Aside
Chromium browser built around an AI agent that works in your logged-in sites; Mac and Windows.
Aside is a Chromium-based browser from Aside Computer Inc., backed by Y Combinator, with a built-in AI agent that uses your signed-in websites to complete tasks. It has a vertical sidebar, pinned tabs, split tabs, tab groups and in-window profile switching, but no Arc-style Spaces. Agent-controlled tabs are grouped under an Agent Tabs section. The agent uses Aside models, a ChatGPT or Claude subscription, an API key or local models.
50% Arc feature parity (yes = 1, partial = ½).
Built-in AI
AI-first
Marketed as an AI browser: Ask AI, browser agent tasks, memory and routines. Runs on Aside plan models, your ChatGPT/Claude plan, an API key or a local model.
aside.comNot counted in Arc parity: some people want AI, some avoid it.
Bloat check
2 things you didn't ask for
- Account requiredSetup tells you to sign in or create an Aside account; the docs say you need an account to use Aside.docs.aside.com
- Telemetry on by defaultAnalytics sharing defaults to on (PostHog: product events, email, plan, OS, model choice); switch it off in Settings > Security & Privacy.docs.aside.com
Privacy policy lists PostHog product analytics, collected only when analytics is enabled, which is the default.
Ads, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | Aside | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ◐ | ✓ | Bundle 1.0.1022.1: vertical tab strip with collapse; horizontal mode also exists. Default not confirmed.releases.aside.com |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ◐ | ✓ | Bundle 1.0.1022.1: no Spaces strings; saved tab groups and in-window profile switching instead.releases.aside.com |
| Profiles per Space (shareable)Each Space can use its own browser profile (separate cookies, logins, history), and one profile can be shared by several Spaces. | ◐ | ✓ | Profiles switch in-window by swipe/Ctrl+1-9, but there is no separate Spaces layer to share a profile across.docs.aside.com |
| Global favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ? | ✓ | Bundle 1.0.1022.1: no global-favorites strings found beyond stock bookmarks; not conclusive.releases.aside.com |
| Pinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ◐ | ✓ | Pinned tabs sync and bookmarks can be dragged in; pinned-tab folders not documented.docs.aside.com |
| Auto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ◐ | ✓ | Bundle 1.0.1022.1: Memory Saver present; no timed auto-archive strings found.releases.aside.com |
| Space themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ◐ | ✓ | Per-profile name/colour and page-adaptive toolbar colours; no per-space theme picker documented.docs.aside.com |
Browsing
| Feature | Aside | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ✓ | ✓ | Bundle 1.0.1022.1: native Split View (open link, arrange, pin, reopen closed); pane limit not stated.releases.aside.com |
| Link previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ? | ✓ | Bundle 1.0.1022.1: no Peek/Glance strings in locale or UI resources; not conclusive.releases.aside.com |
| Mini windowA small, chrome-less window for links opened from other apps or a quick search. | ? | ✓ | Bundle 1.0.1022.1: no Little Arc/mini-window strings in locale or UI resources; not conclusive.releases.aside.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ◐ | ✓ | Bundle 1.0.1022.1: Tab Search button present; omnibox Search / Ask AI per docs; no command palette found.releases.aside.com |
| Link routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ? | ✓ | Bundle 1.0.1022.1: only default-browser strings, no per-site routing rule strings; not conclusive.releases.aside.com |
| Site customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ? | ✓ | Bundle 1.0.1022.1: no Boost/site-customisation strings in locale or UI resources; not conclusive.releases.aside.com |
| Auto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ✓ | ✓ | Bundle 1.0.1022.1: auto picture-in-picture site setting present; docs say off by default (Settings > General).releases.aside.com |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | Aside | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ◐ | – | Bundle 1.0.1022.1: Arc is an import source in onboarding UI; Spaces import not verified.releases.aside.com |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ✓ | ✓ | Extensions page links to the Chrome Web Store; 1Password extension setup is documented.docs.aside.com |
| DRM (Widevine)Netflix, Disney+, Spotify web and other DRM video/audio play. Chromium forks need a Google Widevine licence. | ✓ | ✓ | Bundle 1.0.1022.1: CDM not bundled; docs say Widevine installs via aside://components (Netflix, Prime).releases.aside.com |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ✓ | ✓ | Bundle 1.0.1022.1: browser passkey entitlement + webauthn keychain group; Aside Vault also stores passkeys.releases.aside.com |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ◐ | ✓ | Bookmarks, history, tabs, tab groups, pinned tabs and cookies sync; settings stay per device.docs.aside.com |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ✕ | ◐ | Site and docs list only macOS and Windows apps.aside.com |
Extras
| Feature | Aside | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ✓ | ✓ | Bundle 1.0.1022.1: built-in adblock-rust blocker; docs say onboarding enables it with default filters.releases.aside.com |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above. Not counted in Arc parity.
| Feature | Aside | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | ✕ | ✕ | Chromium 154 blocks MV2 with no flag; bundle holds stock MV2 handler strings, no restore patch found.chromium.googlesource.com |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | ✓ | ✓ | Chromium 154 loads MV3 (max supported 3); extensions page links to the Chrome Web Store.chromium.googlesource.com |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Chromium-based: Firefox .xpi add-ons are not CRX packages, so its installer rejects them.chromium.googlesource.com |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Safari extensions are app extensions that only Safari loads; Chromium 154 has no loader for them.developer.apple.com |