Pick Zen if
You miss Arc and want its layout in an open-source browser.
The catch. It runs Firefox add-ons, not Chrome extensions, and a few web apps work best in Chromium.
Zen vs Opera
Zen is best for an Arc-style sidebar. Opera is best for built-in extras like a free VPN.
Pick Opera if
You want an ad blocker, a free browser VPN and Tab Islands without installing anything.
The catch. It comes with a lot of bundled features and AI, and it is not open source.
Zen vs Opera, feature by feature
| Zen | Opera | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Firefox (Gecko) | Chromium |
| Vertical tabs | On by default | Yes, since 2026 |
| Sites on screen at once | Up to four, in Split View | Up to four, in Split View |
| Separate workspaces | Workspaces and Container Tabs | Workspaces and Tab Islands |
| Ad and tracker blocking | Trackers built in; ads with an add-on | Built in, ads and trackers |
| Extensions | Firefox add-ons | Opera add-ons and Chrome Web Store |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Development | Active | Active |
Questions
Is Zen better than Opera?
Neither wins everywhere. Zen is best for an Arc-style sidebar; Opera is best for built-in extras like a free VPN. Pick Zen if you miss Arc and want its layout in an open-source browser. Pick Opera if you want an ad blocker, a free browser VPN and Tab Islands without installing anything.
Do Zen and Opera block ads?
Zen: Trackers built in; ads with an add-on. Opera: Built in, ads and trackers.
Which extensions do Zen and Opera run?
Zen: Firefox add-ons. Opera: Opera add-ons and Chrome Web Store.
Where do Zen and Opera run?
Zen: macOS, Windows, Linux. Opera: macOS, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android.
Are Zen and Opera free?
Both are free.