Zen Browser: a free, AI-free alternative to the Arc browser
A Verge writer argues that the open-source Zen browser is a suitable replacement for Arc users who don't want AI features. It does have limits, such as being unable to play DRM-protected video.
Terrence O'Brien, a writer for the technology outlet The Verge, says the Zen Browser is a good replacement for Arc, whose users will soon be left without the product. Atlassian bought Arc's developer last year and shifted its focus to Dia, a browser that leans even more heavily on artificial intelligence. Arc will soon be officially discontinued.
Similar look, different approach
According to the author, Zen is visually almost indistinguishable from Arc. It has pinned sites that work like a launcher, a tab bar on the left, separate spaces, and mods for customizing the interface. Unlike Arc, Zen has no AI features: there is no sidebar agent, and the author isn't concerned that browsing activity could be used to train a language model. Zen is a free, open-source project that relies on volunteers and donations.
The browser can also install Firefox extensions, and the author concludes that Zen handles them better than Arc because it offers more workarounds. Links open in a temporary pop-over tab called "glance" view. Pressing Command+T or Ctrl+T brings up a floating bar from which users can open a new tab, switch to an existing one, search, or trigger an extension.
Drawbacks
Zen cannot play DRM-protected video, so Netflix, Spotify, HBO and Disney+ do not work. The Zen team is trying to obtain a Widevine license from Google. Because the browser is built on Firefox, its Web MIDI support is also limited, so the author still turns to Chrome from time to time.
The author also misses Arc's Boosts feature. Zen introduced a similar option in May, but it is not very obvious, and the author knows of no official, browsable repository of installable Boosts. He notes that the browser has improved considerably since its buggy early builds. For those who value Arc's AI features, he recommends Dia.
