# Arc vs Zen Browser Published January 1, 2026 · Updated August 10, 2026 Arc is the top pick for most Mac users looking at browsers. It is free and installs in one Homebrew command. Zen Browser is the stronger choice if you are moving off SigmaOS. As of October 2026, both install with brew install --cask arc and brew install --cask zen. For most Mac users in 2026, Arc is the better choice for browsers because it ranks higher in Homebrew install popularity (#17). Both install with a single Homebrew command, so the switching cost is low. Choose Zen Browser instead if you are moving off SigmaOS. ## Head to head | Factor | Arc | Zen Browser | | --- | --- | --- | | Price | Free | Free | | Open Source | No | No | | Replaces | — | SigmaOS ($15/month) | | Best for | browser, modern, spaces | browser, privacy, open source | | Install | brew install --cask arc | brew install --cask zen | | Category | Web Browsers | Web Browsers | ## Arc Browser designed for the way we use the internet in 2025 Install: `brew install --cask arc` [Arc on Bundl](https://bundl.run/apps/arc) ## Zen Browser Open-source, privacy-focused Firefox-based browser with a beautiful sidebar and tab management. Install: `brew install --cask zen` [Zen Browser on Bundl](https://bundl.run/apps/zen-browser) ## Features - **Active Development.** Zen Browser wins decisively. Active development is essential for browser security, compatibility, and feature evolution. Arc's discontinued status makes it unsuitable for new adoption. - **Privacy & Security.** Zen Browser wins on privacy through its open-source nature, Firefox heritage, built-in blocking, and lack of data collection. Arc's proprietary status and Chromium base make it inherently less private. - **Tab Management.** Both browsers excel at tab management with similar philosophies, but Zen Browser wins due to ongoing refinement and community-driven improvements. Arc's feature set is frozen in time. - **Extension Ecosystem.** Arc wins on raw extension availability due to Chromium/Chrome Web Store compatibility. However, Zen Browser's Firefox ecosystem covers most user needs adequately. - **Performance (Apple Silicon).** Zen Browser wins on efficiency and ongoing optimization. While both run well on Apple Silicon, Zen's active development ensures it will continue to improve performance on new hardware. - **Customization.** Zen Browser wins through Zen Mods and open-source flexibility, offering deeper customization than Arc ever provided. - **UI/UX Design.** It's a tie. Both browsers offer exceptional, modern UI design. Arc may have a slight edge in polish due to its venture-backed design team, but Zen's active development means its UI continues to improve. - **Cross-Platform Support.** Zen Browser wins through broader platform support and the potential for continued expansion. Arc's platform availability is frozen. ## FAQ ### Is Arc Browser still being developed in 2026? No. The Browser Company placed into maintenance mode Arc Browser in May 2025. It is now in maintenance mode, receiving only security updates and critical bug fixes. All feature development has ceased as the company focuses on their new AI-native browser, Dia. ### Should I still use Arc Browser in 2026? New users should absolutely avoid Arc in 2026 due to its discontinued status. Existing users should plan a migration strategy, as Arc will eventually become a security risk as web standards evolve without corresponding browser updates. Zen Browser is the recommended alternative for those who loved Arc's interface. ### Is Zen Browser free to use? Yes, Zen Browser is completely free and open-source. There are no premium tiers, subscriptions, or paid features. The project is supported by community donations and volunteer contributions. You can use all features including Workspaces, Zen Mods, and vertical tabs at no cost. ### Can I use Chrome extensions in Zen Browser? No. Zen Browser is built on Firefox, not Chromium, so it uses Firefox's extension ecosystem instead of the Chrome Web Store. Most popular extensions have Firefox versions available, but some Chrome-specific extensions may not work. Check the Firefox Add-ons marketplace for alternatives. ### How does Zen Browser compare to Arc for tab management? Zen Browser offers a very similar experience to Arc with its vertical sidebar, Workspaces (comparable to Arc's Spaces), and sophisticated tab organization. Many former Arc users find Zen to be the closest alternative. Zen also adds features like Zen Mods for customization that Arc never offered. ### What is Dia Browser? Dia is The Browser Company's new AI-native browser, launched as the successor to Arc. It features built-in AI assistance and has a free tier plus a $20/month Pro subscription for unlimited AI features. Dia represents the company's shift from Arc's organizational-focused approach to AI-centric browsing. ### Is Zen Browser good for privacy? Yes, Zen Browser is privacy-focused by design. It's open-source (allowing code audit), built on Firefox's privacy-respecting foundation, includes built-in tracker blocking, and collects no user data. Unlike proprietary browsers, you can verify exactly what the software does. ### Can I migrate my Arc bookmarks and data to Zen Browser? Yes. You can export your bookmarks from Arc and import them into Zen Browser using Firefox's standard import tools. However, Arc-specific features like Easels and Spaces configurations cannot be directly migrated, you'll need to manually recreate Workspaces in Zen. ### Is Zen Browser available for Windows and Linux? Yes. Zen Browser supports macOS, Linux, and Windows (with the Windows version having reached beta in 2025). This is an advantage over Arc, which never officially supported Linux and has now ceased all platform expansion. ### What makes Zen Browser different from regular Firefox? Zen Browser takes Firefox's engine and adds a completely redesigned interface with a vertical sidebar, Workspaces, Zen Mods for customization, split view, and other productivity features. It keeps Firefox's privacy and standards compliance but presents them in a modern, Arc-like interface. ## Sources - [The Browser Company explains why it stopped developing Arc](https://www.theverge.com/news/674603/arc-browser-development-stopped-dia-browser) - [The Browser Company stops active development of Arc in favor of Dia](https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-browser-company-stops-active-development-of-arc-in-favor-of-dia-130045843.html) - [The Browser Company's AI browser Dia now has a $20 subscription](https://www.theverge.com/news/756427/browser-company-dia-pro-ai-pricing) - [Dia (web browser) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dia_(web_browser)) - [Zen Browser - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_Browser) - [Zen Browser - Official Website](https://zen-browser.app/) - [Workspaces - Zen Browser Documentation](https://docs.zen-browser.app/user-manual/workspaces) - [Zen Mods - Zen Browser](https://zen-browser.app/mods/) - [Arc (web browser) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc_(web_browser)) - [Arc Browser](https://arc.net/) - [Zen Browser release notes](https://zen-browser.app/release-notes/) - [Zen Browser GitHub](https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop) - [Dia Browser](https://www.diabrowser.com/) - [The Browser Company](https://www.thebrowser.company/) - [Zen Browser Mac Review 2026](https://supasidebar.com/blog/zen-browser-mac-review-2026) ## Related - [Arc vs Google Chrome](https://bundl.run/compare/arc-vs-chrome) - [Arc vs Firefox](https://bundl.run/compare/arc-vs-firefox) - [Arc vs Safari](https://bundl.run/compare/arc-vs-safari) - [Arc vs Brave](https://bundl.run/compare/arc-vs-brave-browser) - [Arc vs Vivaldi](https://bundl.run/compare/arc-vs-vivaldi) - [Arc vs Microsoft Edge](https://bundl.run/compare/arc-vs-microsoft-edge) - [Orion Browser vs Arc](https://bundl.run/compare/orion-vs-arc) - [Zen Browser vs Firefox](https://bundl.run/compare/zen-browser-vs-firefox) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization", "name": "Bundl.run", "url": "https://bundl.run", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bundl.run/og-image.png", "width": 1200, "height": 630 }, "description": "The Ninite for Mac. 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