Comparison · Last checked 25 Oct 2026
Computer-use agents compared
The main agents that can see a screen and click, type and navigate on their own. Every row links to its sources.
No vendor paid to appear here, and the order is alphabetical by maker. Claims marked reported come from press coverage, not the vendor. Spot something out of date? Send a correction.
Agents and models
| Product | What it is | Where it runs | Status, Oct 2026 | Admin and safety controls | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude computer useAnthropic | Agent that operates the desktop and browser inside Claude's apps (Cowork, Claude Code, Claude in Chrome). Developers can also use a computer-use tool in the API. | Claude desktop app on Mac and Windows; Chrome extension (Chrome only); API | Available Cowork GA on paid plans since Apr 2026. Desktop computer use is a research preview; Chrome extension in beta; API tool in beta. |
On Enterprise it is off by default and admins can limit it to approved domains. Cowork activity is not yet in the Compliance API. | Help center, API docs, Windows launch |
| Gemini computer useGoogle | Gemini 2.5 Computer Use model for developers; Gemini Agent, AI Mode and Chrome auto browse for consumers. | Gemini API (AI Studio, Vertex AI); Gemini app; Chrome | Available Developer model in preview since Oct 2025. Project Mariner discontinued 4 May 2026. |
Check the Gemini API docs for current controls. | 9to5Google, Android Headlines |
| ManusMeta (acquired, reported) | General-purpose autonomous agent app that runs multi-step tasks in its own cloud computer. | Manus cloud | Available Meta acquisition around Dec 2025 (reported); about $100M subscription ARR reported. |
Not documented in our sources. | Trending Topics |
| Copilot Studio computer useMicrosoft | UI-automation step inside Copilot Studio agent workflows, with a Microsoft-hosted browser. Aimed at replacing RPA bots. | Microsoft cloud | Preview Preview from Apr 2026; GA planned for Oct 2026, not yet confirmed. |
Hosted browser management and admin controls. | M365 roadmap |
| ChatGPT WorkOpenAI | Agent mode in ChatGPT, powered by Codex. In the desktop app it can operate your computer: clicking, typing and moving files across apps, on demand or on a schedule. Asks for approval before sensitive actions. | ChatGPT desktop app (Mac, Windows); web and mobile; Chrome extension sidebar | Available Launched 9 Jul 2026 for Pro, Enterprise and Edu, then Plus and Business. Replaces the Atlas browser (closed 9 Aug 2026). Codex computer use may be limited in the EU and UK. |
Approval step before sensitive actions; Enterprise admin controls. | The Next Web, TechRadar, Codex computer use |
| Browser UseOpen source | Open-source library that lets any LLM control a web browser. A hosted cloud with stealth browsers and proxies is also offered. | Your own machine or servers; Browser Use cloud | Active Raised a $17M seed in Mar 2025. |
Whatever you build: you control the sandbox, allowlists and logging. | Felicis, Mastra |
More open-source options are in open-source computer-use agents.
Which one fits
You want an assistant to do tasks for you
Start with the agent built into the AI app you already pay for: Claude Cowork, ChatGPT Work or Gemini Agent. No setup, but less control over where it runs.
You're building a product
Use a model API (Claude, Gemini, OpenAI) or an open-source framework, and run it on cloud browsers or sandboxes from the infrastructure directory.
You're replacing RPA at work
Prioritise admin controls, domain allowlists and audit logs over raw benchmark scores. Read the security checklist first.
How good are they?
~86%
Top OSWorld-Verified scores reported in late 2026, up from 42% in early 2025.
~72%
Human baseline on OSWorld-Verified.
~44%
Best full-completion score on the harder OSWorld 2.0.
Leaderboards disagree on dates and setups. How to read the benchmarks.
What replaced what
| Was | Change | Use now |
|---|---|---|
| OperatorOpenAI | Closed Aug 2025 | Folded into ChatGPT agent, now ChatGPT Work |
| ChatGPT AtlasOpenAI | Closed 9 Aug 2026 | ChatGPT desktop app; Chrome extension. Guide |
| Project MarinerGoogle | Discontinued 4 May 2026 | Gemini Agent; AI Mode; Chrome auto browse. Guide |
| Claude in Chrome side panelAnthropic | Changed 12 Aug 2026 | The side panel now opens a Cowork session. Guide |
Get this comparison updated monthly
We re-check every row each month and email what changed.