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Zen Browser vs SupaSidebar
Zen is a browser with a sidebar. SupaSidebar is a sidebar that works with every browser - including Zen.
Feature-by-feature comparison
See how SupaSidebar compares to Zen Browser across every major feature
| Features | Zen Browser | SupaSidebar |
|---|---|---|
| Sidebar with pinned items Pin your most-used links for instant access | Yes Pin frequently visited sites in the vertical sidebar | Yes Pin links, apps, and files for instant one-click access |
| Spaces / Workspaces Organize links and tabs by project or context | Yes Zen Spaces let you switch between separate browsing contexts | Yes Create unlimited spaces to separate projects and contexts |
| Command palette Fuzzy search across tabs, bookmarks, files, and apps | No No command palette - navigation is mouse-driven | Yes Fuzzy search across tabs, bookmarks, files, and apps |
| Works with any browser Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge, and more | No Zen is a browser itself - it does not work alongside others | Yes Works alongside Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge, and more |
| Live Tabs across browsers See open tabs from all browsers in one panel | Partial Shows own tabs only - cannot see tabs from other browsers | Yes Shows live tabs from every open browser in one unified panel |
| Air Traffic Control Auto-route links to specific browsers or spaces | No No link routing rules - all links open in Zen | Yes Auto-routes links to specific browsers or spaces by rule |
| Native macOS app Built with Swift and SwiftUI | Partial Runs on Gecko (Firefox engine) - not a native macOS app | Yes Built with Swift and SwiftUI for native macOS performance |
| Split view View two pages side by side | Yes Built-in split view lets you view two pages side by side | No No built-in split view - use macOS Split View instead |
| Smart Folders Auto-organized folders based on custom rules | No No smart folders - bookmarks are organized manually | Yes Smart Folders auto-organize links based on custom rules |
| AI-powered tags Local AI tagging with on-device models | No No AI tagging - tags and labels are applied manually | Yes On-device AI automatically tags links using local models |
| Files, folders, and apps in sidebar Drag anything from Finder into the sidebar | No Sidebar holds browser tabs and bookmarks only - no local files | Yes Drag files, folders, and apps from Finder into the sidebar |
| Community themes (Mods) Custom visual themes from the community | Yes Zen Mods offer community-made visual themes and customizations | No No community theme marketplace - uses system appearance |
| Firefox extension support Full Firefox add-on compatibility | Yes Full Firefox add-on compatibility via the Gecko engine | No Not a browser - use Firefox directly for its extensions |
| Chrome extension support Support for Chrome Web Store extensions | No Firefox-based - Chrome Web Store extensions are not supported | Partial Works alongside Chrome so Chrome extensions remain available |
| iCloud Sync Syncs sidebar across all your Macs | Partial Uses Firefox Sync - not iCloud, requires a Mozilla account | Yes Syncs your entire sidebar across all your Macs via iCloud |
| Open source | Yes Fully open source under the Mozilla Public License | No SupaSidebar is proprietary software with a free tier |
| Active development | Yes Actively developed open-source project with frequent updates | Yes Actively developed with regular feature releases |
| Overall | Browser (Firefox) | Best Choice |
Sidebar with pinned items
Pin your most-used links for instant access
Pin links, apps, and files for instant one-click access
Pin frequently visited sites in the vertical sidebar
Spaces / Workspaces
Organize links and tabs by project or context
Create unlimited spaces to separate projects and contexts
Zen Spaces let you switch between separate browsing contexts
Command palette
Fuzzy search across tabs, bookmarks, files, and apps
Fuzzy search across tabs, bookmarks, files, and apps
No command palette - navigation is mouse-driven
Works with any browser
Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge, and more
Works alongside Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge, and more
Zen is a browser itself - it does not work alongside others
Live Tabs across browsers
See open tabs from all browsers in one panel
Shows live tabs from every open browser in one unified panel
Shows own tabs only - cannot see tabs from other browsers
Air Traffic Control
Auto-route links to specific browsers or spaces
Auto-routes links to specific browsers or spaces by rule
No link routing rules - all links open in Zen
Native macOS app
Built with Swift and SwiftUI
Built with Swift and SwiftUI for native macOS performance
Runs on Gecko (Firefox engine) - not a native macOS app
Split view
View two pages side by side
No built-in split view - use macOS Split View instead
Built-in split view lets you view two pages side by side
Smart Folders
Auto-organized folders based on custom rules
Smart Folders auto-organize links based on custom rules
No smart folders - bookmarks are organized manually
AI-powered tags
Local AI tagging with on-device models
On-device AI automatically tags links using local models
No AI tagging - tags and labels are applied manually
Files, folders, and apps in sidebar
Drag anything from Finder into the sidebar
Drag files, folders, and apps from Finder into the sidebar
Sidebar holds browser tabs and bookmarks only - no local files
Community themes (Mods)
Custom visual themes from the community
No community theme marketplace - uses system appearance
Zen Mods offer community-made visual themes and customizations
Firefox extension support
Full Firefox add-on compatibility
Not a browser - use Firefox directly for its extensions
Full Firefox add-on compatibility via the Gecko engine
Chrome extension support
Support for Chrome Web Store extensions
Works alongside Chrome so Chrome extensions remain available
Firefox-based - Chrome Web Store extensions are not supported
iCloud Sync
Syncs sidebar across all your Macs
Syncs your entire sidebar across all your Macs via iCloud
Uses Firefox Sync - not iCloud, requires a Mozilla account
Open source
SupaSidebar is proprietary software with a free tier
Fully open source under the Mozilla Public License
Active development
Actively developed with regular feature releases
Actively developed open-source project with frequent updates
Overall
Why users choose SupaSidebar
A sidebar that works with every browser, not instead of one.
Works with every browser
Zen requires you to switch to Firefox. SupaSidebar works alongside Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and any other browser. No switching required.
Native macOS performance
Built with Swift and SwiftUI, not Gecko. SupaSidebar integrates with macOS at the system level - lighter on RAM and battery than running a full browser engine.
Search tabs across all browsers
Zen can only search its own tabs. SupaSidebar's Command Panel searches tabs from every open browser at once, plus your bookmarks, files, and apps.
More than browser tabs
Zen is a browser - it manages tabs. SupaSidebar also holds files, folders, and apps. Drag anything from Finder into your sidebar for instant access.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use SupaSidebar with Zen Browser?
Yes. SupaSidebar works with Zen Browser and every other browser. You get the sidebar features on top of Zen - pinned items, spaces, command panel, and live tabs from all your browsers in one place.
Is Zen Browser a good Arc replacement?
Zen Browser is a strong Arc alternative if you want a full browser with vertical tabs and workspaces. The tradeoff is you must switch to Firefox as your engine. SupaSidebar gives you Arc's sidebar features without changing your browser.
Does Zen Browser work on Mac?
Yes. Zen Browser is available on macOS, Windows, and Linux. However, it runs on Gecko (Firefox's engine), not as a native macOS app. SupaSidebar is built natively with Swift for optimal Mac performance.
Does SupaSidebar replace my browser?
No. SupaSidebar is not a browser. It is a native macOS sidebar app that works alongside any browser. You keep using whatever browser you prefer.
Is SupaSidebar free?
SupaSidebar has a free tier with 3 spaces and all core features. Pro unlocks unlimited spaces, iCloud sync, and early access to new features.
More comparisons
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