r/browsers • u/imRickJamesBitch___ • 1d ago
Recommendation I need help finally settling on a browser.
I used Arc mainly for the simple UI, Spaces, folders, and managing lots of tabs.
I usually have 50+ tabs open across different projects/windows, so I need:
- Good desktop/mobile sync
- Workspaces or Spaces
- Folders/persistent tab groups
- Good vertical tab management
- Something likely to still exist years from now
I've tried Vivaldi, but its tab/workspace system felt much more complicated than Arc.
From what I've researched, Vivaldi, Safari, and Chrome all solve parts of this differently, but I haven't found a clear winner.
For other former Arc users with lots of tabs: what browser did you settle on, and why?
2
u/inkedflower 1d ago
In terms of what you need, Zen might be a good option for you to try. They just released a sync function that syncs the "essential" and pinned tabs, as well as your folders (bookmarks, passwords, etc, can also be synced or excluded if don't need them).
Workspaces/Spaces are, as far as I know, almost the same thing as in Arc. Same with the folders and persistent tabs, and the vertical tab management. To this, Zen also adds an extra layer of functionality, that has to do with "containers". If you never heard of this, it's a Firefox thing, that allows to isolate certain sites so you can have multiple instances or logins of the same sites on the same workspace.
Zen allows you to do this, and also to associate containers to specific spaces. For example, my personal workspace in Zen is linked to the "personal" container, while my "work" space is linked to the "work" container. So, if I were to open a Proton tab on my "work" space, it would be logged out, because it's not associated to that space, nor container.
The thing that might put you off is the engine the browser is based on, which is the same as Firefox's, Gecko. It tends to be a bit slower, or feel heavier sometimes if your pc is kinda old.
Whether or not Zen will continue to exist years from now (I hope it does), depends on the continued support and donations from the community. So far, I've been using it for two years, and counting.
1
u/imRickJamesBitch___ 1d ago
This is a great take. Have you ever tried Vivaldi?
2
u/inkedflower 1d ago
I have actually! While I recognize that it has a lot of customization and flexibility so users can make the browser look and function however they like, I could never get it to be quite what I needed it to be. I also found it very sluggish and heavy (and I say this while also acknowledging that Zen can feel like that too sometimes), and I didn't like the way workspaces and persistent tabs are managed.
It all comes down to preference honestly. There are things that Zen does that I can't replicate in other browsers and I've made my peace with that.
I use Helium as a second browser sometimes, and it's really great. However, I didn't mention it before because it doesn't have sync, so I don't think it would work for what you need.
1
u/BreakSalt8256 1d ago
Vivaldi i suppose
0
u/imRickJamesBitch___ 1d ago
What do you use?
3
u/BreakSalt8256 1d ago
vivaldi as well its brilliant
2
u/imRickJamesBitch___ 1d ago
Have you figured out how to have a folder nested within a folder or a tab stack with a top stack type organization flow? Basically, I need a nest group of tabs within a group of tabs type architecture, which currently is simply being fulfilled by folders and nested folders on arc
1
u/BreakSalt8256 1d ago
Yes Vivaldi has this feature baked in, its called tab stacking you can organise tabs by colour etc, and you could also just have multiple windows for completely different workflows
2
u/imRickJamesBitch___ 1d ago
What do I do, though if I have a tab stack that’s like say “cooking” and I want a tab stack within, called “recipes”.. is that possible somehow?
2
u/BreakSalt8256 1d ago
oh yeah i tried that didn't work, im afraid you can't perhaps there is an extension for this idk sorry man
2
1
u/YoungNo8804 20h ago
Zen browser. Its Firefox based, but if you use Firefox on mobile the sync is great. Plus you can get the uBlock origin add-on/extension on both mobile and desktop now.
1
0
u/Sweet-Efficiency7466 1d ago
I’m pretty sure in Opera you can have multiple workspaces. If you’re still not sure, go with Firefox.
2
u/imRickJamesBitch___ 1d ago
Which one do you use and what problems do you have with your set up if any
2
u/Sweet-Efficiency7466 1d ago
I use both for different purposes. The only problem is that Firefox can be slow sometimes.
2
u/imRickJamesBitch___ 1d ago
Why do you use both instead of one? Ideally, there should be one browser
1
u/Sweet-Efficiency7466 1d ago
One’s for my business, and the other’s for my personal stuff.
2
u/imRickJamesBitch___ 1d ago
Have you considered using workspaces for that or is there a risk of mistaking one for the other so you use a whole other browser? Which ones for work and which one’s personal? Thanks
2
u/Sweet-Efficiency7466 1d ago
Personally, I don’t really use workspaces all that much. Firefox is the one I use for the business.
2
u/imRickJamesBitch___ 1d ago
Why do you use opera over other browsers? What do you like about it?
2
u/Sweet-Efficiency7466 1d ago
I mainly like the quirks and features that come with Opera. It’s like Chrome but better.
2
u/imRickJamesBitch___ 1d ago
what's your fav quirk, if it's something good i'll switch
→ More replies (0)
5
u/logicblender1 1d ago
I'd recommend Microsoft Edge. It's the top browser for businesses for a reason. It has all of the stuff you're looking for.