OpenAI has officially entered the web browser arena with the launch of its new AI-powered browser, ChatGPT Atlas, on October 21, 2025. This move pits the artificial intelligence giant directly against Google Chrome, the dominant player in the web browser market.
Atlas: An AI-First Browser
ChatGPT Atlas is built upon the Chromium engine and integrates OpenAI's flagship chatbot, ChatGPT, directly into the browsing experience. According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the Atlas browser aims to "rethink what a browser can be about". The browser aims to provide a more personalized web experience. Atlas replaces traditional search bars with a ChatGPT chat interface. Altman believes that future internet access will be through a chat experience within a web browser.
Key Features
Atlas comes with several key features designed to enhance the browsing experience:
- ChatGPT Sidebar: Users can open a ChatGPT sidebar on any page to summarize content, compare products, analyze data, or handle tasks directly in the same window.
- Agent Mode: This feature, currently available for Plus and Pro users, allows ChatGPT to complete tasks from start to finish, such as planning events, shopping online, or researching documents. In a demo, OpenAI showcased how ChatGPT could find an online recipe and then automatically purchase all the ingredients.
- Browser Memory: ChatGPT can remember browsing context and past chats, allowing users to ask questions like, "Summarize the job postings I viewed last week". Users have control over their privacy settings and can manage their browser memories.
- In-line Writing Help: Users can access ChatGPT in any form field to write or edit without switching tabs.
- Smarter Searches: To explore more specific types of results beyond the chat, users can select from tabs for search links, images, videos, and news.
Challenging Chrome's Dominance
Google Chrome currently holds a dominant 71% share of the browser market. Analysts predict that competing with Chrome will be a significant challenge for OpenAI, given Google's established infrastructure and vast user base. Chrome has amassed about 3 billion worldwide users and has been adding some AI features from Google's Gemini technology. However, OpenAI hopes to leverage its 800 million weekly ChatGPT users to gain a foothold in the browser market.
Privacy and Safety Measures
OpenAI has implemented several safety and privacy measures in Atlas:
- Agent mode cannot run code, download files, or access other apps on your device.
- Sensitive actions, like logging into financial accounts, require user approval.
- Users can browse in logged-out mode, clear history, and manage browser memories to control data privacy.
Availability
ChatGPT Atlas is currently available on macOS for Free, Plus, Pro, and Go users globally. Versions for Windows, iOS, and Android are expected to be released soon.
Market Impact
The launch of ChatGPT Atlas has the potential to reshape how people interact with the internet. If Atlas gains traction, it could shift user engagement from traditional search engines to AI-powered conversational interfaces. However, it could also cut off the lifeblood of online publishers if ChatGPT effectively summarizes information, reducing the need for users to click on traditional web links.
Expert Opinions
According to Gil Luria, analyst at D.A. Davidson, integrating chat into a browser is a precursor for OpenAI to start selling ads. Jon Cambras, Vanguard's head of emerging technology research, believes that Atlas's AI-native architecture and agentic capabilities could offer a unique selling point, especially for users already comfortable with conversational interfaces. However, Paddy Harrington of market research group Forrester said it will be a big challenge “competing with a giant who has ridiculous market share”.
