Zen Browser is the Arc replacement I was looking for
Launcher-like pinned tabs, pop-over glance view, and more make Zen my go to browser. | Image: Zen Browser I know many of you are mourning the loss of the Arc browser, and I get it. It felt like the first app in a long time to really offer a new approach to browser design. Atlassian bought the company last year and shifted its focus to developing Dia, its even more AI-focused browser. And soon enough, Arc will…
Key points
- The Verge writer says Zen Browser is a worthy replacement for Arc, which is set to disappear after Atlassian bought the company and shifted focus to Dia.
- Zen copies Arc's interface features such as pinned sites, a left-side tab bar and spaces, but leaves out AI and is free and open-source.
- Zen cannot play DRM-protected video, so services like Netflix and Spotify do not work until the team gets a Widevine license from Google.
A Verge writer who left the Arc browser says Zen Browser is the Arc replacement users have been looking for. Arc's owner Atlassian bought the company last year and moved its focus to Dia, an AI-focused browser, and Arc will soon officially be no more.
The writer says Zen openly takes the best parts of Arc. The two look almost indistinguishable, with launcher-like pinned sites, a tab bar on the left, separate spaces and mods for customizing the interface. Zen removes what the writer calls Arc's bloat and, most notably, has no AI features.
Privacy and extensions
Zen describes itself as privacy-focused. The writer says Arc always felt like data was part of its business plan, while Zen is a free and open-source project funded by volunteers and donations. Zen supports Firefox extensions as well as Zen Mods, and the writer says it handles extensions better than Arc did.
We care about your experience, not your data
— Zen Browser
What Zen cannot do
Zen has drawbacks. It cannot play DRM-protected video, so Netflix, Spotify, HBO and Disney+ do not work in it while the team seeks a Widevine license from Google. The writer uses Chrome for movies and for some Web MIDI needs, since Zen is built on Firefox.
