Refrax
Free, open-source Mac browser built by an Arc user: WebKit by default, Chromium switchable per tab.
Refrax is a native macOS browser written in Swift (AppKit, SwiftUI, Liquid Glass) by one developer who used Arc until it was abandoned. Tabs live in vertical 'islands' grouped into spaces, with global favorites, a command lens, split view of up to four pages, link routing rules and an Arc space importer. WebKit renders pages by default; a signed Chromium engine can be installed from Settings and chosen per tab. It has a built-in ad and tracker blocker, iCloud sync between Macs and a refrax-ctl CLI for scripting, but no built-in AI and no mobile app. It needs macOS 26 on Apple silicon.
81% Arc feature parity (yes = 1, partial = ½).
Built-in AI
No AI
No built-in AI: the in-app agent chat was retired and its keys deleted. The refrax-ctl CLI only lets external agents drive the browser.
github.comNot counted in Arc parity: some people want AI, some avoid it.
Bloat check
1 thing you didn't ask for
- Telemetry on by defaultFirst-run screen preselects a daily anonymous check-in plus crash reports; pick "No telemetry" (or close the later prompt) and nothing is sent.github.com
Telemetry is a consent choice, off unless chosen. No ads, wallet, feed, upsell prompts or account found in the source.
Ads, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | Refrax | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ✓ | ✓ | Vertical tab 'islands' float over the page; pin them on screen or hide them until a reveal key.github.com |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ✓ | ✓ | Each space has its own tabs and groups; switch from the control island or the command lens.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. | ◐ | ✓ | Per space: Shared, own Isolated store, or Private. Isolated is 1:1 and fixed at creation.github.com |
| Global favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ✓ | ✓ | Favorites are tabs shown in every space, with a home address, never auto-cleaned.github.com |
| Pinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ✓ | ✓ | Groups can be pinned per space and nest two levels; Arc pinned tabs and folders import as pinned groups.github.com |
| Auto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ✓ | ✓ | Opt-in rules archive tabs after N idle days or over a tab limit; archived tabs can be restored.github.com |
| Space themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ✓ | ✓ | Each space has its own colour that tints the controls; window tint is opt-in. No gradients.github.com |
Browsing
| Feature | Refrax | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ✓ | ✓ | A tab can hold two to four pages in a grid; drag a row onto another tab to combine.github.com |
| Link previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ✓ | ✓ | Shift+click or Force Touch on a link opens a preview panel that can become a real tab.github.com |
| Mini windowA small, chrome-less window for links opened from other apps or a quick search. | ◐ | ✓ | Glimpse window (address field only) exists, but external links open in a tab unless you change it.github.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ✓ | ✓ | Command Lens on ⌘T searches open tabs, history, bookmarks, archived tabs and browser actions.github.com |
| Link routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ✓ | ✓ | Rules by domain, source app or time send links to a chosen space, group or Glimpse window.github.com |
| Site customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ✓ | ✓ | Per-site user CSS and Greasemonkey-style user scripts; no point-and-click zapper found.github.com |
| Auto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ✓ | ✓ | Playing video enters picture-in-picture when you switch tabs; on by default, per-site override.github.com |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | Refrax | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ✓ | – | Imports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders, unpinned tabs and favorites; re-import merges.github.com |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ✓ | ✓ | Installs extensions from the Chrome Web Store (and Firefox Add-ons); compatibility not tested.github.com |
| DRM (Widevine)Netflix, Disney+, Spotify web and other DRM video/audio play. Chromium forks need a Google Widevine licence. | ? | ✓ | Not tested; the Chromium build is ungoogled-based and WebKit FairPlay support was not checked. |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ? | ✓ | Not tested; the shipped entitlements include no browser passkey entitlement. |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ✓ | ✓ | Opt-in iCloud (CloudKit) sync of spaces, tabs, bookmarks, history and settings across Macs.github.com |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ✕ | ◐ | Mac only; no iPhone, iPad or Android app.github.com |
Extras
| Feature | Refrax | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ✓ | ✓ | Built-in Shields blocker (adblock-rust, uBlock and EasyList lists) is on by default in both engines.github.com |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above. Not counted in Arc parity.
| Feature | Refrax | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | ◐ | ✕ | Bundled uBlock Origin 1.68 (MV2) loads on WebKit, which can't apply its network blocking; Shields does.github.com |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | ✓ | ✓ | Runs MV3 service-worker extensions on WebKit's extension runtime (tested with fixtures).github.com |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | ✓ | ✕ | Add-ons install from addons.mozilla.org or as .xpi and load on WebKit's runtime; compatibility untested.github.com |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Loads CRX, XPI and unpacked folders only; no App Store Safari extension (.appex) support.github.com |