Hark vs ChatGPT: which one should you use?
ChatGPT is the best-known AI assistant in the world. Hark is a small, focused agent that lives in Chrome’s side panel. Here is how they differ when the job is not “answer a question” but “do this for me on this website”.
Choose ChatGPT if you want one general-purpose assistant for writing, coding, research and images, and you are happy to work in its own app. Choose Hark if you want an agent inside the Chrome you already use that handles email, errands on websites and follow-ups — and that asks before every final step.
At a glance
Hark and ChatGPT, side by side.
| Hark | ChatGPT | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Chrome extension — an AI agent in the side panel | General-purpose AI assistant; agentic browsing now lives in the ChatGPT desktop app and a Chrome extension |
| Where it runs | Google Chrome on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS | Web, mobile, and desktop apps for Mac and Windows |
| Acts on websites | Yes — clicks, types and fills forms in your current tab | In the desktop app’s built-in browser; availability depends on plan |
| Approval before final steps | Always, before send, submit, book, pay or delete | Asks for confirmation on sensitive actions |
| Email help | Summaries, reply drafts and deadlines in Gmail & Outlook on the web | Through connectors and the agent, depending on plan |
| Tracker for orders & deadlines | Built-in Tracker for orders, bookings, bills and deadlines | No dedicated tracker |
| Account needed | No account — install and use | OpenAI account required |
| Free plan | 1 AI request per day, all modes | Free plan with usage limits |
| Paid plans | $5.99/week (2-day trial), $14.99/month or $39.99/year | Paid plans from about $20/month (ChatGPT Plus) |
| AI models | OpenAI models, in Fast and Smart modes | OpenAI’s GPT models |
Choose Hark if…
- You want the agent in your normal Chrome, next to the page you are on
- Email in Gmail or Outlook is where most of your tasks start
- You want an approval prompt before anything is sent, booked or bought
- You do not want to create another account
Choose ChatGPT if…
- You need a general assistant for writing, code, analysis and images
- You want voice conversations, custom GPTs and file analysis
- You already pay for ChatGPT and prefer to stay in one app
What changed in 2026: Atlas is gone
OpenAI launched its own browser, ChatGPT Atlas, in October 2025 and retired it on August 9, 2026. Its browsing-agent features moved into the ChatGPT desktop app, which has a built-in browser, and into a ChatGPT extension for Chrome. In practice that means ChatGPT’s agent now mostly works inside ChatGPT’s own window, while Hark works inside the tab you are already looking at. If you came here from Atlas, see our ChatGPT Atlas alternative page.
Generalist vs specialist
ChatGPT is a generalist with enormous range. Hark is a specialist with three jobs: understand the email or page in front of you, carry out a task on that site, and remember what you need to follow up on. If your day is full of small browser errands — reply to this, book that, fill this in, when does that arrive — a specialist that is one shortcut away tends to get used more. Many people use both.
FAQ
Hark vs ChatGPT: common questions
Is Hark built on ChatGPT?
Hark currently runs on OpenAI models through our own server, but it is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by OpenAI.
Can ChatGPT fill in forms and book things for me?
ChatGPT’s agent features can browse and act in the ChatGPT desktop app’s built-in browser, with availability depending on your plan and region. Hark does this in your own Chrome tab and includes it in the free plan within the daily limit.
Can I use Hark and ChatGPT together?
Yes. They do not conflict. A common setup is ChatGPT for long thinking and writing sessions and Hark for quick actions on the page you are on.
More comparisons
Hand your next task to Hark.
Add it to Chrome, open the side panel and say what you need. It takes about ten seconds.
Free plan included · No account needed · Works in Chrome on Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS