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Arc vs Zen Browser

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

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Arc
ArcA browser that organizes tabs into Spaces and adapts to how you browse.
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Zen Browser
Zen BrowserFirefox-based browser for organized workspaces
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Overview
Description

Arc is a web browser from The Browser Company that rethinks the traditional tab bar. Instead of one long row of tabs, Arc organizes browsing into Spaces (separate profiles for work, personal life, or side projects) and a vertical sidebar, with Split View for viewing two pages side by side and built-in tools like an ad blocker and screenshot tool. Arc is built on Chromium, so it supports the same extensions and sites as Chrome, while adding features like Boosts (custom CSS/JS tweaks per site) and Easels for quick notes and moodboards. As of its current site messaging, active feature development has shifted to Dia, the company's newer AI-first browser, while Arc itself continues to receive Chromium security updates.

Zen Browser is a Firefox-based browser that helps you stay organized and focused. It's built around tab organization and workspaces, making it easy to manage multiple projects and tasks. With Zen Browser, you can create custom workspaces for different projects, and easily switch between them.

Pricing
Free
Free
Category
Desktop Browsers
Desktop Browsers
Best for
Power users and professionals who manage many tabs and projects at once
Freelancers and small teams
Specifications
deployment
Desktop App
Desktop App
open source
No
No
api available
No
No
support options
Help Center, Community
Email
key integrations
Chrome Web Store extensions
—
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Tab and Space organization meaningfully reduces browser clutter for heavy multi-tasking users
  • Split View and Easels add real productivity tools most browsers lack natively
  • Free to use with no account required for core features
  • Full Chromium compatibility means existing Chrome extensions still work
  • Highly customizable
  • Easy to use and navigate
  • Great for managing multiple projects
  • Free to use
Cons
  • Active feature development has shifted to the company's newer browser, Dia, with Arc now getting mostly maintenance updates
  • No Linux version
  • The unconventional layout has a learning curve for users coming from traditional tab bars
  • Limited support for non-Firefox extensions
  • Some features may not work as expected
  • Limited customization options for non-technical users
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
0
0
User rating
Not enough data
Not enough data

More alternatives & similar tools

Alternatives to Arc

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Vivaldi
Vivaldi

A highly customizable and feature-rich web browser built for power users.

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Zen Browser
Zen Browser

Firefox-based browser for organized workspaces

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Cent Browser
Cent Browser

A Chromium‑based browser packed with productivity‑boosting features

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OneTab
OneTab

Browser extension that collapses all open tabs into one list to save memory and reduce clutter.

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Alternatives to Zen Browser

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Arc
Arc

A browser that organizes tabs into Spaces and adapts to how you browse.

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Basilisk
Basilisk

A lightweight, non‑Chromium browser built for stability and control

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Toby
Toby

A browser extension that replaces tab chaos with organized visual workspaces for your links.

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The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

Both browsers are free, but Zen Browser is simpler and Firefox‑based, while Arc offers richer tab‑organization tools and broader extension support at the cost of a steeper learning curve.

Key differences

  • •Underlying engine: Zen uses Firefox, Arc uses Chromium.
  • •Workspace model: Zen offers custom workspaces; Arc uses Spaces with auto‑archiving and split‑view.
  • •Extension ecosystem: Zen limited to Firefox extensions; Arc works with Chrome Web Store extensions.
  • •Built‑in tools: Arc includes ad/tracker blocker, Easels, and Boosts; Zen provides only basic notifications.
  • •Platform support: Arc has no Linux version; Zen’s platform coverage isn’t specified beyond desktop.
DimensionWinner

Pricing & value

Both are free to use according to the provided facts.

Tie

Ease of use / learning curve

Zen is described as easy to use; Arc’s unconventional layout has a learning curve for traditional users.

Zen Browser

Features & depth

Arc offers Spaces, Split View, Easels, ad blocker, and Boosts, which are not present in Zen.

Arc

Integrations & ecosystem

Arc supports Chrome Web Store extensions; Zen is limited to Firefox extensions.

Arc

Collaboration

Neither product mentions built‑in collaboration features in the facts.

Tie

Support

Arc provides Help Center and Community; Zen only offers email support.

Arc

Security & privacy

No security or privacy details are specified for either browser.

Tie

Choose Arc if…

Power users or professionals managing many tabs/projects who need advanced organization and Chrome extension compatibility.

Choose Zen Browser if…

Freelancers or small teams wanting a straightforward Firefox‑based browser with minimal setup.

Common questions

Is there any cost to use either browser?

Both Zen Browser and Arc are listed as free.

Can I use my existing Chrome extensions with Zen Browser?

No; Zen only supports Firefox extensions, while Arc works with Chrome Web Store extensions.

Which browser is better for handling dozens of tabs across multiple projects?

Arc provides Spaces, auto‑archiving, and split‑view features designed for heavy multi‑tasking, whereas Zen offers basic workspace grouping.