Mise
Free Electron browser with a vertical sidebar, isolated workspaces and keyboard-first control; Linux first.
Mise (Czech for "mission") is a solo-built, keyboard-first Electron browser aimed at low-power Linux machines, with Mac and Windows builds too. It has a collapsible vertical sidebar, workspaces that each run in their own cookie partition, a permanent in-memory Private workspace, a two-pane split view and a Shift+click link preview. Idle tabs hibernate to save memory, and Ghostery-based ad and tracker blocking is on by default. It runs no extensions: per-site user scripts and styles replace them. There is no Arc import, sync, favorites row, mini window or link routing. The Mac build is Apple Silicon only, and the author says Mac and Windows builds get less testing than Linux.
38% Arc feature parity (yes = 1, partial = ½).
No AI
No AI in the browser: its AI policy rules out models, AI services and page monitoring, and no AI features are planned.
github.comNot counted in Arc parity: some people want AI, some avoid it.
None found
No ads, wallet, feed, upsells or account. Privacy policy: no analytics or crash reports; the only call home is a daily GitHub release check.
github.comAds, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | Mise | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ✓ | ✓ | Vertical tab sidebar is the main tab UI; collapses to a 36px strip, expands on hover or when pinned.github.com |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ✓ | ✓ | Workspaces keep their own open and pinned tabs; switch via 'ws name', dashboard or palette, no swipe.github.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 workspace gets its own persistent cookie partition, 1:1 with the workspace; cannot be shared.github.com |
| Global favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ✕ | ✓ | No global favorites row; pinned tabs exist only inside each workspace.github.com |
| Pinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ◐ | ✓ | Pinned tabs are kept per workspace and survive restarts, but there are no folders.github.com |
| Auto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ◐ | ✓ | Idle tabs hibernate after 5 min to 1 h (default 15 min); no archive list of closed tabs.github.com |
| Space themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ◐ | ✓ | One global dark or light palette with accent presets; not set per workspace.github.com |
Browsing
| Feature | Mise | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ◐ | ✓ | Two panes only, side by side or stacked, per workspace.github.com |
| Link previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ✓ | ✓ | Shift+click any link or press Ctrl+G for hints to open an overlay preview; Ctrl+Enter makes it a tab.github.com |
| Mini windowA small, chrome-less window for links opened from other apps or a quick search. | ✕ | ✓ | Links from other apps open as a new tab in the main window; there is no mini window.github.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ◐ | ✓ | Ctrl+P palette runs browser commands only; history and bookmarks are separate overlays.github.com |
| Link routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ✕ | ✓ | External links open as a new tab in the main window; no routing rules.github.com |
| Site customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ✓ | ✓ | Per-site .user.js and .user.css files (@match, @-moz-document) are injected; no editor UI or zapper.github.com |
| Auto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ✕ | ✓ | No picture-in-picture action or code at this tag.github.com |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | Mise | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ✕ | – | No importer for Arc or any other browser in the source or docs.github.com |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ✕ | ✓ | Avoids WebExtension stores by design; user scripts and styles take their place.github.com |
| DRM (Widevine)Netflix, Disney+, Spotify web and other DRM video/audio play. Chromium forks need a Google Widevine licence. | ✕ | ✓ | Stock Electron 45.2.3 with no Widevine module in the macOS bundle; DRM video is not supported.github.com |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ? | ✓ | |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ✕ | ✓ | No accounts or sync; session, bookmarks and notes are local files.github.com |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ✕ | ◐ | Releases are Linux, macOS and Windows packages only.github.com |
Extras
| Feature | Mise | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ✓ | ✓ | Built-in Ghostery blocker; EasyList and EasyPrivacy are on by default, more lists optional.github.com |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above. Not counted in Arc parity.
| Feature | Mise | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | – | ✕ | Runs no extensions by design; user scripts and styles replace them.github.com |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | – | ✓ | Runs no extensions by design; user scripts and styles replace them.github.com |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | – | ✕ | Runs no extensions by design; user scripts and styles replace them.github.com |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | – | ✕ | Runs no extensions by design; user scripts and styles replace them.github.com |