Aside

Aside is an AI browser for users who want software to carry out multi-step work inside their accounts and on their computers. It is most suitable for people managing repeatable browser workflows, credentials, and research rather than those seeking a conventional browser with occasional AI help. The key question is whether its usage limits and desktop-only platform match your workload.

Overview

Aside operates across signed-in websites and local computer files, handling tasks such as sign-ins, messages, payments, internal tools, and file work. Because it works directly with websites and accounts, there is no separate integration setup to maintain. That makes it relevant to varied operational workflows, although light browser users may not need this level of automation.

The product comes from Aside Computer Inc., whose team is based in San Francisco. Aside uses a Chromium browser engine and a hybrid privacy model, with versions for macOS and Windows.

Key features

The browser agent is designed for tasks that cross several pages or account contexts. Users can connect a ChatGPT or Claude subscription, or provide their own API key, giving flexibility over the underlying AI provider. The trade-off is that the Free plan's monthly credit allowance still controls how much agent work you can run.

Aside converts browsing history and task context into editable Markdown memory saved on the device. Being able to inspect and change that memory is useful when recurring workflows need predictable context instead of an opaque history.

Aside Vault autofills credentials into websites without revealing them to the agent and records credential use. Imports are supported from 1Password, Apple Passwords, Bitwarden, Dashlane, LastPass, and Chrome, which reduces friction when moving an existing password collection. The maker describes local data protection, Secure Enclave, post-quantum encryption, and filesystem and network isolation. Payments, posts, messages, and other sensitive actions pause for user confirmation, preserving a human checkpoint before consequential changes.

For research-heavy work, Pro includes Ultrabrowse for deep research. The Help Center covers setup, tasks, automation, privacy, password management, troubleshooting, and support.

Pricing

Free

Free costs nothing, billed at $0/forever. It includes 500 credits per month, up to three routines, and the option to bring your own subscription. This is enough for experimenting or occasional personal automation, but recurring, credit-intensive workflows will run into the cap.

Pro

Pro costs $20 a month, billed $20/month. It provides three times Free usage, unlimited routines, and Ultrabrowse for deep research. It is the practical fit for an individual who needs several recurring automations or research sessions; it does not offer the much larger allowance of Max.

Max

Max costs $200 a month, billed $200/month. Its 40-times-Free usage is aimed at intensive agent workloads, and membership includes joining the early access program. The price is difficult to justify for casual use, but it is the clearest individual tier for sustained, high-volume operation.

Enterprise

Enterprise uses custom pricing. It adds team seats, billing and settings, shared profiles and vaults, plus direct help with rollout, workflow design, and production issues. That package is aimed at teams running agents on shared company accounts rather than solo users.

Platforms

Aside runs on macOS and Windows. There is no mobile or web platform in this offering, so users who need the same agent on phones or Linux systems should look elsewhere.

Who it's for

Choose Aside if your work involves repeated actions inside logged-in services, local files, and sensitive accounts, and you want editable device-stored memory with a credential boundary. Pro suits an individual with multiple routines; Max suits unusually heavy usage; Enterprise is for coordinated company deployments. Free is best as a low-commitment starting point, provided 500 credits and three routines are sufficient.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Handles sign-ins, messages, payments, internal tools, and local files without separate integrations.
• Pros: Editable Markdown memory on the device makes retained context inspectable and adjustable.
• Pros: Vault supports major password imports, hides credentials from the agent, and logs use.
• Pros: Confirmation gates for sensitive actions reduce the risk of unattended account changes.
• Cons: Free usage is limited to 500 monthly credits and three routines.
• Cons: Max is $200 a month, a substantial commitment for individual users.
• Cons: macOS and Windows are the only supported platforms.

Alternatives

For a broader free platform mix, Norton Neo runs on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, the web, and Windows, with unlimited AI and a 5 GB monthly VPN allowance (unlimited when it is the default browser). Comet is a free downloadable option for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.

If open source matters, BrowserOS is free, open source, and includes built-in AI agents on macOS, Windows, and Linux. Genspark AI Browser offers a free on-device tier with 169 open-weight models and no subscriptions or limits, alongside paid team plans. Arc Search is a free browser spanning mobile and desktop platforms. BrowserOS neo is another free, AGPL-3.0 open-source option with bring-your-own AI provider support. Dia offers a free macOS browser plan without AI features. MoltBrowser is free forever and fully open source.

Verdict

Aside is a strong choice for desktop users who need an agent to perform account-based browser work and want local, editable memory plus a controlled password vault. Start with Free for occasional tasks, move to Pro for regular routines and research, and reserve Max or Enterprise for sustained workloads. Look elsewhere if you need mobile or Linux support, a fully free high-volume agent, or an open-source browser.