Zen Browser is the customizable Firefox I’ve been waiting for – here’s why

I’ve been a fan of Firefox for a really very long time. Nonetheless, a few years previously, I dropped it as my default browser because of I found its tab administration lacking. On excessive of that, the browser was missing one other UI customizations. 

Plus, it has been nearly 4 years given that Firefox builders carried out a big tweak to the UI, which suggests Firefox is getting a bit stale. That’s the reason, when the builders of Zen Browser reached out to me, my curiosity was piqued. 

Moreover: 5 Firefox-based, privacy-first web browsers that improve on the original

Zen Browser relies on Firefox ESR 128. Nevertheless for people who have no idea, Firefox ESR is an extended-release candidate, which suggests it will likely be supported for for for much longer than the standard launch. What Zen Browser does with Firefox is spectacular because of it brings it nearly in keeping with my favorite browser, Arc. 

Zen tweaks Firefox by making use of a sidebar however moreover (and eventually) together with increased tab administration by the use of Workspaces similar to Opera’s. That attribute alone makes Zen Browser superior to Firefox (and a worthy chance to change my current default).

Zen Browser consists of the subsequent enhancements to Firefox:

• A extraordinarily customizable UI
• Vertical tabs
• Reduce up views
• Workspaces for improved tab administration
• Customizable sidebar
• Zen Look (similar to Little Arc)
• OCSP enabled
• HTTPS solely mode
• Zen Mods in order so as to add way more choices

Everytime you add these choices on excessive of Firefox ESR, you’ll have the makings of a reasonably sweet browser. 

I’ve been using Zen Browser for a while now, and I can’t take into consideration going once more to Firefox. I’m moreover starting to think about it’d merely overtake Opera as my default on Linux.

Moreover: Opera delivers a browser so dynamic it’ll make your friends on Chrome jealous

One really cool attribute I’ve been exploring with Zen is the Zen Mode. By way of the Zen Mods retailer, you’ll be capable to arrange a protracted itemizing of modifications that help make Zen Browser even increased. Some mods are as simple as making your current tab stand out increased, whereas others typically is a bit additional refined. I’ve added Zen Mods akin to:

• Drop Shadow – supplies a drop shadow to the website view panel.
• Increased Energetic Tab – supplies a vivid line subsequent to the full of life tab.
• Increased Letterboxing – a theme-friendly rounded letterbox for the UI.
• Cleaned URL bar – cleans up the Zen Browser URL bar.
• Floating Toolbar – detaches the toolbar from the sting of the browser.
• Great URL Bar – plenty of tweaks to the URL bar

You probably can spend a great time frame together with Zen Mods to the browser until you might be zenned out.

Open air of all the tweaks Zen Browser has added to Firefox, it is just a great browser. It renders pages exactly and quickly, performs properly, and has the identical outdated Firefox built-in security.

What’s to not like?

Placing in Zen Browser

Zen Browser is accessible for Linux, MacOS, and Dwelling home windows. You probably can receive an installer for each from the official Zen Browser download page. Everytime you receive an installer, you’ll be capable to choose from an Optimized or Generic mannequin. 

I’d advocate you go together with the Optimized chance because of it’s faster and appropriate with fashionable {{hardware}}. For MacOS, there are installers for every Apple Silicon and Intell-based strategies. On Linux, you’ll be capable to run Zen Browser as an AppImage, a Moveable mannequin (that doesn’t actually arrange), or as a Flatpak app. I wish to advocate going with the AppImage mannequin because of for many who go together with Flatpak you might be restricted to the Generic chance. For the AppImage mannequin, all it’s necessary to do is open a terminal and run the command:

bash <(curl https://updates.zen-browser.app/appimage.sh)

Moreover: 5 ways Arc browser makes browsing the web fun again

Open air of Arc, I’ve not been this impressed with an web browser in a really very long time. So in the event you’d just like the tab administration of Opera, nevertheless the protection and reliability of Firefox, get your zen on and supplies this browser a try. I promise you’ll not regret it.