Aside
Aside: AI browser that completes real multi-step tasks across your logged-in sites
If you're on macOS and tired of AI agents that quit at the login screen, Aside is worth a serious look. Its benchmark wins and local-first privacy are real, not marketing fluff. The macOS-only limit and credit system are the main caveats, but for automating logged-in sites with sensitive data, it's one of the most credible options today.
Verified 6d ago · liveness 81/100 · cite: rightaichoice.com/tools/aside
- Operations teams automating SaaS reporting, invoice downloads, and renewals
- Developers triaging CI runs and gathering release evidence via chat, CLI, or MCP
- Sales teams building prospect lists and verifying CRM data
- Hiring teams handling HR admin, onboarding, and offboarding
- Users on Windows or Linux (macOS-only)
- Teams needing real-time collaboration on shared agent runs
- Users uncomfortable with AI agents accessing their logged-in websites
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Skip Aside if you are not on macOS, need real-time team collaboration on shared agent runs, are uncomfortable with AI agents accessing your logged-in websites, or expect a traditional browser with extension support.
The Free tier caps at 500 credits per month and 3 routines, so heavy or recurring workflows will need a paid plan.
Aside's free tier is generous for trying it out, but serious automation will likely need Pro at $20/mo, which is competitive with other agent tools. The Max tier at $200/mo is pricey but offers 40x usage for heavy automation. Compared to Browser Use's open-source pricing, Aside's closed model costs more but offers a polished UI and local privacy.
In short
Aside — Aside: AI browser that completes real multi-step tasks across your logged-in sites. Best for Operations teams automating SaaS reporting, invoice downloads, and renewals, Developers triaging CI runs and gathering release evidence via chat, CLI, or MCP, Sales teams building prospect lists and verifying CRM data. Free to start; paid plans from $20/mo.
What's new in Aside
Checked 3 days agoAcross the latest 5 updates: 1 feature update, 2 changelog entries and 2 news mentions.
Aside v1.26.829.1514
Adds toggle to disable screen capture. Fixes chat rename, lasso Translate, 1Password import, agent runtime quarantine, non-ASCII routine names.
Aside v1.26.827.1029
Stabilizes shared session snapshots. New tab uses search/ask default. Fixes chat card jumping and model tool call errors.
Aside v1.26.826.1414
Adds public links for read-only shared session snapshots, revocable from session detail.
9to5Mac: With ChatGPT Atlas shutting down, here are the AI browsers people actually use
9to5Mac lists Aside as a recommended alternative to ChatGPT Atlas.
How we built the SOTA browser agent that outperforms Fable
Aside achieves highest scores on multiple agentic browsing benchmarks, surpassing OpenAI, Anthropic, and Browser Use.
What people actually say about Aside — is it worth it?
We ran a structured research pass across product reviews, community discussions, and post-purchase forum threads to surface the patterns vendors won't publish themselves. Below: the recurring strengths, the hidden costs people mention most, and the cohort that consistently regrets adopting this tool.
98 mentions across 6 sources (Hacker News, YouTube, App Store, Stack Overflow, GitHub, Lemmy) · researched Aug 20, 2026.
- +Local-first architecture keeps data on-device for privacy.
- +Autofill sign-in avoids exposing credentials to the AI.
- +Human approval gates sensitive actions like payments.
- +Top benchmark scores suggest strong agent performance.
- +Supports BYO API keys and local models like Ollama.
- −No community reviews to validate real-world reliability.
- −macOS-only — excludes Windows and Linux users.
- −No extension support, unlike traditional browsers.
- −Credit system on free plan may run out quickly.
- −No real-time team collaboration features.
- • Credit system may require purchasing additional credits
- • Bring-your-own-subscription may incur separate costs for ChatGPT/Claude/Grok
- • Heavy usage could lead to higher than expected bills
- • Enterprise features may require custom contract
Viability Score
How well maintained and how widely used is Aside? Built from what the vendor actually publishes (docs, changelog, tutorials, integrations, pricing), whether the site is live, and how much real users discuss it. How we calculate this
Last calculated: September 2026
How we score →Key Features
- Browser agent that completes multi-step tasks on logged-in websites
- Autofill sign-in without exposing credentials to the AI
- Password Manager with hardware-backed E2E encryption and audit logs
- Memory that turns browsing history into local context
- Human approval for sensitive actions like payments and posts
- Sandbox that isolates filesystem and network access
- Bring your own AI subscription (ChatGPT, Claude, Grok) or API key
- Supports custom AI providers like Ollama and LM Studio without API keys
- Model picker updates from catalog API (GLM 5.2, Kimi K3, Claude Opus 5)
- Ultrabrowse for deep research (Pro and Max)
- Routines for recurring browser workflows with pause/resume
- Channels (Remote control) and Cloud handoff via API
- CLI, REPL, and MCP for developer automation
- Local-first architecture: tasks and data stay on device
- Proton Pass import for password manager
About Aside
Aside is a browser rebuilt for both humans and AI agents, purpose-built to finish the web work other agents abandon. Instead of relying on fragile integrations, it operates directly on the websites you already use—logging in through autofill, handling messages, payments, and internal tools, and executing complex workflows end-to-end. This makes it a practical choice for operations, sales, hiring, development, and research teams who need reliable automation on real accounts. Aside runs locally on your device, keeping tasks, memory, and data on your Mac with hardware-backed E2E encryption via Secure Enclave. Its built-in Password Manager lets agents sign in without exposing credentials, and sensitive actions like payments or posts always require your approval. Memory turns browsing history into local context, so you don't repeat yourself. A sandbox isolates filesystem and network access, adding another layer of control. The agent ranks #1 on three browser benchmarks—Online-Mind2Web, BU-Bench-V1, and Odysseys—outperforming OpenAI, Anthropic, and Browser Use. Recent updates add Proton Pass import, credit usage tracking, routine pause/resume, and refreshed Grok subscription models. You can bring your own ChatGPT, Claude, or Grok subscription or API key, and even use local providers like Ollama and LM Studio. Aside offers a free tier, paid Pro and Max plans, and enterprise options. It's currently macOS-only, so Windows and Linux users are out of luck. Compared to ChatGPT Atlas (now shut down) or Browser Use, Aside combines competitive benchmark performance with a privacy-first, local-first design—but it's only relevant if you're on a Mac.
Behind the Verdict
Picking the right AI browser is a judgment call. Aside is the first one that feels like it's built to actually finish tasks, not just demo them. It ranked #1 on three benchmarks, and that shows in practice: it handles logins, multi-step workflows, and even payments without bailing out mid-task. The local-first privacy model is a standout—everything runs on your Mac, credentials stay hidden from the AI, and sensitive actions wait for your approval. That's a major relief if you're automating HR admin or finance tasks. But there are trade-offs. Aside is macOS-only, which immediately cuts out a chunk of the market. If you're on Windows or Linux, you'll need to look elsewhere—perhaps at Browser Use, which works cross-platform, though it may not offer the same turnkey browser experience. The credit system is another consideration: free users get 500 credits per month, and heavy automation can gobble that up quickly. Pro at $20/month triples usage, and Max at $200/month gives you 40x, but that's a real investment. Where Aside really shines is for ops, sales, and research teams that live in logged-in web apps. Recurring tasks like downloading invoices, building prospect lists, or collecting sources become set-and-forget with routines. Developers can use the CLI, MCP, and REPL to weave agent runs into their tooling. The recent changelog shows steady improvements—credit tracking, routine pause/resume, Proton Pass import—so the product is actively evolving. One thing to watch: memory is local, which is good for privacy but means you won't get cross-device sync. And if you need real-time team collaboration on shared agent runs, this isn't it—enterprise features are there, but they're more about control than concurrent editing. If you're on a Mac and need a trustworthy AI agent
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Real-world workflow fit
Concrete scenarios for the personas Aside actually fits — and what changes day-one when you adopt it.
Needs to automate monthly SaaS invoice downloads and renewals.
Outcome: Set up a routine that logs into vendor portals, downloads invoices, and checks renewal dates, saving hours each month.
Wants to triage CI failures and gather release evidence.
Outcome: Use the CLI/MCP to run browser checks, capture screenshots of dashboards, and get a summary of failures without manual browsing.
Prepares for a client meeting by gathering prospect info and CRM data.
Outcome: Ask Aside to find the prospect's LinkedIn, recent news, and CRM notes, then get a briefing with evidence links before the call.
Use Cases
- Automate daily briefing by gathering emails, social mentions, and calendar events
- Triage CI runs and gather release evidence from dashboards and logs
- Onboard new hires by filling forms, creating accounts, and setting up tools across web apps
- Verify CRM fields and capture proof for sales calls
- Collect sources and verify claims for research projects with a reviewable evidence trail
- Manage SaaS renewals by checking subscription status and downloading invoices
Models Under the Hood
as of 2026-08-27
Limitations
- Aside is a desktop browser application.
- Free tier is limited to 500 credits per month and up to 3 routines.
- Pro and Max tiers add Ultrabrowse, unlimited routines, and more usage, while Enterprise features require contacting sales.
as of 2026-08-20
Verification history
We have re-verified Aside 7 times since . Each pass re-reads the vendor's own pages and re-checks every listed field against that evidence; passes where nothing had changed are marked as such.
- — re-verified summary, description, our verdict, our analysis, pricing model, pricing tiers, features, integrations, who it suits, who should skip it
- — re-verified summary, description, our verdict, our analysis, pricing model, pricing tiers, features, integrations, who it suits, who should skip it
- — re-verified summary, description, our verdict, our analysis, pricing model, pricing tiers, features, integrations, who it suits, who should skip it
- — re-verified summary, description, our verdict, our analysis, pricing model, pricing tiers, features, integrations, who it suits, who should skip it
- — re-verified summary, description, our verdict, our analysis, pricing model, pricing tiers, features, integrations, who it suits, who should skip it
- — re-verified summary, description, our verdict, our analysis, pricing model, pricing tiers, features, integrations, who it suits, who should skip it
Showing the 6 most recent of 7 verification passes.
Free to cite with attribution — this page re-verifies continuously.
12-month cost
Project the real annual outlay, including the implied monthly cost when only an annual tier is published.
Vendor list price only. Add-on usage, seat overages, and contract minimums are surfaced under Hidden costs & gotchas.
Plans compared
For each published Aside tier: who it actually fits, and what it adds vs. the previous tier. Cross-reference the cost calculator above for projected annual outlay.
Free
$0/forever
Ideal for
Solo users wanting to try Aside for daily simple tasks like checking email or quick research.
What this tier adds
Free entry point: 500 credits/month, up to 3 routines, built-in password manager, personalized memory, and bring-your-own-subscription.
Pro
$20/month
Ideal for
Professionals and small teams needing deep research and unlimited routines.
What this tier adds
Adds 3x usage, Ultrabrowse, unlimited routines, Channels, and Cloud handoff.
Max
$200/month
Ideal for
Power users automating at scale with heavy usage needs.
What this tier adds
Adds 40x Free usage and early access to new features.
Enterprise
Contact sales
Ideal for
Teams running agents on shared company accounts with full control and support.
What this tier adds
Adds team management, shared profiles, vaults, API access for cron jobs, and direct support.
Where the pricing makes sense
The company stage and team size where Aside's pricing actually pencils out — and where peers do it cheaper.
Aside's free tier is generous for trying it out, but serious automation will likely need Pro at $20/mo, which is competitive with other agent tools. The Max tier at $200/mo is pricey but offers 40x usage for heavy automation. Compared to Browser Use's open-source pricing, Aside's closed model costs more but offers a polished UI and local privacy.
Setup time & first value
How long it actually takes to get something useful out of Aside — broken out by persona, not the marketing-page minute.
Setup takes about 10 minutes: download the macOS app, import your browser data, and connect your ChatGPT/Claude subscription or API key. You can start your first task immediately afterward. For developers, the CLI and MCP setup might take an extra 15-30 minutes.
Switching to or from Aside
How to bring data in from common predecessors and how to get it back out — written for the switcher, not the buyer.
- →From ChatGPT Atlas: Atlas is shutting down, and Aside offers a similar AI-browser experience with better benchmarks and local privacy—just download and start using it.
- →From Browser Use: Import your workflows via the CLI/MCP or manually set up routines; Aside's UI makes it easier for non-developers.
- ↗To any browser: Your data and tasks are local, so you can export memory or just stop using it—no lock-in.
- ↗To Browser Use: For open-source workflows, you can replicate routines via their API, but you'll lose Aside's polished UI and password manager.
Integrations
Resources & Guides
Tutorials & Learning
Official links
Featured Head-to-Head Comparisons
Aside vs Locus Robotics
If you run a high-volume warehouse and need physical automation that boosts picking productivity 2-3x, Locus Robotics is the proven choice. But if your work is digital—automating browser tasks across SaaS, CRM, or code reviews—Aside is a groundbreaking, privacy-first agent that just hit state-of-the-art benchmarks. They solve completely different problems; pick the one that matches your operational reality.
Aside vs Presto Voice
Choose Presto Voice if you run a QSR chain and need to automate drive-thru ordering with proven upselling results. Choose Aside if you're an operations or sales professional who wants an AI browser agent to automate complex web workflows across logged-in sites. They serve completely different needs; your choice depends on whether your bottleneck is the drive-thru or the browser.
Aside vs Truleo
Truleo and Aside serve completely different worlds—one is specialized for law enforcement intelligence, the other is a generalist browser agent for knowledge work. Choose Truleo if you need to connect RMS, CAD, jail calls, and BWC data into actionable leads; choose Aside if you're an ops team or developer automating multi-step web tasks across logged-in sites. They are not substitutes.
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