As competition among browsers intensifies, these are the top contenders to Chrome and Safari in 2025

Google Chrome and Apple’s Safari are currently the leading browsers in the market, with Chrome maintaining a dominant position thanks to Google’s continuous advancements, especially in embedding generative AI into its search features. 

Still, those looking for different options will discover a range of browsers striving to compete with these major players.

To help you explore the evolving browser landscape, we’ve put together a summary of some of the most notable alternative browsers available now. These include AI-driven browsers, open source options that focus on privacy and customization, and a new category called “mindful browsers,” which are designed to support user well-being.

AI-powered browsers

Perplexity’s Comet

Perplexity is the latest company to introduce an AI-enhanced web browser. Named Comet, this new tool functions as a chatbot-style search engine and can handle tasks such as summarizing emails, navigating web pages, and sending calendar invitations. At present, it’s exclusive to subscribers of Perplexity’s $200/month Max plan, though there is a waitlist for those interested in joining.

The Browser Company’s Dia

The Browser Company, known for creating the Arc browser, has recently launched Dia, an AI-focused browser that visually resembles Chrome but features an integrated AI chat assistant. 

Currently in invite-only beta, Dia is built to make web navigation simpler. It can access all sites a user has visited and is logged into, helping users locate information and complete tasks. For example, Dia can explain the current page, answer product questions, and summarize uploaded documents. 

To try Dia early, users need to be Arc members. Others can add their names to the waitlist.  

Opera’s Neon

Opera’s Neon is another newcomer in the AI browser arena, offering contextual intelligence and capabilities like research, online shopping, and code generation. Impressively, it can even carry out certain actions while offline. 

Neon hasn’t launched yet, but interested users can sign up for the waitlist. It will be a paid subscription, though Opera has not revealed the cost. 

OpenAI’s Atlas

OpenAI has also entered the field with its AI-powered browser, Atlas. This browser lets users interact with ChatGPT about search results and browse sites directly within the chatbot, instead of being redirected elsewhere. There’s also an “agent mode” that allows ChatGPT to carry out tasks for the user.

Although Atlas was initially rumored to debut in July, it officially launched on macOS in October. Versions for Windows, iOS, and Android are expected soon.

Privacy-focused browsers

Brave

Brave is a widely recognized privacy-centric browser, known for its built-in tools that block ads and trackers. It also gamifies browsing by rewarding users with its own cryptocurrency, Basic Attention Token (BAT). When users opt in to view ads and support websites, they receive a portion of the ad revenue. Other notable features include a VPN, an AI assistant, and video calling capabilities. 

DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo is another familiar name, largely due to its privacy-focused search engine. Since its 2008 launch, the company has invested in its browser, adding generative AI features like a chatbot. Its scam blocker now detects a broader range of threats, including fake crypto exchanges, scareware, and fraudulent shopping sites. Besides blocking scams, DuckDuckGo also blocks trackers and ads, and doesn’t collect user data, which means fewer pop-ups for users.

Ladybird

Ladybird, a project led by GitHub’s co-founder and former CEO Chris Wanstrath, stands out for its ambitious goal: to build a completely new open source browser from the ground up, without relying on code from existing browsers. This is rare, as most alternatives are based on Google’s Chromium project, which serves as the foundation for many browsers. 

Like other browsers focused on privacy, Ladybird will include features to reduce data collection, such as integrated ad blocking and third-party cookie blocking. The browser hasn’t launched yet; an alpha version is planned for 2026 for early adopters on Linux and macOS.

Vivaldi

Vivaldi is built on Chromium and was developed by one of Opera’s original creators. Its standout feature is a highly customizable interface, letting users adjust the look and toggle features on or off. One interesting aspect is that the browser window’s color adapts to the website being viewed. Other highlights include ad blocking, a password manager, no tracking of user data, and built-in productivity tools like a calendar and notes.

Niche browsers

Opera Air

Opera introduced the Air browser in February, making it one of the first browsers to focus on mindfulness. While it operates like a standard browser, Opera Air includes features to support mental health, such as reminders to take breaks and guided breathing exercises. Another feature, “Boosts,” offers binaural beats to help users concentrate or relax.

SigmaOS

SigmaOS is a browser designed exclusively for Mac, featuring a workspace-inspired layout that prioritizes productivity. Tabs are shown vertically, allowing users to treat them like a checklist—marking them as done or snoozing for later. Users can organize tabs into workspaces to separate different activities, such as work and leisure.

Backed by Y Combinator, SigmaOS has been available for several years and has recently added more AI-powered features, such as summarizing ratings, reviews, and prices on web pages. It also offers an AI assistant for answering questions, translating, and rewriting content.

SigmaOS is free for up to three workspaces. Users who need unlimited workspaces can subscribe for $8 per month.

Zen Browser

Zen Browser is an open source browser designed to create a more peaceful online experience. It lets users organize tabs into Workspaces and features Split View for displaying two tabs side by side, along with other productivity tools. Users can also customize their experience with community-created plug-ins and themes, such as a mod that makes tab backgrounds transparent.

This article has been updated post-publication to include newly released browsers.