Core Features Overview
ChatGPT Atlas packs a comprehensive set of features that combine traditional browsing functionality with cutting-edge AI capabilities. This section explores each major feature in detail, explaining how they work and when to use them.
AI Sidebar - The Command Center
The AI sidebar is the heart of Atlas's innovation. Unlike browser extensions that feel tacked on, the sidebar is a first-class citizen of the interface, designed to work seamlessly with your browsing activity.
Ask ChatGPT Functionality
The "Ask ChatGPT" feature lives right next to the page you're viewing, allowing you to query the AI about the current page content, ask follow-up questions, or engage in general conversation—all without leaving your browsing context.
Page Summarization
Instantly get concise summaries of articles, research papers, or documentation. The AI understands document structure and extracts key points while maintaining context and nuance.
Use Cases:
- Quick overview of long-form content
- Research paper abstracts
- News article digests
- Technical documentation summaries
Content Extraction
Pull specific information from web pages with natural language requests. Ask for dates, names, statistics, or any other data point, and Atlas will locate and extract it accurately.
Use Cases:
- Finding specific data points
- Extracting contact information
- Collecting statistics from reports
- Gathering quotes or citations
Cross-Page Comparison
One of Atlas's most powerful features: compare information across multiple tabs. The AI maintains context across your open pages and can analyze differences, similarities, and contradictions.
Use Cases:
- Product comparison shopping
- Research source verification
- Price checking across vendors
- Analyzing different perspectives on topics
In-Place Drafting
Write emails, documents, or responses directly in the sidebar with AI assistance. The AI can help with tone, structure, grammar, and even suggest content based on context.
Use Cases:
- Email composition
- Social media posts
- Document drafting
- Comment writing
Browsing Fundamentals
While AI features are the headline, Atlas doesn't skimp on traditional browsing capabilities. Built on Chromium, it provides a solid, familiar foundation for everyday web use.
Standard Browser Features
- Tabbed Browsing: Support for unlimited tabs with efficient memory management
- Bookmark Management: Organize and sync bookmarks across devices (with ChatGPT account)
- History Tracking: Full browsing history with advanced search capabilities
- Password Manager: Integrated credential storage with encryption
- Autofill: Smart form completion for addresses, payment methods, and personal information
- Private Browsing: Incognito mode that doesn't store history or cookies
- Developer Tools: Full Chrome DevTools integration for web development
Chromium Foundation Benefits
Being built on Chromium means Atlas inherits years of optimization, security updates, and compatibility improvements. Websites that work in Chrome will work in Atlas, and performance is on par with other Chromium-based browsers.
Extension Support
Atlas supports Chrome Web Store extensions, giving users access to thousands of add-ons and tools. This is a crucial feature that prevents users from losing their customized browsing experience when switching to Atlas.
How Extensions Work in Atlas
Extensions can be installed directly from the Chrome Web Store. Most extensions work identically to how they function in Chrome or Edge. However, some extensions that deeply integrate with specific browser features may have limited functionality.
Popular Extension Categories
Productivity
- Notion Web Clipper
- Grammarly
- Evernote Web Clipper
- Todoist
Privacy & Security
- uBlock Origin
- Privacy Badger
- HTTPS Everywhere
- Bitwarden
Developer Tools
- React Developer Tools
- Vue.js devtools
- JSON Formatter
- ColorZilla
Extension Compatibility Note
While most extensions work flawlessly, some that modify browser UI elements or rely on Chrome-specific APIs may have limited functionality. Always test critical extensions before fully committing to Atlas as your daily driver.
AI-Enhanced Search and Navigation
Atlas reimagines how we search for and navigate to information online. The address bar (omnibox) is powered by AI to provide smarter suggestions and faster access to what you need.
Smart Address Bar
- Contextual Suggestions: AI-powered predictions based on your browsing patterns and current context
- Natural Language Search: Type questions naturally instead of search engine keywords
- Quick Actions: Perform common tasks directly from the address bar
- Intelligent Autocomplete: More accurate completion based on your actual intent
Page Navigation Assistance
The AI can help you navigate complex websites by understanding your intent and suggesting relevant pages or sections. This is particularly useful for large documentation sites or e-commerce platforms.
Reading and Research Tools
Atlas includes several features specifically designed to enhance reading and research workflows.
Reader Mode
A distraction-free reading mode that removes ads, sidebars, and other clutter. Unlike basic reader modes in other browsers, Atlas's version is AI-enhanced to better identify and preserve important content while removing noise.
Annotations and Highlights
Mark up web pages with highlights and notes that persist across sessions. The AI can help organize and search through your annotations later.
Multi-Source Research
Open multiple research sources in tabs, and ask Atlas to synthesize information across all of them. This is invaluable for academic research, competitive analysis, or thorough investigation of any topic.
Privacy and Security Features
OpenAI has implemented several privacy-focused features in Atlas, though users should understand how their data is used to power AI features.
| Feature | Description | Privacy Impact |
|---|---|---|
| HTTPS-Only Mode | Forces encrypted connections when available | Enhances security and privacy |
| Tracker Blocking | Blocks known tracking scripts and cookies | Reduces third-party tracking |
| Private Browsing | Incognito mode with no history storage | AI features limited in this mode |
| Data Encryption | Encrypts stored passwords and sensitive data | Protects local data |
| AI Processing | Page content sent to OpenAI for AI features | Users should review privacy policy |
Important Privacy Consideration
To provide AI features, Atlas sends page content to OpenAI's servers for processing. While OpenAI states they don't use this data to train models, users with strict privacy requirements should carefully review the privacy policy and consider whether this trade-off is acceptable for their use case.
Customization Options
While Atlas is more opinionated than some browsers, it still offers customization options to tailor the experience to individual preferences.
Available Customizations
- Appearance: Light and dark themes, with option to follow system preferences
- Sidebar Behavior: Auto-hide, persistent, or manual toggle options
- AI Assistance Level: Control how proactive the AI is with suggestions
- Search Engine: Choose default search provider
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Customize hotkeys for common actions
- Startup Behavior: Configure what happens when launching Atlas
Subscription Tiers and Feature Access
Atlas's features vary based on your ChatGPT subscription level. Here's what's available at each tier:
| Feature | Free | Plus | Pro/Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Browsing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI Sidebar | Limited | ✓ | ✓ |
| Page Summarization | Limited | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cross-Page Comparison | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Advanced AI Models | ✗ | Limited | ✓ |
| Priority Support | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Feature Roadmap
OpenAI continues to develop Atlas with new features planned for future releases. While specific timelines aren't always public, the company has indicated several areas of focus:
Upcoming Features (Announced)
- Windows and Linux versions
- Enhanced mobile companion app
- Team collaboration features
- Advanced automation capabilities
- Deeper integration with other OpenAI tools