What is Zen Browser?
Zen is a Firefox-based browser with the aim of pushing your productivity to a new level. It is an open-source project that welcomes contributions, with bug reports on GitHub Issues and feature requests in GitHub Discussions. The project site describes it as beautifully designed and privacy-focused.
Productivity features include Workspaces to keep projects separate, Compact Mode that hides the tab bar when it is not needed, Glance for quickly switching between your most used tabs, and Split View for viewing two tabs side by side. The documentation also covers CSS live editing and a Mods Registry of custom themes and modifications.
Zen ships in two channels: Release and Twilight. At the time of the README, both are built on Firefox 158.0 or its release candidate.
Key capabilities
- Spaces and routing Supports Spaces and rules for routing external links, including routing when the browser starts.
- Browsing Library Provides access to tabs, history, downloads and media, with options for filtering closed tabs and managing Library tabs.
- Browser migration Imports Spaces and Profiles from Arc and Dia and supports importing bookmarks from Google Chrome.
- Website customization Offers shareable Boosts and a focus feature for concentrating on a specific part of a website.
- Keyboard navigation Provides customizable keyboard shortcuts and a command palette with browser commands.
Where Zen Browser fits
Zen fits desktop browsing workflows that involve organizing tabs in Spaces, returning to browsing history and downloads, and adapting frequently used websites with Boosts. Its import features also support users moving existing browsing setups from Arc, Dia or Google Chrome.
Before deployment, users or IT teams should test required websites, profile imports, file uploads, printing and accessibility on their target operating systems. Release notes document fixes affecting memory use, graphics, window behavior and website loading, making these relevant areas for a pilot deployment.
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Alternatives to Zen Browser
Browser OperatorBSD-licensed AI browser for macOS and Windows: an AI Chat panel runs search and research agents, remembers context, connects to OpenRouter, OpenAI, Groq or local models through LiteLLM, and has an HTTP agent server.
Flow BrowserGPL-3.0 desktop browser from Multibox Labs for Windows, macOS and Linux. It runs on a Widevine-enabled Electron build and adds spaces, profiles, a command palette, a built-in ad blocker and Chrome extension support. Still in beta.