I've used it for a bit, and it's really really nice. I just don't know if I trust it to keep up with security updates, especially something so sensitive as a web browser.
this post was submitted on 02 Sep 2024
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It's just Firefox with a custom skin.
I know, but that means it needs to keep its firefox source version up to date to keep up with security, and as its source diverges more and more from vanilla firefox, it'll get harder to do that.
Plus they've already proved to be amateurs by enabling some things that really shouldn't have been enabled: https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop/pull/927.
Yeah enabling remote debugging because the dev thought it made it easier is a pretty big oof.
But this is just strike one. It's a one man show, after all, so cutting them some slack is warranted when it comes to this specific topic.
Nevertheless, your concerns aren't unfounded. This project needs more contributors to be able to keep up. (Thorium is basically in the same boat)
I'll wait and see before I actually make a decision for real. But so far, not looking great.
A great custom skin, and far better defaults for both privacy and speed, based on Betterfox.
The fact that a fork that simply has a better UI and default settings is gaining so much popularity shows how bad Mozilla is fumbling their product.
I do hope this puts mozilla in a position where they have to improve firefox.
Zen browser has some Vivaldi and ARC browser customization features. That could be an interesting difference.
So far it's been in sync with Firefox Nightly.
So far, yes, but it's early days for it, and I suspect it will get harder and harder to keep up.
The UI/UX is so good for a one-person team that I hope it embarrasses Mozilla into actually making serious improvements to their browser for the first time in a decade.
With Google influence? I'd really love to see it, no sarcasm.
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I was such a HUGE fan of Floorp until I saw the main dev behind it talk about how they wanted to start looking into ways to “monetize” the browser. Just really turned me off and I went back to Firefox.
Needless to say, this looks AWESOME, and I hope that more people find it and try it out. (After the early bugs are ironed out, of course).
Good job devs!
Can you use FF extensions with it? The web site doesn't say one way or the other.
yes. it's Firefox with some extra UI modifications, but it's the same thing under the hood.
Definitely as already answered, but I'll also add they have a "theme store" which is kind of a bespoke userChrome.css tool. It isn't just themes, but it is in addition to, not in lieu of Firefox extensions.
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Finally, I can replace Arc browser! Floorp was terrible.
I tried Floorp and didn't like it either, I'm glad there's a more promising looking project out there now. Still great to see more development in the Firefox/Gecko ecosystem. We don't need more Chromium garbage.
100% Chromium monopoly needs to die.
Floorp didn't impress me either, but I'm not sure yet that I can 100% replace my awesome Arc workflow. The "Air Traffic Control" with profile / space combinations is spectacular. But I'll find a way to make it work, because I really prefer FOSS when possible.
Just wish Zen adds small details/features like Arc team does. Small details/features are crucial in the early stages of the project.
My hopes are high but I’m trying to keep my expectations low. Just one guy and some contributors is a much different context than a bunch of venture capital. But I agree.
What is this Arc?
Chromium based browser
nice. gonna give it a try. the more Firefox in this world the better.
Does it support Firefox Sync or offer a similar solution/integration?
It uses Forefox Sync.
Supports FF Sync.
So Firefox with a user.js and a CSS theme. I'm not saying Zen Browser is bad. But it's nothing new.
The css theme is new.
give it a try, it is quite interesting
I've been using it everyday for the past 2 weeks and have enjoyed my time with it. Looks like a very promising browser.
The more Firefox the better.
Been using it as my only browser since launch, super pleased with the experience so far. Really hope this sticks around for a long time.
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Fast Profile switching? I’m downloading this immediately when I get home.
The profile switching is just that of Firefox, but with a button that makes it a bit more accessible. And there is the concept of workspaces within a given profile, but I haven't quite figured out how to set it up best for my workflow yet.
I jump between a lot of profiles for work and chrome makes that too easy. It’s the only thing holding me back from switching to Firefox.
I find that multi account containers suits most of my needs for this. I have a container locked to work sites that has a separate credential chain.
Tried it for a few days. It works just like firefox minus one embedded video that crashed after 5 secs but worked in ordinary firefox.
What really surprised me was the speed. Loading youtube on firefox ~0.6 on zen ~0.1 which felt rather nice. I'm still not sure if its worth the hassel to switch.
now that I have been spoiled by floorp with workspaces, I have to ask... does it do workspaces? I can't find it on the site if it does
It does indeed. There is a button in the top left for it by default.
awesome, thanks!
Is the browsers website (not GitHub) 404-ing for anyone else?
Seems currently up for me, but it is on vercel and I have seen it down a few times.
They recently told me they're moving from Vercel to Cloudflare (Pages?), which is great because the former kept making me wait for a while.
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Waiting for it in nixpkgs :). Tried it out in flatpak and i loved it
Switched to it as my default. Its store nice and their theme store system is great
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