Zen Browser: first look at new open source Firefox-based browser

Recently, there has been a bit of a revival when it comes to forks of the Firefox browser. After Mullvad Browser, it is now Zen Browser that is trying to win the Internet by storm.

The Firefox-based browser is available as an alpha at the time of writing. Despite that, it felt very stable during tests.

The details:

• Zen Browser is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
• The browser is open source.
• You can download an installer or a portable version.

Since it is based on Firefox, it shares many of its features with Mozilla’s browser. This includes most of the interface and settings, as well as support for extensions. The interface looks modern and clean.

Here are core differences to Firefox:

• Tabs are displayed on the sidebar and not horizontally.
• Split view support to display multiple sites at once.
• Improved profile management controls.
• Tab Groups support (coming soon)
• Telemetry disabled by default.

There may be more. Feel free to leave a comment down below if you spot any other.

Using Zen Browser

Firefox users will feel at home when they use the browser. They can import browsing data and install Firefox add-ons in Zen Browser.

Chrome users who think Firefox looks dated may give the browser a try as well, especially since Chrome is soon disabling old extensions like uBlock Origin.

A core difference is that tabs are displayed on the sidebar on the left. There does not seem to be an option to move tabs to the classic horizontal position. Maybe that is coming at a later point.

The settings include a compact mode, which auto-hides the sidebar and displays it on hover. You may furthermore hide the top title bar as well in that mode.

Another option available is to make the URL bar floating when selected. This moves it to the middle of the browser window automatically.

The New Tab page displays just a search option by default. You can add recent shortcuts and Internet shortcuts with a click on the customize button. There is also an option to enable three types of wallpapers: solid color, abstract, or photos.

A sync feature is also available, which requires creation of an account. Major browser features, such as password management, spell checking, translations (via Firefox Translations), or Developer Tools, are also supported.

Closing Words

Zen Browser is updated regularly right now, but it is still an alpha that is in development. Most users may want to wait for the first stable release to give this browser a try, if they are interested in it.

Another thing that may need improving is that the website reveals little about the team behind the browser. While that is not always a necessity, it would improve trust in the project if that would be made clearer.

All in all, a browser to put on the watchlist to check out again in the future.

Have you tried Zen Browser? What is your take on the browser? Would you use it? Feel free to leave a comment down below.