A Chromium-based web browser from Microsoft. Since the Chromium version launched in January 2020, Microsoft has deeply integrated the Copilot AI assistant into the sidepane and new tab page, expanding Edge from a simple browsing tool into a workspace that helps you read, research, and summarize. It offers cross-tab comprehension and comparison, YouTube video summaries, the Journeys feature that automatically groups related pages, and SmartScreen protection against scam sites, along with strong Microsoft 365 integration. Edge runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android, and the browser itself is free.
In May 2026, the separate, toggleable “Copilot Mode” was retired and its capabilities were folded into the standard Edge interface, so AI features are available without switching to a dedicated mode.
Key Features
- Cross-tab AI summaries and comparison: With your permission, Copilot reads the contents of several open tabs at once, building comparison tables or pulling out key points. This cuts down on jumping between tabs when comparing products or reading several articles side by side
- Resume research with Journeys: Automatically organizes browsing history into topic-based cards. For multi-day research such as trip planning or preparing for a move, it makes it easy to pick up where you left off
- Video and page summaries: Ask Copilot in the sidepane to summarize a YouTube video or a web page, which is useful for getting the gist of long explainer videos or English-language articles quickly
- Study and Learn with quizzes: Generates guided study sessions, quizzes, and flashcards from the page you have open, which suits exam preparation or checking your understanding of a technical article
- Voice and Vision interaction: Supports sharing your screen and asking questions by voice through the Vision and voice features, helping with research on a phone or in hands-busy situations
- Security and Microsoft 365 integration: SmartScreen warnings for scam and phishing sites and a password monitor are included by default. If you use Word or Outlook, signing in ties the browser into your existing workflow
Pricing
The browser and its main AI features are free. Some advanced capabilities are reserved for Microsoft 365 subscribers.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Main features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Edge itself | $0 | $0 | Full browser, basic Copilot use, cross-tab summaries, Journeys, Study and Learn, voice and Vision |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $9.99 | $99.99 | Copilot in Word, Excel, and other desktop apps, plus expanded usage such as podcast generation |
| Microsoft 365 Family | $12.99 | $129.99 | Personal-level content shared with family (AI features remain limited to the subscription owner) |
| Microsoft 365 Premium | $19.99 | $199.99 | Higher AI usage limits plus “Browse with Copilot,” where Copilot operates the page for you (rolling out from the U.S.) |
Pricing reflects U.S. list prices as of August 2026. Prices and availability differ by region. Check the official site and the Microsoft 365 pricing page for current details.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Both the browser and Copilot’s core features are free, so you can start using AI assistance without extra apps or extensions
- Being Chromium-based, it runs Chrome extensions and web standards almost unchanged
- Research-focused features such as cross-tab summaries, comparison, and Journeys are genuinely practical
- Bundled with Windows and available on Mac, Linux, and mobile, with history and password sync across devices
- Security features such as SmartScreen scam warnings are enabled by default
⚠️ Cons
- New AI features often ship first in the U.S. and English-speaking markets, so some capabilities take time to reach other regions
- Features such as “Browse with Copilot” require a Microsoft 365 Premium subscription and cannot be tried on the free tier
- AI features and recommended content appear throughout the interface, which can feel intrusive if you prefer a minimal browser
- Because Copilot reads tab contents, business users should check what information their organization’s policy allows it to process
- Feature names and delivery models change fairly often (the retirement of Copilot Mode, for example), so settings can move between releases
Comparison with Similar Services
| Criteria | Microsoft Edge | Google Chrome | Brave | Opera |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provider | Microsoft | Brave Software | Opera Software | |
| Built-in AI | Copilot | Gemini | Leo | Aria |
| Cross-tab summaries | Supported | Partially supported | Limited | Limited |
| Extensions | Chrome extensions work | Chrome Web Store | Chrome extensions work | Chrome extensions work |
| Distinguishing traits | Microsoft 365 integration, study tools | Google service integration | Ad and tracker blocking by default | Free VPN and other extras |
| Price | Free (paid advanced features) | Free | Free | Free |
Who Is It For
- People who use Microsoft 365 daily with Word or Outlook and want their browser to match that environment
- Anyone who researches by comparing several sites at once and wants to cut down on tab switching
- People who need the key points of long videos or English articles quickly
- Learners preparing for exams or studying technical material who want quizzes to check comprehension
- Anyone who wants to try an AI-equipped browser without paying anything up front
Summary
Microsoft Edge keeps the familiar feel of a Chromium browser while building Copilot-powered summarization, comparison, and study support directly into the browser. With Copilot Mode retired in 2026 and its features folded into the standard interface, AI assistance is simply there as you browse. The core features are free, so there is little barrier to trying it, and it fits especially well in a Microsoft 365 environment. On the other hand, regional gaps in feature rollout and the sheer amount of AI surfacing in the UI may not suit everyone, so start with the free cross-tab summaries and Journeys and see whether they match how you research.