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Zen Browser
Free4.4/5
Open-source Arc alternative on Firefox. Privacy-first, free, customizable.
Why founders use Zen Browser
Vertical tabs & sidebar
Workspace organization
Privacy-focused settings
Customizable themes
Firefox extensions support
Offline-capable UI
Themeable design
The Good
Completely free, open-source, no ads
Arc-inspired UI without the cost
Privacy-first (no Mozilla tracking)
Firefox-based (breaks Chromium monopoly)
Community-driven development
The Bad
Lacks DRM support (licensing fee too high)
Mobile app still in development
Fewer integrations than Chrome ecosystem
Windows version less polished than macOS
The Verdict
Zen Browser is the indie hacker's answer to Arc—built on Firefox's Gecko engine, it's 100% open-source, completely free, and respects your privacy. While Arc (now owned by Atlassian) focuses on features for teams, Zen strips back to what matters: beautiful UI, sidebar navigation, vertical tabs, and zero data collection. Perfect for developers and solopreneurs who want Arc's aesthetics without vendor lock-in or monthly fees. The developer is transparent about limitations (no DRM support due to cost) and welcomes community contributions.