Solamar
Free, open-source Electron browser for Windows and macOS, with one-click Arc import and built-in ad blocking.
Solamar is a local-first browser built with Electron, React and TypeScript, aimed at people leaving Arc. It keeps spaces with per-space colours, pinned tabs, favorites and nested folders, a command bar, split view, Peek and Boosts, and reads Arc's StorableSidebar.json to rebuild spaces, pinned tabs and folders. The default layout is a top bar of titled tabs; Arc's vertical sidebar is a setting. It blocks ads by default, installs Chrome Web Store extensions, and has an optional AI agent (local Ollama or your own Anthropic key) that is also reachable from Claude Code over a local MCP server. There is no account, sync server or telemetry. It is a one-developer project; v0.1.0 builds are not code-signed.
67% Arc feature parity (yes = 1, partial = ½).
AI optional
Off by default (ai.enabled: false). Turn on in Settings > AI for page summaries, ask-the-page and tab tidying via local Ollama or your own Anthropic key.
github.comNot counted in Arc parity: some people want AI, some avoid it.
None found
No ads, wallet, feed, upsells or account. Stated: no account, no sync server, no telemetry. Its only own network call is the update check against GitHub Releases.
github.comAds, crypto, paid upsells, news feeds, default-on telemetry, required accounts.
Organization
| Feature | Solamar | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical sidebarTabs live in a vertical sidebar that is the main tab UI and can be hidden. | ◐ | ✓ | Arc-style vertical sidebar is a layout setting; the default is a top bar of tabs.github.com |
| SpacesSeveral workspaces per window, each with its own pinned and open tabs, switched by swipe or shortcut. | ✓ | ✓ | Spaces with own pinned and open tabs, colours and icon; switch by shortcut (Ctrl+Alt+Left/Right).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. | ✓ | ✓ | Space menu picks a profile (own cookie jar) or creates one; several spaces can share a profile.github.com |
| Global favoritesPinned icons at the top of the sidebar shared by every Space (Zen calls them Essentials). | ✓ | ✓ | Favorites have no space (spaceId null) and show in every space.github.com |
| Pinned tabs & foldersPer-space pinned tabs that act like bookmarks, with nested folders. | ✓ | ✓ | Per-space pinned tabs with nested folders ('New folder inside').github.com |
| Auto-archive tabsUnpinned tabs close automatically after a set time and stay recoverable in an archive. | ✓ | ✓ | Unpinned 'today' tabs archive after 12 h by default (configurable) and can be restored.github.com |
| Space themesPer-space colour or gradient themes. | ✓ | ✓ | Each space has a colour or two-stop gradient, light/dark mode, texture and intensity.github.com |
Browsing
| Feature | Solamar | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split ViewTwo or more tabs side by side in one window. | ◐ | ✓ | Two panes only: split state is a two-item list [active, other].github.com |
| Link previewOpen a link in an overlay without leaving the current page (Zen calls it Glance). | ✓ | ✓ | Shift+click, or a plain click on an off-site link in a pinned tab/favorite, opens a Peek card.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 normal tab in the main window; no mini window.github.com |
| Command barA ⌘T palette that searches tabs, history, bookmarks and browser commands. | ✓ | ✓ | Ctrl+T palette ranks open tabs, history and browser actions, plus URL or search.github.com |
| Link routingRules that send links from other apps to a chosen space or profile. | ✕ | ✓ | External links go straight to openTab in the current space; no rules.github.com |
| Site customizationPer-site custom CSS/JS, or zapping elements off a page. | ✓ | ✓ | Per-site Boosts with custom CSS, JS, font, colour filter and zapped elements.github.com |
| Auto picture-in-picturePlaying video pops out into picture-in-picture automatically when you switch tabs. | ✓ | ✓ | On by default: a playing video with sound pops into PiP when you switch tabs.github.com |
Compatibility & migration
| Feature | Solamar | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc importImports Arc spaces, pinned tabs and folders. | ✓ | – | Reads Arc's sidebar file read-only: spaces, colours, icons, pinned tabs, folders, favorites.github.com |
| Chrome extensionsInstalls extensions from the Chrome Web Store. | ◐ | ✓ | Chrome Web Store install works, but Electron implements only a subset of the extension APIs.github.com |
| DRM (Widevine)Netflix, Disney+, Spotify web and other DRM video/audio play. Chromium forks need a Google Widevine licence. | ✕ | ✓ | v0.1.0 ships stock Electron 45; no Widevine CDM in the macOS bundle. Added only on unreleased main.github.com |
| PasskeysWebAuthn passkeys, Touch ID and the system/iCloud keychain. | ◐ | ✓ | WebAuthn goes to Electron/Windows Hello; background passkey autofill is disabled. Mac not tested.github.com |
| SyncSpaces, pinned tabs and settings sync across devices. | ✕ | ✓ | Stated design: no account, no sync server; data is one local JSON file.github.com |
| Mobile appiPhone, iPad or Android app that shares spaces with desktop. | ✕ | ◐ | Windows and macOS only.github.com |
Extras
| Feature | Solamar | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in ad blockerAd and tracker blocking without installing an extension. | ✓ | ✓ | Ghostery adblocker engine, on by default, with per-site allow.github.com |
Extension support
Which extension formats and stores run, beyond the Chrome Web Store row above. Not counted in Arc parity.
| Feature | Solamar | Arc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manifest V2 extensionsThe older extension format Chrome removed in 2025. Needed for full uBlock Origin and other extensions that block requests. | ✕ | ✕ | Web Store installer refuses MV2 (library minimum is 3); Solamar has no unpacked loading.github.com |
| Manifest V3 extensionsThe current extension format used by the Chrome Web Store (and supported by Firefox and Safari). | ◐ | ✓ | Web Store MV3 extensions install, but run on Electron's subset of extension APIs; Chrome-only ones missing.github.com |
| Firefox add-onsAdd-ons from addons.mozilla.org or .xpi files install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Only the Chrome Web Store installer is wired in; no Firefox add-on (AMO or .xpi) support.github.com |
| Safari extensionsSafari web extensions (the App Store extension apps Safari uses) install and run. | ✕ | ✕ | Electron loads only unpacked Chrome-format extensions; no Safari extension support.github.com |