Emerald
A WebKit browser for Mac, iPhone and iPad with Spaces, Profiles, folders and iCloud sync, from one developer.
Emerald is a Swift-based browser built on the system WebKit engine, with a sidebar, Spaces with per-Space themes, folders, pinned tabs and temporary "Tabbies" tabs. Spaces can be assigned a Profile, and several Spaces can share one Profile. It runs on Mac, iPhone and iPad and syncs through iCloud. The core app is free; a paid Premium tier removes the 3-Space limit and adds the stronger ad blocker and page customization.
76% Arc feature parity (yes = 1, partial = ½).
Built-in AI
AI on by default
MyIntelligence (on-device Apple Intelligence), ChatGPT search and an AI sidebar are in the free tier; release notes say all can be disabled in Settings.
bieletees.github.ioNot counted in Arc parity: some people want AI, some avoid it.
Bloat check
1 thing you didn't ask for
- Paid upsellsPremium pitched in onboarding, Settings and the sidebar; free tier locks the app past 3 Spaces until you delete Spaces or upgrade.emerald-browser.notion.site
No ads or analytics per the privacy policy (App Store label: email only). A MyAccount is needed only to buy Premium, not to browse.
Ads, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | Emerald | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ✓ | ✓ | Sidebar on Mac and iPad; can be hidden with Cmd+S. iPhone uses a bottom bar and sheets.emerald-browser.notion.site |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ✓ | ✓ | Each Space has its own name, icon, theme, pinned tabs, folders and Tabbies.emerald-browser.notion.site |
| 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. | ✓ | ✓ | Docs: same Profile on several Spaces shares data; a different Profile keeps it separate. Set via "Set Profile…".emerald-browser.notion.site |
| Global favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ◐ | ✓ | Favorites sit at the top of the sidebar but are tied to Profiles, so only Spaces sharing a Profile share them.bieletees.github.io |
| Pinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ✓ | ✓ | Per-Space pinned tabs and nested folders; private folders can be locked (Private Folders are a Premium feature).bieletees.github.io |
| Auto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ◐ | ✓ | Tabbies auto-clear after 12 h by default (configurable). Closed pages go to Recents, not a dedicated archive.bieletees.github.io |
| Space themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ✓ | ✓ | Per-Space gradient theme editor with light/dark scheme, opacity and grain.bieletees.github.io |
Browsing
| Feature | Emerald | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ✓ | ✓ | On iPhone, split tabs show as normal read-only tabs.bieletees.github.io |
| Link previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ◐ | ✓ | Peek popup opens when a page requests a new tab; not a general link-preview for any link.bieletees.github.io |
| Mini windowA small, chrome-less window for links opened from other apps or a quick search. | ✓ | ✓ | Bundle 1.04: links from other apps open in Little Emerald, a basic-controls window; one click to any Space.github.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ◐ | ✓ | Search bar covers web, recents, pinned tabs, open tabs and Spaces; no browser commands documented.emerald-browser.notion.site |
| Link routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ✕ | ✓ | Bundle 1.04: default-browser links open in Little Emerald; no routing-rule strings, Space chosen by hand.github.com |
| Site customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ◐ | ✓ | Premium Page Customization: font changing, Emerald Dark Reader, text capitalization. No custom CSS/JS or zapping.emerald-browser.notion.site |
| Auto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ✓ | ✓ | Mac: picture-in-picture triggers automatically when switching tabs; can be disabled.bieletees.github.io |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | Emerald | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ✓ | – | Bundle 1.04: parses Arc StorableSidebar.json into ArcSpace/ArcFolder/ArcTab; Spaces selectable on import.github.com |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ◐ | ✓ | Mac 1.04: a bridge converts Chrome Web Store extensions to WebKit; earlier notes say not all are compatible.bieletees.github.io |
| DRM (Widevine)Netflix, Disney+, Spotify web and other DRM video/audio play. Chromium forks need a Google Widevine licence. | ? | ✓ | Bundle 1.04: system WebKit, no Widevine; FairPlay playback not verifiable without running the app.github.com |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ✓ | ✓ | Mac: passkeys supported with Apple entitlement; 1.01 notes say they can occasionally break.emerald-browser.notion.site |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ✓ | ✓ | iCloud Sync for Spaces, folders and tabs across Mac, iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro.bieletees.github.io |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ✓ | ◐ | iPhone/iPad app syncs with the Mac app via iCloud.apps.apple.com |
Extras
| Feature | Emerald | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ✓ | ✓ | Free built-in blocker (70/100 on adblock-tester); AdBlock+ with Premium blocks YouTube/Reddit ads.emerald-browser.notion.site |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above. Not counted in Arc parity.
| Feature | Emerald | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | ? | ✕ | 1.04 notes say a bridge converts Chrome Web Store extensions; MV2 handling is not documented. |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | ◐ | ✓ | Bridge converts Chrome Web Store (MV3) extensions to WebKit; notes say not all are compatible.bieletees.github.io |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | ? | ✕ | Release notes mention only Chrome Web Store extensions; no Firefox add-on install is documented. |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | ? | ✕ | Notes list Chrome Web Store extensions and Swift-built native ones; Safari extensions not mentioned. |