OpenAI Introduces ChatGPT Atlas: A Chromium-based browser with a built-in AI agent

OpenAI has just launched ChatGPT Atlas, a new AI browser that integrates ChatGPT into the heart of on-page navigation, search, and help. Atlas is available today for Free, Plus, Pro, and Go users, with a Business trial and an Enterprise/Edu subscription; Windows, iOS, and Android versions “coming soon.”

What is ChatGPT Atlas?

Atlas is a Chromium-based browser that keeps a fixed ChatGPT interface on the new tab page and as an “Ask ChatGPT” sidebar on any site. Users can summarize pages, compare products, extract data, and edit text in place (cursor-level help in form fields). Atlas also offers optional “browser memories” that keep summaries of the pages you visit that are filtered by privacy to personalize later help.

The “Agent Mode” preview lets ChatGPT take actions in your browser: open tabs, click, and complete multi-step tasks (e.g. search + shopping) with explicit user consent checkpoints. The proxy operates with strict limits: it cannot run code in the browser, download files, install extensions, access your file system, or read saved/autofill passwords; Pages visited in proxy mode are not added to the history.

Key launch facts

• Engine and base: Atlas “chrome-based”.
• Platform: macOS first (Apple Silicon, macOS 12+), other platforms planned.
• Import: Passwords, bookmarks and history can be imported from other browsers.
• Default privacy settings: The content you browse is no Used for training models unless you subscribe; A separate toggle (“Help improve browsing and searching”) shares diagnostics and is on By default. Incognito mode logs you out of ChatGPT; Logged out chats are kept separately for 30 days to prevent abuse.

How does Atlas compare to Google Chrome

What’s better than Chrome (so far)?

• Native AI agent and sidebar: ChatGPT is first class. Sidebar and field editing works on any page; Agent mode can execute tasks across tabs with user-visible controls. Chrome requires add-ons or third-party applications to have equivalent proxy behavior.
• New tab centered around tasks and consolidated results: The new tab in Atlas mixes chat with search links, photos, videos, and news, reducing context switching.
• Browser memories (optional): Privacy-filtered, time-bound summaries that improve future assistance; On-device summarization is available in newer macOS versions. Chrome lacks an equivalent feature integrated with the conversation form.
• Dealer safety bars are clearly documented: Explicit blocking (no code execution, no file downloading, no extension installation, no password/autofill access) and “log off” proxy mode reduces the blast radius when delegating tasks. Chrome does not have a built-in web proxy that requires such protective barriers.

What is the same as Chrome?

• Introducing the stack and core user experience: Being based on Chromium, Atlas inherits modern web compatibility, tabbed browsing, password manager/passkey, and familiar settings/menus; Bookmarks and data import reflect Chromium conventions.
• Semantics of stealth: Private windows exclude activity from history and ChatGPT account context (Atlas logs you out in incognito mode), similar to decoupling private mode in Chrome.

What’s worse than Chrome (at launch)?

• Platform coverage: Atlas is macOS only today; Chrome is cross-platform (desktop/mobile). Windows/iOS/Android is planned for Atlas but has not shipped yet.
• Enterprise maturity: Experimental works; Enterprise/Edu requires administrator enablement. Chrome’s enterprise controls are long-standing.
• Extensions/Development Tools Mode: Documentation no no Chrome Web Store compatibility status, Atlas Agent cannot explicitly install extensions. OpenAI includes “enhanced developer tools” in its roadmap, suggesting gaps in parity with Chrome’s mature DevTools ecosystem. Treat extension support as unconfirmed at launch.
• Default telemetry: Help improve browsing and searching diagnostics is turned on by default (separate from training subscription). Chrome also collects diagnostic data by default, but the Atlas setup represents a new surface for teams to sift through.

ChatGPT Atlas purposefully upgrades the browser to a native AI-powered workspace: persistent ChatGPT surfaces (new tab, sidebar, field edits) minimize context switches for summarizing, comparing, and extracting; Preview agent mode coordinates multi-step tasks across tabs; Optional browser memories and clear data controls (turn off training, turn on diagnostics) are documented.

• good: Chromium-level compatibility, easy migration (import passwords, bookmarks and history) as well as clear proxy security boundaries.
• bad: macOS only at launch, parity of extensions/dev tools with Chrome remains unstated, agent cannot install extensions or download files, limiting the scope of automation compared to Chrome’s advanced ecosystem.