Pick Safari if
You want the browser that is already on your Mac, easiest on the battery and tied into iCloud.
The catch. It has no vertical tabs or split view, a smaller extension catalogue, and no Windows version.
Safari vs Dia
Safari is best for battery life and Apple devices. Dia is best for AI in the browser.
Pick Dia if
You want an assistant that reads your tabs and does writing and research with you.
The catch. It needs an Apple Silicon Mac on macOS 14 or later, and its best AI features are paid.
Safari vs Dia, feature by feature
| Safari | Dia | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | WebKit | Chromium |
| Vertical tabs | No | Yes |
| Sites on screen at once | One per window | Two or more, in Split View |
| Separate workspaces | Profiles and Tab Groups | Profiles, each in its own window |
| Ad and tracker blocking | Trackers, not ads | Built in, ads and trackers |
| Extensions | Safari extensions | Chrome Web Store |
| Platforms | macOS, iPhone, iPad | macOS (Apple Silicon) |
| Open source | No (WebKit is) | No |
| Price | Free | Free; Dia Pro $20/month |
| Development | Active | Active |
Questions
Is Safari better than Dia?
Neither wins everywhere. Safari is best for battery life and Apple devices; Dia is best for AI in the browser. Pick Safari if you want the browser that is already on your Mac, easiest on the battery and tied into iCloud. Pick Dia if you want an assistant that reads your tabs and does writing and research with you.
Do Safari and Dia block ads?
Safari: Trackers, not ads. Dia: Built in, ads and trackers.
Which extensions do Safari and Dia run?
Safari: Safari extensions. Dia: Chrome Web Store.
Where do Safari and Dia run?
Safari: macOS, iPhone, iPad. Dia: macOS (Apple Silicon).
Are Safari and Dia free?
Safari: Free. Dia: Free; Dia Pro $20/month.