Zigzag Browser
Claim this toolSeparate browsing contexts with customizable, color-coded tab spaces
Free, no paid tierFree Productivity
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Tracked since 2026
The Bottom Line
- Price
- Free, no paid tier. Compare plans
Key facts
- A native Mac browser that organizes tabs in a sidebar and groups them into spaces, inspired by Arc but built from scratch on WebKit.
- Extremely lightweight (18 MB), free, and open source, with built-in ad blocking, reader mode, and privacy protections (no account, no telemetry).
- Supports Chrome extensions, imports from Arc and other browsers, and is designed to never be shut down due to its serverless architecture.
Pros
- Extremely small app size (18 MB) due to using the system WebKit engine
- Private by design: no account, no analytics, no telemetry, and all network connections are transparent
- Cannot be shut down remotely since it requires no server (except an update feed)
Cons
- Only supports macOS 15.4 or later; no Windows or Linux versions available
- Still in beta, so some features may be unfinished or require polish
What is Zigzag Browser?
Zigzag is a free and open source web browser for Mac that reimagines tab management with a sidebar layout. Tabs are grouped into customizable spaces, each with its own color and appearance, allowing users to separate work, personal, and other contexts. Swipe gestures enable quick switching between spaces. The browser includes a command bar that searches tabs, history, and the web simultaneously. Built on Apple's WebKit engine, Zigzag is extremely lightweight at just 18 MB, with no separate browser engine to ship. It offers built-in ad blocking, reader mode, page translation, and password management via iCloud Keychain and Touch ID. Zigzag supports Chrome extensions from the Chrome Web Store and can import spaces, pinned tabs, favorites, history, and passwords from Arc and nine other browsers. It is designed with privacy in mind: no account creation, no analytics, no telemetry, and every network connection is listed. The app automatically updates itself and is in beta, with ongoing polish. Because it has no server dependency (except an update feed), it cannot be shut down remotely.
Key Features
- Sidebar tab management with color-coded spaces for different contexts
- Command bar for searching tabs, history, and the web in one place
- Peek feature to glance at links by Shift-clicking
- Split View for viewing two tabs side by side
- Built-in ad blocking enabled by default
- Reader mode for clutter-free reading
- Page translation via macOS integration
- Password and passkey management with Keychain and Touch ID
Pricing
Free
Zigzag Browser is completely free to use with no hidden costs.
Reviews
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Zigzag Browser FAQ
How does Zigzag Browser help separate work and personal browsing?
Zigzag Browser groups tabs into customizable spaces, each with its own color and appearance. Users can assign one space for work and another for personal tasks, then use swipe gestures to switch between them quickly. This keeps contexts visually and logically separate without closing or losing tabs.
How does Zigzag Browser compare to Arc?
Unlike Arc, Zigzag Browser is built on Apple's WebKit engine, making it extremely lightweight at 18 MB with no separate browser engine to ship. Zigzag also emphasizes privacy with no account creation, no analytics, and no telemetry, and it can import spaces, pinned tabs, favorites, history, and passwords from Arc directly.
What are the main limitations of Zigzag Browser?
Zigzag Browser only supports macOS 15.4 or later, with no Windows or Linux versions available. It is still in beta, so some features may be unfinished or require additional polish.
Which teams benefit most from using Zigzag Browser?
Teams that need to separate multiple browsing contexts, such as developers, designers, or researchers juggling work and personal tasks, benefit most from Zigzag Browser. Its color-coded spaces and quick swipe gestures make it easy to organize and switch between projects without clutter.
How is Zigzag Browser priced?
Zigzag Browser is free to use with no paid plan required. There is no account creation or subscription needed to access its features.
Can Zigzag Browser use extensions from the Chrome Web Store?
Yes, Zigzag Browser supports Chrome extensions from the Chrome Web Store. This allows users to extend the browser's functionality with familiar tools while keeping the lightweight WebKit foundation.
Does Zigzag Browser include built-in privacy features?
Yes, Zigzag Browser is designed with privacy in mind: it requires no account, collects no analytics or telemetry, and lists every network connection it makes. It also includes built-in ad blocking, reader mode, and page translation.
How does Zigzag Browser handle password management?
Zigzag Browser manages passwords through iCloud Keychain and supports Touch ID for authentication. This keeps credentials securely stored within Apple's ecosystem without requiring a separate account or service.
Source: zigzagbrowser.com