Pola Browser
Indie Mac-only WebKit browser with sidebar folders, Spaces, per-tab profiles and floating tabs.
Pola is a Mac-only productivity browser by indie developer Matteo Ricupero, built on Apple's WebKit. It uses a sidebar with persistent tab folders, Spaces, Favorites, a Research Mode that records browsing as a tree, and always-on-top floating tabs. Profiles can be switched per tab, and web AI tools can be pinned in the sidebar. It is distributed through the Mac App Store with a free tier and paid plans, and is still pre-1.0.
50% Arc feature parity (yes = 1, partial = ½).
Built-in AI
AI optional
No built-in model: you add your own web AI (ChatGPT, Claude) to the sidebar, then send pages to it for summaries. No AI service is bundled.
polabrowser.comNot counted in Arc parity: some people want AI, some avoid it.
Bloat check
2 things you didn't ask for
- Telemetry on by defaultAnonymous app analytics via Aptabase (App Store label: usage data, not linked to you); no opt-out setting is documented.apps.apple.com
- Paid upsellsPricing lists folders, Spaces, profiles and the AI sidebar under the paid plans; a free trial leads to €19.99/year or €49.99 lifetime.polabrowser.com
Mac App Store only, so not run: the upsell comes from the vendor's pricing page and free-tier wording, not an observed in-app paywall. No ads, wallet, feed or account.
Ads, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | Pola Browser | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ✓ | ✓ | Tabs, folders and the address bar live in a toggleable sidebar.apps.apple.com |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ✓ | ✓ | Spaces each have their own folders and tabs; switch by click or horizontal scroll.polabrowser.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. | ✓ | ✓ | Optional default profile per Space; profile also set per tab. Vendor pages differ on per-space cookie isolation.apps.apple.com |
| Global favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ✓ | ✓ | Favorites are top tabs available throughout all spaces.apps.apple.com |
| Pinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ◐ | ✓ | Folders per Space, but vendor docs describe a flat folder structure without nesting.polabrowser.com |
| Auto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ◐ | ✓ | Memory management unloads inactive tabs; no archive or auto-close timer documented.apps.apple.com |
| Space themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ◐ | ✓ | Interface colour follows the current website; per-Space themes are not documented.apps.apple.com |
Browsing
| Feature | Pola Browser | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ? | ✓ | |
| Link previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ? | ✓ | |
| Mini windowA small, chrome-less window for links opened from other apps or a quick search. | ◐ | ✓ | Floating tabs open in their own always-on-top window, but not as default for external links.polabrowser.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ◐ | ✓ | ⌘T overlay completes sites inline and lists active tabs; no browser commands documented.apps.apple.com |
| Link routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ? | ✓ | |
| Site customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ? | ✓ | |
| Auto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ◐ | ✓ | Floating tabs keep a video on top, but must be triggered manually; no auto picture-in-picture found.polabrowser.com |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | Pola Browser | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ? | – | |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ◐ | ✓ | 0.45.0 added Chrome Web Store installs; vendor calls extension support early and not fully compatible.polabrowser.com |
| DRM (Widevine)Netflix, Disney+, Spotify web and other DRM video/audio play. Chromium forks need a Google Widevine licence. | ? | ✓ | |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ✓ | ✓ | Added in 0.45.0: sign in with Touch ID on sites that offer passkeys.apps.apple.com |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ✓ | ✓ | Syncs tabs, folders, bookmarks, settings and profiles between Macs via your Google Drive.polabrowser.com |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ✕ | ◐ | Mac only; vendor says other platforms may come later.polabrowser.com |
Extras
| Feature | Pola Browser | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ✓ | ✓ | Ships with uBlock Origin Lite bundled (Manifest V3 content blocker).polabrowser.com |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above. Not counted in Arc parity.
| Feature | Pola Browser | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | ? | ✕ | Vendor only says Pola uses MV3; MV2 loading is not stated and not testable (App Store only). |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | ◐ | ✓ | Runs MV3 (uBlock Origin Lite bundled); vendor says support is early and not all extensions work.polabrowser.com |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | ? | ✕ | Only Chrome Web Store installs are documented (0.45.0); Firefox add-ons are not mentioned. |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | ? | ✕ | No mention of Safari extensions; vendor lists a curated set (uBlock Origin Lite, Bitwarden, 1Password, Keepa). |