Zen offers Arc fans a customisable, AI-free browsing alternative
As Arc is set to be discontinued while its owner Atlassian focuses on the AI-centred Dia browser, the article recommends Zen as an alternative for people who liked Arc’s design. The writer says Zen keeps Arc’s distinctive organisation and customisation features while offering a simpler, AI-free browsing experience.
Zen is a free, open-source browser based on Firefox, with a left-side tab bar, workspaces, pinned sites, customisable mods, Firefox extensions and temporary “glance” views for links. Its main limitation is that it cannot currently play DRM-protected services such as Netflix, Spotify and Disney+, while its Web MIDI support also leads the writer to use Chrome at times; Zen’s team is seeking a Widevine licence.
In short
- Zen offers an Arc-like interface without built-in AI.
- It is free, open-source and based on Firefox.
- DRM video and Web MIDI limitations mean some users may still need Chrome.
Explained simply
Arc was a web browser known for organising tabs in a side bar and letting people customise how their browser looked and worked. Its owner, Atlassian, has said it will discontinue Arc and focus on Dia, a browser built around artificial intelligence.
Zen is a free, open-source browser based on Firefox, the software behind Firefox’s browser. It offers features such as workspaces for grouping tabs, customisable layouts and temporary views of links, which may appeal to people who valued Arc’s approach.
Zen cannot currently play some services that use digital rights management (DRM), including Netflix, Spotify and Disney+. Its developers are seeking a licence to support this technology, and the limitation matters to people who want one browser for both browsing and watching or listening to protected content.
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Originally published by The Verge as “Zen Browser is the Arc replacement I was looking for”.