Free OpenAI Browser: Guide
OpenAI has introduced Atlas, a web browser with ChatGPT tightly integrated. This article explains how you can use Atlas without a subscription, which features are available, and what limitations there are. The focus is on the free usage and the possibilities associated with it.
Quelle: Custom Display
Introduction
Atlas is a full-featured web browser with integrated ChatGPT. It enables loading web pages, asking questions directly in the browser window, summarizing texts, and filling out forms. Optionally, 'Browser Memories' can be activated so that ChatGPT remembers helpful contexts from browsing behavior. These features are under the user's control. Use on the Free plan is provided. The Agent-Mode, which enables automatic clicking and completing of tasks, is reserved as a preview for Plus, Pro, and Business subscribers. OpenAI introduced Atlas on October 21, 2025 and released it globally for macOS. Versions for Windows, iOS and Android are announced. The Release Notes The release notes confirm the availability for Free, Plus, Pro, and Go users, as well as for Business (Beta) and, if enabled, Enterprise/Edu. Media reports such as fromReuters and The Guardian classify the launch as a direct attack on traditional browsers and mention the agent features in preview.
Usage without a subscription
To use Atlas without a subscription, you can download the application via chatgpt.com/atlas download and start. Sign-in is done with a free ChatGPT account. Afterwards bookmarks and passwords can be imported. Atlas has been available since October 21, 2025 globally available for macOS in the Free Plan. Windows, iOS, and Android will follow. Use on the free plan is explicitly intended. The Agent-Mode is reserved as a preview for Plus, Pro, and Business subscribers.
The ChatGPT search is accessible for Free users and, in many places, usable without login. This is confirmed, among others, by OpenAI and The Verge. The Agent-Mode in Atlas starts as a preview for Plus/Pro/Business and not for Free users. In the Free tier there are usage limits; upon reaching them, ChatGPT switches to 4o-mini or waits for the reset in the 5-hour window, as described in the FAQ described.
By default, content you view while browsing is not used for training. This can be optionally enabled. Additional 'Browser Memories' are also optional and deletable. Global availability without login varies and is rolled out in stages, as OpenAI stated in the Announcement for the ChatGPT search mentioned.
Background and Context
The goal of Atlas is the fusion of browsing and assistance. ChatGPT is directly integrated into the browser, understands page content and offers contextual help without having to switch tabs. This is strategically significant, as OpenAI thus becomes from a pure chat tool into a daily work tool and less dependent on external search or browser providers, as described in the Product Announcement. explains. The preview of the Agent Mode shows the future direction: delegation of repeatable online tasks, but with clear constraints such as the prohibition of code execution, file access, and pauses on sensitive pages, such as the Release Notes highlight.
Quelle: YouTube
Tech media such as TechCrunch and The Verge rate Atlas as an attack on established browsers such as Chrome. The integrated chat sidebar and the agent mode are highlighted. Critics, however, emphasize the initial platform lock-in (initially only macOS) and open questions about the reliability of agents. Reports on the evolution of search point to the integration of verified sources and partnerships to cleanly link journalistic content, as reported by OpenAI self-described.
Quelle: YouTube
Practical Tips and Alternatives
To use the OpenAI browser for free, you can immediately via chatgpt.com search, also without an account, and receive links to sources. Optionally, the Chrome extension for the address bar can be installed. On Mac you can use Atlas for free, sign in with your Free account, enable the sidebar help, and search via the address bar. This includes incognito mode and fine-tuning options for page visibility, as described in the Announcement described.
For Free users it is important to plan usage limits. When the limits are reached, you must wait for the reset or switch to 4o later, as described in the FAQ as described. For privacy you can disable 'ChatGPT page visibility' per site in Atlas, view/delete Browser Memories or work in incognito. The decision to opt into Train remains up to you.
Quelle: medium.com
Microsoft Edge integrates AI features for improved search and usage.
As a free alternative, Microsoft Copilot is offered, which is based on OpenAI models and enables Web access. It is available in the browser under copilot.microsoft.com and as 'Copilot Chat' also as a free offering for organizations, such as Microsoft reports. Another research supplement is Perplexity, which offers a Free tier with source citations, as described in the Hilfe-Center described.
Quelle: opera.com
The Opera browser offers Aria, an integrated AI assistant for summarizing websites.
It is important to consistently verify sources in the chat, especially for numbers and quotes, as in the Announcement for the ChatGPT search emphasizes. For privacy you can disable ChatGPT visibility per page in Atlas, view/delete Browser Memories or use incognito. The decision whether your data is used for training is up to you.
Quelle: thewindowsclub.com
The OpenAI Playground enables direct interaction with AI models for experiments and tests.
Outlook
There are still open questions regarding the exact release dates for Windows, iOS, and Android. OpenAI calls it 'coming soon', but no fixed date, as in the Atlas Announcement notes. The stability and security of the Agent Mode in complex workflows as well as its availability on the Free Plan are also unclear. So far it is only available as a preview for Plus, Pro, and Business subscribers. The development of limits in the Free tier, particularly the 5-hour windows and tool locks, remains to be seen. OpenAI generally points to limited usage and resets, as described in the FAQ described. It is also interesting how OpenAI shopping and travel searches will scale in the long term without ads and commissions, as Reuters reported.
Who wants to navigate the web for free with OpenAI today has two options: the ChatGPT search in the browser or the Atlas app on Mac. Both work without a subscription, offer clear source references and sensible privacy options. Only the Agent Mode remains reserved for paid plans for the time being, as indicated by the Announcements and FAQ as shown. With a few clicks, careful source verification and adherence to the limits, you can use the 'OpenAI Browser' effectively and for free in everyday life.