# Zen Browser

> Free, open-source desktop browser built around vertical tabs

Zen Browser is a free, open-source desktop browser for macOS, Windows and Linux whose codebase is derived from Firefox. Its interface is designed around vertical tabs and adds Workspaces, Split View, a Compact Mode that hides the tab bar, and community-made Zen Mods for customization. It is built by a small volunteer team funded by donations and is still labeled a beta.

- **Category:** Browsers
- **Made by:** Zen Team
- **Website:** https://zen-browser.app
- **Runs on:** macOS, Windows, Linux
- **Facts last checked:** Oct 5, 2026

## Pricing

Zen Browser is free to use.

- **Pricing model:** Free
- **Free plan:** Zen is free and open-source with no paid tier. Development is supported by optional donations through Patreon and Ko-fi and by sponsors.
- **Free trial:** None listed.

| Plan | Price | What you get |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Free | $0 | The full browser for macOS, Windows and Linux, including Workspaces, Split View, Compact Mode and Zen Mods. |

Read from https://zen-browser.app/ on Oct 5, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Zen Browser before buying.

## Key features

- **Workspaces:** Tabs are organized into Workspaces so that separate projects stay apart, with quick switching from one to another.
- **Vertical tabs and Compact Mode:** The whole interface is built around a vertical tab bar. Compact Mode hides that bar until it is needed, leaving more of the screen for the page.
- **Split View:** Split View shows tabs side by side for comparison. Tabs are selected with Ctrl or Shift and split from the right-click menu.
- **Glance:** Glance gives quick access to the tabs a person uses most, without scrolling back through history to find them.
- **Zen Mods:** Zen Mods are themes and modifications that change how the browser looks and behaves, and the documentation covers live CSS editing for further customization.
- **Sync through Firefox Sync:** Signing in with a Mozilla account syncs add-ons, bookmarks, history, passwords and other browser data across devices.

## Good for

- People who prefer vertical tabs and a minimal interface
- Firefox users who want workspaces and split view built in
- Those who want an open-source browser funded by donations

## Worth knowing

- Zen is labeled a beta and is maintained by a small team, so bug reports and feature requests can take time.
- There is no Android or iOS version, and the FAQ says none is planned.
- The FAQ says Zen has no Widevine license, so DRM-protected streaming does not play on Windows or macOS.
- Horizontal tabs are not supported; the team says they will not be added in the near future.

## Works with

Firefox Sync

**Tags:** Web browser, Open source

## Alternatives

- [Arc](https://toolgpa.com/tools/arc): Chromium-based browser with Spaces, Profiles and Split View. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/arc-vs-zen-browser)
- [Firefox](https://toolgpa.com/tools/firefox): Free, open-source browser from Mozilla with tracker blocking built in. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/firefox-vs-zen-browser)
- [Vivaldi](https://toolgpa.com/tools/vivaldi): Customizable browser with built-in mail, calendar and feed reader. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/vivaldi-vs-zen-browser)
- [Brave](https://toolgpa.com/tools/brave): Open-source browser that blocks ads and trackers by default. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/brave-vs-zen-browser)

## Sources

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 5, 2026:

- https://zen-browser.app/
- https://zen-browser.app/download/
- https://zen-browser.app/about/
- https://zen-browser.app/donate/
- https://docs.zen-browser.app/
- https://docs.zen-browser.app/faq

Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/zen-browser
Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).