Zen Browser

PierrePierre
Aug 2, 2025
Aug 2, 2025
In today's web browser landscape, Google Chrome dominates with over 65% market share, but this hegemony raises important questions about privacy and technological diversity. Chrome, like most popular browsers, massively collects browsing data to feed Google's advertising algorithms.
Faced with this reality, new browsers are emerging with a different philosophy: reconciling a modern user experience with respect for privacy. Zen Browser, launched in 2024, is part of this approach, offering an innovative alternative based on Firefox but redesigned for today's users.
Zen Browser stands out for its unique Interface with vertical tabs, workspaces to organize your sessions, and productivity features like Split View. But beyond these ergonomic innovations, it's above all its commitment to privacy that makes it interesting: no telemetry, reinforced anti-tracking protection, and transparent community development.
In this tutorial, we'll discover how Zen Browser can transform the way you browse by combining productivity, personalization and privacy.

Installing Zen Browser

Official download

Zen Browser is available for Windows, macOS and Linux. Visit the official website: zen-browser.app/download
The site automatically detects your system and proposes the appropriate link:
  • Windows: .exe installer for Windows 10/11 (x64 and ARM64 versions)
  • macOS: Intel and Apple Silicon compatible .dmg disk image (macOS Monterey and later)
  • Linux: Several options available:
  • Flatpak (recommended): flatpak install flathub app.zen_browser.Zen
  • AppImage: Portable, directly executable
  • Archive tar.gz: To be extracted manually
  • AUR (Arch Linux): Zen-browser package

Step-by-step installation

On Windows:
  • Download the .exe file
  • Run the installer (if SmartScreen alerts, click "Additional information" then "Run anyway")
  • Choose the installation directory
  • Leave "Launch Zen Browser" ticked to start immediately
On macOS:
  • Download .dmg file
  • Mount the disk image
  • Drag Zen Browser into the Applications folder
  • On first launch: right-click > "Open" to switch to Gatekeeper
On Linux:
  • Flatpak: Automatic installation via the package manager
  • AppImage: chmod +x ZenBrowser.AppImage then double-click
  • tar.gz: Extract and run the zen-browser executable

First launch and initial configuration

On initial start-up, Zen Browser guides you through several configuration steps:
Optional import of your data from another browser (favorites, history, passwords)
Choice of default search engine and configuration of pin tabs
Select the color of your workspace and validate to access the browser
Zen Browser home page with characteristic sidebar

Introducing Zen Browser

Zen Browser is a free and open source web browser derived from Mozilla Firefox, developed by a community of passionate volunteers since March 2024. Unlike browsers from major technology companies, Zen Browser is not backed by any commercial company, and is financed solely by contributions from its community.
Important note: Zen Browser is currently in Beta version. Although stable for everyday use, expect frequent updates and occasional bugs.
The project's philosophy is summed up by its slogan: "Welcome to a calmer Internet". This approach translates into a browser that cares about your user experience rather than your personal data, seeking the perfect balance between beauty, speed and privacy.

A Interface redesigned for productivity

Zen Browser revolutionizes the browsing experience with several innovations:
Vertical tabs: Unlike traditional browsers, Zen displays your tabs in a vertical sidebar rather than horizontally. This ergonomic choice, inspired by Arc Browser, maximizes display space and improves navigation, especially when you have many tabs open.
Workspaces: Organize your tabs by project or theme in dedicated spaces. For example, a "Work" space for your professional tabs, a "Watch" space for your reading, and so on. You can switch instantly from one space to another.
Split View: Display multiple sites side by side in a single window, ideal for comparing information or working on multiple sources simultaneously.
Glance: Quickly preview a link in a temporary modal window without opening a new tab, perfect for consulting a reference without losing context.

Privacy by default

Zen Browser natively integrates strong privacy protections:
  • Enhanced anti-tracking: Automatic blocking of trackers, third-party cookies and fingerprinting scripts
  • Telemetry disabled: No data sent to external servers
  • DNS over HTTPS: Encrypt your DNS requests to prevent monitoring
  • Reduced Google dependencies: Zen Browser removes most connections to Google services, although some may remain (secure browsing, updates)

Advanced customization with Zen Mods

Zen offers a unique customization ecosystem with Zen Mods: a gallery of themes and modifications created by the community to transform the browser's appearance and behavior.
Popular Zen Mods recommended:
  • SuperPins ⭐: Turn pinned tabs into stylized buttons for a more professional Interface look
  • Cohesion: Consistent, transparent styling unifying URL bar, sidebar and bookmarks
  • Better Find Bar: Moves the search bar to the top for improved ergonomics
  • Sidebar Expand on Hover: Automatic sidebar expansion on hover, maximizes screen space
  • Better Unloaded Tabs: Optimizes memory management with visual indicators for inactive tabs
  • Cleaned URL Bar: Interface purified address bar, removes superfluous elements
  • Transparent Zen: elegant transparency effects with smooth animations
Zen Mod installation:
  • Click on "Install" for the desired mod
Example: Installing the popular SuperPins mod
  • The theme applies instantly
  • You can deactivate it or try others at any time
Zen Mods are not limited to visual themes: some modify the Interface's behavior (animations, element layout, customized shortcuts). This modular approach allows each user to create his or her own ideal browsing environment.
Interface for managing Zen Mods installed in parameters
⚠️ Important note on personalization and fingerprinting:
The more you customize Zen Browser (themes, extensions, mods), the more your digital footprint becomes unique and therefore traceable. It's a fundamental compromise:
  • Maximum personalization = Optimal user experience BUT unique, easily identifiable imprint
  • Default configuration = More common footprint BUT less personalized experience
Zen Browser has chosen user experience over perfect anonymity. If your priority is absolute anonymity, prefer Tor Browser or Mullvad Browser, which impose a uniform configuration on all users.
What's more, being Firefox-based, Zen is compatible with the entire Firefox extension ecosystem.

Advantages and disadvantages

✅ Highlights

  • Privacy by design: Anti-tracking protection active, telemetry disabled, no data collection
  • Innovative Interface: Vertical tabs, workspaces, Split View dramatically improve productivity
  • Fast updates: Synchronization with Firefox in less than 72 hours for security patches
  • Advanced customization: Community themes, fine tuning, Firefox extension compatibility
  • Open source and community: Transparent code, collaborative development, independence from Big Tech

❌ Current limits

  • No mobile version: Available only on PCs (Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • DRM incompatibility: Netflix, Disney+, Spotify and other streaming services do not currently work
  • Young project: Small team, community support, occasional bugs
  • Learning curve: Interface different, requiring adaptation for those used to horizontal tabs

Advanced configuration for privacy and security

To access Zen Browser settings:
Click on the puzzle icon (extensions), then on "Zen Settings" at the bottom
General view of Zen parameters with all available tabs

Optimized default settings

Right from the start, Zen Browser applies a high-privacy configuration that outperforms most browsers:
  • Strict anti-tracking protection: "Standard" level activated by default, blocking:
    • Cross-site tracking cookies and supercookies
    • Ad tracker scripts (Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, etc.)
    • Cryptominters that use your CPU to Miner cryptocurrencies
    • Fingerprinting via Canvas, WebGL, AudioContext
  • Total cookie isolation: First Party Isolation prevents one site from reading another's cookies
  • Telemetry largely disabled: Most data collection has been removed, although some connections to Mozilla/Google services may remain and require additional manual configuration
  • Secure DNS by default: DNS-over-HTTPS enabled to prevent spying on your requests
  • HTTPS-Only enabled: Force encrypted connections on all sites

Recommended privacy settings

1. Select anti-tracking protection level:
Settings > Privacy & Security > Enhanced Tracking Protection
Standard (recommended default):
  • Balance between protection and performance, pages load normally
  • Blocks: social trackers, cross-site cookies, tracking content in private windows, cryptomining, fingerprinters
  • Includes Total Cookie Protection: isolates cookies by site to prevent cross-site tracking
Strict (maximum protection):
  • Enhanced protection but may break certain sites or content
  • Blocks: social trackers, cross-site cookies, tracking content in all windows, known and suspected browsers
  • Recommended for experienced users
Customized (granular control):
  • Choose precisely which trackers and scripts to block
  • Separate options: Cookies, Tracking content, Cryptomining, Known/suspected trackers
  • Ideal for fine-tuning to your needs
2. Change search engine:
Settings > Search > Default search engine:
  • DuckDuckGo: No profiling, no filter bubbles, neutral results
  • Startpage: anonymized Google results, based in the Netherlands (RGPD)
  • Searx: Decentralized metasearch engine, no logs, open source
  • Brave Search: Independent index, not from Google
  • Avoid: Google, Bing, Yahoo (massive data collection)
3. Configure secure DNS (DNS over HTTPS):
Settings > Privacy and security > DNS over HTTPS (bottom of page)
Default Protection:
  • Zen automatically decides when to use secure DNS
  • Use secure DNS in regions where it is available
  • Fallback to default DNS if problem with secure provider
  • Automatically deactivated with VPN, parental controls or corporate policies
Increased Protection (recommended):
  • You control when to use secure DNS and choose the provider
  • Uses selected provider with fallback to DNS system if necessary
  • Default provider: Cloudflare (fast, anonymized logs)
  • Alternatives: Switch to Quad9, NextDNS subject to availability
Max Protection (advanced users):
  • Zen always uses secure DNS only
  • Safety warning before using DNS system
  • Warning: Sites may not load if secure DNS is unavailable
4. Enable HTTPS mode only:
Settings > Privacy and security > HTTPS mode only > Enabled
  • Force all connections to HTTPS
  • Alert if a site only supports HTTP
5. Manage default permissions:
Settings > Privacy & Security > Permissions:
  • Location: Block (except card services)
  • Camera/Microphone: Block (authorize on a case-by-case basis)
  • Notifications: Block (prevents spam)
  • Automatic playback: Block audio and video

Recommended safety extensions

Essential extensions:
  • uBlock Origin: Most effective ad blocker and tracker
    • Recommended lists: EasyList, EasyPrivacy, Peter Lowe's Ad and tracking server list
    • Advanced mode for experienced users
  • ClearURLs: Deletes URL tracking parameters (utm_source, fbclid, etc.)
  • Cookie AutoDelete: automatically deletes cookies and browsing data when tab is closed
  • Decentraleyes: Serves JS libraries locally to avoid Google/Cloudflare CDNs
Advanced extensions (experienced users):
  • NoScript: Granular JavaScript control (can break many sites)
  • Privacy Badger (EFF): Behavioral detection of trackers
  • Temporary Containers: Isolate each tab in a separate container

Understanding the absence of DRM in Zen Browser

What is DRM?

DRMs (Digital Rights Management) are protection technologies that encrypt digital content to prevent copying. They require a proprietary browser module (such as Google Widevine) to decrypt and read protected media.
Services requiring DRM:
  • Video streaming: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video
  • Premium music: Spotify Premium, YouTube Music, Deezer
  • Online training: Udemy, Coursera (protected videos)

Why Zen Browser doesn't have DRM

Main reasons:
  1. Cost and complexity: Google Widevine licenses are not free and require a cumbersome approval process
  2. Project philosophy: DRM is a proprietary "black box" that is incompatible with the open source approach and independence from Google
  3. Limited resources: Team focuses on Interface innovation and confidentiality

Practical impact

❌ Services inaccessible:
Netflix, Disney+, Spotify Premium, YouTube Premium, Udemy/Coursera paid training courses
Typical error message when attempting to play DRM-protected content
✅ Functional services:
Free YouTube, Twitch, Vimeo, news sites, social networks, podcasts
Bypass solutions:
  • Use Firefox/Chrome for streaming only
  • Native applications (Netflix, Spotify)
  • Choose DRM-free content (YouTube, Twitch, Bandcamp, PeerTube)
Current status: The Zen team has begun the process of obtaining a Widevine license, but no timetable has been given. The process depends entirely on Google's approval.

Daily use

Interface and navigation

Tabbed sidebar:
  • Title and thumbnail for each page
  • +" button for new tabs
  • Drag-and-drop reorganization
  • Context-sensitive actions: right-click to duplicate, close, move
Work areas:
  • Selector at the top of the sidebar
  • Creation of themed areas
  • Fast switching between contexts
  • Pinned tabs available in all spaces
Interface to create a new workspace
Advanced features:
  • Split View: Select several tabs > right-click > "Split x tabs"
  • Glance: Alt + click on a link for preview

Useful shortcuts

  • ctrl+T`: New tab
  • ctrl+Space`: Workspace menu
  • ctrl+B`: Show/hide sidebar
  • ctrl+Shift+P`: Private window
  • alt+click`: Glance (preview)

Best practices

  • Organize your spaces: Create themed spaces (Work, Watch, Personal)
  • Use pinned tabs: For your most visited sites
  • Exploit Split View: Ideal for multitasking on large screens
  • Keep up to date: Regularly check for updates
  • Explore Zen Mods: customize the look to suit your taste

Conclusion

Zen Browser represents a breath of fresh air in the web browser ecosystem. By combining an innovative and productive Interface with strict respect for privacy, it offers a credible alternative to the browsers of the technology giants.
Its vertical tabs and workspaces truly transform the browsing experience for those juggling multiple projects. Its "no Google" philosophy and community development make it a coherent choice for users concerned about their digital sovereignty.
Although it still has a few limitations (no mobile, missing DRM), Zen Browser is mature enough for everyday use, and is rapidly improving thanks to its active community.
For bitcoiners and tech users who value both productivity and privacy, Zen Browser is definitely worth a try. You may well adopt this new, more serene and efficient way of browsing.

Resources

Official links

Community and support

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This tutorial has been written by Pierre

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PierrePierre
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Passionate about Bitcoin and convinced that education is the key, I wish to share with you the little knowledge I have and thus contribute to the adoption of Bitcoin. Otherwise, I'm a big fan of Pink Floyd, I'm learning to code, and I make memes. Looking forward to meeting you at the next meet-up! I am the creator of the training course BTC 205 - Non-KYC Purchase Solution.

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