OpenAI unveils ChatGPT Atlas, a rival to Google Chrome, Perplexity Comet: Key features explained

In a major challenge to Google Chrome’s dominance in the web browser category, ChatGPT maker OpenAI has unveiled ChatGPT Atlas, a new web browser built with ChatGPT at its core. In a natural extension to the bouquet of offerings, after ChatGPT, Dall-E, Whisper, and Sora, OpenAI says ChatGPT Atlas will expand on users’ lives by rethinking what it means to use the web.

The US-based tech major has around 800 million weekly active and the new offering could lead to a major shift towards AI-led web search, intensifying competition with Google. The OpenAI Atlas launch also bears significance as the AI major Perplexity had launched its own web browser, Comet, in July 2025, proving that AI-powered web search could be the next big thing. Notably, in addition to regular web search, Google has already enabled AI search on its platform. 

Last year, OpenAI added search in ChatGPT, and as per the company, it quickly became one of its most-used features. But, with a browser, OpenAI aims to reimagine how web search works, all within one window. 

“With Atlas, ChatGPT can come with you anywhere across the web—helping you in the window right where you are, understanding what you’re trying to do, and completing tasks for you, all without copying and pasting or leaving the page,” says OpenAI. The feature works similarly to Perplexity Comet, which integrates Perplexity’s AI assistant directly into the browsing experience, where users can interact with webpages more dynamically, asking for summaries, comparisons, and translations without switching tabs. 

ChatGPT Atlas is launching worldwide on macOS today to Free, Plus, Pro, and Go users. Atlas is also available in beta for business, and if enabled by their plan administrator, for enterprise and education users. OpenAI says experiences for Windows, iOS, and Android are coming soon.

Key features of ChatGPT Atlas:

1. As you use Atlas, ChatGPT can get smarter and more helpful, says OpenAI. Browser memories let ChatGPT remember context from the sites you visit and bring that context back when you need it. This means you can ask ChatGPT questions like: “Find all the job postings I was looking at last week and create a summary of industry trends so I can prepare for interviews.” 

2. ChatGPT can also work in Atlas using agent mode, which makes it better at researching and analysing, automating tasks, and planning events or booking appointments. However, the agent mode in Atlas is available for Plus, Pro, and Business users.

3. How does it work? When a user opens Atlas for the first time, they can sign in to ChatGPT and bring bookmarks, saved passwords, and browsing history with them by importing them from their current browser.

4. Users can control what ChatGPT can see and remember as they browse. “You can clear specific pages, clear entire browsing history, or open an incognito window to temporarily log out of ChatGPT,” says OpenAI.

5. ChatGPT says it does not use the content one browses to train models. “If you choose to opt-in to this content, you can enable 'include web browsing' in your data controls settings. Note, even if you opt into training, webpages that opt out of GPTBot will not be trained on. If you've enabled training for chats in your ChatGPT account, training will also be enabled for chats in Atlas. This includes website content you've attached when using the Ask ChatGPT sidebar and browser memories that inform your chats.”

6. Parental controls work in Atlas, too. If a parent has set up parental controls for ChatGPT, these settings will carry over to conversations with ChatGPT in Atlas. Open is introducing new parental controls in Atlas, including the option for parents to turn off browser memories and agent mode.

7. Atlas can ask ChatGPT agent to take action, without your involvement. “Imagine you’re planning a dinner party and you have a recipe in mind. You can give the recipe to ChatGPT and ask it to find a grocery store, add all the ingredients to a cart, and order them to your house.” The agent mode in Atlas is launching in preview to Plus, Pro and Business users.