Zen vs Arc vs Dia: which browser should Arc users switch to?
Team SnaggyThe people who make Snaggy8 min readArc stops on 22 Dec 2026Zen is closer to how Arc felt: a sidebar of tabs, Spaces, Essentials and split view, free and open source, built on Firefox. Dia is closer to who made Arc: the same company and the same Chromium engine, with an AI assistant at its centre. If you loved Arc's sidebar, pick Zen. If you want AI and Chrome extensions, pick Dia.
Arc stops working on 22 December 2026, and most Arc users end up choosing between these two. Save your pinned tabs before you switch: how to export Arc bookmarks. Considering other browsers too? See all six Arc alternatives.
Zen vs Arc vs Dia, feature by feature
| Arc | Zen | Dia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made by | The Browser Company | Open source community | The Browser Company |
| Engine | Chromium | Firefox | Chromium |
| Runs on | Mac, Windows | Mac, Windows, Linux | Mac, Windows |
| Price | Free | Free | Free, paid AI plans |
| Tabs | Sidebar | Sidebar, compact mode | Optional sidebar |
| Separate areas | Spaces | Spaces | Profiles |
| Tabs in every space | Favorites | Essentials | Not documented |
| Folders | Folders | Folders | Pinned Tab Groups |
| Two pages side by side | Split View | Split View | Splits |
| Custom site styles | Boosts | Boosts | Not documented |
| AI assistant | Some, via Arc Max | None built in | Built around it, optional |
| Extensions | Chrome | Firefox | Chrome |
| Imports from Arc | n/a | Spaces and profiles | Yes |
| Status | Stops 22 Dec 2026 | Active, labelled beta | Active, the company's focus |
Zen vs Arc: same feel, different engine
Zen is the browser that most looks and works like Arc. Tabs live in a sidebar, grouped into Spaces, with Essentials (tabs that show in every space, like Arc's favorites) at the top and folders below. It has Split View, a Glance preview for links, a compact mode that hides the sidebar, and even Boosts for restyling websites.
Two things are different. Zen is built on Firefox, so Chrome extensions do not install; most popular ones have a Firefox version, but check yours first. And Zen is still labelled beta, so expect the occasional rough edge. You can sync your Spaces between computers with a Mozilla account.
You'll miss Chrome extensions without a Firefox version, and Arc's Easels and Notes.
Dia vs Arc: same company, new idea
Dia is what The Browser Company built after Arc, and where it now sends Arc users. It runs on the same Chromium engine, so your Chrome extensions and logins carry over. Arc's ideas are there under new names: Spaces are Profiles, folders are Pinned Tab Groups, and the sidebar is an option rather than the default. Splits put two pages side by side.
The difference is focus. Arc was a new way to organise tabs; Dia is built around an AI assistant that can read and work with the pages you have open. The company says Arc's features stay free in Dia and the AI is optional, with paid plans for heavier AI use. Reviews report that the Mac version needs an Apple silicon Mac.
You'll miss Arc's sidebar-first layout, unless you turn the sidebar on.
Zen vs Dia: the real choice
- Feel: Zen copies Arc's layout closely. Dia keeps some of it and adds AI.
- Engine: Zen is Firefox; Dia is Chromium, like Chrome and Arc. Sites built for Chrome work as they did in Arc on Dia.
- Extensions: Dia runs Chrome extensions. Zen runs Firefox add-ons.
- AI: Dia is built around it. Zen has none built in.
- Computers: Zen also runs on Linux and on Intel Macs. Dia is Mac and Windows only.
- Cost: both are free. Dia charges for heavier AI use; Zen takes donations.
- Who's behind it: Zen is open source and community made. Dia comes from a company that has already shut down one browser.
Which should you pick?
| Pick Zen if you… | Pick Dia if you… |
|---|---|
| want Arc's sidebar, Spaces and Essentials back | want to stay on Chromium and keep your Chrome extensions |
| don't want AI in your browser | want an AI assistant that works with your tabs |
| use Linux or an Intel Mac | are on an Apple silicon Mac or Windows |
| prefer open source | prefer a company-backed product |
Still unsure? Install both and import your Arc tabs into each, then use them for a week. Neither costs anything.
How to move from Arc to Zen or Dia
- Back up Arc's sidebar file first, whichever you pick. It takes 30 seconds: see Step 1.
- Zen: update to 1.24b or later and use its importer to bring over your Arc Spaces and profiles.
- Dia: update Arc, use Settings › Advanced › Export Data, then import that into Dia during setup.
- Open a few folders afterwards and check nothing is missing.
Keep your links outside any browser
Arc showed that a browser can disappear and take your organised tabs with it. Snaggy keeps your saved links in one Mac app instead: it imports your Arc pinned tabs with their folders, and on-device AI files every new link.
- Going with Dia? Press ⌘D in Dia to save the tab you're on to Snaggy. It works the same in Safari, Chrome, Brave and Orion.
- Going with Zen? ⌘D doesn't work in Zen yet. Snaggy still holds your Arc links, and you can export them as an HTML bookmarks file to import into Zen.
Frequently asked questions
Which is closer to Arc, Zen or Dia?
Zen is closer to how Arc looks and works, with a sidebar, Spaces, Essentials, folders and Split View. Dia is closer to who made Arc: the same company and the same Chromium engine, but built around an AI assistant.
Is Zen based on Firefox or Chrome?
Firefox. Zen is a free, open source browser built on Firefox, so it uses Firefox add-ons rather than Chrome extensions.
Can I use Chrome extensions in Zen?
No. Zen installs Firefox add-ons. Many popular extensions have a Firefox version, so check yours before switching. Dia runs Chrome extensions.
Is Dia free?
Yes. Dia is free to download, and The Browser Company says Arc's features stay free in Dia. Paid plans are for heavier AI use.
Can Zen and Dia import my Arc tabs?
Yes. Zen 1.24b and later import Spaces and profiles from Arc, and Dia imports Arc's exported data. Back up Arc's sidebar file first either way.
Sources
- Zen 1.24b release notes: import Spaces and Profiles from Arc and DiaGitHub · 29 Oct 2026
- Zen Browserzen-browser.app
- Zen release notes: Spaces sync and Essentialszen-browser.app
- Diadiabrowser.com
- Arc browser sunsets December 22 as The Browser Company doubles down on DiaTechCrunch · 22 Oct 2026
- The Browser Company kicks Arc to the curb on 22 December 2026TidBITS · 26 Oct 2026
