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The browser wars aren’t about search anymore — here are the best alternatives to Chrome and Safari
The browser wars have entered a new phase this year: the fight isn’t just over search results anymore, it’s over which company’s AI gets to act on your behalf inside the browser itself. Google Chrome and Apple’s Safari still dominate the market overall, with Chrome’s edge coming largely from how aggressively it has woven generative AI into search. But 2026 has brought a wave of new entrants — from well-funded startups to Big Tech itself — all betting that the browser is about to become less like a window onto the web and more like an assistant that gets things done for you.
Users looking for alternatives to Chrome and Safari can choose from a growing variety of browsers aimed at challenging the industry giants. To help navigate the competitive landscape, we’ve compiled an overview of some of the top alternative browsers available today. This includes browsers leveraging AI, open source browsers that promote customization and privacy, and “mindful browsers” — a new term that refers to browsers designed to enhance user well-being.
AI-powered browsers
Perplexity’s Comet
Perplexity is the most recent startup in the space to launch an AI-powered web browser. Called Comet, the company’s new product acts as a chatbot-based search engine, and can perform actions like summarizing emails, browsing web pages, and performing tasks such as sending calendar invites. It’s currently only available to users with Perplexity’s $200/month Max plan, but there’s also a waitlist where people can sign up.
The Browser Company’s Dia
The Browser Company, the startup behind the Arc browser, recently introduced Dia, its AI-centric browser that looks similar to Google Chrome but with an AI chat tool.
Currently available as an invite-only beta, Dia is designed to help users navigate the web more easily. It’s able to look at every website that a user has visited and every website they’re logged into, enabling it to help you find information and perform tasks. For instance, Dia can provide information about the page a user is currently browsing, answer questions about a product, and summarize uploaded files.
To get early access to Dia, users have to be an Arc member. Non-members can join the waitlist.
Opera’s Neon
Another recent entry into the AI agentic browser war is Opera’s Neon, which has contextual awareness and can do things like researching, shopping, and writing snippets of code. Notably, it can even perform tasks while the user is offline.
Neon is currently available on macOS and Windows. The subscription costs $19.90 per month.
OpenAI’s Atlas
OpenAI recently launched its AI-powered web browser, called Atlas. The browser allows users to ask ChatGPT about search results and browse websites within the chatbot instead of being directed to outside links. There’s also an “agent mode” for users to ask ChatGPT to complete tasks on their behalf.
Atlas was first rumored to launch in July; however, it only became available on macOS in October. It’s expected to arrive on Windows, iOS, and Android devices soon.
Aside
Backed by Y Combinator, Aside is an upcoming AI-first, browser-native automation platform built to autonomously complete tasks, fill out forms, and manage data on behalf of users. The company describes the experience simply: “Give it your passwords, browsing history, and browser context.” Unlike traditional automation tools that rely on integrations, Aside operates directly within the browser itself, allowing it to work across Gmail, Notion, Slack, Figma, and banking platforms.
Users can sign up for the waitlist ahead of launch.
Jatter
Jatter launched its AI-powered browser in June, giving users the ability to ask questions about any webpage, uncover relevant insights, and receive personalized recommendations based on their browsing activity. Additionally, Jatter offers an integrated Notes app, so it can learn from that content, summarize notes, and surface key details.
Jatter is currently available on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android devices. It’s free to use, but there’s also an optional subscription for $10 per month.
Privacy-focused browsers
Brave
Brave is among the more well-known privacy-first browsers, popular for its built-in ad and tracker blocking capabilities. It also has a gamified approach to browsing, rewarding users with its own cryptocurrency called Basic Attention Token (BAT). When users choose to opt in to view ads, supporting their favorite websites, they get a share of the ad revenue. Additional features include a VPN service, an AI assistant, and a video calling feature.
DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo is another browser that many people are probably already familiar with, thanks to its search engine by the same name. Launched in 2008, the company recently made significant investments in its browser to stay competitive by introducing generative AI features, such as a chatbot. It also enhanced its scam blocker to detect a wider range of scams, including fake cryptocurrency exchanges, scareware tactics, and fraudulent e-commerce websites. In addition to blocking scams, DuckDuckGo prevents trackers and ads, and it doesn’t track user data, resulting in fewer pop-ups for users.
Ladybird
Ladybird, led by GitHub co-founder and former CEO Chris Wanstrath, has an ambitious mission compared to other rivals: It aims to build an entirely new open source browser from scratch. This means it will not rely on code from existing browsers, a feat that has rarely been accomplished. Most alternative web browsers depend on the Chromium open source project maintained by Google, which is the most widely used base for many browsers.
Like other privacy-focused browsers, Ladybird will offer features to minimize data collection, such as a built-in ad blocker and the ability to block third-party cookies. The browser has yet to be launched, with an alpha version scheduled for release in 2026 for early adopters, available on Linux and macOS.
Vivaldi
Vivaldi is a Chromium-based browser created by one of the original developers of the Opera browser. Its biggest selling point is its customizable user interface, which allows users to change the appearance and enable or disable features. One unique feature is that the browser window changes color to match the website being viewed. Other key features include ad blocking, a password manager, no user data tracking, and productivity tools such as a calendar and notes.
Niche browsers
Opera Air
Opera launched the Air browser in February, becoming one of the first mindfulness-themed browsers in the space. While Opera Air functions like a typical web browser, it includes unique features designed to support mental well-being. These features consist of break reminders and breathing exercises. Another feature, called “Boosts,” provides a selection of binaural beats to either help improve focus or relaxation.
SigmaOS
SigmaOS is a Mac-only browser featuring a workspace-style interface that emphasizes productivity. It displays tabs vertically, allowing users to treat them like a to-do list that can be marked as complete or snoozed for later. Users can create workspaces — essentially groups of tabs — to better organize different activities, such as separating work from entertainment.
This Y Combinator-backed browser has been around for a few years now and has most recently begun introducing more AI features, including the ability to summarize various elements of a web page, such as ratings, reviews, and prices. It also has an AI assistant that can answer questions, translate text, and rewrite content.
SigmaOS is free to use, but users who want more than three workspaces can subscribe to a plan for $8 per month, which provides unlimited workspaces.
Zen Browser
Zen Browser aims to create a “calmer internet” with its open source browser. Zen lets users organize tabs into Workspaces, and offers Split View to view two tabs side by side, among other productivity-focused features. Users can also enhance their browsing experience with community-made plug-ins and themes, such as a mod that makes the tab background transparent.
This story has been updated after publication to include newly launched browsers.
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Passengers using TinCity Metro buses in Plateau State will be required to wear face masks from Tuesday as authorities intensify efforts to contain a diphtheria outbreak that has killed at least 23 people.
The management of Plateau Express Services Group, which operates the state-owned mass transit service, announced a “no face mask, no entry” policy in a statement issued on Monday.
The directive takes effect on Tuesday, 8 September, and will remain in force until further notice.
“The Management of Plateau Express Services Group has directed the enforcement of a ‘No Face Mask, No Entry’ policy on all TinCity Metro buses, effective Tuesday, 8th September 2026, until further notice,” the statement said.
TinCity Metro buses operate across the Jos metropolis and neighbouring local government areas, including Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Bassa, providing daily transportation for residents within and around the state capital.
The management said a limited number of face masks would be provided at designated boarding points to ease the implementation of the directive.
However, it advised commuters to bring their own masks, warning that available supplies might not be sufficient for everyone.
The company also urged passengers to comply with the directive and cooperate with its personnel when boarding the buses.
“Management appreciates the understanding and cooperation of commuters as we work together to ensure a safer public transport environment,” it said.
The directive comes amid heightened concern over the spread of diphtheria in Plateau State, with health authorities reporting a rising number of suspected cases and deaths.
The state Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Baamlong, said on Friday that 148 suspected cases had been recorded, with 23 deaths reported in the preceding two weeks.
READ ALSO: Plateau shuts schools over suspected diphtheria outbreak
Eight patients were receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, while five others were being treated at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Mr Baamlong said.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that spreads mainly through respiratory droplets and close contact with infected people, making crowded public spaces a potential avenue for transmission.
The Plateau State Government has already introduced other measures to contain the outbreak, including the temporary closure of public and private primary and secondary schools across the state.
The face-mask requirement on TinCity Metro buses extends the containment measures to public transportation, where thousands of residents travel daily between Jos and neighbouring communities.
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President of the Nigeria Netball Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Aluko, has identified capacity building as a critical pillar in the federation’s long-term plan to reposition netball and build a stronger technical base for the sport in Nigeria.
Aluko’s position comes as the federation continues efforts to strengthen its coaching and officiating structures, with recent development programmes targeting coaches and umpires as part of a broader strategy to create a more competent workforce around the sport.
For the NNF president, developing players alone is not enough. A sustainable netball programme must also produce properly trained coaches, technically sound officials and administrators capable of taking the sport to the next level.
The federation has therefore placed considerable emphasis on training and professional development, an approach Aluko believes will ultimately strengthen Nigeria’s chances of competing successfully at international level.
“Capacity building remains one of the major pillars of our five-year strategic development plan. We need to continuously invest in our coaches and umpires because the quality of our athletes and competitions depends greatly on the people responsible for developing and officiating them.”
The focus on technical development is coming at an important stage for Nigerian netball, with the federation targeting greater international competitiveness and working towards securing Nigeria’s place among the leading netball nations in Africa.
Aluko has also spoken publicly about the federation’s ambition to secure a historic qualification for the Netball World Cup, describing the objective as achievable if the right structures and preparation are put in place.
Her administration’s approach is centred on building the sport from the foundation rather than relying solely on major competitions.
That means strengthening grassroots participation, improving coaching standards, expanding the pool of qualified officials and creating a pathway through which young Nigerians can progress from schools and grassroots programmes into elite netball.
The renewed attention to capacity development also reflects the growing recognition that technical personnel are central to the long-term growth of Nigerian sport.
Aluko, a former netball player and experienced sports administrator, was appointed President of the Nigeria Netball Federation by the National Sports Commission as part of efforts to strengthen the sport’s administration and development.
With Nigeria seeking to make greater strides internationally, the federation’s challenge will now be to convert its capacity-building initiatives into a consistent pipeline of quality coaches, officials and players.
For Aluko, the message is clear: Nigeria’s netball revival cannot be built overnight, but it can be built deliberately — one coach, one official, one player and one structured programme at a time.
And that long-term approach could prove decisive in determining how far Nigeria can go on the African and global netball stage.
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