tracking, plus built-in calendar and notes.
Image Credits: Vivaldi
Niche browsers
Opera Air went live earlier this year with a mindfulness angle—break reminders, breathing exercises, and binaural beats designed for focus and relaxation.
Image Credits: Opera
SigmaOS is Mac-only, with a workspace-style interface. Tabs go vertical and work like to-do items, snoozable and groupable. It added AI features recently to summarize page content and answer questions. Free up to three workspaces, $8/month for unlimited.
Image Credits: SigmaOS
Zen Browser targets calmer browsing with open source code. It offers Workspaces, Split View, and community plugins like transparent tab backgrounds for a personalized experience.
Image Credits: Zen Browser
The browser wars are heating up beyond Chrome and Safari. AI, privacy, and mindful design are the battlegrounds. Watch for new entries, upgrades, and subscription models ahead.
