The browser wars aren’t about search anymore — here are the best alternatives to Chrome and Safari
TechCrunch AI Lauren Forristal
Browser makers are competing to embed AI assistants that act as agents within browsers to complete tasks on behalf of users, moving beyond search dominance. New AI-powered browsers launched in 2025–2026 include Perplexity's Comet ($200/month), The Browser Company's Dia (free), Opera's Neon ($19.90/month), and others like Aside and Jatter, while OpenAI shut down its Atlas browser in July 2026. Users now have options spanning AI-first, privacy-focused, and productivity-oriented browsers as the market fragments away from Chrome and Safari's traditional dominance.
Why it matters
We’ve compiled an overview of some of the top alternative browsers available today aiming to challenge Chrome and Safari.
