US — The Verge
Zen Browser is the Arc replacement I was looking for
Software1 min read
The Verge's weekend editor, Terrence O'Brien, says the Zen Browser is a good replacement for Arc, which is being shut down. Zen copies Arc's best looks and features, but it has no AI and does not track users the same way.
What happened
Arc, a web browser known for its new design, is going away. Its owner, Atlassian, bought the company last year and is now focusing on Dia, a browser that uses even more AI. The writer stopped using Arc a while ago and switched to Zen Browser. He says he has not missed Arc at all.
What Zen Browser is
Zen is a free, open-source web browser built on Firefox. Open-source means anyone can read and change its code. It is run by volunteers and paid for by donations. Zen looks very much like Arc. It has pinned sites, a tab bar on the left, separate spaces for different tasks, and mods that let you change how it looks.
Key facts
- Zen's Boost feature was added in May, and it is not easy to find.
- Zen does not play DRM-protected videos yet. This means Netflix, Spotify, HBO, and Disney+ do not work.
- Zen's team is trying to get a Widevine license from Google. Widevine is a tool that lets video services play protected content.
- The writer uses Chrome when he wants to watch movies or use Web MIDI, which Zen does not support well.
Why it matters
Arc fans who do not want AI features now have a clear option. Zen keeps the parts of Arc that people liked and leaves out the extra clutter. Its privacy promise is also a key point. The writer says that with Arc, his data seemed to be part of the business plan, but Zen does not work that way.
What to watch
- Whether Zen gets the Widevine license so streaming services like Netflix work.
- Whether Zen makes its Boost feature easier to find and use.
- How well Zen supports Chrome extensions over time.
Glossary
- Arc
- A web browser known for a new design, with pinned sites and a tab bar on the left. It is being shut down.
- Atlassian
- The company that bought Arc last year and now builds Dia.
- Dia
- A web browser from Atlassian that focuses even more on AI.
- Zen Browser
- A free, open-source web browser built on Firefox that copies Arc's look without AI.
- DRM
- Digital rights management. A way to protect movies and music so they cannot be copied easily.
- Widevine
- A tool from Google that lets streaming apps play protected videos in a browser.