Crest
Open-source Arc-style browser for Mac, iPhone and iPad with Chromium and per-site WebKit
Crest is an open-source browser for Apple silicon Macs, iPhone and iPad, made by Paul Davis. On Mac it opens pages in Chromium (with Crest's privacy changes) by default and can open any page or site in WebKit instead; iPhone and iPad use WebKit only. It offers Spaces, a sidebar, Peek, Split View and Quick Window, and can import Spaces and tabs from Arc. It is in early access and its security has not been independently audited.
86% Arc feature parity (yes = 1, partial = ½).
Built-in AI
No AI
No built-in AI. The palette only opens ChatGPT, Claude, Google AI Mode etc. in a tab; an MCP link for your own coding agents stays off until enabled.
github.comNot counted in Arc parity: some people want AI, some avoid it.
Bloat check
None found
No ads, wallet, feed, upsell or account. Privacy page: no analytics pipeline or ad SDK; Chromium contacts Google only for component updates, with no identifier.
github.comAds, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | Crest | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ✓ | ✓ | crestbrowser.com |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ✓ | ✓ | Each Space has its own tabs, pinned sites, folders and look.crestbrowser.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. | ✓ | ✓ | Each Space has its own profile; Sub-Spaces join a primary's session to share cookies, history, passwords.github.com |
| Global favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ◐ | ✓ | Pinned-sites grid is per Space; Sub-Spaces show their primary's pins unless Separate Pinned Tabs is on.github.com |
| Pinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ✓ | ✓ | Saved tabs with a home URL, plus nested folders in Saved and Current sections.crestbrowser.com |
| Auto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ✓ | ✓ | Per-Space: archive unpinned tabs after 12h, 24h, 7 or 30 days (default 12h); recoverable in Archive.github.com |
| Space themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ✓ | ✓ | Crest Studio: per-Space crest, colors, or one-to-three-color gradient sidebar.github.com |
Browsing
| Feature | Crest | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ✓ | ✓ | Two to four live tabs per group.github.com |
| Link previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ✓ | ✓ | github.com |
| Mini windowA small, chrome-less window for links opened from other apps or a quick search. | ✓ | ✓ | Quick Window is the default for external links; Settings > Links can send them to a Space instead.github.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ✓ | ✓ | Command-L palette covers tabs, history, pinned/saved, Spaces, settings pages and commands.github.com |
| Link routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ✓ | ✓ | Link Routing rules (Contains / Is Exactly) send external links to a chosen Space.github.com |
| Site customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ✕ | ✓ | No per-site CSS/JS or zap feature in the code; the Boosts request (#606) is open and off the roadmap.github.com |
| Auto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ✓ | ✓ | Mac only; on by default (Settings > General). Open report: no PiP on WebKit pages (#1040, dev build).github.com |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | Crest | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ✓ | – | Spaces (per profile as Sub-Space group), tabs, folders, split views, colors, icons, extensions, passwords.github.com |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ✓ | ✓ | Mac only and Chromium pages only; the WebKit engine lists extensions as unavailable; none on iPhone/iPad.github.com |
| DRM (Widevine)Netflix, Disney+, Spotify web and other DRM video/audio play. Chromium forks need a Google Widevine licence. | ◐ | ✓ | Widevine module downloads on first Chromium run; Netflix, Disney+, Max, Prime Video open in WebKit (FairPlay).github.com |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ◐ | ✓ | System passkey sheet (iCloud Keychain); Chromium Touch ID/phone-QR gaps fixed only after 0.8.50 (#672, #978).github.com |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ✓ | ✓ | iCloud (CloudKit) sync of Spaces, tabs, folders, Split Views, history, Archive; password values stay out.github.com |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ✓ | ◐ | iPhone and iPad apps (WebKit only) share Spaces with Mac through iCloud.crestbrowser.com |
Extras
| Feature | Crest | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ◐ | ✓ | Small built-in 19-host ad/tracker list, on by default, WebKit pages and iOS only; Chromium needs an extension.github.com |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above. Not counted in Arc parity.
| Feature | Crest | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | ✓ | ✕ | Crest's patch keeps MV2 loading on Chromium 156, which still has blocking webRequest for MV2.github.com |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | ✓ | ✓ | Chromium 156 supports manifest versions 2 and 3; Crest does not patch this. Mac Chromium pages only.chromium.googlesource.com |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Crest's guide: it does not install Firefox add-ons; extensions come from the Chrome Web Store.crestbrowser.com |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Crest's guide: it does not install Safari Web Extensions; WebKit pages and iOS run no extensions.crestbrowser.com |